Saturday, March 29, 2025

Sunday Post 100

 Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

On the above blogs you will be able to see links to the posts from others who are participating in those blog hops, and if you're a blogger, you can join too. 

Welcome to my 100th Sunday Post! Actually, I was doing this before I started calling it the Sunday Post, so this is about my 107th...but that's a technicality. Let's just call it my Centennial Sunday Post. Thanks to everyone out there who reads and comments on my posts! And thanks to everyone who hosts blog hops so we can connect!

I had a pretty low-key week. The daffodils are blooming, the pear and plum trees are flowering, and soon the tulips will be bursting with colors. The cherry blossoms are just now beginning to emerge, so look for spring pictures on my Friday posts in the coming weeks. I've already posted pictures of the daffodils. 

We had temps in the 80s today (Saturday), which is not my style at the end of March, but thankfully, it was just a one day fluke. We'll be cooler on Sunday and through the coming week. We are expecting storms on Monday, which I'm really not a fan off. Hopefully they won't be too bad.

I am not sure if I'll have time to compose a Sunday Post next weekend, but if not, I should be back the following weekend. The weekend I return will hopefully be my birthday weekend! In the meantime, I'm planning to publish other posts during the week.

IN THE BOOKS
RECENTLY FINISHED
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I listened to Bayou Book Thief (Vintage Cookbook Mystery 1), written by Ellen Byron and narrated by Amy Melissa Bentley. I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it. There were times when a character was about to say a curse word, then paused. I appreciate that there was no cursing in the book, but those pauses took me out of the story. But overall I liked it.
IN PROGRESS
In progress, but this week I made no progress with The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaw to the Meaning of Life, by A. J. Jacobs. Maybe this coming week I'll make it a point to read at least one chapter in it. I am looking forward to it, as the next chapter covers my favorite type of puzzle - the jigsaw.
I'm about 70% through The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax Mystery 1), by Dorothy Gilman. This is not the typical light and fluffy cozy I'm used to reading and I honestly never imagined I'd enjoy it as much as I am. Dare I say, I'm more of a fan of Mrs. Pollifax than I am of Miss Marple. It's a page-turner. I hope to have my review posted this coming week, but in the meantime, you can read some excerpts on Friday's post.
UP NEXT
Why, yes. You do see The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax Mystery 1), by Dorothy Gilman, twice on this post. After I finish reading it, I want to listen to the audiobook. I've heard it's excellent. It will be good for me to consume it in more than one format before discussing it at Malice Domestic next month.

ON THE SCREEN
  • The Food That Built America - I'm still working my way through season 2 and really enjoying it. I had been watching it on Hulu, but since I now have all of the episodes recorded, I'm watching it on the DVR. That way I can skip the commercials. (My Hulu plan is free with my cell phone plan, but it is with ads.)
  • American Idol - I forgot to mention last week that Carrie Underwood pulled me back into American Idol. It's like we were playing tug-o-war and she won. I used to watch this show like it was a career. When my best friend was alive, we would watch it, then discuss each episode. We also went to a few of the American Idols concerts. I stopped watching it a couple years after she passed, which was in 2010. I have always loved Carrie Underwood. I voted for her each week when she was a contestant on the show. I loved her from her very first audition. Now that she's a judge, I'm watching it again. I'm not crazy about the auditions, but there's only one more week for those. I'm watching it on Hulu the day after it airs on ABC (which I don't have). There are a couple of contestants from Maryland, so I'm interested in seeing how they do, as well as the guy who is a wheelchair user. There are a few others I like as well.
  • Murder, She Wrote - I finally started watching season 4. I'm also listening to a rewatch podcast after each episode. And I'm taking notes on each one. So far I've only watched S4E1. I liked it, but I prefer the ones set in Cabot Cove. This one was set in Paris.
  • Blind Date Book Club - This Hallmark movie premiered last year. I didn't understand the way the book club worked, but otherwise I really enjoyed it. With that understanding I now have, I watched it again. It's a pretty perfect Hallmark movie that's great for spring.
  • Hearts Around the Table: Jenna's First Love - This was a Hallmark Spring Into Love premiere. It is the first one in a series of four. Mindy Cohn (Natalie from Facts of Life) is the glue that's going to hold this series together. She plays the foster mother. While this movie was okay, I really love the premise of the foster family. There was some disability representation with a wheelchair user in the first movie. What I loved about this was that the story did not focus on her disability. She was just living her life as a working woman. She had a very small role in the movie, but it was still nice to see.
  • Gourmet Detective Mystery series - This is an older movie series on Hallmark that airs in reruns. I've watched the first three, so I have two more to go in the series. It isn't perfect, but I am really enjoying the series, with the second movie being my favorite so far.
ON THE BLOG
Have a great week!
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Puzzle 101 - Spring Vibes

Spring is in the air! 

This puzzle took me 4:24 using 49 non-rotating pieces. Feel free to share your time in the comments and tell me how you modified the puzzle, if you did.

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Friday, March 28, 2025

The Friday Six 15

 Happy Friday!

Today I'm participating in six blog hops.  You can click on the host links below to find the blogs of others who are participating in each blog hop. If you're a blogger, feel free to join through the host links.

Question: Do you judge an author's work based on their political stances?

My response: Unless their political stances are heavily infused in their writing, an author's political stances have no impact on whether or not I choose to read their books. I will add that even if I agree with their stances, I prefer that the books I read are politics-free. 


Today's excerpts are from the Kindle format of The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax 1), by Dorothy Gilman.

Here is the beginning:
The nurse walked out of the room, closing the door behind her, and Mrs. Polifax looked at the doctor and he in turn looked at her.

And here is an excerpt from 56%:
The spasm passed, and Mrs. Pollifax regained her poise and was relieved to see that Farrell had not noticed her moment of weakness. He was staring at their pathetic heap of treasures and saying, "Not bad, really, not bad at all. Their letting you out for walks, and these rocks you picked up, are the two real miracles allowed us. Nobody can ask for more than two miracles, the rest is up to us."

If you've read this book, then you'll likely remember what the "pathetic heap of treasures" is all about. If you haven't read it, then you'll have to dive in and find out.

My Kindle says I have a little more than three hours left to read. I'm going to try and finish it in a few days so I can hopefully post my review next week.

Just look at those beautiful green eyes. Miss Fiona Daisy says, "Hello and Happy Feline Friday!"



The photo I showed you last week were mini daffodils. These are the bigger ones that are blooming right now. The tulips have not yet begun to bloom in my neighborhood. The cherry blossoms are just beginning to emerge, so pretty soon I'll show you pictures of all of those.


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Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Mystery Island: Winner Takes All

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In 2023, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (now rebranded as Hallmark Mystery) premiered Mystery Island. It was set on a resort island where tourists come together to solve a fictional mystery. However, they found themselves in the midst of a real murder investigation. I wasn't sure how this could become a series, but here we are. The second installment in the series, Winner Takes All, premiered this month, and there are more to come.

Winner Takes All is set on the same resort island where criminal psychologist Emilia Priestly (Elizabeth Henstridge), detective Jason Trent (Charlie Weber), and Jane Alcott (Kezia Burrows) plan fictional murder mysteries for guests to enjoy. When the resort is losing money, they offer a promotion. Several eccentric people then travel to the resort to partake in the latest mystery.  But lo and behold, another real-life murder takes place. Once again, guests are thrust into the middle of a real investigation.

The setting for this series is quite the departure from most Hallmark mysteries. We are back on the island for Winner Takes All and it's just as breathtakingly beautiful as it was the first time around. The resort where the guests stay is elaborate and elegant. I likely would never have the amount of money it takes to stay at this resort, but it's fun to get away through the magic of television.

In this installment, the characters were the highlight for me. All of the guests have unique personalities and backstories. However, by far, my favorite character was mystery writer, Cassandra, played by Kristin Booth. Hallmark fans will surely be familiar with her, as she plays Shane in the beloved Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. In Winner Takes All, she plays quite a different character, and she does so with perfection.

If you like romance with the lead characters in your cozy mysteries, I'm not sure how you'll feel about this series. It's definitely a slow burn.  There is some fun flirting, but not much development with their relationship. Sometimes it does take time for a romance to develop.  If it happens too quickly, it often isn't believable. So I'm okay with slow burns. However, up to this point, I'm not sure I buy them as a couple. I don't sense much romantic chemistry, at least not yet. I do think they have great chemistry as a sleuthing team and I'd be okay if it stayed that way. Not every mystery needs romance, not even in the Hallmark universe.

The mystery aspect is two-fold. We get to see how the real-life mystery is solved and we also watch the mystery game unfold. Unfortunately, it's the mystery aspect that brought this movie down a bit for me. Rather than giving us clues to help us solve the mysteries along the way, we are given a ton of information at the end. Also, I figured out the whodunnit for the real-life mystery as soon as this character was introduced. Of course, I didn't have all the pieces of the puzzle, but I just knew this character committed the real-life crime. 

Another problem with this series is that the murder rate at this one resort is climbing. After two murders at the same resort, who would want to vacation there? While I love the locked-room aspect, perhaps future installments should focus only on solving the mystery game. One might argue that most cozy mysteries have high murder rates in their settings, but the difference is those are entire towns. The murders in the Mystery Island movies, so far, have taken place at the one specific location.

In general, though, I'm a huge fan of Hallmark mysteries and I will definitely watch future installments in this series. I do prefer small town cozies over ones that take place in exotic locations, but I'm still here for it. It is good to mix it up. One thing I can say about Hallmark is that they do have a variety of mysteries that people with different tastes can enjoy.

Mystery Island: Winner Takes All originally premiered on both the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery. Mysteries sometimes re-air, but it is also currently streaming on Hallmark+.

Which would you prefer - murder mysteries in small towns or in exotic locations? Also, with two murders at the resort now, is this a place you would vacation?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Saturday, March 22, 2025

Sunday Post 99

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

On the above blogs you will be able to see links to the posts from others who are participating in those blog hops, and if you're a blogger, you can join too. 

It's been about eight weeks since I published a Sunday post, but I'm back at least for this week. I'm just going to take it one day, one week at a time. I just get so overwhelmed when I have multiple things going on and I didn't have the brain power to write these posts. I have missed connecting with all of you, though, so I'm hoping I can once again be more consistent.

One good thing is I set a goal to read at least one chapter each day this year, no matter how busy life gets. One chapter a day is manageable and I've been successful with that goal so far. At least that's been helping me move forward with my reading. I've also been blogging, just not blog hopping. 

But seriously. We're all given 24 hours in a day, as far as I know. Where do the those hours go? Are they with the lids that you can't find for the food containers? Do they get mixed up with missing socks? What happens to them? I don't even work (retired on disability) and I still find myself always having something to do. In one way that's great because I never feel bored. On the other hand, it can feel overwhelming.

Anyway, it's the start of a new season so here's to new beginnings.

IN THE BOOKS
RECENTLY FINISHED
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I listened to Girl on the Run, written by Daryl Wood Gerber and narrated by Tina Smith. This was my first brush with the suspense genre and I'm reminded that I definitely prefer cozy mysteries. Lol. It wasn't bad. It's just that it was a little slow and dark at times (which was expected since it's a suspense). The narrator did a great job.
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I read Vinyl Resting Place (Record Shop Mystery 1), by Olivia Blacke. I loved it!! I definitely want to continue reading this series. It was the perfect blend of light romance and mystery. The author did a great job introducing the characters and setting, while keeping the flow of the mystery going. I also loved how the mystery was incorporated into the record shop.
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I listened to Resort to Murder, written by Annie McEwen and narrated by Patricia Burgos. Folks, this cozy mystery is as cozy as the cover looks. I like to describe it as a warm hug (with a side of murder, of course). Annie McEwen has created the most lovable characters in the coziest setting. I will most certainly continue reading or listening to this series.
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For The Cozy Mystery Book Club, I listened to A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery 1), written by Dianne Freeman and narrated by Sarah Zimmerman. This is a historical cozy mystery. The mystery was not front and center like I prefer it to be. I was pleased with the narration, but I don't think I'll continue this series.
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I read Twinkle Twinkle Au Revoir (Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mystery 2), by Heather Weidner. This was set in the fall and they were filming a show that would air around Valentine's Day. The mystery was great in the last quarter of the book. Before that, a lot was happening, yet the story was not moving forward. I don't think this series is for me.
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The most recent book I finished was an ARC of Essence of Foul Play (Aroma Spa Mystery 1), by Daryl Wood Gerber. This book releases on Tuesday, March 25th. You can read some excerpts from it here and you can read my full spoiler-free review here.
IN PROGRESS
I've read a few chapters in The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaw to the Meaning of Life, by A. J. Jacobs. As you can see from the books I listed above, I've been focused mostly on cozies. So this is a slow read, but I'm enjoying it.
I'm currently listening to Bayou Book Thief (Vintage Cookbook Mystery 1), written by Ellen Byron and narrated by Amy Melissa Bentley. This is the March pick for The Cozy Mystery Book Club. We meet on Tuesday, so I'll finish it by then. I am enjoying it so far. I joined a third library system in my state so I could borrow it on Libby because the other two I was already a member of didn't have it.
I'm currently reading The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax Mystery 1), by Dorothy Gilman. There is going to be discussion on this book at Malice Domestic next month and it's been on my TBR for a while, so there's no better time than now to read it. It's very different than most cozies I've read, but I'm really enjoying it.
UP NEXT
Ummm...let me get back to you on this. :) I have enough going on for now that I don't need to think ahead just yet.

ON THE SCREEN
  • The Way Home - Season 3 ended a couple of weeks ago. I plan to post a review of the season, but for now, I'll say that I'm still completely invested in this show and I can't wait until next year when we get a fourth season! All seasons are currently streaming on Hallmark+ and season 1 is free on YouTube.
  • Columbo - I've been dabbling in this series and I'm loving it. Before watching it, I didn't realize that we always know the whodunnit from the beginning and we watch as Columbo sets out to prove his case. It's amazing how well this format really works for a mystery show. I've been watching it on tubi.
  • The Food That Build America - This is such an interesting docuseries. I'm not usually a fan of documentaries, but I'm loving this one. We learn about how America's most iconic foods got their start. I'm currently on season 2. The show is currently in its sixth season, so there are lots more episodes for me to watch. It airs on the History Channel, but I'm binging it on Hulu.
  • Paddington 1 and 2 - I watched both of these movies. The first one is on Hulu (and I think Disney+) and the second one is on tubi this month. I loved the first one, but I would consider the second one a masterpiece! You don't need to watch the first one to understand the second on. I highly recommend the second one!!
  • Hallmark movies - Of course I've also been watching lots of Hallmark movies. I've been watching all the new ones, plus some older ones that I haven't seen before.
ON THE BLOG
  • Sunday Post - 01/19 - Weekly Recap
  • Puzzle - 01/25 - Ro Puzzle
  • Puzzle - 02/01 - Over My Dead Blog Cover
  • Book Review - 02/04 - Felines and Felonies (Chatty Cat Mystery 3), by Elle Wren Burke
  • Movie Review - 02/05 - One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
  • Movie Review - 02/06 - A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
  • Puzzle - 02/08 - Snacks
  • Movie Review - 03/13 - Mystery Island
  • Movie Review - 03/17 - Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major
  • Book Review - 03/20 - Essence of Foul Play (Aroma Wellness Mystery 1), by Daryl  Wood Gerber
  • The Friday Six - 03/21 - Bookish response and excerpts, Feline Friday, Nature Pic
  • Puzzle - 03/22 - Good Friends are Priceless
Have a great week!
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Puzzle 100 - Good Friends Are Priceless

I'm back with my 100th puzzle post! What better way to celebrate than with good friends who reside in Hundred Acre Wood. I completed this puzzle in 6:42 using 60 non-rotating pieces. Remember, you can modify it to meet your preferences.

Enjoy!

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Friday, March 21, 2025

The Friday Six 14

Happy Friday!

Wowzers!! I have not posted a Friday Six since September!! It doesn't feel like it's been that long, maybe because it was always on my mind. Well I'm back this week!

Today I'm participating in six blog hops.  You can click on the host links below to find the blogs of others who are participating in each blog hop. If you're a blogger, feel free to join through the host links.

Question: Sometimes, readers get into funks and maybe stop reading or feel like reading is work. What do you do to get yourself out of a reading funk?

My response: Since I became an avid reader about four years ago, this has only happened to me once and it was because I wasn't feeling well, physically. I stopped reading for about six weeks. Once I felt better physically I was able to get back on track with reading. This year, I set a goal to read at least one chapter each day. Even on days when I don't feel well, this seems manageable and could prevent me from falling into another slump. So far I have consistently been reading at least one chapter each day since January. As far as reading feeling like work, I am pretty consistent with choosing books I know I will enjoy. This is why I tend to stick with cozy mysteries most of the time, as it's my favorite genre and it rarely lets me down.

Note: I don't see a link-up for Book Beginnings this week, but I posted the link for her blog in case it is posted later.

Today's excerpts are from the paperback ARC of Essence of Foul Play (Aroma Wellness Mystery 1), by Daryl Wood Gerber.

Here is the beginning:
"Emma, your new place is wonderful!" Nana Lissa exclaimed.

And here is an excerpt from page 56:
Summers pressed his lips together as if trying not to smile.

"May I inquire who saw me go into the spa?' I asked, anxiety roiling inside me. When Summers didn't respond, I said, "The witness's identity isn't a secret, is it?"

If you enjoy Daryl Wood Gerber's Fairy Garden Mysteries, I am confident you will enjoy this first in series. Essence of Foul Play releases next Tuesday, March 25th, but I've already read the ARC and posted my review. You can read my thoughts here.

The girls have missed you! Bell and Fiona are doing well. They're happy to be back! This picture was taken one day around mid-morning. Bell had just given Fiona a bath. Bell's rule is that only she can give baths. When Fiona tries to return the favor, either a squabble ensues or Bell just walks away.

The daffodils have begun to bloom. Happy springtime!




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