Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: One Sharp Stitch (A Nimble Needle Mystery #1) by Allie Pleiter

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring One Sharp Stitch (A Nimble Needle Mystery #1) by Allie Pleiter. I'm almost finished with it and am loving it! It releases this coming Tuesday, March 25!

About the Book

When thirty-something Shelby Phillips returns to her quiet hometown just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, she reluctantly takes over her mother’s Nimble Needle needlepoint shop—and gets entangled in a murder investigation . . .

It’s only temporary. That’s what Shelby Phillips tells herself when she returns to excruciatingly harmless Gwen Lake after her graphic arts career—and the office romance blooming with it—get tossed like rejected design mockups. Her plan is as simple and fool-proof as a tent stitch: manage the family needlepoint shop duringher parents’ RV vacation. It’s just a month. It’s not as if they’re retiring . . . right?

When Shelby becomes responsible for hosting a trunk show with local vendors, she’s determined to pull it off. Even if that means dealing with former classmate Kat Katsaros, a rising entrepreneur specializing in needlework scissors. Kat has changed since high school—and she’s angling to take over the Nimble Needle herself. The tension unspools when Shelby makes a terrible discovery on the morning of the event: Kat’s dead body.

Shelby can’t believe the death was an accident. That’s why she’s set on exposing who committed the murder with Kat’s own equipment. She finds help in a new friend, a potential crush, and the surprising support of her sister and the Nimble Needle stitchers. Still, Shelby must move quickly to stop the crafty culprit before her maybe not-so-temporary new life in Gwen Lake comes apart at the seams . . .

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

"Here they are, Shelby, the keys to the kingdom." Mom handed me the shop keys with all the pomp of a coronation.

Friday 56

Jessica walked into the shop the next morning and pushed her phone into my face. "Did you see this?"

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Usual Family Mayhem by HelenKay Dimon

About the Book

Revenge is a dish best served cold—especially when it comes in the form of one of Grandma’s “special” pies. Get the best of family hijinks, girl power, and hilariously justifiable crime in the latest novel from award-winning author HelenKay Dimon.

Kasey Nottingham needs a splashy idea at her company where they find and develop the next big thing for investors—her job depends on it. Impulsively, she pitches Mags’ Desserts, a beloved small-town business run by her grandma Mags and live-in “best friend” Celia, two women who overcame deadbeat husbands and financial ruin to build a word-of-mouth clientele. Kasey expects her boss to say no. Instead, he sends her home to North Carolina to land the deal…and now she has a problem.

Mags and Celia aren’t interested, which isn’t a surprise, but something else is going on in their kitchen. Locked cabinets. Cryptic conversations. Unexpected notations on business records. The ladies have secrets and whatever they’re hiding is big. As reports of mysterious deaths of abusive men in the area surface—all in households that recently received a delivery from Mags’ Desserts—Kasey worries Gram and Celia have gone into the poison pie business.

As investors start circling, Kasey enlists Jackson Quaid, Celia’s nephew and Kasey’s long-time crush, as her reluctant investigation assistant. Jackson is practical. Kasey has a wild imagination. Together, they dodge Kasey’s boss and gather intel. And kiss. Lots of kissing, though probably not the best idea to start an unexpected romance. Doing it while keeping two feisty ladies from going to jail for knocking off bad husbands—even if those husbands deserve it—might be impossible…but Kasey never shied away from a challenge.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a compelling read. It took me a few chapters to get into, but I ended up enjoying it.

I think the reason I had so much trouble in the beginning was because Kasey was not a likable heroine. She was so negative! Yes, a snarky comment every once in a while can be fun, but it was near constant from her, and it just came off as mean. It wasn’t helped by the fact that this was told from her first-person point of view. But once I stopped trying to like her, I was able to enjoy the story a whole lot more. I had no trouble liking Gram and Celia, though. They were quite the pair! I was so intrigued by their business and curious if they really did sell poison pies! I really liked Jackson too. I noticed that, as the story went on, Kasey got less annoying, and by the end, I was sad to say goodbye to all of those characters, even her.

I thought the premise was really intriguing, and the writing style was engaging. It kept me hooked and reading on.

While this book had a rocky start for me, I'm glad I pressed on because I ended up really enjoying it. It was a ton of fun! I'd be interested in a sequel! I'm curious what Gram and Celia could be up to next!

NOTE: This book contains strong language and a fade to black scene. 

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Review: Once Upon A Rose: (The Galamere Chronicles #2) by Gabrielle Landi

About the Book
A cursed lord, a feisty librarian, and their disguised pet dragon.

Being the first librarian in their small town is everything Beatrice Montgomery has ever dreamed of–except no one in town knows what to make of her, or the library. But spending her days surrounded by books is an occupation beyond her wildest dreams, and she'll do whatever it takes to make the library a success.

Lord Alexander Dunham's time is running out. Providing for his estate and the people dependent on him before his curse ruins his life is his first priority--and that means he needs a wife, immediately. Proposing a marriage of convenience to the feisty librarian seems like the perfect plan: he gets a wife, she gets funds for her library, and the sorcerer trying to steal his estate gets nothing.

Even with his lips sealed about the curse, a transforming dragon watching his every move, and a wife who's winning over everyone on their estate, their marriage of convenience should have solved all of Alexander's problems. Unfortunately, he's falling for his wife, and it's causing a new problem: he's no longer willing to die. Can Alexander and Beatrice outwit the most powerful sorcerer in the Northlands, or will Beatrice lose the man she's growing to love?

Once Upon A Rose is a Beauty and the Beast fairytale retelling and the second book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

Tropes:
❤️ Marriage of Convenience
❤️ Beauty and the Beast Retelling
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Grumpy/Sunshine

Amazon / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

This was such a cute Beauty and the Beast retelling! I loved all the nods to the original story but appreciated the differences too. The first line grabbed my attention, and I was hooked from there on out.

This book was full of wonderful characters. Alexander and Beatrice were so easy to like and root for. They were such a great pair and were so good together. I liked that the story was told from both Alexander’s and Beatrice’s POVs. I also really liked Guinevere, Dietrich, and especially Rose. She was such an awesome “kitty.”

The curse added a bit of danger and urgency to the story, which had me flipping through the pages as fast as I could to see how it would all turn out.

I did think that some of the wording sounded awkward at times. Just some unnecessary repeating of words and phrases, which kind of pulled me out of the story at times. But other than that, I really enjoyed this sweet read and look forward to the next book in the series!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright releasing April 1. 

About the Book

In 1874, a battered woman awakens atop a forgotten gravesite by Lake Superior. Identified only by the locket around her neck inscribed with the name Rebecca, she seeks refuge with an elderly lighthouse keeper named Edgar. But as Rebecca struggles to remember who she is, she finds herself haunted by the lingering memories of Annabel, a mysterious woman who perished in the unforgiving waves of Lake Superior years earlier. With the spirit of Annabel seemingly reawakened, and an unknown adversary on the hunt to silence Rebecca once and for all, there is more at stake than just reclaiming her own memories. Rebecca must reclaim Annabel's as well.

In the present day, author and researcher Shea Radclyffe escapes to the lighthouse outside a historic mining town in Michigan, seeking clarity about her failing marriage. Instantly drawn to the lighthouse's landlord, Shea contends with the vengeful legend of Annabel's ghost and a superstitious community that has buried the secrets surrounding a decade-old murder. As the secrets harbored around Annabel's lighthouse unravel, Shea must navigate a fight of torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love and a vengeance that should have drowned a century before.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Embergold by Rachelle Nelson

About the Book

Fire dreamed of water, but the first sip would be its last.

Gilde has spent her life isolated in the wild marshlands, a place too wet for the dragon to go. She’s safe there, according to her father. So why is he asking her to leave with him now that she has come of age? There is more to Gilde’s family than she knows, and debts need to be paid.

Betrayed and shattered, she wakes in a crumbling mountain castle with the beast of her nightmares. Except this dragon speaks like a man and reads books. His kindness confuses her and opens a forgotten longing in her heart, all while Gilde plans her escape from a mountain full of secrets.

This place can unveil her past and why she was sacrificed to the beast—truths that may put both their lives in danger if they can’t learn to trust each other. But how can Gilde ever trust again? Especially after she discovers what dragons truly are.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing / Author Website / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This book was fantastic! It was beautiful, emotional, hope-filled, and enchanting! I loved it so much! It pulled me in and held me captive from the first sentence to the last. I was transported into this book, right alongside Gilde! This world came alive!

I liked Gilde right from the start. She’s a very sympathetic character who’s easy to root for. She had a kind soul despite everything she’d been through. I loved watching her grow, experience new things, and overcome fears.

I was so intrigued by the dragon. How could I not be? Especially this one! I don’t want to say too much and spoil anything, but, wow!

This book is going on my favorites shelf. I already want to go back and read it again. It was such a beautiful journey. Yes, there were bumps along the way. Hardships and danger. A lot of soul-searching. But what an inspiring read! I adored it and highly recommend it! It had a very satisfying conclusion, but there’s definitely room for a sequel, which I would love to see.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: The Usual Family Mayhem by HelenKay Dimon

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring The Usual Family Mayhem by HelenKay Dimon. This had a slow start, but I'm really enjoying it now. 

About the Book

Revenge is a dish best served cold—especially when it comes in the form of one of Grandma’s “special” pies. Get the best of family hijinks, girl power, and hilariously justifiable crime in the latest novel from award-winning author HelenKay Dimon.

Kasey Nottingham needs a splashy idea at her company where they find and develop the next big thing for investors—her job depends on it. Impulsively, she pitches Mags’ Desserts, a beloved small-town business run by her grandma Mags and live-in “best friend” Celia, two women who overcame deadbeat husbands and financial ruin to build a word-of-mouth clientele. Kasey expects her boss to say no. Instead, he sends her home to North Carolina to land the deal…and now she has a problem.

Mags and Celia aren’t interested, which isn’t a surprise, but something else is going on in their kitchen. Locked cabinets. Cryptic conversations. Unexpected notations on business records. The ladies have secrets and whatever they’re hiding is big. As reports of mysterious deaths of abusive men in the area surface—all in households that recently received a delivery from Mags’ Desserts—Kasey worries Gram and Celia have gone into the poison pie business.

As investors start circling, Kasey enlists Jackson Quaid, Celia’s nephew and Kasey’s long-time crush, as her reluctant investigation assistant. Jackson is practical. Kasey has a wild imagination. Together, they dodge Kasey’s boss and gather intel. And kiss. Lots of kissing, though probably not the best idea to start an unexpected romance. Doing it while keeping two feisty ladies from going to jail for knocking off bad husbands—even if those husbands deserve it—might be impossible…but Kasey never shied away from a challenge.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

I needed a good idea. Not an interesting one or one with potential. Nope. This had to be a real stunner. The kind that would cause the men sitting around the conference room table in their plain white nine-hundred-dollar Tom Ford sneakers to break out in a chorus of oohhs and aahhs. 

Friday 56

The closet barely had room for coats let alone a grown woman. I crouched between a distressed-leather jacket and what looked like a proper black raincoat.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Misdirection (Pros and Cons Mysteries #1) by Christy Barritt

About the Book

One high-risk assignment. Two dangerous secrets.

As a teen, Olive Sterling's entire family was murdered, leaving her alone and desperate for answers. She’s learned to compartmentalize her loss and trust no one. Now she lives in the shadows, working as an undercover investigator for an elite private security firm.

Her latest assignment seems straightforward: Identify a corporate mole who plans to sell dangerous classified technology to foreign operatives. When Olive runs into Jason Stewart—the only man she's ever loved—at her target company, her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble.

With thousands of lives on the line, Olive can’t afford to make a mistake. But as bodies start dropping and suspicions rise, Olive must decide: Can she trust Jason with the truth? Or will exposing the painful secrets from her past prove to be a deadly mistake?

The first book in the pulse-pounding Pros and Cons series, MISDIRECTION is a high-stakes thriller about betrayal, redemption, and the fine line between truth and deception.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a great start to a new series! The first chapter immediately grabbed my attention and pulled me into the story. I was completely invested in Olive’s life from that point on.

The mystery was great. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, a surprising twist completely shocked me.

Olive was a great heroine. I can see her joining the likes of Joey Darling and Cassidy Chambers, some of Christy Barritt’s other leading ladies, as a favorite.

I liked that some of the chapters went back and explored Olive’s past. It was very intriguing. There are lots of questions and secrets surrounding her family and the tragedy that took place, so I’m very interested in learning more. I can’t wait to read the next story! If you’re looking for a gripping mystery with characters you can root for, grab a copy of this book. I enjoyed it a lot!

FOUR STARS