Mouse Visits Yosemite National Park by Tricia Gardella

 

Mouse Visits Yosemite National Park by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Through a rhyming story, we learn of Mouse's adventures to Yosemite National Park. He's on the hunt for waterfalls and along the way runs into some new friends.

This is a cute book that talks about the waterfalls at Yosemite and also highlights some of the Park's other features. The illustrations are bright and attractive too!

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Forgiving What You Can't Forget: Discover How to Move on, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That's Beautiful Again by Lysa TerKeurst

 

Forgiving What You Can't Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That's Beautiful Again by Lysa TerKeurst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very well meaning friend sent me this book to read, knowing that I have been dealing with some issues. I found this book to be insightful and helpful in a few ways. There are practical tips, as well as many Bible verses, to bring a new perspective on forgiveness. The author is writing from personal experiences she's been through and giving practical advice from those situations. She's not a licensed counselor but I found the information to be helpful. This is a book that I'll keep handy and will probably read again at some point. I'm not one to write in books but I do think I'll be taking notes and highlighting areas when I read this again.

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An Independent Innocent: A Sweet Regency Romance by Meredith Bond

 

An Independent Innocent: A Sweet Regency Romance by Meredith Bond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lady Victoria Barrett is fearful she may never marry. Her parents have dismissed every suitor that has come her way and she's battling to find her way in life. The Lady inherits, rather unexpectedly, a country estate and she's finally feeling like she may be able to break free from her parents.

Her neighbor Thomas, Earl of Brentwood has an estate that is flooded and unfarmable. He's hoping to purchase the abandoned estate next door when Lady Victoria moves in. Life changes pretty quickly for the two of them and they find themselves unable to stay away from each other.

This is a great read that shows the independent nature of Lady Victoria. There are bits of wit and humor scattered throughout, and of course, a romance!

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The Bystander (The Lemaster Files #1) by John P. David

 

The Bystander by John P. David
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Prepare to read this in one sitting or you'll be distracted by life until you can finish it. This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and before I knew it, I was finished. It feels a little too realistic in today's world and it gives a perspective on things I've wondered about. Yes, this is a work of fiction but could easily be a real life situation. People constantly have their phones out these days and when TV reporter Pete Lemaster catches something on video, everything changes.

This is my first read by this author and I'll be looking for more of his stories for sure!

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Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle: Ariadne Winter Mystery by Ellen Butler

 

Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle: Ariadne Winter Mystery by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is set in Ireland. I've always wanted to go there and I felt like I was there in a way as I was reading this story.

Ariadne is visiting with her cousin to celebrate her engagement when a body is found on the grounds of the castle. Ariadne is a journalist and an "amateur" sleuth. The actions that Ariadne takes has me believing that she's more than just an amateur and that maybe opening a PI business would be in her best interest.

I struggled a bit with the different POVs presented, simply because Ariadne's was in first person and everyone else's was in third person. I struggle with these formats but it did not take away from me enjoying the overall story.

There were a few times I thought I had it figured out, but in true Ellen Butler style, there is always a fun and exciting twist that will throw off the most discerning sleuth readers.

I'm looking forward to more stories about Ariadne and her adventures!

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The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

 

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very enjoyable book to listen to while I was out getting some fresh air. The narrators did a great job conveying the story of their characters. There were times that I became a bit confused about the storyline but overall, it was still enjoyable. The quest to find the missing manuscript was my favorite part of the story.

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The Runaway Bride (The Bride Ships #2) by Jody Hedlund

 

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in a series but they do not necessarily need to be read in order.
Arabella is running away from a horrible situation and finds herself on a bride ship in British Columbia. She has no intention of becoming a bride...life has taught her that this probably isn't in the cards for her. Enter the baker, Peter, alongside Lt. Richard Drummond. They both begin to vie for her affection. Arabella befriends a young lady who has been left by her tribe to fend for herself. She seeks advice from others and chooses a course of action that can change all their lives.

This was an enjoyable read. The narrator had a pleasant voice and was easy to follow along with. I look forward to more books in this series.

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