Stairway to the Sea by Joanne DeMaio

In this book we find Shane and he's now back at Stony Point, CT. He and Celia are able to meet up often.

We also are able to catch up with the others in the group and what's new with them. Love learning yet even more secrets from the very past and some have moved forward and others not.

Never tire of the descriptions that are so detailed you can hear the ocean waves upon the shore. Another glimpse into Neil's notebook as Maris is taking it to the editor...

Decisions some have to make that are hard as life goes on... So many emotions as you tell them the decision they must take but they take their own and own up to it.

Can't wait to read more of the gang and how they are really there for one another. Can’t wait to read more of what Jason will find at the outside cathedral…

Murder at Wakehurst by Alyssa Maxwell

1899 Emma goes with her cousin and his wife to the event as her uncle had passed away.

The hierarchy comes into play, now that the head of the family is dead, who will really inherit

it all.... She is so surprised she even was mentioned in the will. Her will accompany her cousin and his wife to the party at Wakehurst to keep Neilly in check with his drinking. While at the event Emma wanders off when the hears the dogs barking and she knows what it means.... She does discover a body and she has many clues as to things that transpired that night. SHe is also a bit upset that the regular detective is NOT covering the case. As a reporter she has a lot of information from questioning others who were there... So many twists and turns and a lot of characters are involved in the many mysteries in this book.

Love the elegance of the mansion, one I've yet to visit and all the finery that is detailed so highly I can picture that also. Never saw it ending as such, wow. Love nature and discussion about Sachuest Point where we currently hike today.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Murder at Beechwood by Alyssa Maxwell

In this book we find Emma and she's just so involved in all mysteries that arise. the men had all gone out to go sailing and have a race but two fell in and only one was presumed dead as the body was not found. Love learning all about technical things to do with sailing as others in the family have sailed.

Love hearing all about the most important aspect of the Newport, RI coast, sailing. It's still as strong as back in 1890s were.

The mystery of the baby left at Emma's doorstep is also a puzzle and she asks others to help her find out who the mother is. Such tragic moments and it's amazing how it all comes together. Learned so much more about the town and locations that I am familiar with.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Murder at Rough Point (Gilded Newport Mysteries, #4) by Alyssa Maxwell

This story follows Emma as she's been selected to help the caretaker run the event. The artists will arrive later, some from the theater, painters, actors, and other mediums of the craft.

They each have their own room at Rough Point, a place we've driven by often int he past 30 years.

Love the locations as they are described, fashion, food and jewelry, all so thrilling.

There is a death and then others are wondering how it all happened. The artists are now aging and are not as good at their craft as they used to be....

There is a surprise guest which Emma did not see coming.

Love all the speculation as to who killed the fellow artists. Just when they arrest one Emma has second thoughts... So many twists and turns and a really bad storm that leaves the island roads as mud.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

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California Golden by Melanie Benjamin

This story is about a family, who's left years later are the mother Carol, Ginger and daughter Mindy.

First part of the book is about the girls, next part their mother and then all three of them for the ending chapters.

Carol just loves the water and surfing and even takes her daughters out of school to be close by to her at the beach. Kids really suffer, not having a real home life, or education.

They grow up fast on their own and others take advantage of them, sexually and another for her body and surfing.

Story follows each as their lives do get tangled together again years later.

Life in 60's on west coast is whatever you want you can get. Cults were abundant and so many harmful things to children.

Story left me with many tearful emotions as i read it, I grew up during these times but on east coast.

Hard book for me to read with the drugs and the cult activity as parts of that have personally harmed our family over the years.

Especially love how just a photograph of a famous surfer and her girls the author was able to create this story. So much history and so fun at the same time.

Resource listings are available at the end, acknowledgements and about the author. Can't wait to read more of the author’s works, she does her homework.

Received this review copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

#CaliforniaGolden #NetGalley

The Poet by Jori Aguilar Sams

Prologue starts in Lithuania in 1955 and we learn of Lionel.

This book starts out with chapters that start with a phrase or paragraph from famous and some not to famous people.

Story follows Jessie and her life with her spouse Gene til she leaves.. There are many relationships and she works at the oceanarium Never heard this word or many others written in this book. what a treasure for me!

the ocean life is close to my heart and everything about it, so this setting is educational and soothing for me.

Love episodes of trips and on the moment events that occur that bring a smile to her face. She has a stalked who is also a poet but it's creeping her out.

Spur of the moment finds them leaving, a dream she hopes to find there with her best friend.

Lots of emotions reading this book, pain, haunting, gleeful, sad, optimistic, inspiring, courage to go on. Love the role God plays in her life.

There are poems inside also, what a treasure!

Murder at Chateau Sur Mer (Gilded Newport Mysteries #5) by Alyssa Maxwell

This story starts out with a murder of a prostitute at the bottom of the stairs of a family that is well known in Newport.

Emma gets involved with this murder and is able to frequent the polo fields where the gambling startgs. It's amazing how the murders are all linked together. What a story.

So much of Newp[ort comes out in this book, had to look at up the state parks. Story also follows her intended and she is in dire need of a job.

Love ending where author brings yuu up to date on where the polo fields are now. Spouse lived in the city and knew of the fields and parks mentioned in the book .

Love how the author links the goings on at the polo field and events to the first murder of the prostitute.

Emma's got a quick eye, notices others eyes and where she's seen them in others before....Haven't visited this mansion yet but hope to this fall.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Murder at Ochre Court (Gilded Newport Mysteries #6) by Alyssa Maxwell

This story is about the event Emma is back in Newport reporting on. a debuatant ball at Ochre Court.

The descriptions of the rooms and gowns are so precise and sparkling with electric lights... The murder occurs right in front of all their eyes.

Jessie and Dale both go to reach for the woman and are electrocuted but are able to break the arc.

Emma has a lot of people to talk to and finds out clues that she collects There are so many components to this story, so exciting.

Lots of discussions of those who fought in the war, the debs fiancée and the contractor who was in charge of the electricity in the mansion...Love hearing about tunnels of Fort Adams, I know family members have visited them, back in the day of 1970s. Emma is staying in Newport now but Derrick heads to Providence to make amends with his father. You wonder if they will ever get together as they are separated so often...

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Murder at the Elms by Alyssa Maxwell

Story starts out with Emma at the newspaper office in Newport, RI 1901.

She heads out to the Elms for a story she's covering. She finds the workers want to strike to get a day off and not have to work 18 hours a day with only Sunday service as their time off.

She is able to talk to a maid who doesn’t mind the hours and she's Portuguese.

The others talk to the owner and they are fired, but not Annette as she wasn't in the group that wanted more time off.

Emma and her spouse Derrick attend an event there later and find the place well-staffed and she learns they got time off every day-things those who were fired complained about.

I have been to the Elms and have gone through all the rooms they are discussing and find it fascinating as there are some things I didn't learn on our tour. I do recall the downstairs where they take deliveries and the kitchen area...

Fascinating to learn of honey from Portsmouth and coal tracks on Dickson...

Many more murders that are all related and some sketchy characters. Could be anyone there are SO many opportunities.

Love gems found in this one and can't wait to read more from this author of local places to me. Ends with notes from the author about the setting and about tour at the Elms.

I received this review book from The Kensington Books and this is my honest opinion.

#MurderattheElms #NetGalley

A New York Christmas by Anne Perry

This story starts out in very early 1900's and Finny and her companion are on their way to the city of New York in USA because she will be wedding her intended. Her father is ill and can't make the trip. Her mother had left her when very young. After the meet the family and stay with them she takes up with

Jemima and he plan to find the real Marie and have her stay away from the wedding. Problem is he follows her but later Jemima walks into the woman's apartment and finds her dead. She is being charged with the death. Mr. Harley was the one framing her. Things get very involved and the cops take charge and with Jemima's help and tracking down others who knew Marie you wonder if they will find out the truth and who really Killed her....lots of twists and turns and not very many characters.

Quite the mystery and I had no idea it would end as such...

great read

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Wedding Planner by Danielle Steel

Not so much into weddings as I'm over 65 but it's nice every once in a while. This book is about Faith and her twin sister Hope.

They both grew up in teh industry fo models at Vogue.

Faith has started her own wedding planner business and has super smart people working for her.

Hope is happily married with 4 kids in CT. Their mother is remarrying and they dread meeeting the foreigner....

Love the details and how much time she spends NOT only on the wedding preps but with the ocuples to find out what's really important to them.

She is so tangled up with the people that she becomes their family in some cases. She is able to rescue them. She finds one she coud love but wants NO wedding. Love the solution.

So many couples problems and love how it all works out for them all. Love all the detailed descriptions and travel to different locations and all the different age groups and their problems.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

This story starts out with Constance and her friend Mars going to yoga where you are positioned with the males on the other side. The idea is to get to know them and go on a date.

Love the scramble games and all the superstitious omens that arise during the book.

Contance has a lot of hidden secrets and so does Hayden. They clash one day when hes on the phone with his parents and they’ve been investigating her past...

She is upset that he never even stuck up for her.

Feel like this is two different stories in this book because of the ring he had given her she wants to din out where it came from, who and how she ended up with it, for a bit.

Love the idea of the collections under control where you can read the contents but not check out the book.

Constance is also a paralegal til one day she comes home tee Mars with someone she disapproves of. She ends up quitting her job, has no boyfriend and just works and lives at the dog shelter. She does strive to get a job, one more in her line of work...

Like the turn of events as her father reached out for help fo when he gets out of prison, things take a different turn and she sticks to her gut feelings. She’s also dealing with her grandfather who raised her as he’s going into dementia and love the things she does to keep it all straight for him. Love how she and others put everything into the auction to keep the dog shelter going…

Never saw the book ending as it did, great read. There's a lot to this book but it all comes together.

Received this review copy from Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

#TheBookofSilverLinings #NetGalley

Live Digital or Be Irrelevant by A.K. Smith Ford

Although this book concentrates on the music industry i the concepts could be for any medium.

Step by step process of hwo to survive and thrive is highlighted and each step has more explanations.

Second half of the book is about the author's own journey on the path to success, trial and error.

Love quote from John Lennon.

Great resource book to keep handy.

Like how they discover the appearl of the Starbucks community.

Received this review coy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Maslow's Basement by Don Thompson

Choices you decide yourself.

Story starts with Roger Carrington and his life when he was C- the choices he made, and after he gets out...

Like this book for many reasons: Stairway might've helped my nephew who died on streets of Seattle many years ago: location love that city and visit several times per year.

Love hearing how it all came about.

He is able to use his expertise and help other businesses over the years, free advice and he gets compensated.

Such a positive motivational attitude book to get anybody on the right track for the good of humanity. Hope to be able to read more of this authors works.

Received this review copy from AIA Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

The Final Steps by Mark M Bello

In this story we find Tyler the president of the school and he's being accused of killing a professor of law. His friend Rosaline is no longer a judge and hasn't practiced law in years and she agrees to look over the violence and help him out. She was in midst of her book signings and she was so excited to be doing it. Living in her RV she is capable of getting to locations for further clues to help Tyler's case. Love how she works her way into others houses to gain information she needs. Rosaline gets others to help her gather the clues.

The story also takes a twist and we hear from the killer them self.

Survival of the fitness who will the trio target now to be the killer? Love hearing the author has written many more books, I need to read them, they kept me focused on smaller details.

Great read didn't see it coming down as it did. Twists and turns and different methods of killing...

Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Sown in Tears by Beverly Magid

Book starts out with dedications and then the story.

It follows Leah and her spouse and two young children. They are Jews in Russia and they are blamed for the country’s– problems’ like the losing battle with Japan.

They are under attack themselves so often. they hide in underground area but they are found one night.

Story describes horrific scenes of fighting and tragic outcomes.

Leah is strong, she has to be to tend to the children and she knows how to barter for food and things they need. She will do just about anything for their survival. She has relatives but they are moving to the US. She has to befriend some and join revolution to keep going. Riveting story of the things she has to do and why she is able to survive. Love hearing about how just a few items from her mother are her only possessions.

Received this review coy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

The Lighthouse Five Island Cove, Book 1 by Jessie Newton

This story starts out with the death of one of the group. There are five women who grew up and met and have a pact to come every summer to the islands where they can reconnect with one another.

The death brings them all together. The lives of the women are so varied, single, married with kids, married no kids, etc. their jobs are just as varied. Like the different ages and the problems they go through. People have a lot of secrets from the past and also so much drama.

I did not like being thrown into the mix of things. didn't feel like I belonged there. so confusing as who was who. I think a book of each of them would be in order to keep them all straight then merge the characters in this book.

End comes and there is an excerpt of the next in the series.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Christmas in Paradise by Karen Barnett

Love hearing about ther time at Mt. Rainier as we have visited often in the past 17 years.

Starts with Margie and she and her spouse Ford, are wintering at the Paradise Inn at MT. Rainier national park.

The rodents scurrying around terrify her...Ford works as a park ranger. They are buried in snow covering the windows which we've witnessed ourselves during our travels.

Hope to make memories for their first Christmas traditions.

Love that she knits and is making something special for him, without him seeing her actually doing it.

So much nature, just beautiful. Love hearing about all the animals and fauna around.

Ford heads down to the ranger station and to fix the phone line. He talks to Harry and they discuss the Christmas gifts. Hate that things don't go as planned, nature is a very dangerous area.

Other books in the series are summarized. About the author is also included.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Lion on Fire by Ted Galdi

Great mafaia type story.

Starts out when he is going to help his brother out by getting him the money he needs to pay back the drug dealer.... he get sin over his head and has a few friends he can count on.

Like gambling scenes as well and how it all goes down. Would love to review more from this author.

Great action, mystery, bit of romance and the mafia power.

Faking Christmas Love at the Doggy Spa by Elsie Woods

Very predictable story. Didn't really care for it but the holiday aspect.

Defiant Princess by Amy McKinley

this mafia type story is about many mafia families and i found i was very confused with it all.

this is just a prequel to the real family stories in other books. The princesses are the young ladies who some are still in school. ltos of hot steamy sex and mafia events take place.

Think I need to just concentrate on one family at a time. very confusing characters and from which family they belong to.

CHILDREN"S BOOKS:

Facts About the Asiatic Black Bear by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book. This book starts out with free ebook offer when you subscribe to authors website. also information about box set of books and list of what they include.