Seeds of Murder by Rosie Sandler – Interesting Mix of Gardening and Mystery

 
After reading the description of Seeds of Murder by Rosie Sandler, I wanted to give this British novel a try. I was hoping it would be reminiscent of Rosemary & Thyme, a nice mix of gardening and mystery.  

Steph Williams needs a job and hopes to be hired as the gardener at Beaulieu Heights, a small wealthy estate in England. Wherever Steph goes, her faithful companion Mouse goes too. To say that the residents are quirky is an understatement. Some are more welcoming than others. It seems that all the homeowners have their secrets. But would any of them be willing to break the law to protect their secrets? To steal, blackmail, or even commit murder? Just as Steph is getting a handle on the various gardens, she receives a threatening note. To make things worse, the residents have accused Steph of blackmail. How in the world will she clear her name, much less keep her job?

It took me a little while to get used to the first-person writing style and the British terms. But once I did, I enjoyed reading this book. I liked Steph and her dog Mouse. Loved reading the descriptions of the gardens, about plants and the work to be done. I could almost visualize the settings. The people in Beaulieu Heights, both residents and workers, were an interesting group. A few were friendly and some you would want to avoid. Steph was a very likable character, as was her dog. 

The residents of Beaulieu Heights were an interest mix. Though very wealthy and seemingly in need of nothing, their lives were a bit of trainwreck. I liked some of the friendships that Steph developed with both the residents and staff members. I enjoyed Steph’s relationship with her brother and parents. There were lots of weeds to dig through to get to the bottom of the mystery. I did not guess who the bad guy was.  

There were a few moments that I found touching. Like the kindness and encouragement of a few people when Steph stood wrongly accused. Or the support and love from her brother and dad. The progress in her relationship with her mom. 

Not going to give away the ending. But I would have liked to have seen justice. One mystery not wrapped up is what happened to Steph’s ex-husband who seemed to disappear.  

There is some profanity in the book, as well as revealing sexual immorality that some of the characters had been involved with. Thankfully, it did not go into graphic detail.  

I enjoyed reading this mystery Seeds of Murder by Rosie Sandler. It was a change of pace from my regular reading. If you enjoy mysteries and gardening, you might enjoy this novel.

I would like to thank Embla Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Seeds of Murder by Rosie Sandler. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.  

 

 

Countdown by Lynette Eason – Mixed Reaction

 

I have enjoyed several novels by Lynette Eason and was excited to read her newest release Countdown, the fourth book in the Extreme Measures series. 

Raina Price works as a flight paramedic along with her friends Penny and Holly.  Raina had to reinvent her life due to an abusive relationship from which she had escaped.  To protect herself and her loved ones there is no going back.  While watching sports news Raina sees a young snowboarder who is the spitting imagine of the man from whom she escaped.  If she has seen Michael Harrison, surely the boy’s father will see him and figure out who he is. How can she protect the boy?  Raina’s been feeling spooked lately, like someone has watching her.  US Marshal Vincent Covelli is concerned and wants to help Raina.  Will she accept his help or try to go it alone?  How can Vincent and law enforcement help protect Raina from a man whose true-identity and whereabouts are unknown?

This book had a lot of twists and turns.  The action and intrigue did not stop until the end. 

What I liked about the book: I appreciated the friendships that Raina had with Penny and Holly and their friends.  They were a closeknit group and there for each other, through thick and thin.  I liked Vincent, he was a very caring and patient man, ready to put himself in danger to protect Raina. 

What I struggled with: Countdown really stretched the imagination on believability.  I understand that there are evil people out there who are intent on causing harm and destruction.  But to have someone keep track of a person for many years, as well as those with associated with her, was not believable.  To be able track when she called a person after many years, who has the resources to that? 

It did not make sense that Raina who has been in constant fear for her life, especially following an incident, would come home and not lock the garage door.  Come on!  The logic on why the bad guy was doing what he did, it was a stretch too.

I would like to have seen the characters’ faith a bigger part of the story.  Instead, it seemed cursory. 

There were things I liked about Countdown and some things I was not too keen on.  I like Lynette Eason's writing, but Countdown was not my favorite.  If you are a fan of Lynette Eason and have read the earlier books in this series, you may enjoy it. 

I would like to thank Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Countdown by Lynette Eason.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

 

Wildflower Falls by Denise Hunter – Beautiful Setting and Likeable Characters

 

Wildflower Falls is Denise Hunter’s newest book, the fourth book in the Riverbend Romance series.  I was excited to read it because I have enjoyed a couple of other books by Denise. 

Following the death of their mother, Charlotte Simpson and her step-sister Emerson are owners of a horse ranch.  Charlotte is committed to making a go of the business.  Emerson, on the other hand, is not so keen on the idea.  But Charlotte is moving ahead and expanding the business.  She is having a new barn constructed to handle additional business.  She even hired a respected horse trainer Gunner Dawson to help with the horses, knowing he was only staying for a short while. 

In her mother’s paperwork, Charlotte found information about her biological father and learned that he may be related to an established family in the community.  How will she verify that information, and when should she make the facts known?  Emerson has been emotionally distant and Charlotte finds herself confiding in Gunner.  He is not only good with horses, but he has become a friend and is a good listener.

The storyline is what made me want to read this book.  I enjoyed reading about the scenery and horses in a beautiful small-town in North Carolina.  I found the story about finding her biological family interesting.  My favorite character was Gunner, who seemed to be a kind, caring, and trustworthy man.  I liked how their relationship grew.  I also liked Charlotte’s biological siblings and their families. 

I struggled with Charlotte a bit.  Her character was very self-focused.  The story seemed to drag for a while.  In the last part of the book, a slew of details was made known.  Those details would have made the story better if introduced earlier in the book.  I would like to have known the back story of Gunner earlier.  Without those background details, his actions did not seem logical or reasonable.  In fact, I was irritated that those details were added so late in the story.

The book was relatively clean.  I would like to have had the characters’ faith more fully developed.

While this was not my favorite Denise Hunter book, there were elements I enjoyed in the story.  If you like a beautiful rural setting, horses, nature, family, friendship, and a little romance, you may want to read Wildflower Falls by Denise Hunter.  This book will be released on September 12, 2023.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Wildflower Falls by Denise Hunter.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

 

The Cottage Garden by Claus Dalby - Chock Full of Inspiration and Ideas

 

If you are a gardener who is looking for inspiration and ideas to add to your own garden, you will want to read Claus Dalby’s newest book The Cottage Garden.  

Claus covers the history of Danish gardens and the English cottage gardens.  He introduces men and women who were influential in the style and design of cottage gardens.  Best of all are the wonderful pictures that fill this book showing gardens from around the world, including England, Germany, Denmark, New England, and Sweden.  I appreciate the detailed information that Claus shares about plants, varieties, and design elements in each garden.  He highlights big and small gardens and has photographs from the four seasons. 

The Cottage Garden by Claus Dalby is an inspiration to any gardener.  From style, to plants, to the exquisite beauty found on each page, readers will come away excited to try news plants and design in their own garden.  

I highly recommend The Cottage Garden by Claus Dalby.  It would be a lovely gift for gardeners, and those who love the beauty found in creation.  If you are looking for inspiration and help in your own garden, I encourage you read this book.  It will be released on September 5, 2023.  I look forward to get my own copy of this book.  

I would like to thank Quarto Publishing Group, Cool Springs Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy of The Cottage Garden by Claus Dalby.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.