Play Dead (Andy Carpenter, #6) by David Rosenfelt

Play Dead by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE the Andy Carpenter series---especially the dogs! being involved in the mystery as Andy rescues a dog, Reggie, who was supposed to have died 5 years ago and then plunges into representing the dogs' owner who is in jail for murdering his girlfriend and throwing Reggie overboard during a storm at sea. Laurie, the love of his life comes for a visit since she is in law enforcement elsewhere, and his many friends, Willie & Sondra, Pete Stanton, his computer wiz friend, scary but awesome, Marcus, his newspaper friend and his friend in the FBI all jump in to help Andy who is a great lawyer but a wimp when it comes to danger kept me turning the pages. Good old Tara, Andy's golden retriever, gets along great with Reggie. Moving right along to the next book in the series, New Tricks!

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The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton, I read this on Hoopla as part of my library subscription. I love Jenny Colgan books and MaryAlice, my librarian friend told me about this and highly recommended it. I loved the voices of Carmen and Okie, especially Okie's Brazilian drawl! I loved the plot, poor Carmen who has not ever done anything the way her family wants, has been given a challenge to work in a bookstore- she ends of really enjoying saving this store and filling it with Christmas decorations, books, and watching the sales roll in. Not without drama, Carmen's choice of books to read bring children to tears and parents marching them out of the store. Carmen also has a dalliance with an author who does an appearance at the store. There is conflict with her sister and also the nanny, but Carmen and the kids enjoy each other. Such an enjoyable listen!!!

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Insatiable (Steel Brothers Saga, #12) by Helen Hardt

Insatiable by Helen Hardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

More Marjorie & Bryce drama with lots of Steel family drama & Bryce finding out even more about his own heinous father.

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Ravenous (Steel Brothers Saga, #11) by Helen Hardt

Ravenous by Helen Hardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

More sparks in the Bryce & Marjorie relationship while continuing the lies & betrayals in the Steel Family.

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Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga, #10) by Helen Hardt

Breathless by Helen Hardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Continuing the romance of Bryce and Marjorie while also revealing mysteries in the Steel family.

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Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Casey Ciocca for lending me this book! It is also going to be our Albright College Zoom Book Club for April. This debut is a must read! The book starts with a huge mystery that is uncovered very slowly, rocking Bennie & Byron's world and everything they knew and believed. This book awesomely covers many years, many different characters, and many different plots yet Wilkerson weaves them seamlessly. The mysteries and betrayals as they are uncovered are mind altering---what will happen to Benny & Byron plus all the other characters that will be affected by the truth----too long in coming. Will Byron & Benny survive the audiotape their mother dictated before her death. A must read!


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The Guncle by Steven Rowley

The Guncle by Steven Rowley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by the author, Steven Rowley, Guncle is Patrick, a retired gay actor, who is asked by his brother after his wife's death to care for his 2 children while he is in rehab. What follows is his niece, Maisie and his nephew, Grant moving into his Palm Beach home as they all struggle with the death of his best friend (and also a partner who died in a car accident) & the kids beloved mother. I loved Patrick's theatrics and his growth. The plot, characters & setting were all stellar. Such a great read!!!

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Merci Suarez Plats It Cool by Meg Medina

Merci Suárez Plays It Cool by Meg Medina
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd book in the middle grade Merci Suarez series---Merci is looking forward to 8th grade, soccer, friends, and most of all family! But it is her grandfather's increasing Alzheimer's that is alarming the family, causing them to look for more help and resources. A must read!

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The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D Jackson

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: JD Jackson , Sarah Mollo-Christensen , Joy Nash , Christopher Salazar , Karen Malina White, this is a Carrie retelling that includes a biracial girl, Maddie with a mean religious zealot white father in Georgia, with mean white high school students (do not forget the parents & police as well) who terrorize Maddie her whole life. When Maddie finds a book from her mother to her, she finally sees who she is and looks forward to going to the prom with Kenny (who has been put up to inviting her by his white girlfriend mean girl). But life is not that simple & oh do the racist people clash with the teens, their prom, and their lives. A must read!

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Controlled Burn by Erin Soderberg Downing

Controlled Burn by Erin Soderberg Downing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Maia's character, her journey both within and out (going to the forest fire tower with her grandfather). After a horrible house fire, which Maia blames herself for, her parents send her to her grandparents for the summer as they deal with her sister, Amelia's, burns and recovery, insurance, and life. But Maia's insecurities threaten to overwhelm her and it is the love of a dog, a new friend, and Maia's determination to become a more brave, carefree person that make this summer one she will never forget. A must read!!!

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