Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list. Short on time to find the murderer, Stephanie is also under pressure from family and friends to choose between her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom wants her to dump them both for a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, suggests a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Joe’s old-world grandmother gives Stephanie “the eye,” which may mean that it’s time to get out of town.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.

My Comments: I thought I was finished reading these books, but when the movie came out it renewed my interest.  I am enjoying this book more than I thought I would and glad I put it on my Nook!  My New Jersey roots needs a little fix of New Jersey now and then and Stephanie and Grandma Mazur usually feel that need!  This book is funny as are all of them.  Maybe the plot is a little more predictable that some, but I still enjoy reading it.

I went to see the movie “One for the Money” this afternoon as well.  It does my heart good to hear that good old Jersey accent (even if the reviewers didn’t think it was perfect – it was close enough for me)!  I hesitated to see the movie as well because the reviews weren’t all that great.  But honestly, I liked all of the casting.  I was curious to see Morelli and Ranger and thought the casting of both of those leading men was spot on.  It may not be the best movie or even best movie made from chick lit I’ve ever seen, but nontheless, I enjoyed it!  It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

You’ll be swept away by the endearing characters created by award-winning author Anna Schmidt. On the heels of a horrific hurricane, Hester Detlef, field director for the Mennonite Disaster Service, blows into the life of self-made, shunned Amish man John Hafner. Will she find a way through his shield and into his heart? Although the hurricane has left John homeless and badly injured, the last thing he wants is some do-gooder Mennonite woman intruding in his life. Will his impatience with her intention of restoring his faith and property keep him from accepting this beguiling stranger’s kindness?

My Comments: Interesting journey of a young man trying to pay penance and a young woman who puts others first through the Mennonite Disaster Service.  This book combines Amish and Mennonite fiction.  I find the romance in this book a little more believable because it isn’t instant.  It develops throughout the book.  The characters are colorful.  I especially like Olive – one of the crabby spinsters.  I found appealing the desire of John to live a life as described in “Walden.”  Nobody would let him, however, and the weather completely ruined it for him.  The book is satisfying, the end is great and I am looking forward to more books in this series.

I received this book from NetGalley.

My Comments: This is a quick sweet read.  The premise of the book is a little hard to swallow – making a town famous for love – but my husband and I honeymooned in Vermont and it IS a romantic state overall!  Snow, skiing, cold biting weather (and we went in April!), and quaint little towns.  Four women from the town of Smitten share their love stories.  Each is different according to the personality of the author.  They share other aspects of their lives as well such as making a go of a new business, and fighting people who don’t agree with their idea of making Smitten a town for love (because of it’s name).  This book would be great to read for Valentine’s Day!  I would overall give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Thank you NetGalley!  This book is already pubished and ready to order.

As many of you, I have been very busy with the holidays.  However, I read several books and now it is time to write posts about them!  One book I really enjoyed was A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston.    Here is a little synopsis of the story:  Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you’ll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman’s story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams . and secrets. You’ll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the “English” way of life-and the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. In A Life of Joy, the fourth installment in the series, eighteen-year-old Lindsay Bedford has reached a crossroads. Should she stay in the small Amish community she’s known and loved for four years or return to the English life in her hometown in Virginia where her older sister is a college student? An extended visit to Virginia might just tip the scales as Lindsay reconnects with friends, joins a new church, works on her GED, and is pressured by her sister to stay and “make something of herself.”

My comments: This was a great story, although I still wonder how many “English” would switch over to the Amish lifestyle and embrace it wholeheartedly.  If you know of any real person who has done this, please let me know.  I can see the appeal, believe me.  I cannot, however, see the work – the washing, the sewing, the cooking, etc.  I also have some problems with the legalism.  Other than that, the close family ties, the simpler (in some ways) lifestyle, and the work ethic appeals to me.  The Amish seem to have a great faith in God and His will in their lives and believing that all things that happen are His will.  I just question shunning, and their extreme separation from the rest of the world – even other believers.  Also limiting themselves to an eighth grade education doesn’t appeal to me at all.

I actually found myself pulling for Lindsey to go back to her roots – the English roots.  She had some great support systems in both the English and Amish worlds.  Maybe I was hoping for the English lifestyle because I know the English world and seems to be what her parents wanted for her.  I am anxious to see what happens in the next book.  Clipston does a great job leaving you off with a great cliff-hanger.  I enjoy her books and her writing and will continue to keep reading them!

College librarian and struggling artist India Hayes isn’t sure how her older sister Carmen talked her into managing a face-painting booth at the Stripling, Ohio, Founders’ Day Festival or how Carmen convinced her to wear the pink gingham pioneer dress, including mobcap and granny boots, but that’s where she finds herself in a chilly October just before Halloween. India’s annoyance turns to suspicion as she discovers the body of Zen-like basket weaver, Tess Ross, on the festival grounds. Tess leaves behind an angry blacksmith husband, a confused adopted son, greedy siblings, a dysfunctional artists’ co-op, and a chocolate-colored labradoodle with a two-million-dollar trust in his name. Much to India’s dismay, she learns Tess is the sister of her stuffy college provost, Samuel Lepcheck, and the mother of a library student worker, Derek, who has an irrepressible crush on India that she’s doing her best to ignore. Derek begs India to investigate his mother’s murder. Despite the urgings of handsome Police Detective Rick Mains to stay out of the investigation, India agrees to Derek’s request and finds herself playing sleuth as well as foster-owner to Zacchaeus, the two-million-dollar labradoodle. With her own eccentric family commenting from the sidelines and her Irish-centric landlady, Ina Carroll, as volunteer sidekick, India must discover the truth before she has a permanent canine houseguest or she ends up the next victim in the basket weaver’s murder.

My Comments: India Hayes ranks right up there as one of my favorite new detectives in a cozy mystery.  Her family makes me smile!  I love it that her mom is a pastor and her dad is in a wheelchair – real people!  Her parents, middle aged hippies, get involved in all the local “causes.”  The women in this family are strong – including India’s sister Carmen.  There is a book that comes before this and I’m anxious to read it as well.  The book ends with a great cliff-hanger making me want more, more, more.  If you like books by Leslie Meier and Joanne Fluke, you will love this book!

English and Amish worlds collide for a few days to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas!

About the Author

Eden’s hope is rekindled when Clay delivers astounding news: their daughter has been found.

Five years ago Eden and Clay Larson’s baby was stolen and never found. Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work. Their young and rocky marriage ended. Or so Eden thought.

Now  Eden’s moved to a new town. She’s found faith and is trying to rebuild her life. She’s even dating again-a sweet guy who plans to marry her someday. But then Clay arrives out of the blue and delivers shocking news: they’re still married. What’s more, Clay has been searching for Brianna all this time. And he believes he’s found her: their daughter is in Bluebird, Texas, at a youth ranch.

To uncover the truth, Eden and Clay sign on as counselors at Bluebird Ranch. Working together, they rediscover their love for each other. But danger is closing in-Eden, Clay, and their young charges are in jeopardy. As they fight to save their family, Eden realizes that God has been fighting for them all along. And His plans are for a more abundant life than they’ve dared to hope.

My Comments:

I always enjoy Colleen Coble’s novels and this one is no exception.  I read it in just a couple of days and was very curious about the outcome.  The story was engaging, the characters interesting and likeable.  The story had both romance and mystery, so it met all of my criteria of great women’s fiction.  The Christian elements were believable without being preachy.  I think someone who was not of the Christian faith would also enjoy reading this book.  I wonder if a sequel will be coming…

Listen to part of the book now.