THE DARKLING BRIDE by Laura Andersen

Three generations of Irish nobles face their family secrets in this spellbinding novel from the award-winning author of the Boleyn King trilogy.

The Gallagher family has called Deeprath Castle home for seven hundred years. Nestled in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, the estate is now slated to become a public trust, and book lover and scholar Carragh Ryan is hired to take inventory of its historic library. But after meeting Aidan, the current Viscount Gallagher, and his enigmatic family, Carragh knows that her task will be more challenging than she’d thought.

Two decades before, Aidan’s parents died violently at Deeprath. The case, which was never closed, has recently been taken up by a new detective determined to find the truth. The couple’s unusual deaths harken back a century, when twenty-three-year-old Lady Jenny Gallagher also died at Deeprath under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind an infant son and her husband, a renowned writer who never published again. These incidents only fueled fantastical theories about the Darkling Bride, a local legend of a sultry and dangerous woman from long ago whose wrath continues to haunt the castle.

The past catches up to the present, and odd clues in the house soon have Carragh wondering if there are unseen forces stalking the Gallagher family. As secrets emerge from the shadows and Carragh gets closer to answers—and to Aidan—could she be the Darkling Bride’s next victim?

Opening line:
"We have it on good authority, that Evan Chase-Gallagher, noted folklorist and author, has returned to England's shores following a sojourn of two and a half years in Ireland."

This book is beautiful. I loved the characters, the scenery, the castle, the mystery. I love stories that go between time, or eras, that build suspense and mysteries. This book did not disappoint! 

With love and death in 1180, 1992 and 2015, this story takes twists and turns and startling reveals to new heights that I didn't guess. Especially the ending. 

This is not a fast read, but a nice, slow burn, that is enjoyable and hard to put down.

PARRISH by Shannen Crane Camp

Sadie Smith was absolutely certain of three things: (1) ghosts were indisputably real; (2) she and her three friends were some of the best (though not the most successful) ghost hunters in Oregon; (3) her teammate Jefferson Parrish was always the scariest thing in the room. In a face-off between supernatural beings and Jefferson's Tim Burton-esque vibe there really was no contest.

But ghosts—unsurprisingly—can’t help pay the rent. So when Sadie and her friends are offered an undisclosed sum of money from an anonymous client to find a link between four historical haunted locations, it’s an easy sell.

During their cross-country investigation, Sadie finds herself forgetting about Jefferson’s macabre tendencies and falling for his sweetness, even if his idea of a love letter reads more like a note from a serial killer. And she can’t stop thinking about his annoyingly irresistible deep green eyes.

As Sadie’s feelings get more tangled up with Jefferson, their group puts together the final pieces of a 100 year old mystery—one that will change Sadie’s life forever.

Parrish is a Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance Mystery story.


  Opening line:

""Did you die here?""

This read was a great, well-written blend of ghosts, adventure, romance...and doppelgangers.

Sadie and her friends are paranormal investigators who are poor and not sure what to do with their talents. Until a series of clues sets them up on an adventure they won't soon forget. But who is behind the mysterious messages and why?

I liked the story. It was unique and well-paced with enough twists and romantic tension to keep me wanting to read more.
The character were fun with quirks all their own but not so much as to draw me out of the story.
The romance was written in such a way as to be natural in that it wasn't instana-love or a triangle or all about taking clothes off. It mostly involved kissing and sneaky glances at each other and hand holding.

I'd recommend this book to any reader, though it is written with older characters.

Great job, Shannen!

5 STARS

Banana Split A Culinary Mystery by Josi S. Kilpack

Sadie Hoffmiller has survived eighteen months of nonstop adventures filled with murder, deceit, and danger. She could really use some rest—and maybe even some time to heal—relaxing in the tropical paradise of Kaua'i. However, palm trees and sunshine are not as effective a medication as Sadie had hoped. And when she finds herself entangled—literally—with a dead body, she is forced to face the compounding fears and anxieties that are making her life so difficult to live.

Her determination to stay out of danger and to focus on overcoming her anxieties soon takes a backseat when she meets eleven-year-old Charlie, the son of the woman whose body she discovered near Anahola Beach. Charlies has some questions of his own about what happened to his mother, and he is convinced that only Sadie can help him. If only Sadie were as confident in her abilities as Charlie is.

With the help of her best friend and a local social worker, Sadie dives into another mystery with the hope that, at the end, she'll be able to find the peace and closure that has eluded her.

First line:
"You snorkel before?"

Another great Sadie Hoffmiller mystery! 
Sadie goes to Hawaii to get away from her life and relax. The last year and a half really have taken toll on our heroine and it's showing.
Unfortunately for Sadie, she lands in the middle of another murder mystery and she's not up to the task. But when a young boy is involved, she decides she needs to solve this one last mystery.
This story is different than the previous ones and I had a hard time getting into it at first. Then I realized what Josi has done. She's showing us the natural results of being in the middle of traumatic scenes: post-traumatic stress disorder. Sadie can't go on without being affected which makes us care for her even more than before. 
This book is not a quick read. It takes us into the mind and life of someone suffering from PTSD. It's interesting watching Sadie lose confidence in herself and her skills but still unable to keep away from being an amateur detective.
Another great book from Josi Kilpack! Go, Josi!


Rating: PG
L: No
S: No
V: Dead body, 


Liked:
Setting
Island slang 
Recipes


Disliked:
Not figuring out 'whodunit'


4 STARS

Want to buy Josi's book? Here's the Amazon link for Banana Split.

Find out more about Josi and drool over all her yummy looking books!

Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack

Award- winning author Josi S. Kilpack introduces a new series of culinary cozies that is sure to tantalize mystery lovers. In this debut volume, cooking aficionado turned amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller tries to solve the murder of her beautiful young neighbor- a single mother who was mysteriously lured from her home while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is the woman's missing two year-old child. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects including her! For an added treat, original mouth- watering recipes for Sadie's Lemon Tart, Homemade Alfredo Sauce, Carrot Cookies, Brownies, and Granny's Gingerbread Bundt Cake are sprinkled throughout the book.

This book has many intriguing elements: a mystery, humor and yummy recipes!
Sadie Hoffmiller is a busybody neighbor who knows her way around the kitchen. When a delicious mystery rears its intriguing lemon head, Sadie pushes herself into the middle of it; she can't help herself, especially where food is involved.
This 'cozy' mystery was a fun, clean quick read that kept me guessing. The books in this series would make delightful gifts for any reader on your list.
Check back soon when I review the next book: English Trifle