Jenn's Reading Corner

Welcome back to Jenn's Reading Corner!  Title  The Busy Body  Author  Kemper Donovan  Synopsis  It's a dream assignment. Former Senator Dorothy Gibson, aka that woman, is the most -talked - about person in the country right now, though largely for the wrong reasons. As an independent candidate for President of the United States, Dorothy split the vote and is being blamed for the shocking result. Now she's retreated to her home in rural Maine, inviting her ghostwriter to join her. Her collaborator is impressed by Dorothy's work ethic and steel -trap mind, not to mention the stunning surroundings ( and one particularly gorgeous bodyguard). But when a neighbor dies under mysterious circumstances, Dorothy is determined to find the killer in their midst. And when Dorothy Gibson asks if you want to team up for a top secret, possibly dangerous murder investigation, the only answer is: “Of Course” The best ghostwriters are adept at asking questions and spinning sto...

  The Diva Delivers on a Promise by Krista Davis  Title:  The Diva Delivers on a Promise  Series:  A Domestic Diva Mystery  Author:  Krista Davis  Synopsis: Sophie is busy handling the first ever convention of Ghost Kitchens- restaurants that do delivery only - but she's taking a little time out for a lunch meeting organized by A Healthy Meal. The group is dedicated to providing meals for children in need, and as a bonus, it'll give Sophie the perfect opportunity to ogle the lavish Old Town home of socialite Geraldine Stansfield. Gerrie’s dining room is impeccably furnished, the table laden with gleaming crystal and prized china. If it weren't for the dead man lying on the floor, everything would be perfect….. No one knows the victim - or at least, no one claims to. But a little snooping by Sophie reveals links to many local notables. In fact, not only was he a client of Geraldine’s late husband, an attorney - every member of the Stansfield clan k...

    Title: The Chill Author: Scott Carson  Page Count: 464 Paperback Edition  Genres: Horror, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural  Published: February 11,2020 About the book: (Back cover)  Far upstate, in New York's ancient forests, a drowned village lies beneath the dark waters of the Chilewaukee Reservoir. Early in the twentieth century, the town was destroyed for the greater good: bringing water to the millions living downstate. Or at least that's what the politicians from Manhattan insisted at the time. The local families, settled there since before America's founding, were forced from their land, but they didn't move far, and some didn't move at all…. Now, a century later, a dark prophecy looms and the time has come for it to be fulfilled. Review: The Chill by Scott Carson is one of the best books I've read in years.   I was originally intrigued when I first stumbled upon this book on Goodreads in the giveaway section ( yes, ...

   Today I will be reviewing the book He Started It by Samantha Downing. I picked this book up at the store and after reading the reviews inside the book I knew it was perfect for me. I love a good thriller/ mystery book.  One of the reviews was from Betches which said it was Best for people who love "Criminal Minds" . Hello,that's definitely me.  I couldn't wait to get home and crack open this book. Title He Started It Author Samantha Downing Genre Thriller Publisher Penguin Random House About the book Beth, Portia,and Eddie Morgan haven't all been together in years. And for very good reasons - we'll get to those later. But when their wealthy grandfather dies and leaves a cryptic final message in his wake, the siblings and their respective partners must come together for a cross- country road trip to fulfill his final wish and - more importantly - secure their inheritance.  But time with your family can be tough. It is for everyone. It's even harder when ...

   I'm going to be completely honest here and tell you this was my first time reading a YA Fantasy book ( not usually a genre that I read).  That being said, I can not give you a comparison to other books in this genre. What I will give you is my honest review of this book. I can also tell you based off this book I will be adding YA Fantasy to my list of book genres that I will be reading a lot more of. Title Frequency Author Christopher Krovatin Format Hardcover Publisher Entangled Publishing Page Count 291 About the book Follow the music if you want to live. Eight years ago, Fiona was just a kid. But everything changed the night the Pit Viper came to town. Sure, he rid the quiet, idyllic suburb of Hamm of its darkest problems. But Fiona witnessed something much, much worse when the town drove him away. And now, the Pit Viper is back. Fiona's not just a kid anymore. She can handle the darkness she sees in the Pit Viper, a DJ whose wicked tattoos, quiet anger, and hypnoti...

    Welcome to the spoiler free review for Murder Uncorked by Maddie Day!  I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and absolutely loved it!  Title  Murder Uncorked  Series  A Cece Barton Mystery  Author  Maddie Day  Genre  Cozy Mystery  About the book  As the manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar in Colinas, Cece Barton's first Alexander Valley harvest is a whirlwind of activity.  Her twin sister, Allie Halstead, who owns a nearby Victorian bed and breakfast, is accustomed to the hustle and bustle of peak tourist season. But Cece barely has a moment to enjoy her new home in between worrying about her estranged college - age daughter, juggling her responsibilities at the bar, and navigating the sticky politics of the local wine association .  Just when it seems things can't grow any more intense, Colinas is rocked by a murder within the wine community.. and Cece is identified as a possible suspect! With her reputat...

  Title  Dear Dotty  Author  Jaclyn Westlake  Synopsis  What's a twenty something gal to do when her parents announce a divorce after thirty years of marriage, she finds out her best friend has cozied up to her archnemesis, and she accidentally sleeps with the wrong guy? Turn to her great- aunt for advice,of course. Rosie Benson has always struggled to fit in with her over-accomplished family, type A roommate/ best friend, and workaholic boss. When Rosie is abruptly fired from her job at a tech startup where her boss was way too enthusiastic about synergy, the illusion that she has life figured out is shattered. Knowing she needs a push, her great aunt Dotty- a globe trotting, Martini swilling occasional nudist, and the only person Rosie has ever felt truly herself around - tried to challenge her to pursue a long buried dream. But then Dotty dies. And Rosie spirals. As new details of Dotty’s past emerge through revelatory emails from her many friends, Rosie...

  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Reep Hall (@thejennhall) Title  The Unraveling  Author  Vi Keeland  Synopsis  This isn't a love story. It's a story about obsession. You'll assume you know who the object of the obsession is. The psychiatrist concealing the twisted connection she has to her patient. But more than one person hides a secret. To what lengths will desire and grief drive a person? Stop guessing. Let the mystery unravel. Review  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wow! The Unraveling was the best psychological thriller I've ever read! This book really pulls back the curtain on the psyche of multiple characters trying to come to grips with the loss of loved ones and punishing themselves and others in the process. The Unraveling will have you reeling from the first page to the last. Highly recommend! For Review Requests Contact  readingcorner.jenn@gmail.com

  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Reep Hall (@thejennhall) Title  Don't Let the Devil Ride  Author  Ace Atkins Synopsis  Addison McKellar isn't clueless - she knows she and her husband Dean don't have the perfect marriage - but she's still shocked when he completely vanishes from her life. At first Addison is annoyed, but as days stretch into a week and she's repeatedly stonewalled by Dean's friends and associates, her frustration turns into genuine alarm. When even the police seem dismissive of her concerns, Addison turns to an old friend of her father's, legendary Memphis PI Porter Hayes. Porter and Addison begin to dig deeper into Dean's affairs and quickly discover that he was never the hardworking business owner and family man he pretended to be. As they piece together the connections between a hook- handed mercenary, one of Elvis's former leading ladies, and a man posing as an FBI agent, it becomes clear that Dean was deep...

  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Reep Hall (@thejennhall)   Title  In The Lonely Hours  Author  Shannon Morgan  Genre  Fiction, Horror, Paranormal  Synopsis  On a small island in a remote corner of northwest Scotland lies Maundrell Castle, owned by its wealthy namesake family for centuries ~ until now. Edwina Nunn is shocked to learn a relative she never heard of has bequeathed the castle and its land to her. What awaits Edie and her teenage daughter, Neve, is even more startling, for the castle is home to a multitude of ghosts.  Yet there's a strange beauty in the austere architecture and the eerie, bloody waters of Loch na Scathanna, the Lake of Shadows. Beguiled by a frightened ghost who gazes longingly out of the castle's windows, Edie and Neve are drawn to the legends shrouding the island and the mystery of the Maundrell Red- a priceless diamond that disappeared decades before. Is the gem really cursed, and th...

  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Reep Hall (@thejennhall) Welcome to Jenn's Reading Corner here on the blog. I will admit this is one of my favorites things to write about, Books! Today I will be sharing a book that was released on October 22, 2024 and fans of Jane Austen will absolutely love this book. Title Murder in Highbury Author Vanessa Kelly Series An Emma Knightley Mystery Synopsis Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma ( based on the Jane Austen character) has grown unusually content with her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father's health… But the cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, dis...

  The Uncommon Book of Prayer  Welcome back to my reading corner. I have spent the majority of my adult life on a spiritual journey. I can not tell you how many hours I've spent researching everything I can get my hands on about religion and spirituality. I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of The Uncommon Book of Prayer A Guide to Co-Creating with the Universe. I will be using this book for years to come. Title  The Uncommon Book of Prayer  A Guide to Co-Creating with the Universe  Author  Heidi Smith  Illustrated by Chelsea Granger Synopsis  Prayer can be a secular tool for healing, personal growth, societal change, and profound joy. In this book you will learn to: Refine a prayer practice and integrate it into co-creative and healing work Explore ambivalence around prayer. Open and strengthen communication with the heart. Create space and possibility for hope and dreaming. Create vital and creative solutions for your life and our world. R...

   Title  I Need You To Read This  Author  Jessa Maxwell  Synopsis  Like thousands before her, Alex Marks escaped to New York City for a fresh start. Now she spends her mornings at the bluebird diner reading the paper over coffee with the regulars, and her days working as a copywriter. Mostly, she keeps to herself, not venturing far outside of her small bubble. But when her childhood hero- Francis Keen, the country's premiere advice columnist - is murdered, Alex's meticulously guarded world cracks. Francis authored the famous advice column Dear Constance, and her words guided Alex through some of her darkest times. When the New York Herald posts an advertisement searching for Francis's replacement, Alex impulsively applies, never expecting to actually get the job. Alex quickly proves herself skilled solving other people's problems, but as soon as she settles in, she begins receiving strange letters. As Alex is drawn into the details surrounding her pre...

  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Reep Hall (@thejennhall) My Favorite Books in 2024 Welcome back to the blog! I'm so happy you are here today. I will be sharing my absolute favorite books that I've read in 2024! All the books listed I have given 4-5 star reviews on. Let me know if you have read any that are the list and share your thoughts with me. Feel free to leave book recommendations in the comment section as well. Thanks! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Reep Hall (@thejennhall) Title  Glitter Bomb  Author  Laura Childs  Synopsis  Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand is excited for Mardi Gras in New Orleans to officially commence with the marching band of the Pluvius Parade. What could be better than a week full of beignets, beads, and hopefully some quality time with her boyfriend Detective Edgar Babcock? Not even spotting her ex- husband Shamus, and his krewe heading up the parade on their gigantic King Ne...