Review: Cold Case and Cupcakes

Cold Case and Cupcakes by Harper Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Cupcake Mystery series keeps getting better. I am really growing fond of Amelia. I feel like I know her much better too and I love that. She made me angry a couple of times in this book, so that means I am getting invested. :) I think this series is so fun. It's a quick read where you can try to figure out the whodunit or you can just sit back and enjoy.

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Review: Nevertheless: A Memoir

Nevertheless: A Memoir by Alec Baldwin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do enjoy watching Alec Baldwin, I've always been a fan. I think he's opinionated (like me) and he makes me think with his off the wall thinking, but this book made me see a different side of Alec. A compassionate man that loves his kids, not at all the smart a** he asks like in public. This man loves his wife and family and always has. I knew he liked old movies and it was nice to hear him talk about it and then at the end adding his faves (he left out Norma Shearer, how could one leave out Norma?). I enjoyed the book immensely and was sorry to see it end.

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Review: The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince

The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince by Mayte Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am certain the ever private Prince would hate this book. I am certain he would be furious with the knowledge of it's publication, but I am glad for it. I feel that this book has truth to it in many ways. I don't entirely believe that Mayte knew nothing about his drug use being with him for so long, but maybe she didn't as she was blind by love. Reading the story of the loss of her son made me cry. You could feel the pain pouring out in every word Mayte wrote, it oozed all over the place. I knew Prince was no where near perfect, I hate more than anything I know about him to know that he abused drugs though. The gifted guitar player, the extraordinary dancer, the talented fashion designer...he was outstanding. What he wasn't was faithful to his ladies and that to me is a bit wrong. He seemed close to Mayte, he shouldn't have cheated. Well, he is gone and we can't take it back, what we can do is read this and get a glimpse of the day to day life of Prince Rogers Nelson.

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Review: Granny's Got a Gun

Granny's Got a Gun by Harper Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am giving this book 5 stars! It is a quick weekend or beach read. You don't have to do a lot of thinking, just enjoy. I think you may even laugh out loud in some parts. This was fun that an ex CIA agent that just happens to be a grandma can still kick some butt in the crime dept.

Barbara is retired and missing her exciting life as a CIA agent. She lives in a sleepy little town, goes to her book club meetings and hangs with her friends...it's just not enough...until...one of the book club members dies right in front of the gang. Barbara will need a little assistance to solve this crime, maybe even help from her grandson.

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Review: Becoming Marie Antoinette

Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am going to admit, that I struggled through this one. I am not sure why as the subject matter thrills me, I don't think it was the entirely the writing. Even though I like tales that grip you and don't let go and this one just did not. I did try to read this while reading a Chernow book and maybe that was some of the issue. I am going to read the 2nd one just because as I stated, I love the subject matter.

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Review: The It Girl and Me: A Novel of Clara Bow

The It Girl and Me: A Novel of Clara Bow by Laini Giles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was fun. It started out a little different than I expected it to, but when it ended....ZOWIE!!! I loved how the story wrapped up and then I saw it was based on a true person (Daisy DeVoe) and this really happened. I am not sure how much liberties the author took with the true story, but it the book read like a "it happened but it's hard to believe it did" tale. I very much enjoyed this, as I do the series. I am hoping so much that the author pulls off a Forgotten Actress story on Norma Shearer or Thelma Todd, or even Carole Landis.

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Review: The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, I teared up. I don't cry very easily but this book did it. Until a few weeks ago I had NO idea this happened. I am not sure why it was quieted because this story needs to be told. It all started when a friend posted a facebook article about this, the article referenced this book so of course I had to try it. From the second I started it, I couldn't stop. It is all I thought about. The girls living the high life, elite jobs and losing it all in such a horrible, horrendous way. And the company...I just wanted to line them all up and smack them (at minimum) for what they did to not only these girls, but their families. Some of them had children!!! You need to read this book. I have told everyone I can to try it, I don't think you will be disappointed. I did both the audio at work and the digital book at home.

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Review: Mary Astor's Purple Diary: The Great American Sex Scandal of 1936

Mary Astor's Purple Diary: The Great American Sex Scandal of 1936 by Edward Sorel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Completely scandalous!!! Mary Astor, the famous actor, had mad affair with screen writer George S Kaufman and WROTE it down....or did she? Could she have started the writing and her estranged husband finished it in an attempt to gain custody of their child?

I adored this book for many reasons, one I like Mary. She is brilliant in many films. Two, the scandal is a bit off the wall, the trial took place in 1936 when most studios were still covering up the indiscretions of their stars. Three, the book is a look into a Mary's other affairs too, including John Barrymore.

Mary would go on to make some of her greatest films after the scandal staring what I call the "untouchable" star touch. They can kind of do whatever and come out a ok...this includes "acting" on the witness stand.

Another cool thing I like about this is that Mr. Sorel was about 86 when he wrote and illustrated this. I find that fascinating!

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Review: Every Little Step

Every Little Step by Bobby Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Of course, I love New Edition/BBD and Bobby Brown, so I was going to love this book for that reason alone; but Bobby has had quite the tough life. I didn't know about all the things he has been through other than that famous marriage.

I listened to the audio and I am soo glad that I did. Bobby read it for the most part, but also some of his kids entered the scene, followed by some ex's and then Ralph Tresvant!!!

Bobby will never be a literary star, he will never be a great narrator, but the dude can sing (I wish he did it a little in the audio book), he probably can still move and he is Bobby Brown and that is all that matters to me. I enjoyed this book Every Little Step of the Way.

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Review: Granny Undercover

Granny Undercover by Harper Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For one thing, let me thank Harper for giving me an ARC to enjoy. My honest review is what you get. I have read every one of Harper's books. This series is my favorite....it's about a butt kicking ex CIA granny, Barbara Gold, only no knows she ex cia. Barbara is looking for ways to bond with her son and his family (esp her teenaged grandson), she's exploring new hobbies and local clubs in her new hometown. In this novella she discovers gardening. The hedge clippers that gardeners use will play a big part in the death of a local man, and the death will at first be ruled a suicide. Here is where it gets spicy, Barbara stumbles upon this death and her training leads her to realize it wasn't a suicide. From here Barbara gets into all kinds of trouble and will need some of that CIA training to save the day.

This is a quick read, a funny read (I chuckled out loud a couple of times) and very entertaining. I recommend any of Harper's books, but this series is by far my fave (followed by the Pink Cupcake).

Thank you Harper!!!

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Review: The Two-Family House

The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Helen and Rose, the best of friends married to brothers that work together. Both families live in the same house too. Sounds simple but what you are about to read is full of ups and downs and a little drama. The overall story, I loved. So many twists, so many turns...I loved it. Parts of the story, I felt were too accelerated...things were missing to me. It is for that reason that I give the book 4 stars instead of 5. I will tell you that the ending is exceptional!

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Review: Here We Go Again: My Life in Television

Here We Go Again: My Life in Television by Betty White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took Betty 3 hours to read this book to me. I enjoyed it because I like her voice and love her tv work. Here she explains how she got started on the new thing called television. She talks about the wonderful Alan Ludden, Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore, and the Golden Girls. A must for Betty fans!

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Review: Cremas, Christmas Cookies, and Crooks

Cremas, Christmas Cookies, and Crooks by Harper Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When a teacher at the local high school is murdered, there is only one person that comes to mind to solve the mystery. FRAN! (I am so glad she is back)

There are plenty of suspects, including a favorite teacher. Everyone who knows Mrs. Crowsdale, knows she is innocent....problem is she can't prove it and this is where Fran enters the drama.

I do believe this is may favorite book in the series. I say this every time, but I am very interested in the characters and Fran's coffee shop business. If you have not picked up a Harper Lin book....you should remedy that now. The books are quick reads perfect for a vacation or weekend read.

I received a copy of this book in advance in trade for my honest opinion of the book.

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Review: Another Woman's Husband

Another Woman's Husband by Gill Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It all starts with the car crash that claimed the life of Princess Diana. This part takes me back to just how I felt when I learned Diana had died. Just when I am focused on Diana, we go back in time to the days of Wallis Simpson and her David (Edward VIII). The story is woven between these two women and pretty much how they both affected English history.

On another note, I am new to Gill Paul, but I realize that I am a big fan!!

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Review: The Affair: An enthralling story of love and passion and Hollywood glamour

The Affair: An enthralling story of love and passion and Hollywood glamour by Gill Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I expected this book to be full of the tales of Liz and Dick as they fell in love on the set of Cleopatra. What I got was a book where that happened...PLUS, there was a Dateline twist! I loved that little surprise. Diana was hired to be the historian on the set of the epic film. She's married to an older man and disappointed he didn't want to go to Rome with her. She left her man at home and had all kind of adventures. These adventures changed her life forever.

I very much enjoyed this journey.

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Review: The Paris Winter

The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I will tell you that I almost stopped reading this book at about 7% in. All I was getting was a poor girl that wanted to paint and she had a wealthy Russian friend. I actually stopped reading and picked up another book. For some reason, I opened this on my Kindle one last time and started reading. There it was the TWIST. That changed everything. I was sucked right into the world of 1909 Paris. As I said, Maud was boring to me at first. Just a typical starving artist until Tanya introduced her to Mr. Morel and Sylvie. Sylvie we find out is addicted to opium and Mr. Morel is trying to hide that fact from everyone, stating she is his little sister and he would do anything to protect her. The lies Mr. Morel tell get bigger from here until he does something that completely shocked me!! I mean my jaw dropped. From this point on, I could not wait to see what was going to happen. I am going to give this a 4 star because from about 12% on, the book was superb.

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Review: The Lost Letter

The Lost Letter by Jillian Cantor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set in two timelines (I love these kinds of books) and focused on a stamp. I didn't do any research on stamp making in WWII, but this seems like a genius idea to hid things from the German army in a drawing of a postage stamp. There is a love story with the stamp idea and you will be at the collapse of the Berlin wall.

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Review: The Address

The Address by Fiona Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was going to read this solely for the reason that Fiona wrote it (I adore her books), but then she set the book at the Dakota. What a fascinating building to set a story!! Then she threw in a murder mystery. This one was hard to put down.

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Review: The German Girl

The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My friend made me read this and I am so glad that she did! This book travels from 2014 with Anna to 1939 with Hannah and follows the lives of the Rosenthal's/Rosen's. The story traveled to Havana, which I loved. Having just gotten back from Havana and visited many of the places from the book....everything was so visible in my mind. The story was sad, so sad, but such an important tale to tell. I had never heard about the ship St. Louis and had no idea what happened to those people. It's another story from (pre) WWII that people should know. Thank you sir for telling this history along with adding some characters that we would want to know more about and enjoy spending time with (we would also be sad right alongside them).

A wonderful book.

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Review: The Prisoner in the Castle

The Prisoner in the Castle by Susan Elia MacNeal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW!!! WoW! WOW!!

Ok, I just finished this and I am a big ball of "I can't believe it". This book was outstanding. This series has gotten better and better with every book. Now, there is a lot of murder in each one, it is wartime and Maggie works for the government, lots of deaths.

In this one, the tables have turned and she knows too much government secrets so she is locked away in a castle off the coast of Scotland with many other agents.

You don't get much into the reading of the book before people start dying off. Who is doing the killing? Well, that will lead you through a maze of double crossers, and radio transmissions, a missing German U-boat and finally you will see how it was all done, and you will say, "wow, that ride was worth it".

Enjoy!

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