Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Slated for Death by Elizabeth J. Duncan


When preparing for a local concert to be held in a closed slate mine, organizer Glenda Roberts is murdered. Spa owner Penny Brannigan agrees to take over the event and finds herself involved in the case when Glenda's mother, Doreen (also Penny's friend), is found dead. Could the crimes be related to Glenda's sister, Rebeccah, selling knock-off products in her market stall, or might they have something to do with the workers in the mines years ago? In this sixth book in the Penny Brannigan series, set in Wales,  Duncan writes a mystery that would be a great read-alike for people who enjoy M.C. Beaton.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

Novelist Madeline King is suffering from writer's block, so when her best friend, Grace, confesses an affair with landscape gardener, Benton Coe, Madeline can't resist using Grace's story as the basis for a new novel. Grace is basking in Benton's attention, despite being married to Eddie and having twin teen daughters, Allegra and Hope. Eddie, meanwhile, is preoccupied with the financial situation he's gotten himself into. In the process of building three houses, he doesn't have enough money to finish them and, as a real estate agent, he hasn't sold a house in many months. Desperate, Eddie makes a business decision that's against the law, which makes him even more stressed. Set on the island of Nantucket, The Rumor explores the relationships between Madeline, Grace, and Eddie, along with Allegra and Hope. While I enjoyed the book, there was something missing that puts it a level below Hilderbrand's great novels, like BarefootThe Island, and Silver Girl. It will be published in June.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

I Take You by Eliza Kennedy

In one week, New York lawyer Lily Wilder is getting married in her hometown of Key West.  The big question on everyone's mind is "should she?" Even though she loves her fiancee, Will, she can't remain faithful to him. I Take You follows Lily along with her family and friends in the frantic and festive days leading up to the nuptials. From the parties and future in-laws meetings to Lily's involvement in a case for work that could ruin her career, the novel is filled with humor, quirky characters and heart. A breezy, fun read similar to Bridget Jones's Diary and the novels of Sophie Kinsella. It will be published in May.