REVIEW: Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams

The local bookstore owner, Nora Pennington, has her hands full as local events put her in the spotlight as a person of interest. As the girlfriend of the Sheriff McCabe, this puts her in quite a predicament.
Preteen Tucker is neurodivergent and visiting town with his terminally-ill mother. She wants to smooth his path with his aunt and uncle before she passes.
As a cozy mystery, this story has twists and turns and a whole passel of characters who make up the community.
Thanks to Kensington Books for providing me an ARC in exchange for a review in my own words.

REVIEW: The Summer of Grace by Karen Jones

1950s in the South and Gracie is sent to her grandmother’s house for the summer. Her mother has been admitted for in-patient psychiatric care and Gracie thinks she is personally to blame. She and her dog, Brown Hound, are shipped off to Miss Emily’s house for a break. Her cousin Janie lives there, too, after the untimely deaths of Janie’s parents from a car accident. The two girls are the same age, 10-11 years old, and they get into a summer of good-intentioned but dubious situations.
The two girls find an ally of Uncle Ben, their uncle. They are digging for the story surrounding family friend and housekeeper, Marcella, who has a drinking problem.
The reader encounters strong women in Missy Emily and Gramma Jane, plus the strong-willed Sissy (Gracie’s mother).
Thanks to Brother Mockingbird, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for providing me an ARC in exchange for a review in my own words.

REVIEW: Among the Innocent by Mary Alford

To my surprise, I enjoyed the story though I made a point of not reading it right before bedtime. This is a murder mystery and it was a bit too gory for me. Detective Leah left the Amish community after the murder of her family. Although the case is considered closed, there are new murders in town around the 10th anniversary of her family’s deaths. And, the MO is strikingly familiar. New policy chief Dalton also has a vested interest in the closed, maybe-not, case.
The murderer keeps leaving tokens for Leah and tells her he as come back for her. Unfortunately he is canny and always ahead of a whole passel of police officers.
Thanks to Revell for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review in my own words.

REVIEW: Little Souls by Sandra Dallas

Set during the Spanish Influenza epidemic in Denver, Colorado, the story follows sisters Helen and Lutie as they lean on each other through the ups and downs of their 20-something years. Helen is a nurse and Lutie is an illustrator for a department store. Their house has a separate apartment for tenents and they become embroiled in the drama of Dorothy Streeter’s family.
Author Sandra Dallas tackles the gritty side of middle-class lives in this story. Set that on top of the Influenza impact plus WWI aftermath and you have a story with hard lines and big heart. There’s a way forward for those who love and stretch the bounds of family.
Thanks to St. Martin’s for providing me an ARC in exchange for a review in my own words.

REVIEW: A Deep Divide (Secrets of the Canyon, #1) by Kimberley Woodhouse

Heiress Emma Grace McMurray hides out as a Harvey Girl after a kidnapping and then witnessing the murder of her father. To get as far away as possible, she changes her last name and eventually accepts an assignment to El Tovar at the Grand Canyon. On the run for over five years, Emma Grace trusts no one and she is exhausted of all the secrets. Her supervisor, Ruth, may offer hope to Emma Grace.
Photographer and rising businessman Ray Watkins works in his father’s business and is sent to the Grand Canyon on assignment. His coworkers, though, seem to be on the trip for nefarious reasons. Ray begins to doubt his father’s true business affairs.
A friendship develops between Emma Grace and Ray, though Emma Grace is wary. Her years in hiding have developed her awareness of danger and exposure. She is threatened when she learns old suitors are hunting for her – in want of her inheritance.
Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for a review in my own words.

A Deep Divide cover