Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Sutanto

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murder by Jesse Q. Sutanto is absolutely delightful! I enjoyed every minute listening to the story read by Eunice Wong. The story opens when Vera Wong finds a dead body in her tea shop one morning. As she tries to solve the murder she meets and helps many people. We find out that things aren't always as they seem.

I absolutely love Vera Wong as a character, and wanted her to be my best friend by the end of the novel! She is funny, caring, and always looking for adventure. Maybe she is a little bit meddling, but honestly who isn’t? This character driven story is told from multiple points of view, but I was easily able to keep everyone straight. The mystery is well set up, and you are not really sure who is responsible till the end. The author has interwoven all the characters' lives and connections seamlessly.

I was so invested in this story. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murder reminded me of the importance of family, friendship, and looking beyond the façade most of us put up. I enjoyed laughing and reflecting as I read the book. I highly recommend Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Q. Sutanto. I found listening to the audio book read by Eunice Wong made the story even more enjoyable.  

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

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Indonesia, Singapore, and Oxford, and considers all three places her home. She has a Masters from Oxford University, but she has yet to figure out how to say that without sounding obnoxious. Jesse has forty-two first cousins and thirty aunties and uncles, many of whom live just down the road. She used to game but with two little ones and a husband, she no longer has time for hobbies. She aspires to one day find one (1) hobby.

Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters

 Do you read advice columns either in print or online sources? OR Do you have a favorite advice column? I am always a fan of reading the letters from readers and the responses. I enjoyed Dear Miss Manners growing up and Dear Abby. I am always interested in what someone will write in.

Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters published by Berkley publishes March 28. I would encourage you to get a copy of this wonderful book!

📚 Review: Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters is a splendid cozy historical mystery set in Victorian era London, England. Countess Amelia Amesbury is a widow who takes care of her niece, and she also secretly writes the Lady Agony column in the paper. When a reader shares that she has witnessed a murder Lady Amelia tries to solve the murder with the help of her friend Kitty and Simon Bainbridge, a marquis. 

This book was a sheer delight to read. The characters were very endearing and I was very invested in the story. I adored Lady Amelia and her kind, thoughtful and independent heart. The time period was charming and I enjoyed traveling to the shops, ballrooms, shipyards and drawing rooms of Victorian London as I tried to solve the mystery with Amelia and friends. The mystery kept me on my toes right to the end, and I enjoyed the touch of romance. I am hopeful that there will be more in this series as the ending seemed to imply. I would certainly read anything in this series!

This is a great read for fans of cozy mysteries and for those who love historical books. The author weaves mystery, romance and humor together beautifully. I highly recommend Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters.

Although I have degrees in Literature and Creative Writing, my love affair with Victorian fiction didn’t start in the classroom but with a monthly book club. I was a young eighteen years old, working a job I didn’t particularly enjoy, when I made the fortuitous decision to join a subscription service. From the moment I received my first chunky paperbacks and pink wine glass, I was hooked. I loved coming home and delving into my historical romances. They were the gateway to other historical fiction, including mysteries, like the Amelia Peabody series.

When I enrolled in college, I had already written my first novel, not surprisingly a historical romance. My professors frowned upon the genre, but I understood the heart of the work. The heroines were nonconformists, constantly challenging the conventions of the time. Their fortitude inspired my own writing a great deal.

By the time I entered graduate school, I put away my romance novel and wrote a literary novel for my thesis. Then, when I graduated, I put away my literary novel and started a mystery series with an amateur sleuth professor.

But always my love for Victorian literature remained, and in 2019, when my family and I took a trip to England, it was reignited. Seeing Regents Park, Piccadilly, Grosvenor Square—all those places I had first read about so many years ago—I knew I wanted to write another book, a mystery, set in the time period. That book became Murder in Postscript, which will be published in 2023. I’m thrilled to see this first dream come true.

An Amiable Foe by Jennie Goutet

An Amiable Foe by Jennie Goutet is a sweet Regency Romance. Marianne Edgewood has lived at Brindale castle all of her life and it is her life. She pours all she has into taking care of it and keeping it up. After the sudden death of her Uncle she knows a new owner will take control. Peregrine Osborne is very excited to inherit Brindale. He is not expecting Marianne when he arrives nor is he expecting her to get his attention.

There is nothing quite like a good Regency novel to bring me joy! This endearing story took me back in time to 1810 in Kent, England with beautiful details of the time period and delightful characters. An Amiable Foe had some mystery, an old castle, quirky neighbors, sweet romance, a memorable pig and changes of heart. I enjoyed watching Peregrine and Marianne go from enemies to friends to more. A truly delightful story.

The themes of friendship, learning to value what is truly important, and remembering to look at others kindly resonated with me. I highly recommend an Amiable Foe as it is a wonderful Regency Romance.

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

Jennie Goutet is an American-born Anglophile, who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her Clavering Chronicles and Memorable Proposals series are set. Jennie is author of the award-winning memoir, Stars Upside Down, and the modern romances, A Sweetheart in Paris and A Noble Affair. A Christian, a cook, and an inveterate klutz, Jennie writes about faith, food, and life—even the clumsy moments—on her blog, A Lady in France.

The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon

 

The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon is a sweet small town romance. Jess Reid has grown up with her Dad, a car mechanic, and now lives down the street from him. She came back to Redford, Georgia after going to school in New York and now works as an editor. Carter Barclay lives in Atlanta and works in finance. He has come to Redford for his grandfather Jasper's funeral. They are both now in a high stakes “amazing race” type game to see who will win his grandfather's fortune.

This delightful character driven story was an enjoyable escape for me, and the sweet romance between two opposites was fun to watch. The well developed characters were endearing and I enjoyed their alternating POVs in the story. The author does an amazing job capturing so many different personalities, stories, and the conflicts of living in a small town. The high stakes game to win Jasper’s fortune was very hilarious to watch and reminded me that everyone has a backstory.


The Only Game in Town is a great read with themes of family, learning to love those around you, and remembering that everyone’s story is complicated. I enjoyed being a part of Redford, Georgia and may need to go back and visit. I highly recommend The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon.

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

Lacie Waldon is a writer with her head in the clouds—literally. A flight attendant based in Los Angeles, Waldon spends her days writing from the jump seat and searching the world for new stories.

Her best-selling debut novel, The Layover, can be found in bookstores all over the world (and not just because she uses her flight benefits to sneak signed copies onto shelves.) It has been featured by USA Today, Buzzfeed, PopSugar, Frolic, and many others, and was voted a most-anticipated book by librarians across Canada.

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel is a fantastic romance set in Ireland in 1935. Brianna Kelly has worked at Ballymacool House and Boarding school tirelessly since she was little. She has little hope of change in her circumstance. Michael Ray is part of the local gentry who comes to visit Ballymacool to help with his cousin.

“Oh, child. Yer purpose in this world has precious little to do with what job ya hold. It’s to do wi’ the way ya impact the people around ye.”

This was such a beautiful story rich in Irish culture which wove in mystery, romance and a wonderful reminder of our purpose in life. Such beauty, depth and wisdom fill the pages along with some of the Irish language. I felt like I had been transported to County Donegal Ireland and was immersed in this character driven story. I was ready to pack a bag and visit Ireland.

“Child, there’s more to yer story than ye could ever know.”

Michael and Briana’s love story was sweet and I was very invested. The child-like wonder of Brianna touched my heart and it was a joy to walk with her and the other characters as they transformed throughout the story. The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel is a lovely story that I highly recommend.

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

I’m Jennifer. My friends call me Jen. Just please don’t call my Jenny. I’m a wife and mom just walking this road of life like everyone else. I’m your typical American mom, working, raising kids, and loving my hubby…I’ve just been blessed to do some of it in Vienna, Austria and the west of Ireland. However, after a decade of life overseas, we have settled back in America–in sunny Arizona!

I currently teach middle school English, and when I’m not working on school things, I’m spending time with my incredible family–my husband Seth and our 3 awesome kids–and writing.

I write stories that explore home through the lens of faith, family, and culture–with the beauty and depth of Ireland coloring much of it.

I am honored to be a monthly contributor at The Better Mom and have posts shared at (in)courage, Djibouti Jones, Tricia Goyer, Unveiled Wife, Intentional by Grace, and more.

I love chatting with you, so please connect with me on Instagram, Facebook,and Goodreads. And be sure to follow me on BookBub to see what I’m reading & recommending!

Methods of Malice by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe

 

Methods of Malice by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is a delightful cozy mystery and is the seventh in the Hope Street Church Mystery series. I have not read the others in the series, but was able to keep up just fine. Cooper’s Sunrise Bible study group is helping with a production of It’s A Wonderful life to raise money for the local senior center. It all goes sideways when the assistant director is found murdered.  

This was a lovely story that reminded me of a Hallmark Mystery Movie. I loved meeting the Sunrise Bible Study group and watching their interactions and witnessing their comradery. The small town setting and theater environment was delightful, and I was guessing on the mystery until the end. Jon and Cooper continue moving their friendship to something more and we watch different friends start new adventures in the book. There are delicious recipes at the end of the story from Cooper's mom Maggie.

The story had a good mystery, engaging characters, and I loved the Hope Street Church community! I really enjoyed this Methods of Malice and highly recommend it.

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

Originally from Western, N.Y., author Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina was a founding member and the manager of Seekerville, a 13 author blog, from 2008-2017. Seekerville has been a Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers award winner 2013-2017.

An RWA Honor Roll member, Tina is also a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist for Oklahoma Reunion, a 2014 ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner for Mending the Doctor's Heart.

Tina is thrilled to announce she is the 2018 ACFW Mentor of the Year and a 2018 ACFW Carol Award Finalist for Claiming Her Cowboy.

She has also finaled/or won over twenty RWA chapter affiliated contests in her career. As a short story writer, she has sold over two dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine.

Tina is a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Kiss of Death Chapter, FHL Chapter, Desert Rose Romance Writers, and the Valley of the Sun Romance Writer

Ellery is the USA Today & New York Times Bestselling Mystery Author of over 40 novels. She grew up on a beach near the Long Island Sound but now writes from her home in North Carolina. She loves rescue animals, jigsaw puzzles, coffee, black licorice, college football, reading on rainy days, wood-burning fires, and porch swings.