Showing posts with label Book Blogger Hop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Blogger Hop. Show all posts

Friday, August 28, 2026

Friday Features 40

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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: What grabs you and keeps you hooked in a book.
My response:  It's a combination of ingredients, like a compelling plot and a cozy setting, but I'd say it's mostly the characters. If they're entertaining and I feel like I could be friends with them, I'm likely to stick around.

Today's excerpts are from the e-book format of Bakeries and Buffoonery (Magical Mystery Book Club 4), by Elizabeth Pantley.

Here's the beginning:
A rhythmic tapping on the wall started somewhere near the front door. It moved down the hall toward us, and then Frank, our dashing Siamese library cat, burst into the room with the swagger he was so good at. The tapping continued, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor in a pulsating beat. He started to shimmy his shoulders and hum a tune. As if that wasn't odd enough, he began to rap.

And here's an excerpt from 56%:
"Wait 'til you hear this stuff." I took photos of the pages from the first chapter. "Let's head out. We need to get back to the inn so I can share all this with the group. We need to call an emergency book club meeting."
I finished reading this book and my review will be published next week, so I hope you'll come back to find out why this is quickly becoming a favorite series of mine.

Fiona was just waking up from her early morning nap (not to be confused with her late morning nap). She rolled over onto her back...and just stayed in that position. I guess when you find yourself in a comfortable position, why move? She stayed like this for several minutes.





Isn't this flower beautiful? I haven't taken the time look it up yet. Does anyone know what it is?
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Friday, August 14, 2026

Friday Features 39

Happy Friday!

It's been almost two months, but today I'm back participating in five blog hops!  (Usually there are six on Fridays, but I didn't see the usual link-up for one of them.) 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: Is there a book you keep coming back to, reading it more than once?
My response:  Not really. I rarely re-read books unless it's to refresh my memory for a book club. There are so many books on my TBR that I'd rather just keep moving forward. I do, however, read series. Because of that, I frequently revisit the same characters and cozy towns.

Today's excerpts are from the e-book format of Shifting and Shenanigans (Magical Mystery Book Club 1), by Elizabeth Pantley.

Here's the beginning:
"Hello! Paige? Where are you?"
"In the living room," I called out, then mumbled to myself, "Marinating on the sofa and contemplating my crumbling life."

And here's an excerpt from 56%:
We were baffled at Zell's actions, and a minute later we heard what sounded like a big splash, and Zell saying, "Woops!" then Daisy saying, "It's okay, Zell. I'll go get a mop."

I finished this book today and my review will be published next week, so I hope you'll come back to read it. (Spoiler alert: I loved it!)

The girls had their annual vet visits in July. They received clean bills of health.  As usual, Fiona was the calmer one. The vet was able to examine Bell's mouth when she opened it wide to hiss. Hey, whatever works! Also as usual, Bell hissed at Fiona periodically at home for the next 24 hours or so. When she wasn't hissing or growling at her, she was giving her "the look" as if to say going to the vet was all Fiona's fault. Fiona smacked Bell across the face, which put her in a place for a while. After a couple more hisses from Bell later, they were back to their usual selves. It's always a process...

This is a throwback photo of when they were kittens. I used this picture to create the image of the cats on my blog's logo, which is on the upper left sidebar.




I'm so happy we have Black-eyed Susans in my condo community. It's the Maryland State Flower.
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Friday, June 19, 2026

Friday Features 38

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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: If you could pick any fictional character to live with, who would it be, and how would they change your daily life? 
My response:  I would pick Fiona from the Fairy Garden Mysteries, by Daryl Wood Gerber. How could living with a fairy NOT change my daily life? We would have so much fun!

I recently featured Whiskey Business, by Adrian Andover. Today's excerpts are from the follow-up, Pour Choices. This was an eARC in the Mixology Lounge series that I read. The book releases at the end of June.

Here's the beginning:
I wiped a bead of sweat from my brow with the back of one wrist as I lugged a sandwich board sign under my other arm.

And here's an excerpt from 56%:
I couldn't make out everything he said, but I heard him say something like, "Everything will be fine once we get her out of the picture.'

I already read and reviewed this book. You can read my full review here. (Spoiler alert: I loved it!)

Miss Tinker Bell loves to play games. I was looking everywhere for her and I finally found her in a corner on the floor behind the window seat.

It's been a while since I've taken a walk due to the warmer weather and the insects that love such weather. So here's a throwback to a fall day. This is a black vulture, which is smaller than the turkey vultures. Both kinds are common around here, but in my neighborhood, I usually see the black vultures. I happen to love them.
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Friday, May 29, 2026

Friday Features 37

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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: Does the headline "Must-Read Books" grab your attention?
My response:  Only if the article is focused on cozy mysteries. In that case, I will usually read the article, investigate books and authors on the list I'm not already familiar with, then decide if I want to read them. Even within the cozy mystery genre I have my preferences. For example, I tend to steer clear from the edgier ones. For example, if I find that there is a lot of swearing in them, I will likely not read them.

UPDATE: After originally publishing this post, I thought about another "must read" list that I might be drawn to. Sometimes I enjoy self-help books and I am drawn to those lists. I might not read all of the books on the list, but I would be interested in investigating them.

Today's excerpts are from the eARC format of Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place (Grilled Cheese Mystery 7), by Linda Reilly.

Here's the beginning:
Carly Hale Mitchell’s gaze flitted all around the elegantly appointed parlor. She could easily imagine she’d been dropped into an episode of Downton Abbey.

And here's an excerpt from 56%:
She poked at random puzzle pieces with her bony finger, moving them around haphazardly. Failing to make any progress, she sat back and gave Carly a tired smile.

I love Downton Abbey, so the beginning immediately pulled me into the setting. Because of my love of jigsaw puzzles, I shared the excerpt from 56%. I'm happy to say the puzzle was part of the mystery! I have already read and reviewed this book. You can read my full review here. Spoiler alert: I loved it!

Here is Fiona enjoying a morning nap. I like to wrap myself in the Snuggie as much as she enjoys sleeping in it. Usually when I sit down to watch t.v. and have breakfast, she gets up and goes into the bedroom to finish her nap in peace. That means I get the Snuggie, and often Bell will come snuggle up in it with me. I often have Bell tucked under my right arm and my smoothie in the other hand.




This is a hawk I saw while playing with the goats and visiting a fairy forest at a local farm back in April on my birthday. It was magical. I had never been so close to a hawk before. What a sweet surprise!
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Friday, May 15, 2026

Friday Features 36

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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: Are you team dog-eared pages or strictly no creases?
My response:  I'm Team No Creases, but I won't judge you if you feel otherwise. 



Today's excerpts are from the audiobook format of Where the Light Shines Through (Olivia Penn Mystery 1), by Kathleen Bailey.

Here's the beginning:
Olivia Penn drove past Hamilton & Sons General Store, counting down the final fifteen minutes to her hometown of Apple Station for a last visit with her father before her move to New York the following week.

And here's an excerpt from 56%:
"We're going to the emergency room. What's hurting? Did you hit your head?"



Olivia Penn is the main character and amateur sleuth. In the excerpt from 56%, Olivia's father is addressing her. What do you think happened? Of course I'm not going to tell you. You will need to read it to find out. I finished this book yesterday and I loved it! I will post my full review next week. I can say this is a series I will definitely continue! Also, I just love that book cover.

Here's a rare photo of the girls sitting next to each other. Sort of.



Everything's coming up roses!
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Friday, May 8, 2026

Friday Features 35

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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: If you designed a cover for a beloved book, how would it look, and how would it reflect the story.
My response:  I read primarily cozy mysteries, which usually take place during a fairly short period of time. I like to read them when they're "in season" and I love book covers that make it obvious in which season the book is set. So if I designed a book cover, that's mostly what I would focus on. It would also have some elements from the story in it.

I'm currently listening to the audiobook, but today's excerpts are from the e-book format of A Deadly Inside Scoop (Ice Cream Parlor Mystery 1), by Abby Collette.

Here's the beginning:
Today I was going to touch the stars.

And here's an excerpt from 56%:
    I clicked print and checked a few of the other links before circling back to the prison website. I printed the page that told the crime he'd committed, his release date, birthdate and place of incarceration. I didn't know if I'd ever need it for anything.

So our amateur sleuth went from thinking she was going to touch the stars to investigating a suspect. This book is the May pick for The Cozy Mystery Book Club. I'm planning to finish it next week, so stay tuned to read my thoughts on it.

I don't remember when I took this picture (it's on Shutterfly and has the upload date, not the date I took the picture), but it's a common theme for Fiona. She's the twistiest cat I've ever known.


I know the quality of this picture isn't great, but it's the best I can get of Blossom and Bud without scaring them away. I believe they are finches. They have both come to the balcony together a couple of times, but the red one is who has been visiting multiple times a day every day since the beginning of March. These visits provide quite a bit of entertainment around here. The cats love them. Fiona just sits and watches them, but Bell speaks with Blossom. There's a reason she's earned the nickname Gabby Bell! It's funny, though. Bell is so bashful. She often hides behind the curtain so Blossom can't see her.
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Friday, May 1, 2026

Friday Features 34

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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: Is there a book you've been meaning to read forever, but haven't gotten to yet?
My response:  I've been an avid reader for only about five years, but I can think of a lot of books I've been meaning to read and haven't yet. The Hannah Swensen series, by Joanne Fluke, got me hooked on cozies and on reading in general. I started reading the series in 2021, but then wanted to explore other cozies. I'm on book 18 and have been wanting to finish the series for a while now. I've got the next one on my TBR for later this year.

Today's excerpts are from the e-book format of Spell to Pay (Spellbooked Magical Cozy Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke.

Here's the beginning:
"This is the book my soul needs?"

And here's an excerpt from 56%:
    On my way back to the sales counter, I made an impulsive stop in the self-help section to check if we had more copies of the books Page had found for James.
    Nope. For now, I'd have to think about being authentic and vulnerable all on my own. I shuddered.

You can see in the beginning, a question is being asked. The customer seems unsure of the book Page, the sentient bookshop, chose for him. In the excerpt from 56%, Kinley, who is the narrator, is talking. I wonder why she shuddered at the thought.

I'm about 60% done with this book. It's an ARC of a book that was just recently released. It was a short turnaround time, which is why wasn't able to finish it before the release date. I'm planning to finish it and post my review next week. Spoiler alert: I'm enjoying it!

Although I believe my girls were born in April, their birthday is noted as today, May 1st. They are now four years old.  I can't believe how fast the years are flying by! These were the best I could get for their birthday pictures.


Dandelions are my favorite flower. I love seeing them on my walks. 

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Friday, March 27, 2026

Friday Features 33

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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: What is your favorite bookish scent, and why does it appeal to you?
My response:  That "new book" scent is always fun when I start reading one that's a physical copy. It makes me excited about the new adventure that's ahead of me.

In honor of National Whiskey Day, today's excerpts are from the paperback format of Whiskey Business (Mixology Lounge Mystery 1), by Adrian Andover.

Here's the beginning:
I rested my blowtorch on the bar.

And here's an excerpt from page 56:
    If Kristin wasn't willing to share more about him and why he was so good at making enemies, I wondered why she went out of her way to chat with me.

I won a signed copy of this book last year and I'm so excited to finally read it. I met the author at Malice Domestic last year, before the book was published. This year, the book is nominated for an Agatha Award. I'll report back when I'm done, but so far, I'm loving it!

I don't have a lot of pictures of the girls together, but when I do get one, this is the vibe.
The first picture was taken on March 19th. The second picture was taken about one week later. These are some of my favorite spring flowers to see on my walks.


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Friday, March 20, 2026

Friday Features 32

Happy Springtime!

Today I'm once again 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: If you could write the sequel to a classic book, which one would it be? What new characters or plot twists would you bring in? 
My response:  I haven't read too many books that are considered classics, and the ones I have read already have sequels. I'll leave the writing to the authors. I might read them, but not necessarily write them.

Today's excerpts are from the paperback ARC of Murder in a Lavender Daze (Aroma Wellness Mystery 2), by Daryl Wood Gerber.

Here's the beginning:
I was adjusting the spa menu to reflect the Halloween-themed treatments we would offer during the month of October, like the pumpkin spice facial and apple cider wraps - the latter being great for detoxification - when the silent alarm flashed in big red letters on my computer screen and cell phone.

And here's an excerpt from page 56:
    They retreated, and my gaze landed on Rodriguez. She'd moved away from the door and was taking photographs of the surroundings. Was this truly a murder investigation? She snapped an image of the desk, the chaise longue, the armoire, and finally Addison, who sat hunched and miserable and unaware of the officer's attention.

This book releases at the end of April, but I'm almost done reading the ARC. I'm planning to have my review posted next week. I can say I am enjoying it, even more than the first one in the series.

Fiona is taking time out from her busy day of eating and napping to say Hello.



I spy a little bit of spring!
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Friday, March 13, 2026

Friday Features 31

Happy Friday the 13th!

Today I'm once again 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: Are there genres you read that you feel shy about?
My response:  No, there aren't. If I did feel that way about them, I probably wouldn't read them.



Today's excerpts are from the paperback format of At Death's Dough (Deep Dish Mystery 5), by Mindy Quigley.

Here's the beginning:
Prologue
Winter, 1924
Come spring, Mickey Keene was putting the kibosh on this kind of thing. Driving through the forest to the godforsaken middle of frozen nowhere in the black of night to deliver...what? He didn't know. They wouldn't tell him.

And here's an excerpt from page 56:
I'd had more than my fair share of interactions with law enforcement since moving to Geneva Bay, but Capone had always been there as a buffer, a beacon of calm. Without him, I had the disquieting sensation of being alone to face whatever was coming. And although the day was clear and calm, I couldn't shake the feeling that an epic storm was brewing.

This book is nominated for an Agatha Award. Winners will be announced at the Malice Domestic Convention next month. I'll have my review posted soon, but I can say it was a delicious read.

No reach will ever be high enough for Bell. She was reaching even higher than this shortly before I took the picture.

This is a cherry tree in my neighborhood beginning to wake up. Peak bloom is expected to be early to mid-April, depending on which kind of cherry trees they are and exactly where they're located. Some kinds bloom later than others and my neighborhood is always about two weeks behind the ones in Washington, D.C.

CORRECTION: This is a maple tree, not a cherry tree!
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Friday, February 13, 2026

Friday Features 30

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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: How do you feel about the current state of romance novels.
My response:  I don't read a lot of romances, but I think there is a wide variety for all types of romance readers. 


Today's excerpts are from the paperback format of The Tell-Fang Heart (Vampire Pet Boutique Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke.

Here's the beginning:
"Look at this smooshie face! Who has a smooshie face? You do!"

And here's an excerpt from page 56:
    "Are you just here to gawk at me?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

This book was released a few years ago and it's been on my bookshelf since then. It's a paranormal cozy mystery set around Valentine's Day, so I decided to finally read it. So far there's no murder and I'm more than halfway through it. However, there is still a mystery to solve, which is light and fun. The main character is a disabled vampire. She is a wheelchair user who has the same disability that the author has, so it's authentic disability representation.

Here's a throwback picture from August 2022 when the gal pals were just a few months old. They want to wish everyone a very happy Galentine's Day!



Here's another throwback picture. This one is from the day after the Blizzard of January 2016. What I really loved about this storm was that it was all snow. That's the difference between that storm and the one we had two weeks ago. The one we had two weeks ago was topped with a thick layer of ice. I much prefer this fluffy white stuff.
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