A Simple Murder: A Kate Burkholder Short Story Collection by Linda Castillo

 

I read the first novel in the Kate Burkholder series Sworn to Silence years ago, and it was unlike anything I'd read before. A former Amish woman who has left the community and Amish life, returns to her hometown as the Chief of Police. It was dark, twisty, and impossible to put down. Since then, this series has grown to over ten novels, but I had only kept to reading the first one, until this week. 

I found this short story collection featuring Kate Burkholder, and decided it was just what I needed to dip back into this series. I also wanted to read some shorter stories, so it was perfect timing. 

I'm of two minds with this collection: you either read it, having read one or more of the books in the series, or read it without having read anything. Having some of the backstory will certainly help fill in some of the spaces in each story; however, I can see a reader becoming intrigued enough not knowing Kate's backstory to read these, then immediately dive into the first book in the series to learn more. It's really a reader's preference. 

Each story is about 100-125 pages long. They range from a vicious hit and run on an Amish teenager to a newborn baby left on the steps of the Amish Bishop's front porch, to the case of a long missing young woman who supposedly haunts a bed and breakfast. Each features Kate and the town of Painters Mill, Ohio-a mix of modern and Amish families and communities. Kate walks the line between both, and uses her knowledge of the Amish community and language to help solve cases. 

The stories were interesting, easy to get into, and while not terribly hard to figure out, a few did have some surprises. An enjoyable short story collection when you just need a little mystery. Perfect for traveling or reading on your lunch break at work. All of the Kate Burkholder mysteries are in print and also available in ebook and audio. 

Rating: 4/6 for a satisfying short story mystery collection that shows the complexities in the Amish-English community, and a woman who must keep one foot in each in order to keep everyone safe. 

Available in mass market paperback, ebook, and audio. 

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A Simple Murder: A Kate Burkholder Short Story Collection by Linda Castillo

No Offense by Meg Cabot

 

I took a break from reading my haunting reads this month for a sweet romance between a children's librarian and a sheriff. It was what I needed to kick off vacation week! It's a staycation, of course. But I've got things to do around the house, and a big stack of books to read all week. I'm excited for a much needed break, and a little bit of solitude. I'll be working really hard to not give into my desire for a key lime pie, thanks to this book! 

Molly Montgomery is the new children's librarian in Little Bridge Island, Florida. A pretty sweet tourist spot that is beautiful, surrounded by the ocean, and small town enough that everyone knows everyone's business. Molly loves her job, and one day finds an abandoned newborn in the women's bathroom. Not the usual librarian duties, for sure. The Sheriff arrives, and sparks fly immediately. John Hartwell is handsome and swoon worthy, even if he does clash a bit with Molly. Who's baby is this? Another case to solve for John, who is already trying to solve the case of the high school thief, who keeps breaking into homes. He's stymied by this case, and frustrated. John knows who is doing the breaking in, but can't catch him. 

Baby Aphrodite brings Molly and John together; as the case evolves, circumstances find them both at odds with each other. However, they are still falling for each other quickly, and their romance is sweet, hot, and quite believable. Book lovers will enjoy all of the book references-not only from Molly, but the Sheriff, too. The community of Little Bridge Island is full of characters that bring this little paradise to life. I hope Meg Cabot writes more about this community. 

I'll confess-I am pretty sure this is my first Meg Cabot book. I bought it because it was about a librarian, and took place in a small Florida community. An escape from a chilly October here in Iowa. It did the trick-took me away for a few hours, and was perfectly enjoyable and a quick read. Definitely a feel-good read!

Rating: 4/6 for a delightful romance between a librarian and a sheriff. Their clashes are brief but provide a good opportunity to highlight the importance of getting to know someone beyond the physical attraction, and working through those differences. Good chemistry, engaging characters, and a plot that keeps moving towards resolution. I'll be reading more Meg Cabot!

Available in paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audio. 

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No Offense by Meg Cabot

Good Husbandry by Kristin Kimball

I was eager to revisit Kristin Kimball's life on her farm after reading her first memoir, The Dirty Life way back before I started this blog. I absolutely fell in love with her story about making the big leap from living in New York City as a writer, to owning a 500 acre farm near Lake Champlain, New York with her soon to be husband, Mark. How does one change their life so drastically? Well, falling in love had something to do with it. That, and recognizing what makes your heart happy, even through all of the ups and downs that farm life delivers. 

Now, 8 years later, Kristin is back with a follow up. Hey, guess what? Farming is still incredibly difficult work. Heck, i live in Iowa; farms are everywhere. My partner's cousins are all farmers. You can drive just a few miles out of town and yep, there's a farm. Even children who grow up in our few bigger cities know what a cow looks like; know what corn and soybeans look like from very early on. They're all around us. And yet, so many of us have no inkling just how damn hard it is, every day, to operate a farm. It truly does take every bit of you, wring you out, then keep you coming back for more. Kristin's second memoir illustrates that so well, I actually felt exhausted reading her experiences on her farm. 

Kristin and Mark are happily married, and have a daughter, Jane. Kristin is pregnant with their second child, and it's springtime on the farm. That means up and at 'em early, working all day out in the fields planting crops and vegetables, milking cows, and all the endless daily chores required to keep a farm operating. There are no days off; no candlelight dinners, no relaxing on the deck with a cocktail. It's backbreaking work, smelling like stink and sweat, tracking muck into the house. Taking a shower, falling into bed, only to get up the next day and do it all again. Kristin and Mark decided to run their farm and raise food for a large group of people, year round. Meat, vegetables, dairy; the whole nine yards. They even produce their own maple syrup. The farm has grown bit by bit, but they still do the majority of the field work with horses. They've got a crew of young farmers, eager to dig in, learn about farming, and gain experience. They raise all the food they eat. Kristin says there's something deeply satisfying about eating food that you grew, picked, and harvested; you know exactly where it came from, how long it took to grow, and who grew it. It makes the taste incredible.

 Mark is some kind of farming God; his boundless joy at doing what he absolutely loves every day shines brightly. This is his life's work, and he wholeheartedly embraces all of it. And he's a whiz at organizing, planning, and problem solving. Kristin continues to work incredibly hard, doing what needs to be done, all with a big belly making it a bit tough. After the birth of their second daughter, however, times get tough. Tons of rain put off planting crops, and endanger their ability to meet food commitments. Worn out with a toddler and an infant, feeling trapped in her gloomy farmhouse, cracks appear in her marriage. Which comes first? The family or the farm? Do they take the next leap, invest lots of money they don't have, and grow the farm, or stay small? How can they continue to sustain their way of life, and pay all the bills? How can Kristin be a mom, and continue to work the farm with Mark? What kind of a life have they decided for their daughters? Is it even fair? 

I'm so happy Kristin wrote this second memoir. I've always wondered about her life and the farm after all these years, and was so happy to see this memoir published. Her examination of a marriage seven years in, the difficulties, miscommunication (or none at all), the rearranging of priorities, and the hard look at "is this the life I really want?" are sobering, but so necessary. 

I affectionately call my partner "nature boy". He's someone who has always had a deep love of nature and animals, and spent most of his childhood working on his Uncle's farm, doing all the unpleasant stuff you could have a kid do. He learned to drive tractors, fix equipment, take care of animals, and all sorts of stuff--all from a very early age. He can figure out how to fix most anything, and will turn over problems in his mind endlessly until he figures out a solution. I'll confess, I'm not exactly a city girl, but I'm not a wholehearted country girl, either. Animals make me a bit nervous, I'm terrified to drive a tractor, and I am not one to cheerfully field dress a deer. And yet, these are things I will learn to do, at this middle age stage of my life, as our lives change towards a more rural life. There is a part of me that is happiest being outside, in the quiet, listening to the birds, feeling the breeze. It is peaceful. I only ask that I have indoor plumbing somewhere nearby. I'm a bit nervous about being up to the task of keeping up with my energetic man, learning so many new things and being a helpmate. It's going to require bravery on my part, and patience on his. 

So reading Kristin's memoir gave me a few moments of "holy heck!". She's such a good writer; I could feel the physicality of all that hard work, the frustration of being so darn tired, and the growing unhappiness with the state of her home. You can taste the food, smell the fresh air, feel the nip of those cold, cold mornings, and the swish-swish of the cows being milked. I gulped this memoir down in one day. 

Rating: 5/6 for an honest portrayal of a marriage, a farm, and what it takes to keep it all going. Teamwork is the dreamwork to this hardworking couple, and the food they produce year round. I would watch a reality show about this farm, this life, in a second! It's not necessary to read her first memoir before reading Good Husbandry, but I would recommend it, to get the full, evolving story. 

Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio. 

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Good Husbandry by Kristin Kimball

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

Well, this book was charming for me. A quick read that hopefully is the beginning of a series of tales about the people in Dove Pond, North Carolina. 

Karen Hawkins is a romance author, and when I first saw this book, I knew her name was familiar to me-probably because I shelved her romances for years while I worked at B&N! But, fear not. Yes there is some romance in this novel, but it most definitely isn't a romance novel. More of a feel good, Sweet Home Alabama-Reece Witherspoon-ish kind of novel. Yes, it could find a place on the Hallmark Channel. That being said, I'm not a huge fan of Hallmark movies, in that they just are a little too perfect. The folks in Dove Pond, and the two lead female characters, most definitely aren't perfect. 

Sarah Dove comes from a long line of women who have special talents. Sarah's talent is one that I think every book lover would wish for themselves: the books talk to her and tell her who they should go to next. Sarah hears them, loud and clear, and they can be kind of nagging, too. But she gives those books to folks, and by golly somehow they do end up needing whatever is in that book. She's the town librarian, and she knows, thanks to a cranky old history of Dove Pond, that she's going to be responsible for saving the town. Dove Pond, like a lot of small towns, is slowly dying: people are moving away, businesses are closing. 

Grace arrives in town with her niece Daisy and her foster mom, Mama G. She's left a high powered job to bring Mama G back to the small town she grew up in, and as Mama G's Alzheimer's progresses, it's the best place to take care of her. Daisy is a little girl full of anger and grief, after Grace's sister and Daisy's mother, Hannah died recently from a drug overdose. So much grief to carry, and Grace is full of it, and feels the pressure of taking care of Mama G and trying to be a mother to her niece. And start all over in a small town. She's determined that she'll only be in Dove Pond for a year, and then she's moving back to Charlotte and her old life. She's got a job as the town clerk, and it's pretty horrible. The Mayor fishes all the time, and is terribly irresponsible. Grace isn't out to make friends, and Sarah--oh, she wants to be Grace's friend. 

Grace is going to save the town--this is what the old history book of the town tells Sarah. A little put off that she's not going to be the town savior, Sarah eventually realizes that it will take both her and Grace to do it together. Sarah has to convince Grace to care enough about the town to stay and save it. 

There are romantic interests for both ladies, and the folks of Dove Pond are a cast of characters that really flesh out the story and make Dove Pond feel like it really exists outside of this novel. There is a lot left open at the end of the book, so yes, there will be more to come. It was a fast read, and a gentle one, at that. Anyone who has dealt or is dealing with a parent suffering from memory loss, and declining in health, will feel Grace's anguish. But lucky for Grace, she has a whole town holding her up. If only every caregiver could experience that gift. 

Rating:  3/6 for a quick read introducing the people of Dove Pond, the magical Dove sisters, and the power of community to heal and help. 

Available in paperback, ebook, and audio. 

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The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins