Blackbird: a story of survival and determination

Blackbird by Kay Bratt is the ninth book in the Hart’s Ridge series. In the small town of Hart’s Ridge, the echoes of Lydia Grimes’ abduction still ripples through the community. As they continue to come to grips with her profound loss, new clues and ideas may lead to understanding what happened to Lydia and where she is now. Deputy Taylor Gray feels deeply about every case that comes through Hart’s Ridge. With a mix of joys among the lingering sorrows, Taylor finds herself helping Caleb Grimes find the closure he needs to get his life and his family back on track. A young named Allison Curran, whom Taylor helped so many years ago, needs help again to leave a desperate situation. Can Taylor and Grimes find out what happened to Lydia and put the case to rest? Can Allison finally find peace, a home and a fresh start? 

Oh wow! What a story! From the opening prologue to the closing cliffhanger, Blackbird is a story of survival and determination. There were moments of heartbreaking tears and joyful smiles. There were moments of nail biting suspense and a race against time urgency. The Hart’s Ridge series just keeps getting better and better. My heart broke for Caleb and his daughters, especially Grace who struggled with their new reality and fears. I cheered Allison on as she worked to better her life and hoped with every turn of the page that she finds who and what she needs to find her feet again. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens next! This story will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing. I highly, highly recommend reading this series and if you have read the series so far, you will love Blackbird. 

Blackbird is available in paperback and eBook

Hart’s Ridge series books 1-8 are now available in paperback and eBook

Valleys, Vehicles, and Victims: wedding drama and old feuds

 Valleys, Vehicles and Victims is the ninth book in the Camper and Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. The gorgeous colors of fall have painted the Daniel Boone National Forest. The picturesque beauty is a popular choice for weddings. When a wedding party shows up at the Happy Trails Campground, Mae is thrilled. However, that feeling doesn’t last long as she recognizes the bride’s parents. They are her past. A past she has desperately tried to escape. But this family isn’t any old high society people. They are Tom and Misty Moon, the owners of the famous Moonbucks Coffee Company! Pushing aside their past association, Mae is determined to provide the couple with an amazing wedding of their dreams. There is someone else in town that has bad blood with the Moons, specifically Tom. Gert Hobson, the owner of Trails Coffee Shop, swears that Tom stole her recipe that became the special Moonbucks blend. A public fight and a very public threat makes Gert a prime suspect when one of the members of the wedding party is found murdered. It’s up to Mae  and the Laundry Club ladies to clear their friend’s name. 

This series has been so much fun and each book gets better and better. I loved the opening pages as Ms. Kappes paints the beautiful fall colors of Kentucky and I desperately wish I could be there to see it. Right off the bat, as the drama stirs around the wedding party, there isn’t a shortage of suspects when the victim is discovered. I love how Mae rallies behind Gert and is determined to prove her innocence even if it puts her in danger. I also love that it’s never the first suspect or even the one the characters suspect. The twist comes in complete surprise! I even had to turn back and find the subtle clue that I had read over. I also enjoyed reading the camping tips Ms Kappes included at the end. They will be handy if and when I’m ever camping. Also the recipes at the end sound so yummy! Overall, Valleys, Vehicles and Victims was so much fun to read that I could not put it down. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you will enjoy the Campers and Criminals series. I highly recommend Valleys, Vehicles and Victims! 

Valleys, Vehicles and Victims is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Wishful Thinking: finding self-acceptance and your heart's desires

Wishful Thinking by Kay Bratt is the ninth book in the Wishing Tree series. In this story, Janie Stallard has a new life as the newest business owner in Linden Falls as she has opened Wishful Thinking shop. She also helps Neva run the Wishing Tree Inn. She’s looking forward to the future as her divorce moves closer to becoming finalized. Coco Baines is a guest at the inn with the goal to become the graceful and fit anchorwoman her boss expects her to be. No matter how unfair she thinks the stereotype is outdated, she has to have that promotion! When a rumor about the Wishing Tree becomes an undeniable truth, the whole town is in an uproar and has banded together to protect their precious tree. Even with Janie and Coco working hard to divert the crisis, it will take more than just wishful thinking to save their tree. It will take a miracle. 

Wishful Thinking is a story of self-acceptance and finding your heart’s desires in the most unlikely places. I saw myself in Coco as she was fueled by an image that she thinks she needs to be in order to be the success she wants to be. She doesn’t see that she is beautiful just as she is. It takes a friendship with the local reporter and the story of the Wishing Tree to see that. Janie is a single mother who is trying to move forward until her estranged husband shows up in town. What is his motive? Can she trust him again? Can she trust herself to truly see her heart’s desires? My heart broke at the thought of the beloved Wishing Tree would be no more, even though I knew a solution would be found, I was surprised and enjoyed how the tree was saved. I highly recommend Wishful Thinking as well as the rest of the Wishing Tree series. 

Wishful Thinking is available in paperback and eBook.