Book Lovers Come On In

  DeLIGHTful reading, as in very light reading, nothing serious, but it is intriguing and the characters are unique and interesting.   There are 8 books in the series and one would have to wait a VERY LONG time to snatch a copy on Libby, so, sadly, I have purchased the first three in the series.  WOE is my impatience.   But, I did go without new shoes for about 3 or 4 years.  Not that has anything to do with these delightful books.  The story features Emma Lion, who has returned to her rightful home, Lapis Lazuli, only to be put up in the garret until she comes of age.  Her promised salary is not forthcoming and her nasty cousin has spent most of the money to take care of the house on his morning coats. It sounds sill in the writing, but it is entertaining.  Other characters include; a society snobbish aunt, a ghost who lives on Emma's street, a mysterious man who rents the other side of her home, an angry butler, a delightful Scottish maid/cook, ...

 Okay, this is a WINNER!  Probably one of my favorite books of 2025!  Totally loved this novel.   It is told in letters and emails written to and from Sybil Van Antwerp.  She is an older, retired feisty woman who lives life on her own terms. Thru these letters we learn of her divorce, death of a child, estrangement form her only daughter, best friend's advice to her which alienates her for awhile, romantic episodes, but most of all; we learn that Sybil was adopted and reluctantly took a DNA test and found a living relative - in Scotland.   The writing is excellent, the messages profound, the feelings so real and raw and applicable to most of us. I heartily give this book five stars.  I loved it!

  Interesting, intriguing mystery.  The narration swings between the daughter-in-law, Lucy, and the mother-in-law, Diana. And, it also goes back and forth in time. Ollie, Lucy's husband, and Nettie, are the children of Diana and Tom.  Lucy and Ollie end up having three children, while Nettie and her husband cannot seem to conceive, which becomes a sticking point in the book. Lucy does not like her mother-in-law: she's not the warm, cozy, overly friendly kind of Lucy's dreams. Personally, I was not as offended by Diana's reactions and actions as much as Lucy always was.  Just because she wasn't effervescent and gushing didn't mean she was a bad person, which she was not at all.  Over a long time, the two form a bond and a kinship, which was quite beautiful, really. When Diana is found dead in her bed with a suicide note in her drawer, no one can quite believe it.  As it turns out, it was murder.  But, WHO would murder this giving, charitable person? It'...