One Sharp Stitch: A Nimble Needle Mystery by Allie Pleiter

One Sharp Stitch: A Nimble Needle Mystery by Allie Pleiter is a cozy mystery you don’t want to miss. Shelby Phillips returns to her hometown outside of Asheville, North Carolina when her graphics art career goes sideways. She reluctantly agrees to run her mom’s Nimble Needle needlepoint shop for a few months while figuring out her life. While hosting a trunk show she finds a local vendor, Kat Katsaros, dead in her traveling sharpening van. The question she is pondering is “Was it an accident or something worse?”

This was wonderful cozy mystery and the great start to a new series. Shelby is an endearing character who is still figuring out her life and working in her parent’s needle point shop in her hometown was not part of her life plan. I appreciated the relational aspect of the story watching Shelby connect with the ladies in the shop, her sister, and make new friends in the town of Gwen Lake which is filled with colorful characters. There were many funny parts that kept the book not too heavy. This story has several twists and turns that kept me engaged and wondering how it would end.

One Sharp Stitch by Allie Pleiter is a great cozy mystery. I highly enjoyed and can not wait to read the second book in the series. I highly recommend.

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Bestselling international author Allie Pleiter honed her talents in the world of popular fiction, where she still releases multiple books a year. Allie has over 50 published titles to her name, and over 1.5 million Allie Pleiter fiction and non-fiction books have been sold around the world.

Her well-known Chunky Method system trains writers at every level to formulate plans and meet deadlines in a way tailored to their unique working style. Allie runs an active coaching practice helping writers and all kinds of creative people be more productive, as well as training productive people to be more creative. Already a national speaker among writing associations, Allie now extends her reach to entrepreneurs, speakers, consultants, and anyone who needs to bolster their productivity and creativity in a demanding marketplace.

Allie is an avid knitter, confirmed coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better.” She holds a BS in Speech from Northwestern University and lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog.

How to pronounce my name:

“Pl-EYE-ter” (rhymes with “writer”)

Save the Date by Mallory Kass read by Nikki Massoud, Gilli Messer, and Allyson Ryan

 

Thank you to Simon Audio for the gifted copy. 

Save the Date by Mallory Kass read by Nikki Massoud, Gilli Messer, and Allyson Ryan is the audio book you need this summer.  This delightful romantic comedy brought me so much joy! We follow three women Marigold, the bride to be and delightfully carefree; Natalie, the maid of honor and bride’s best friend; and Oliva the bride’s sister who has taken care of Marigold and continues to.  I love stories about weddings and this one delivered for me.  I loved the banter, characters, and story twists.  I appreciated the themes of family, forgiveness, and friendship. 

Listening to the audio was amazing!  Having three narrators for three main characters helped me to keep all the characters straight and added to my listening experience.  I felt each narrator connected with their character helping me to do the same. 

I had so much fun listening to Save the Date by Mallory Kass and read Nikki Massoud, Gilli Messer, and Allyson Ryan.  I highly recommend the audio book as it adds to enjoying the story.  This will be a summer favorite for me.  

I was gifted an ALC and not required to write a positive review.

Chapter One Again: A Novel by Keelia Clarkson

Chapter One Again: A Novel by Keelia Clarkson is a cozy second-chance romance.  Jane is a ghostwriter in New York City, but longs to write her own novels.  She takes a trip home to Avilla Falls, Colorado to see her parents and in the process begins to see her hometown differently, her life choices and what she wants for the future.    

Jane was a relatable character who I found refreshing.  I enjoyed getting to know on her journey as she took an honest appraisal of her heart, life, and rediscovered what was important to her.  Noah who is someone she knew of in high school was a great love interest.  The author magically wove in so many thoughtful themes of beauty, redemption, and realizing what is important in life. 

Chapter One Again was a cozy, uplifting, and sweet story that helps you remember there is so much beauty in our day to day lives. I enjoyed visiting the Colorado town of Avila Falls and am looking forward to returning in the second book, Page Two with You.  I highly recommend Chapter One Again byKeelia Clarkson, and this will be a 2026 favorite of for me. 

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Keelia Clarkson is a film and television actress who has appeared in numerous indie and studio films and network shows. She is the editor-in-chief and founder of the popular online magazine, Wallflower Journal, a place for the woman witha deep inner world. Chapter One Again is her debut novel. Originally from Los Angeles, Keelia now lives between New York City and Colorado Springs.

Second Shot at Love by Carolyn Miller

Second Shot at Love a Northwest Ice Book # 6 by Carolyn Miller is second chance romance.  Genevieve Rivas is working as a doctor in Seattle, WA.  She works hard to keep her life on track after a mistake 10 years ago changed her life.  Kyle Tinker plays professional hockey and loves what he does.  After an injury reunites him with his former love, Genevieve, he begins to imagine the possibilities of a second chance with her.  But what if the past gets in the way of their future.

It was wonderful to read this dual POV slow burn romance story.  Genevieve and Kyle are engaging characters that I truly felt connected to.   I appreciated their honesty, vulnerability, and their desire to grow as people.   They graciously worked through so many challenges to find their happily ever after.  The faith elements were well done and natural in the story.  The beautiful overarching themes of grace, second chances, and forgiveness deeply resonated with me. I really enjoyed the story.  

I loved Second Shot at Love and have been eagerly anticipating it. I am so happy that there is one more book in the Northwest Ice series as this series is one of myall time favorites.  I highly recommend Second Shot at Love by Carolyn Miller.  This will be a 2026 top pick for me. 

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.  

I'm an award-winning, bestselling author of inspirational historical and contemporary romance. I live in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia with my husband and four children. Together with my husband I pastored a church for ten years, and I've worked as a high school English and Learning and Support teacher. I love reading (especially Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer & LM Montgomery), music, films, gardens, art, travel and food. I really enjoy creating worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love. I am a member of Omega Christian Writers and American Christian Fiction Writers and I'm represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube agency

A Love Once Lost by Jennie Goutet

 

A Love Once Lost by Jennie Goutet is a delightful historical romance set in the Georgian time period with Jane Austen Persuasion vibes. Amy Bridwell is accompanying her family on a Grand Tour of the Continent stopping in the town of Spa, Belgium. When she arrives, she sees James Fletcher, a love from her past, who is a physician in the town of Spa. They have thought of each other for the last six years, but James is engaged to another and Amy and James did not leave on good terms. Can they find love again?

I enjoyed this slow burn romance with engaging characters who I was very invested in. I loved how James and Amy both grew and matured as people while becoming more selfless as the novel progressed. It is always wonderful when two kind people find each other in books and in life.

The setting of Spa, Belgium was fascinating. The author immersed me in the time period, setting, and romance with her elegant writing. The themes of second chances and friendship resonated with me.

I greatly enjoyed reading A Love Once Lost by Jennie Goutet. The novel is immersive and filled with relatable characters, sweet slow burn romance, and a wonderful setting. I very highly recommend and this will be a 2026 favorite for me.

I was given a free copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

 

Jennie Goutet is the best-selling author of eighteen historical romances, including the Clavering Chronicles, Memorable Proposals, and The ‘Bridwells’ Grand Tour series. Her books have received first place in historical romance for the New England Reader’s Choice Awards and have hit the number one spot in Regency Romance on Amazon. They have been featured on BookBub and Hoopla, and are translated into six languages. Jennie is an American-born Anglophile who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside of Paris, but her imagination resides in Georgian England, where her proper historical romances are set. Sign up for my newsletter to stay in touch!

All Booked UP by Melody Carlson

 All Booked UP by Melody Carlson is a delightful story with Riva Owen who wants to keep her home that has an amazing library and has been in her family for many generations. She decides to rent her home to four women who need a place to live due to the challenges of their lives. What could possibly go wrong?

I found All Booked Up a charming story. The author weaves in books, some romance, and reminds us that everyone has a story. I appreciated the cozy feel of this book and its positive outlook on women and aging. Watching Riva continue to embrace life, share her love of books with others, and save her beautiful home was truly inspiring.

I highly recommend All Booked Up by Melody Carlson. The engaging characters, book references, and cozy feel made this a wonderful read. There is nothing quite like mixing up a variety of people in one house and stepping back and watching the action. The story did not disappoint.

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Melody Carlson has published over ninety books for adults, children, and teens, with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards, including the Gold Medallion and the RITA Award.

Pity Prank by Whitney Dineen

 Pity Prank by Whitney Dineen is a wonderful romantic comedy and the eighth book in the pity series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. Finley Harper owns Happy Snaps Photography, a photography studio, in Elk Lake Wisconsin.  A mix up with the type of picture that Dr. Thomas Culpepper who is new to town needs leads to more business, fake dating, and many laughs. 

I was filled with so much joy and laughed out loud while reading Pity Prank.  The story is engaging, sweet, and written in dual point of view. Finley and Thomas were such endearing characters.   The author did an incredible job with Finely’s character who is on the spectrum, and Dr. Thomas Culpepper is an all-around great guy.  I enjoyed visiting Elk Lake and reconnecting with my friends in town.  Thomas and Finley’s family were a delight to meet and connect with. 

Pity Prank by Whitney Dineen is a delightful book with likeable characters, an ideal small-town setting, and sweet romance.  I loved laughing and making new friends in Elk Lake.  I highly recommend and this will be a 2026 favorite for me. 

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review. 

USA Today Bestselling author Whitney Dineen is a rock star in her own head. While delusional about her singing abilities, there’s been a plethora of validation that she’s a fairly decent author (AMAZING!!!). After winning many writing awards and selling nearly a kabillion books (math may not be her forte, either), she’s decided to let the voices in her head say whatever they want (sorry, Mom). She also won a fourth-place ribbon in a fifth-grade swim meet in backstroke. So, there’s that.

Whitney loves to hang with her kids (a.k.a. dazzle them with her amazing 80's dance moves, serenading them to Bohemian Rhapsody, and binge watch Ted Lasso ), bake stuff, eat stuff, and write books for people who "get" her. She thinks french fries are the perfect food and Mrs. Roper is her spirit animal.