BookWyrm

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates

No cover — Eva Gates: Death by Beach Read (2022, Crooked Lane Books)

Review of 'Death by Beach Read' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Having back-tracked and caught up on the book in this series I'd missed, I happily jumped in to this one, having made sure I was first in line for its release to our library.

Now Lucy and Connor have moved into a historic home on the water that they are restoring (STILL haven't tied the knot yet.. Sheesh!)... Their house holds some tragic secrets and modern day trouble.

Honestly, I miss Lucy's Lighthouse Aerie, and I felt that this plot slipped a little. For one thing, the title was confusing - not sure what it was referring to. And the resolution felt a little contrived to me, or rushed, or kind of out of left field.

But as always, Eva/Vicki is adept at developing characters, and this was no exception. I always find her style very enjoyable. And most of all, my favorite character is our very own Outer Banks …

Having back-tracked and caught up on the book in this series I'd missed, I happily jumped in to this one, having made sure I was first in line for its release to our library.

Now Lucy and Connor have moved into a historic home on the water that they are restoring (STILL haven't tied the knot yet.. Sheesh!)... Their house holds some tragic secrets and modern day trouble.

Honestly, I miss Lucy's Lighthouse Aerie, and I felt that this plot slipped a little. For one thing, the title was confusing - not sure what it was referring to. And the resolution felt a little contrived to me, or rushed, or kind of out of left field.

But as always, Eva/Vicki is adept at developing characters, and this was no exception. I always find her style very enjoyable. And most of all, my favorite character is our very own Outer Banks of North Carolina.

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed A Death Long Overdue by Eva Gates

Eva Gates: A Death Long Overdue (Paperback, 2021, Crooked Lane Books)

Review of 'A Death Long Overdue' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I had started her newest in the series ("Death by Beach Read"), when I discovered I'd somehow missed this one along the way. Goes to show that although there is a longer narrative (Lucy & Connor's romance), I somehow read 2 books without realizing I'd missed a step, so yes, each book stands well alone.

Anyway, this was another fun one, and kept me guessing. Eva/Vicki's writing is definitely a cut above some of the cozies out there, and always engaging. Plus I really enjoy her Outer Banks setting, which I am quite fond of visiting whenever I can.

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 rated Pictorial Key to the Tarot: 4 stars

Arthur Edward Waite: Pictorial Key to the Tarot (Paperback, 1975, Weiser Books)

Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 rated Kitchen Table Tarot: 5 stars

Melissa Cynova: Kitchen Table Tarot (Paperback, 2017)

Kitchen Table Tarot by Melissa Cynova

Learn to read with your own voice and get the answers to all of your questions.

For years, Melissa Cynova …

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

Abbi Waxman: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill (Hardcover, 2019, Thorndike Press Large Print)

Review of 'The Bookish Life of Nina Hill' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I am really impressed with this, my 2nd foray, into the storytelling of Ms. Waxman. This was yet another romp, perfect for bookworms, especially. Plus pretty believable romantic complications. Very enjoyable, without being shallow or terribly obvious.

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 rated Understanding The Tarot Court (Columbia Classics): 5 stars

Mary K. Greer, Tom Little: Understanding The Tarot Court (Columbia Classics) (Paperback, 2004, Llewellyn Publications)

Understanding The Tarot Court (Columbia Classics) by Mary K. Greer, Tom Little

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 rated Mary K. Greer's 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card: 5 stars

Mary Greer: Mary K. Greer's 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card (Paperback, 2006, Llewellyn Publications)

Mary K. Greer's 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card by Mary Greer

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 rated Seventy-eight degrees of wisdom: 5 stars

Rachel Pollack: Seventy-eight degrees of wisdom (1997, Thorsons/Element)

Seventy-eight degrees of wisdom by Rachel Pollack

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 rated The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals: 4 stars

Mary Greer: The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals (Paperback, 2002, Llewellyn Publications)

The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals by Mary Greer

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed Little Bookshop of Murder by Maggie Blackburn

Maggie Blackburn: Little Bookshop of Murder (Hardcover, 2020, Crooked Lane Books)

Review of 'Little Bookshop of Murder' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Alas. I like Molly's other incarnations, so I was excited to find this (based on the yummy, promising title) - even before I realized it was her.

I won't pile on to what others have said, which I unfortunately agree with for the most part.

What irked me the most were all the typos, miscues, and outright errors. Ex: one minute there is a tense, one-on-one dialogue with Summer and one of her mother's friends, but then suddenly, the name of someone else not in the room is replying. I can't tell you how many times I had to flip back and look to see if I'd missed something.

Nope.

And so many loose ends, in terms of build-up devices which are never addressed again or else seemed to be out of sync, or barely touched upon later, as well as other continuity problems, etc.

There is even a villainous …

Alas. I like Molly's other incarnations, so I was excited to find this (based on the yummy, promising title) - even before I realized it was her.

I won't pile on to what others have said, which I unfortunately agree with for the most part.

What irked me the most were all the typos, miscues, and outright errors. Ex: one minute there is a tense, one-on-one dialogue with Summer and one of her mother's friends, but then suddenly, the name of someone else not in the room is replying. I can't tell you how many times I had to flip back and look to see if I'd missed something.

Nope.

And so many loose ends, in terms of build-up devices which are never addressed again or else seemed to be out of sync, or barely touched upon later, as well as other continuity problems, etc.

There is even a villainous character who is redeemed because he ACTUALLY SAVES A CAT!!! (look up Save the Cat if you don't know what I am talking about). And sadly, yes, it is so obvious who the perp is, and fairly early on, I only kept reading because I hoped there was a surprise twist.

Honestly, Molly acknowledges her new publisher and editing team most generously, but if they were working on MY baby and let this get out the door, I would be furious! Did anybody even give this a complete read-through edit??

Better luck next time. I am rooting for you!

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed The garden of small beginnings by Abbi Waxman

Abbi Waxman: The garden of small beginnings (AudiobookFormat, 2017, Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group)

“A quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book” (Hello Giggles) that’s “filled with characters you’ll love …

Review of 'The garden of small beginnings' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

What a delight: gardening! Poignancy! Creativity! Hilarity!

Good characters, brilliant observations of everyday life, and very, very clever writing (without a hint of condescension). Really interested in reading more.

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan

Jennifer Ryan: Wedding Dress Sewing Circle (2022, Random House Publishing Group)

Review of 'Wedding Dress Sewing Circle' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Oh, Ms. Ryan, you have done it again. I don't sew, and I am not that interested in needlework, so I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this, but yes, I did. It is a romance through and through but with such an abundance of historic detail and nuance, it goes far beyond the usual trope.

Such a lovely writer, carrying the stories along and intertwining them in solid ways. Not a lot of surprises here, but never dull either. I am left with only one burning question:
How long before your next creation? :)

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss

Kirsten Weiss: Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum (2016, Llewellyn Publications)

Review of 'Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I liked this.. somehow I did not realize it was a mystery novel, but that was a nice surprise. I liked the characters, and I also liked that I did not know who the murderer was till the reveal. In fact, I had to backtrack to put it together. My miss, or hers? Not sure, but I liked her writing enough that I am going to hunt for more by Weiss.

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed Sweet Thunder by Ivan Doig

Ivan Doig: Sweet Thunder (2013, Riverhead Hardcover)

In the winter of 1920, a quirky bequest draws Morrie Morgan back to Butte, Montana, …

Review of 'Sweet Thunder' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I wondered if he could possibly maintain the momentum of the previous two books, in terms of pacing, plot, and interest. He did all that and more. By half-way through I could not put this book down. So, so good. Right to the very last page, I was spell-bound.

Thank you Ivan Doig, for some of the most engaging, thoughtful fiction I have read in ages. The three "Morrie" books were a total pleasure!

BethOwl 📚✍🏻🦉🇺🇦🌈 reviewed Love and Saffron by Kim Fay

Kim Fay: Love and Saffron (2022, Penguin Publishing Group)

Review of 'Love and Saffron' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Oh, what a treat! I devoured (!!) this little book in 2 nights. Now I must buy copies for some foodie friends I know (mine was from the library).

Well written, and perfectly captures the tone of a time and world with kind remembrance, yet pulls no punches as to the shadows of those years. Very creative use of POV.