Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Mystery Novels I Love That Were Written Over Ten Years Ago

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  

Welcome back to Tuesday! Hope you are having a great week so far. This week's topic features the Top Ten Books I Love That Were Written Over Ten Years Ago. Now, that could be a lot of books. I've been reading since childhood. So, I decided to make my list more specific. Here are my...

Top Ten Mystery Novels I Love That Were Written Over Ten Years Ago

This was Steele's debut novel, but she never wrote the sequel, or another book that I can see, which is a total shame because this one was fabulous.

Anyone who frequents my blog will not be surprised this paranormal mystery made the list. I have one more book in this series to read. Then I start White's new series. 

This book also shouldn't surprise anyone, considering I have read most of Meredith's books. 

This was the second in a series. I loved it so much that I bought the first book, too.  

I always wished Hewitt had written more mystery novels. Goodreads credits him with a dozen books, but nothing else like this one in his list. 

I bought this book because I knew some of the authors from Sheaf House Publishers. Totally loved it and bought the second book in the series. The author has since republished these books with a different publisher.

Back when I worked on virtual book tours, I had a chance to read some of Pinkston's books. I think there are five books in this series now. I need to catch up. 

Also going back to my days of virtual book tours, I promoted this book by Lisa Gardner. I loved it so much that I bought other books in her Detective D.D. Warren series. 

I am a mystery lover who has never read Sherlock Holmes. I know, how is that possible? Holmes knockoffs are as close as I get. Lewis shares a collection of Holmes stories that fans will enjoy.

This is the third book in Mead's Logan & Cafferty series. It is a wonderful story featuring crime-solving baby boomers. I believe the series has five books.

What did you think of my list? Have you read any of these? What are some of your favorite mysteries?

Side note: I am off volunteering at a community meal serve today, so I will visit blogs as soon as I can.

Kindle Freebie: Love Can Be Murder Boxed Set by Heather Haven

 

August 14 - 16 this boxed set from Heather Haven is free on Kindle.

NOW THERE WILL ALWAYS BE LOVE.
AND … THERE WILL ALWAYS BE MURDER.

For P.I. ferret Lee Alvarez first comes murder, then comes love, then comes marriage… and now Lee and her drop-dead gorgeous Navy SEAL groom Gurn Hanson are stumbling across bodies together.

This wryly romantic box set is a bonanza for fans of The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries, featuring a full-length novel, Book 5 The CEO Came DOA, PLUS two novellas. Together they tell the story of the action-packed, homicide-solving week leading up to Lee and Gurn’s wedding followed by the too-eventful weeks in Kauai and their return home when they were supposed to be resting and relaxing. Not to mention romancing.

The CEO Came DOA
The beautiful Christmas wedding in a romantic chapel that Lila has planned for Lee and Gurn moves into uncharted territory, and the outcome is uncertain when a killer turns up as an uninvited wedding guest. Will there be a wedding or a wake?

Honeymoons Can Be Murder
Honeymooning on peaceful Kauai, Lee and Gurn find a dead woman practically on their doorstep. Kauai breezes may be soft, but there are gale force winds of accusation against Gurn, and Lee must find the real killer to keep her handsome new hubby out of a Hawaiian hoosegow

Marriage Can Be Murder
The newlyweds certainly aren’t taking any commitment lessons from their newest client, an eight-times-married Hollywood legend! But they are committed to finding out who’s trying to kill her in a series of mysterious accidents around her animal sanctuary estate.

Lee and Gurn – think Nick and Nora Charles in Silicon Valley…with a Mexican flair – will delight fans of PI stories, cozy mysteries, and women sleuths, especially if they love sharp funny female protagonists like Sue Grafton’s witty Kinsey Millhone and Janet Evanovich’s lovable Stephanie Plum.

Grab your copy for FREE while this deal lasts!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Aug 15

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday. 

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. 

Happy Monday! Here we are at mid-August with a little over a month to go before the first day of fall. Autumn remains my favorite season. I know I would miss the cooler weather and all the great fall smells from the Northeast if we ever moved, but we would adjust. 

Our hotel is booked, most of the Lil' Princess' things are packed, and we pick up her new car soon (hopefully today). We leave Friday to drive her to UNCW by Saturday morning. 

This weekend, we visited with a family friend who is moving--oddly enough--to Wilmington, NC. She has been a dear friend for decades. We are sorry to see her go, but she needs to be closer to her family. It is comforting to know the Lil' Princess will have a familiar face not far from campus. 

In addition to reading, I am plugging away at an editing project. I love the way this author writes. I'll be sure to share when her book is available for sale. 

Last week on my blog I featured the First Chapter Review of Birthright by Jeanette Baker. You can read it here. 

I am partway through this book. Charyn delivers historical fiction that seems as if it could be 100% true. The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson remains my favorite so far, but I am enjoying Big Red. Look for my review on September 23.

Look for my review of this writing craft book here on August 25.

On September 27, I will feature a First Chapter Review of this book at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. 

In October, I will be reviewing this book.

I will be working on this Christmas book in between. 

After that, it is probably these.

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

My physical mailbox was empty, but I grabbed this Kindle freebie. I am a sucker for a pretty cover and anything set on the water--which I still find hilarious considering my fear of the water.

Five-Star-Chef Zoe Griffin walked away from her dream job. Did she make a mistake?

Her engagement off, Zoe Griffin retreats to tiny Wildflower Island in the Puget Sound. Hiding out as a cook and maid at a shabby bed-and-breakfast seems crazy for a chef who’s used to running her own five-star kitchen. And just as she starts to feel at home, her klutzy mishaps make Zoe fear her handsome new boss will fire her.

Dr. Nick Jackson is done with medicine, and owning a B&B is as far from doctoring as he can get. He needs help, but his only employee’s mistakes give him doubts. As Zoe lets her defenses down, Nick begins to see a competent and caring woman. One whose wounds are as deep as his own. But as they fall for each other, Nick and Zoe must learn the hardest lesson of all—to forgive. Only then can they heal the past and embrace the future . . . together.

On a side note, we visited an historical home in Manteo while on vacation, which would be the perfect B&B. In my next life, I will own it and live there. 

That's it for me this week. Hope you enjoy browsing these books and sharing some of what your reading. 

First Chapter Review: Birthright by Jeanette Baker

I received the first chapter of this women's novel from Pump Up Your Book to review during the author's virtual book tour.

BLURB: Two women on a course to confront the past, one to expose its secrets, the other to bury them. 

Claire Williams travels halfway across the globe from Southern California to Ireland to find the mother who gave her up and the questions that need answering. Norah O’Connor is equally determined to avoid revisiting the most shameful time of her life and the devastating decisions she was forced to make.

Claire’s presence fifty years later is the engine for the confrontations to come when neighbors Norah has known forever recognize Claire’s resemblance to a younger sister. Norah must face the man who fathered both her daughters, and decide to either hold the secrets that continue to embitter her or release them for the shame that will surely mark her. 

“Jeanette Baker’s award winning novels have earned her a place in the paranormal genre beside giants such as Barbara Erskine and Kristin Hannah. Now she brings her unique writing style and compelling characters to the stage of contemporary Ireland, sharing a world as alluring as its secrets are opaque.”
—Lauren Royal, New York Times and USA Bestselling Author.

"Gorgeously descriptive and unforgettably moving, Baker’s novel is a wondrous journey of the heart." 

—Candi Sary, author of Magdalena 

“Birthright will find a welcome place in any library strong in stories of mother/daughter relationships, Irish culture, and the special conundrums faced by adult children who seek answers to the decisions their birth parents made.”

—Diane Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

COVER: What a beautiful cover that captures the setting of part of this story so well and the connection between Claire and Norah.

FIRST CHAPTER: Norah is thinking about what a fine day it is for washing when the postman arrives to share tea and a scone, delivering a letter that could change Norah's life forever.

KEEP READING: After a short prologue told from Claire's point of view, the reader discovers Norah's world; living in Ireland, she is a married mother and grandmother. Baker draws the reader into both women's worlds right away. She writes with an air of mystery surrounding the two main characters, which hooks the reader into wanting to learn more about what happened to Norah decades ago and what Claire's family life was like. I am certainly intrigued and want to continue reading.

Release Date: June 21, 2022

Publisher: Top Reads Publishing LLC

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1970107296; 254 pages; $16.99; eBook $4.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P1bgbK 

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3tTpSlU 

I received a digital copy of this chapter from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

 

Top Ten Tuesday Top Ten Hilarious Historical Book Titles

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  

Welcome back to Tuesday. I am scheduling this post ahead of time, because I am trying to stay on top of my favorite memes. This week, Top Ten Tuesday is featuring Top Ten Hilarious Book Titles. We covered funny book titles in March 2021, so I am sharing Top Ten Hilarious Historical Book Titles. 

What do you think of my list? What are some funny book titles you know? 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Aug 8

  Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday. 

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. 

Welcome back to Monday. College move in countdown has really begun. Most of the shopping is done. Then it is packing everything up and marking it all. UNCW has a team of people who help with move-in day, so we have to make sure all of the Lil' Princess' boxes are clearly marked. 

Other than that, life has been work, work, and work. In addition to real estate, I will be editing an exciting project, and am finalizing the proofreading of another project for a fellow author that I hope will be published soon. 

As far as reading goes, I kept going with this one. I enjoy Charyn's writing style. My review of Big Red will appear here on September 23. 

Look for my first chapter review of Birthright by Jeanette Baker here on August 12.

Look for my review of this writing craft book here on August 25.

I am also going through this one when I have time, which isn't often.

This Christmas one is next.

After that, it is probably these.

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

My physical mailbox remained empty because I have such a hard time buying books lately when I have so many unread books here. I did, however, pick up one Kindle freebie, and I earned a $5 reward toward a digital book by Karen White, so I grabbed one that I don't own on paperback.

That's it from me. Today, I will be in and out with appointments, so I will check in and visit blogs as I am able. Hope you share your new books.