A Hush at Midnight

by

Marlene M. Bell

Exciting and suspenseful culinary-themed cozy mystery!

A Hush at Midnight by fan-favorite veteran author Marlene M. Bell is a new culinary-themed cozy mystery, and this intriguing who-dun-it kept me right on the edge of my seat from the start. The suspicious death of the elderly matriarch of a wealthy local family propels her friend, Chef Laura Harris, to push for answers when the local deputy/coroner seems convinced that it is natural causes. However, when a twist in the will reveals Laura is the woman’s beneficiary, the police take notice, and suddenly, she’s suspect number one in a murder investigation. 

Laura Harris moved from California to the small Texas town of Coldspell to spend precious time with her dying mother in her final months. In the days that follow, Laura takes her mind off her grief by helping a friend with her struggling bakery business. She also makes time to visit her elderly friend and mentor, Hattie, who lives in another town some distance away. 

It’s been ten years since Laura and Hattie last spent time together, and Laura discovers her friend is frail and ailing. The neighbor woman who is helping out as a part-time caregiver doesn’t seem to offer much comfort or care to her friend, and when she hustles Laura out the door after a too-short visit, Laura feels uneasy. Her worry only increases on her drive back to Coldspell, and she turns around to go back and relieve her mind that things are okay. On her return, no one answered the door at the main house, and no one seemed to be on the property. Laura hears Hattie’s corgi barking from inside the guest house and discovers Hattie’s body there in the groundskeeper’s bed. 

Laura is a steady and loyal friend and a highly motivated sleuth, but boy, does she have a hot mess on her hands: her mother’s recent death, Hattie’s death, accusations of food poisoning and acts of sabotage at her friend’s bakery, a questionable pilot boyfriend, and then she’s pegged as a suspect in her friend’s murder! The cookbook she’s writing is going to have to take a backseat for a bit! 

The plot moves quickly, with Hattie’s death occurring early in the book. The initial foot-dragging by the local deputy acting as coroner to take a closer look at the evidence was frustrating, and Laura’s outsider status as a friend rather than next-of-kin didn’t help. With each chapter, some new twist or obstacle appeared, and strange phone calls, texts, and slanderous fliers ramped up the suspense and feeling that Laura was being expertly manipulated. All these elements kept me thoroughly engaged in getting to the final resolution. 

I recommend A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT to cozy mystery readers, especially those who enjoy culinary-themed storylines. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Hey! There Are Monsters at My House!

by

Marlene Thalman

A brave young duo searches their house for signs of monsters!

Hey! There Are Monsters at My House is a new children’s picture book by author-illustrator Marlene Thalman and features a young boy, afraid of the dark, who searches his house with his pet cat for signs that monsters are there. With its rhyming narrative and colorful illustrations, the story is perfect for sharing with children who are experiencing nighttime fears. 

Reggie is the bright-eyed redhead who is afraid of the dark. He and his sidekick, Rufus, team up to search the house – high and low – for the monsters they fear lurk in the dark, out-of-the-way corners of their bedroom, attic, and basement. I liked how the book showed what the rooms looked like with the lights on and then with them off so you see what was really behind the scary images, such as the high-contrast t-shirt in the bedroom closet with the white circles that resemble glowing eyes once the lights are out. 

Fear of things in the dark is a universal one affecting all ages and genders to some degree or another. For me, this commonality is perfectly depicted when Reggie and Rufus bravely descend to the basement, and the lights unexpectedly go out. The knobs and dials on the furnace, washer, and dryer could easily resemble eyes as they reflect any stray source of light. The story would be a fun way to calm children’s fears before bedtime, and I think this book would receive multiple readings. 

I did have a little difficulty clearly reading the narrative at times because of the font used or the placement of the words over some of the illustrations, but I still recommend HEY! THERE ARE MONSTERS AT MY HOUSE to those with children who are expressing fears of the dark. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

The Art of Farming

by

T.D. Motley

Warm and homey farm life of a retired art professor.

The Art of Farming is a new novel by T.D. Motley tells the story of an artist and former art professor’s second career following in the footsteps of his family as a farmer in North Texas. The narrative is warm and welcoming, imparting the main character’s obvious love of the land, nature, and his new life, with lovely imagery and surprising comparisons from art history and other unexpected places. 

Sam Barlett is a man with a diverse history. Although he came from a farming family, he pursued a career in the art world as both a working artist and a college professor. A four-year stint in the Air Force stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota further broadened his life experiences. For his encore, he’s developed a small farm in North Texas, growing and selling organic herbs and specialty vegetables. While officially retired from teaching art, he still creates his own and opens his farm up twice a year to visits from the local college art classes to learn about painting landscapes.

Farming is a 24/7, 52-weeks-a-year occupation, especially when raising livestock as well as growing crops. There is a menagerie on the farm, including a pack of well-loved dogs. Sam shares the sad story of losing a special dog, Murph, and it is absolutely like hearing about the death of a family member. 

The author includes details about the varieties of herbs and vegetables Sam grows or experiments with, and there are some extremely tantalizing discussions of how they are used in cooking. Sam’s partner, Annie, is a writer who researches food for her articles and an in-progress cookbook. She travels to locations where the cuisine featured can be authentically experienced but experiments with what she’s learned once she’s back home at the farm, leading to additions to the farm’s crop list. 

Sam often talks about artists whose work comes to mind when he’s describing his new life, chores, or the views he has on his property. Readers shouldn’t be surprised that Sam’s descriptions are vivid and evocative; he’s speaking from his heart and through the eyes of an artist. In addition, many intriguing facts pop up throughout the book, and I was frequently compelled to pause my reading and Google more about them. The topics were as diverse as an artist mentioned or objects such as an artist’s “donkey” or even the familiar Strategic Air Command. These searches, of course, inevitably led down rabbit hole after rabbit hole. I learned so much and enjoyed every minute. 

I recommend THE ART OF FARMING to readers interested in real farming (not hobby farming), rural life, organic gardening, and living a fulfilling retirement. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

The Spotless Giraffe

by

Peter Millett

illustrated by Alison Hawkins

Fun exploration of different exotic animals as Kipekee searches for her place among them.

The Spotless Giraffe is a new children’s book written by Peter Millett and illustrated by Alison Hawkins based on the imagined first day of “school” for Kipekee, the little giraffe born without the usual spots. She’s solid brown. Since she doesn’t have spots like the giraffes that student helpers have seen in the past, they aren’t sure what animal she actually is and end up taking her to classes for animals who share other common characteristics. As she has a brown coat like a camel, they first try to incorporate her into the camel class, or because her long neck reminds them of the llamas, they try her in their class. Each time, though, some other physical feature is missing, but thinking her missing element will come later as she gets bigger, they come up with a replacement to let her fit in and feel more comfortable. They’re rather big-hearted this way. However, when their alternatives don’t work out, they keep trying another group. 

Parents and children can enjoy this fun, simple story on more than one level. While there are humorous attempts to find Kipekee’s class, there is also the important theme of being oneself as they try to make the little giraffe into something she’s not. 

I recommend THE SPOTLESS GIRAFFE to parents of young children and for reading aloud in a group. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.

The Duchess of Kokora

by

Nikhil Prabala

Good young adult fantasy and second-chance romance, filled with heart and humor.

The Duchess of Kokora by Nikhil Prabala is a new young adult romantasy filled with heart and humor. From the very first scene, I was hooked by the main character, her witty sarcasm, sense of what’s right, and gutsy attitude. I was a quick conscript to Team Phera. 

Phera Ylir Mdana, the titular duchess, is a kick-ass heroine with a sense of humor and a bit of a temper. She is in the neighboring country of Ryene to participate in the “Rounds,” a marriage competition with Prince Dominic as the prize. Her real goal, though, is to last long enough and score high enough in the game without winning. She hopes that the results will increase her marriageable status (and value) in the eyes of the parents of her true love, Rocelle Virae – another contestant. She and Rocelle had been on the verge of an engagement when a marriage proposal gone wrong left Rocelle’s parents unimpressed and both girls disappointed in the other. 

The plot follows the progress of the marriage game, but there is also political intrigue, a fight over Ryene’s class system of the elite “Signed” (magic users) and the lower class “Unsigned” (those without magic, a love triangle, and, of course, the second-chance romance. The author’s world-building is impressive and immersive, with a fully visualized fantasy world and a well-developed system of magic from the start. The storytelling is engaging, and I laughed out loud at the many gems in the sparkling dialogue. Thank goodness there is mention that this book is the first in a planned series because there is a cliffhanger ending. Hurry, Book Two! 

With its engaging main character, robust plot, and rich world-building, I recommend THE DUCHESS OF KOKORA to readers of young adult romantic fantasies.

See this and other reviews on Guatemala Paula Loves to Read.