Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Amateur Sleuth Occupations & Tell Me Something Tuesday: Which made-up thing do you badly wish was real?

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. 

Happy Tuesday, y'all! So great to see you again. This week's Top Ten Tuesday is a genre freebie, so we pick a genre and come up with a topic. It's been a while since I've read a cozy mystery, despite this genre being one of my favorites. Let's take a peek at my list of...

Top Ten Amateur Sleuth Occupations

1. Real estate agent: You knew this one would make the list. Though there are more mystery series than Karen White's Tradd Street, this was the first time I had read a mystery with an amateur sleuth who sells real estate. 
2. Event planner: The main character of Avery Daniels's Resort to Murder Mysteries series is an event planner. What I love is that this creates a way to have new characters and situations all the time, even when the series is mostly set at the resort where Julieanne works. 
3. Consignment shop owner: The minute I heard about Duffy Brown's Consignment Shop Mystery series, I knew I would love it. Reagan Summerside gets a rundown Victorian and her designer clothes in a divorce, but nothing else, so she opens a consignment shop. Then her ex-husband's new girlfriend is found dead, which means Reagan is trying to keep the lights on, running a business, and solving crimes. 
4. Writer: Who would ever have thought that a middle-aged mystery writer would be able to solve crimes in her small coastal New England town? But doesn't it make sense that someone like Jessica Fletcher, who had to perform research for her novels and make up heinous ways for someone to be murdered, could know a thing or two about crime solving?
5. Clergy: In the Amish Bishop Mystery series by Vannetta Chapman, Bishop Henry Lapp not only tends to the spiritual needs of his congregation; he also uses a God-given talent to solve crimes. 
6.  Vampire: In the Accidental Vampire PI Mystery series by Avery Daniels, Misty is a secretary for a private investigator who goes on the worst date of her life and is changed into a vampire. She winds up using her new skills to follow up on a missing person's case. 
7. Urban planner: In Marty Damon's Cate MacLeod Mystery series, Cate moves back to her hometown of Calvin after losing her job as an urban planner. She works part-time at her mother's shop, but gets drawn into the investigation when a local real estate agent is murdered. 
8. Lifestyle Blogger/Influencer: You know someone had to write a mystery novel with an influencer in it. Little did we know in the early days of blogging how influential we would become. I haven't read Instagoner by Sydney Leigh, but it sounds amazing that the main character can use her skills to help solve a crime. 
9. Librarian and Ghost Tour Guide: How have I not discovered the Haunted Tour Guide Mystery series until now? The main character is a librarian by day and a ghost tour guide by night in her Kentucky hometown. Two jobs and solving crimes, too. Impressive!
10. Beekeeper: The Josiah Reynolds Mystery series by Abigail Keam, which I will never catch up on, features a middle-aged beekeeper trying to keep the lights on by selling honey at the farmer's market. 

Thanks to Freepik for the image

Tell Me Something Tuesday (TMST) is hosted by Jen Twimom at That's What I'm Talking About. TMST is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Participation is optional, and you can leave your comments in the weekly post when you participate. Check it out if you're interested in joining.

Well, it seems we have a pickle. Last week's Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge asked me to share fictional things I wish were real, which is similar to this week's Tell Me Something Tuesday. Now, I will really need to dive deep into my brain to figure out something to talk about. Hmmm...

I will go with something silly: Inspector Gadget's hat. It has...

• Extra hands (we moms always need those),
• A propeller (who needs drones, just fly above everyone to get a good view),
• Binoculars (always handy for birdwatching or spying),
• An umbrella (never get caught without one again),
• A mallet (you can tenderize meat and have a non-lethal weapon with you at all times),
• A magnifying glass (never worry about losing your reading glasses again),
• Sub-zero refrigerant (you will never need air conditioning, even in the worst heat),
• A spring (to avoid hurting your head if you fall),
• A jackhammer (in case you feel like tearing up your driveway one day),
• Radar (be able to see in even the most challenging dust and snow storms),
• A gas mask (protection is only seconds away),
• A bouquet of flowers (because you never know when you might need to impress someone).

Hope you had a good chuckle. Enjoy your day!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? & Mailbox Monday - Mar 2

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, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. 

Welcome to March, everyone! Can you believe it? There are only 18 days until the official start of spring in our hemisphere. We are expecting rainy, but warmer temperatures this coming week. Maybe we will even get to see the grass one day soon. I'm sure the Lil' Princess will be disappointed with the warmer weather once she arrives on Friday for a quick visit. She prefers the snow.

Hope you enjoyed the past seven days. Last week, I appreciated a slightly slower pace than the beginning of the year, and even got to enjoy almost two days off. I attended a paint and sip event with one of my real estate friends, read, made great food, began the process of organizing thirteen pages of story ideas, and even submitted a manuscript to a literary agent. The exciting news is that our brokerage was named the Chicopee Chamber Business of the Year! We attended the awards gala on Friday. Then on Saturday, the husband and I attended the closing ceremonies of a local charity danceathon, which donated money to three local non-profits, including Rick's Place in Wilbraham. 

Here are a few photos from the week:

Travis is looking at who knows what

Paddy and I at the awards gala

Western Mass Charity Danceathon

Theo is adorable when he's playing coy

Thanks to the lighter load this past week, I was able to get reviews written. 

My review of Creepy Kid by Caleb Roehrig was posted. You can read it here. Such a great book!

My review of Chapters and Second Chances by Evelyn Grace Berry was posted on Saturday. You can read it here if you missed it. Love this one, too!

I also posted my review of I Heard the Bells on Saturday. You can read that review here. The authors did an amazing job of combining their various genres into one heartwarming collection. 

I listened to this one in the car this week. I have about two hours to go with my listening of 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life by Dick Van Dyke.

I didn't read Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor last week. I will likely start it up again once I am done with Van Dyke's book. 

I continued with Dream Facades: The Cruel Architecture of Reality TV by Jack Balderrama Morley. 

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

As you will see below, I am not honoring my promise not to buy new books. I have to ask, does it still count if they don't cost me money? LOL!

I grabbed Love and Christmas Cookies by A. M. Heath as a freebie for my Kindle.

Then I used an Audible credit to snag Taming Lady Temperance by Karen Witemeyer, the first in her Secret Society of Spinsters series. 

Upcoming Events

Agatha Christie, She Watched by Teresa Peschel - Apr 15 (Review)

Murder, Local Style by Leslie Karst - Apr 20 (Review)

Christmas Year Round

Christmas Year Round's latest "Journey through Christmases Past" takes a trip into the food and confections from my childhood holidays. You can read that here.

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

Only my review of Creepy Kid for this week, but I should be posting another review soon, and I hope to post here more regularly. 

Laura's Little Houses

Nothing new at Laura's Little Houses, but if I can complete my Albert Quinn Ingalls profile this week, that will be something to read. 

That's it for me today. I'm looking forward to visiting you and seeing what has been going on in your lives since we last connected. Wishing you a fabulous day!

Book Review: I Heard the Bells by Darlene L. Turner et al.

 

I Heard the Bells by Darlene L. Turner et al. is a seasonal romance collection you'll enjoy no matter what you're looking for. With its theme of peace, love, and joy, within this anthology's pages, you'll find distinct voices and diverse genres, woven together by a meaningful holiday, faith, and the use of the title within the stories. Oh, and there are red trucks, too. Whether you enjoy murder mysteries, suspense, second chances, or dual timelines, you will want to spend time with these characters.

These authors have set these stories in Canada, and they paint pictures for us that are just as stunning as the cover art. Yukon for a wedding mystery, Ontario for a second chance at love, skiing in the Rockies, and a tiny town in Nova Scotia for a Christmas play. 

Sweet, faith-based romances set during the Christmas season is what I Heard the Bells is all about. The stories and settings will captivate you, and you will be just as delighted as these characters with the happy endings. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fab Four Press
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 28, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 415 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1069326941
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1069326942

I received a digital copy of this novella anthology from the authors. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

Book Review: Chapters and Second Chances by Evelyn Grace Berry

 

Sweet romance abounds in this short story collection by Evelyn Grace Berry. Chapters and Second Chances is filled with touching, heartfelt romantic stories that make you sigh, chuckle, and feel so good about life and love. Moments of chance meetings, second chances, and faith blend to create beautifully-told stories with happy endings.  

Everything about this short story collection is delightful. The whimsical cover, the creative font for title and chapter headings, the artwork signifying scene or story breaks, the charming settings, and the flawed yet likable characters make for a collection that draws you in from the first story to the last, leaving you feeling happy for the characters and their newfound love. Told in bite-sized chunks, these stories are perfect for those moments when you need a quick pick-me-up, but can also be read one after the other. 

Chapters and Second Chances by Evelyn Grace Berry will have you celebrating how wonderful and uplifting love can be!

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FZS93MQR
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Three Strands Publishing, LLC
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 4, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8993751016
• 
  

I won a paperback copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Spotlight: Welcome to My Table by Jeannie Jacobs

 

Lifestyle and culinary enthusiast Jeannie Jacobs releases Welcome to My Table, a cookbook featuring over 75 recipes that nourish the soul as much as they satisfy the body. 

Welcome to My Table is more than just a cookbook. With dishes passed down through generations and stories filled with joy, love, and reflection, Jacobs offers readers a warm invitation into her kitchen. From Sunday suppers to soulful sides, this collection reminds us how food connects us all.

The former OB/GYN turned entrepreneur’s culinary journey began early. “Food has always been a language of love in my family,” says Jacobs. “Welcome to My Table is a tribute to the women who raised me, and every person who’s ever found strength, peace, or purpose through a shared meal.”

With vibrant photography, easy-to-follow recipes, and heartfelt reflections, Welcome to My Table offers readers a chance to rediscover the sacred art of gathering, especially at a time when community and connection are more important than ever.

Jeannie Jacobs is available for media interviews, cooking demonstrations, and speaking engagements. Welcome to My Table is now available from online retailers.

Jeannie Jacobs is a wife, mom of tweens, and entrepreneur known for her passionate commitment to cooking. With cultural roots from the South and a global flavor, Jeannie brings a unique voice to the culinary world — one that is grounded in gratitude and inspired by generations of wisdom, warmth, and flavor.

Visit Jeannie online at her website

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Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: Fictional Things I Wish Were Real

 

The Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is hosted by Long and Short Reviews. They offer this blog hop as a weekly prompt to help you gain new friends and visitors. You don't have to participate every week, but if you decide to post and join the blog hop for a week, Long and Short Reviews requests that you share your link in their weekly post on their website (which will be the top post on the home page each Wednesday morning). The link list remains open for new links for 48 hours. Visit the other bloggers participating to see what they discuss that week. Comments are appreciated. 

Happy Wednesday! Guess what? It's snowing again. We aren't expecting much, but Mother Nature could put a lid on it for a while. 

But on to more important things. Today, the Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is all about fictional things we wish were real. My list might surprise you, since I am not a sci-fi or fantasy fan. 

Transporter (Star Trek)

Though you will rarely catch me reading a sci-fi novel, I used to watch the original Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Considering how much driving I do in a year, I would love to have a transporter. Think of how much time I would save going to and from appointments. 

Lightsabers (Star Wars)

Though I am not a Star Wars fanatic, I did enjoy the original three movies. I would love a lightsaber, because they are just so cool and make the best noise. I would need a training one, though, because it's not like I want to hurt or kill someone with it. 

Time Travel Portals (Charmed)

Now, we are diving into fantasy, another genre I don't read very much of. Time travel, however, has always fascinated me. Whether the portal opens with a spell or an artifact, being able to move forward or backward through time allows for thrilling exploration. In my list of story ideas, I have a middle-grade book about an artifact that allows the children to go back in American history. Not sure if it will come to fruition. 

What is something fictional that you wish were real?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Quotes About Books & Reading & Tell Me Something Tuesday: Which Books are You Looking Forward to Reading This Spring? (March-May)

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. 

We have landed on the last Tuesday of February. March is just around the corner. Hopefully, it brings spring with it. I'm done with snow for the season. At least the storm ended on Monday instead of making its way through this morning. 

Monday, Feb 22

Top Ten Tuesday is asking us to share quotes from or about books. I've created numerous posts since 2016 about quotes coming from books, so I opted to share quotes about books, even if it is a character talking about reading. 

Top Ten Quotes about Books & Reading

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." — Groucho Marx 

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” 

― Stephen King

“No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” ― C.S. Lewis 

“The odd thing about people who had many books was how they always wanted more.” 

― Patricia A. McKillip

“Let's be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.”

― Lena Dunham

“There is no scent so pleasant to my nostrils as that faint, subtle reek which comes from an ancient book.” ― Arthur Conan Doyle

“It is a most wonderful comfort to sit alone beneath a lamp, book spread before you, and commune with someone from the past whom you have never met.”

― Yoshida Kenkō

“There is this idea that you either read to escape or you read to find yourself. I don't really see the difference. We find ourselves through the process of escaping.”

― Matt Haig

“She was still clutching the book. She was holding desperately on to the words who had saved her life.” ― Markus Zusak

“As I go to bed, I think how awful it would be to die in the middle of reading a good novel.” ― Valérie Perrin

Thanks to Freepik for the image

Tell Me Something Tuesday (TMST) is hosted by Jen Twimom at That's What I'm Talking About. TMST is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Participation is optional, and you can leave your comments in the weekly post when you participate. Check it out if you're interested in joining.

This week's Tell Me Something Tuesday asks: Which books are you looking forward to reading this Spring? (March-May). I might have posted something like this already, so I am going to focus solely on the cozy mystery genre. 

Death Wasn't Invited by Carlene O'Connor is a new historical mystery series. I love historical mysteries, though I haven't read one lately. This book is due out in March. 

In April, the second book in Lynn Cahoon's Bainbridge Island Mystery series, Confessions of an Amateur Sleuth, will release. 

Lastly, though this series is now up to 31 books with Ode to the Bones by Carolyn Haines coming in May, and another book due out in October, I've never read her Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries series. I am always open to trying a new book, even if I haven't read earlier titles. 

I have a meeting this morning, but I look forward to seeing what you shared on your blogs today.