Book Review: Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes

 

Happy Mardi Gras, My Lovelies!  I hope you're having a lovely week so far.  I can't believe that Ash Wednesday is tomorrow: Easter will be here before we know it!

Do you give-up anything for Lent?  I usually try to give up on all negative thoughts and focus on a really well-written Lenten Bible Study.  This year I will be participating in a class at church.

Today I'm sharing with you a mystery thriller that is the first in a series:  Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes.  It is a Christian mystery published by WordCrafts Press, and I'm reviewing this book through TLC Book Tours.  Thanks for including me as part of the blog tour, TLC!

About Water Grave

Publisher: Wordcrafts Press (January 29, 2025)

Paperback: 280 pages

According to Goodreads

Six years ago, Hannah Leah Abelard needed a fresh start. She changed her name to Abbey Rhodes and enlisted in the United States Army as a part of the "Ever Vigilant," 18th Military Police Brigade. They taught her how to be a great cop. Abbey moved to Tennessee three years later and joined Metro Nashville's Police Department.

Now, in her third month with Homicide, Abbey is thrust into a case that may bring the walls she built crashing down around her, exposing a dark past she thought she'd left behind. A young pastor is found dead in the bottom of his baptistery and Abbey is forced to investigate the one place she swore never to return—the church. The case takes Abbey deeper into a tangled web of lies and secrets where the most dangerous ones may be her own.

My Review

When I first started reading this murder mystery, I wasn't sure I was going to like it because of the brutal murder of a young minister near the most sacred place in a church: the baptistry.  It was difficult for me to read.  But once Abbey and her supervisor were on the case, I couldn't put it down.  There are several possible suspects, and the pacing of this mystery is perfect.  Like every other well-written mystery, this one has several plot twists, and a few of them were shocking: I gasped out loud!  The resolution of the mystery itself was completely unexpected, yet there are plenty of clues in the narrative.  Pay attention if you read this book to the behavior of all the characters.

There is also a little bit of a romance between Abbey and another character that reveals so much about her trauma and healing process.  Abbey's story is heartbreaking, and the fact that she lost her faith in God because of how she was disregarded and blamed as a victim made me so angry for her.  However, she is befriended by mature Christians who support and love her right where she is, and with their support, she is able to share her story and continue healing.

One of the features of this book that I like are the Points to Ponder in the back of the book.  They are helpful for the individual reader as well as a book club.  I recommend this book if you enjoy Christian fiction, fast-paced mysteries (plus this one is shorter at only 280 pages: it's a quick read), and a story with a little romance.  It would  make a great beach or lake read with Spring Break in a couple of weeks.

One of the Bible verses that is mentioned throughout the book is Romans 8:28, which is a favorite of mine.  It is also a recurring theme as well.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of Water Grave from TLC Book Tours via the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

Do you enjoy reading murder mysteries?  Have you read any good ones lately?

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Book Review: Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Tales of the Traveling Tote: New Orleans (X2) *and* a Giveaway!

 

Oak Tree in Audubon Park

Happy Saturday, My Lovelies!  It's Mardi Gras weekend, and we've recently returned from New Orleans.  This Tales of the Traveling Tote post will feature our two most recent trips to New Orleans during December and last week.  

Christmas tree with large bow at Mignon Faget

Mignon Faget is a jewelry designer and a favorite of our girls

We visited New Orleans the weekend after Thanksgiving for a debutante party.  We had a wonderful time visiting with friends and finishing our Christmas shopping.  We also ate at a few of our favorite restaurants including Vincent's on St. Charles Avenue, Commander's Palace, and District Donuts.

Mr. Bookish and I both love Tasc.  This is where I buy my favorite yoga pants.

Le Petite Bleu is a coffee shop adjacent to Commander's Palace.  We purchased their French Truck x Commander's Palace coffee for our SIL's stocking.

No trip to New Orleans would be complete without visiting my favorite shop, Aux Belles Choses.

Display shelves in Le Petit Bleu

The two photos, above, feature beautiful Christmas decor and treats from Aux Belles Choses.

Most of their Christmas ornaments are imported from France.

All of the stores were decorated so prettily for Christmas, both inside and outside.

This is just a sampling of the camellias and tropicals in bloom during Christmas.

We returned to New Orleans last week to visit friends and attend a Mardi Gras ball.  The ball was such a special evening because one of our friends who stood up for Mr. Bookish in our wedding was King of the Krewe of Dorians, and another friend who stood up for Mr. Bookish in our wedding, his daughter was Queen of the Krewe of Dorians.  How special is that!

I was also able to visit with several friends, including one of my closest friends from college and her husband.  It was such a lovely night!

We usually stay near Audubon Park because we love walking around the park.  I don't think I've ever featured The Tree of Life located near the stables in the park before on my blog.  Here are a few photos:

"The Tree of Life"

The de Boré Oak

Planted circa 1740

Audubon Park

We spent a large portion of two days in and around the park.  We also visited Aux Belles Choses again.  I wanted to see what they had for Mardi Gras.  I purchased a couple of things for our Mardi Gras decor, and I also purchased more soaps.  (I always buy soaps from Aux Belles Choses.)  The latest soap that everyone is loving is their donkey milk soap.  I bought some, but I haven't tried it yet.

The soaps on the right were imported from Provence.  The packaging is so pretty!

The king cake enamel boxes are so cute as are the crown ornaments.

Spring has sprung in New Orleans!

I will leave you with a couple of photos of ferns growing on oak trees in Audubon Park.

Here are the links for all the blogs participating in this quarter's link party.

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch   

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box  

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Bookish Dilettante  

Be sure to enter to win this quarter's giveaway at the Pandora's Box Blog!

Be there or be square!  ;p

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Tales of the Traveling Tote: New Orleans (X2) *and* a Giveaway!

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Conversation Hearts Tablescape for Valentine's Day

 

Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies!  I am so happy you're visiting my blog.  Today we're sharing our Valentine's Day tablescapes.  If you're linking in order, you just left Linda's gorgeous blog.  She always creates the most fun tablescapes, doesn't she!  

My Friend Rita from the Panoply Blog hosts these blog hop parties, and she does such a nice job organizing everything and keeping us on track.

Thank-you so much, Rita, for organizing these talescape blog hops.  You're the best!

I found these felt conversation hearts at Michaels a few weeks ago, and I thought they were so cute that I purchased them.  I was planning to use them as filler in a glass vase, but I changed my mind and scattered them on a plain pink linen table runner.

 

I set our breakfast room table for breakfast for two (for Mr. Bookish and me).  I used very old placemats I purchased from Kohl's several years ago.  I also used a few MacKenzie-Childs heart pieces (small plates and paperweights).

The plate stacks consist of MacKenzie-Childs flat rimmed dinner plates and Royal Check and Rosy Check heart-shaped plates.  I thought it would be fun to use the Royal Check on the table for Mr. Bookish.  I also set the table with linen napkins that match the runner.

Mr. Bookish has already put in a request for heart-shaped scones, hot tea, coddled eggs, and toast for breakfast.  

It's a simple tablescape, but we think it's super fun.

Resources

Everything on the table is Mackenzie-Childs except:

Pink linen table runner and napkins:  Sur La Table

Placemats:  Kohl's (years ago)

Scatter conversation hearts:  Michaels

Flowers:  The Fresh Market

Please visit all the other blogs participating in the hop.  The links are below!  If you're linking in order, My Thrift Store Addiction is next.

Panoply - Valentine's Day: Birds of a Feather

Home is Where the Boat Is - Galentine's Tea Party

Everyday Living - My Love, My Valentine

Celebrating Everyday Life - How to Style a Romantic French-Inspired Table for Two

Hyacinths for the Soul - Whispers of the Heart

Pandora's Box - A Valentine Tea for Two

Me and My Captain - Cupid's Arrow 2025

Life and Linda - Ooh la la! A Parisian Tablescape

The Bookish Dilettante - Conversation Hearts for Valentine's Day

My Thrift Store Addiction - Vintage Style Galentine's Gathering

The Cat's Whiskerz - A Copper Inspired Valentine's Day Tablescape

The Little Yellow Corner Store - Valentine's Day and a Snowman's Smile

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - For All the Roses in My Life

The Painted Apron - Love Talk 

Dinner at Eight - Artistry and Romance -- A Valentine's Table

Thrifting Wonderland - Creating a Romantic Thrifted Valentine's Tablescape

Belle Bleu Interiors - A Celebration of Love

Mantel and Table - A Valentine's Day Tablescape in Beautiful Blush and Peach

Until next time...

Blessings!

Ricki Jill

Conversation Hearts Tablescape for Valentine's Day

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Book Review: Serial Burn by Lynette Eason

 

Happy Thursday, Friends!  How has your January (and new year) been so far?  We've had record-breaking cold here in Central Alabama, but I'm thankful we didn't get the heavy snow LA (Lower Alabama) received.

Today I'm reviewing a new edition to the Lake City Heroes Series:  Serial Burn by Lynette Eason.  This one is the third installation, but these books read as stand alone books.

About the Author

Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of Double Take, Target Acquired, and Serial Burn, as well as the Extreme Measures, Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband. They have two adult children. Learn more at LynetteEason.com.

About Serial Burn (Lake City Heroes)

• Publisher: Revell (January 21, 2025)

• Paperback: 320 pages

According to Goodreads

She's out for justice. But the arsonist she's tracking is out for retribution.

Now the fire marshal of Lake City, Jesslyn McCormick is determined to find the person who started the fire that robbed her of her family when she was just seven years old. As the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy approaches, a string of fires--including at Jesslyn's church--brings up all those old feelings and offers new evidence.

Because church fires are considered a hate crime, FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle is called in to work with local law enforcement. Nathan has his own past--one he'd prefer not to revisit. And focusing on helping Jesslyn track down the arsonist is a great distraction.

As both the case and the chemistry between Jesslyn and Nathan heat up, memories will come flooding in from the past to bump up against hopes for the future. And when Jesslyn comes face-to-face with her worst nightmare, she'll have to confront her fears and rely on Nathan and her community of friends in order to survive.

My Review

Jesslyn's character almost broke my heart.  She intentionally and meticulously worked her way up via her education and law enforcement to become the Fire Marshal of her small North Carolina hometown.  Her sole purpose: to solve the mystery of who burned her family's home to the ground, killing her parents and two sisters.  Jesslyn's drive and commitment to this one thing reaches a boiling point when she makes a public announcement about her plan to purchase and convert an old gym into a youth center to honor her father's memory.  She also threatens the arsonist by announcing her intent on finding him and bringing him to justice.

Arson destroys Jesslyn's church, and then a string of arsons burn businesses frequented by Jesslyn; clearly the arsonist is targeting her.  At each scene a beautiful piece of custom jewelry is left in the ashes as a calling card.  Jesslyn is certain that the arsonist is mocking her, and she searches to find a connection between the jewelry and her history.  She also can't help but wonder if the culprit could be the same arsonist from almost twenty years ago who destroyed her life.

Since the burning of a church is a hate crime, FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle is assigned to the case.  Nathan has a huge crush on Jesslyn, and she's slowly falling for Nathan.  As far as romances go, it is a very slow burn.  Both Nathan and Jesslyn suffered childhood trauma involving fire, but unlike Jesslyn, Nathan tends to avoid investigating fires.  He takes this case strictly to help Jesslyn.

I really enjoyed this romantic thriller.  The plot twists were so unexpected, and both main characters slowly (very slowly) tear down the walls surrounding their hearts.  Both grow spiritually, too, but I would have liked to have seen a little more faith from each character.  I'm hoping we readers will get a glimpse of this in the next book in the series, Final Approach.  The good thing about this series is Jesslyn and Nathan are part of a friend group, and they're all very close and supportive of each other.  I am confident we will see more of Jesslyn and Nathan in future books.  I enjoyed Serial Burn so much I want to go back and read the first two books in the Lake City Heroes Series.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of Serial Burn from TLC Book Tours via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.  Thank-you, TLC Book Tours, for including me in this tour!

Have you read any books so far this year you'd like to share with us?

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

Book Review: Serial Burn by Lynette Eason

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Book Review: Set Your Eyes Higher

 

Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies!  We had a snow day on Friday, and it stuck around through Saturday.  Our Westies do not like the snow, and they got mad at me as if I could do something about it!  I'm so thankful that I've been able to get out and about this week

Before Christmas, TLC Book Tours asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing a new 40-day devotional written by Whitney Lowe entitled Set Your Eyes Higher.  Whitney is known for her "Scribble Devos" on Instagram where she has over 70K followers.  Although this devo and her IG account are geared more toward Millennials and Gen Z, I am enjoying it and actually getting more from it than I expected I would.  I'd like to thank TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be included on the tour!

About Set Your Eyes Higher: A 40 Day Reset to Slow Your Anxiety and Fix Your Focus on God (A Devotional)

Publisher: Zondervan (September 24, 2024)

Hardcover: 208 pages

According to Goodreads:

Find peace and rest for your spirit when fix your eyes on God.

Life feeling out of control? Overwhelmed and need a break? You're invited to a 40-day reset that will help you let go of what's not serving you, honor your limitations, and turn your gaze toward a God who loves who you. Set Your Eyes Higher is a life-changing devotional journey from anxiety to peace.

We spend a lot of time looking down. Mostly at our phones. Sometimes at ourselves. The artificial blue light in our eyes makes us anxious about the world. It makes us chase trends that have nothing to do with who we want to be. It causes us to put time, energy, and brain space into what won't last.

It's time to look up.

Each daily devotion in Set Your Eyes Higher from Whitney Lowe includes honest reflections, a suggestion for a Scripture reading, and a prayer that will help you refocus your attention on God. This insightful guide for our modern world will help you if you are:

• Searching for a rhythm to anchor your spiritual practices
• Looking to take control of your time, and gain clarity on what you want in life
• Seeking long-lasting contentment over trends
• Wanting to let go of the world's worries you are carrying on your shoulders
• Eager to know the Bible but don't know where to start

Set Your Eyes Higher will help you find new perspective, purpose, power, and peace. If you're feeling unmoored because you've taken your eyes off of what matters most, the hope you're searching for is within reach--if you're ready to look up.

My Review

I've read a little bit about Whitney Lowe and her ministry, and her number one goal is to encourage young women to read scripture daily.  Young (and older) women spend so much time scrolling on social media, and rather than it bringing joy and positivity to our lives, it can instead cause anxiety.  Whitney's point is if women would set aside a fraction of the time they spend on social media and read the Bible, they will find true joy and will be much less anxious.  

What I like about this devotional is Whitney's voice:  She's witty, encouraging, and very relatable.  Another thing I like about it is that it only lasts for forty days.  Anyone can commit to anything for forty days!  I started reading this right after Christmas, so I have not read the entire book yet; but I have looked ahead and flipped through the entire book.  The book is organized into four parts:

Part 1:  Identity + Insecurity

Part 2:  Wisdom + Humility

Part 3:  Capacity + Burnout

Part 4:  Scarcity + Abundance

(I'm currently at the end of Part 2.)

Each daily devo features a lesson, scripture, and a prayer.  The lessons also feature additional scriptures for a deeper study if the reader wants to learn more.  Part 1 focused a lot about social media (including a hilarious filter mishap she experienced), perceptions, perfection, and how God will use you just as you are.  I thought it was fantastic!  

Part 2 has been even better as it focuses on wisdom.  Our trials and the testing of our faith produces perseverance (James 1), and God  promises to abundantly share with us his wisdom.

I'm enjoying this devo, and I plan to give it to my younger daughter Shelley when I finish it.  I know she'll enjoy it, too.  I highly recommend this for younger women, however, I am loving it!  I look forward to reading the lessons and scripture everyday.  It will help any woman with anxiety regardless of age or stage in life, so if you have a friend or a family member experiencing anxiety, go check out this book because it could help her.  I highly recommend this devotional.

Disclosure:

I received a free hardcover copy of Set Your Eyes Higher: A 40-Day Reset To Slow Your Anxiety and Fix You Focus On God from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

Book Review: Set Your Eyes Higher

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Literary Friday: My 2024 Year In Books

 

Happy New Year, My Lovelies!  

Did you read any good books this year?  It was a very good reading year for me.  Due to travel, copious numbers of appointments, and Mr. Bookish watching several history documentary series, I've had abundant opportunities to read.  In this post, I'll share with you my Goodreads statistics and my favorites from 2024.

I admit that my daughters greatly influenced what I read last year.

I prefer and read lots of fantasy.  However one reads lots of romance, and the other one only reads mysteries, suspense, and true crime.

As much as I love my daughters, and I also appreciate their willingness to share their books with me, I will not be bullied influenced into reading as many of their recommendations this year because I have a goal to read more classics and nonfiction.  I'm not annoyed with them because they are part of the reason my reading year was so wonderful!

More than half the books I read last year was from our local library.  A few were sent to me by publishers or lent to me by my daughters.  The rest I purchased mostly from Indie bookstores.  I also had three book subscriptions, but now I only have one from Wildflower Books.

The one subscription I'm keeping is the Fantasy selection from Wildflower Fiction.  The bookstore's owner Bayleigh is very good at selecting them, and most of them are from either independent publishers or are self-published.  All have been new, so there has been no concern about already owning a copy.

One of the blind dates made my best of list.

Lovelight Farms was also purchased from Wildflower Fiction.  It was the best Christmas romcom I read this year.

I liked it so much that I ordered the three other books in the series, and they will probably be the only romances I read this year.  All are set in the same tiny Maryland town, and each one features a different season.  My goal it to read each one during the season it's set in.

Below are my favorite books from 2024

Top to bottom, left to right:

If you could bake-up a book and mix together Brigette Jones' Diary,  Beetlejuice, and Never Been Kissed, then you would get The Love Of My After Life.  It was very funny in spite of several cringe-worthy, socially awkward scenes.

The Wishing Game is about a wealthy, reclusive writer who invites contestants to his private island to compete for a very large, life-changing prize.  It contains a favorite trope of mine (found family), and it has all the feels.  

Ruthless Vows is part of a dystopian duology that has compelling characters I rooted for until the very end.  This a very well written YA romantasy.

Apprentice to the Villain is the laugh out loud sequel to Assistant to the Villain.  Morally gray characters, grumpy/sunshine, and a frog named Kingsley who communicates with tiny signs make this series so much fun.  I can't wait for the final installment to this trilogy.  Read my full review HERE.

You Deserve Each Other is probably the best romance I've ever read.  Sarah Hogle is a very popular writer on BookTok and Instagram, and I can see why.

The two main characters in this book hate each other and are trying to get out of their engagement by trying to force the other to break it.  (I know,,,,where is the romance in this one?)

The witty dialogue and hilarious situations kept me reading way past my bedtime.  Read my review HERE.

A Curse For True Love is part of a YA trilogy, probably my favorite since The Infernal Devices Series.  If you read this series and don't fall in love with Jacks, then you are heartless.  Truly, go to Oz and buy yourself one.

Below are my Top Four excluding Number One.

Emily Wilde's Map Of the Otherlands is the second in the Emily Wilde series.  Emily is a neuro-spicy academic studying fairies during the Victorian Era, and her fiancé is an Irish fairy prince.  This is the best of all the cozy fantasies I've ever read.

Bound By Gravity is more high fantasy, and it was also one of the Wildflower Fiction's Fantasy Blind Dates With a Book.  It was the biggest surprise of the year, and I was shocked by how well-written it is.  Jenny Hickman is a very creative and talented writer, and she definitely knows how to world-build.  You can read my review HERE.

You don't have to be a gamer to love Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.  This book lived up to the hype, and although it was published in 2023, I didn't get around to reading it until last year.  I highly recommend it.  Read my review HERE.

My favorite book of 2024:

The Unmaking of June Farrow is a delightful mixture of magical realism, suspense, time travel, and romance.  Adrienne Young is becoming my favorite writer, and her writing keeps getting better and better.  This is another one that was published in 2023 that I didn't read until 2024.  Read my complete review HERE.

Do any of these books appeal to you?  What was your favorite book of 2024?

Here's to hoping that 2025 will be as good of a reading year as 2024!

Until next time...

Happy New Year!

Ricki Jill

Literary Friday: My 2024 Year In Books

Friday, January 3, 2025