The Hired Man

 

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas. St. Martin's Press, 2026. 320 pages. *****

It's 1937 in Colorado and the dirt has rolled in "it was Texas all right, because the dirt was red. Kansas sent yellow dirt. Oklahoma's dirt was brown." The clouds at this time were filled with dust instead of rain and life was hard. When a drifter blows in covered in dust carrying a heavy object, which turns out to be a missing boy from a neighboring farm, events are set in motion to expose the prejudices towards those who drift from place to place looking for work. 

Prayers for Sale is one of my favorite Sandra Dallas' books and I believe The Hired Man is her best book. The kindness and brutality of man go hand in hand and Dallas has found a way to portray that dichotomy in her likable characters. About 7,000 people died during the Dust Bowl in the Dirty Thirties from lung disease, including lung pneumonia, malnutrition  and accidents. Dallas has provided a glimpse into that historical time and life. The death of a young girl reflects deep seated beliefs as to who could possibly harm her. Her best friend, grief stricken,  is torn between the evidence before her and public opinion.  A heavy burden to carry. Excellent choice for Book Clubs and YA readers. 

From her website - New York Times best-selling author SANDRA DALLAS, the author of 18 adult novels, five middle-grade novels, and 10 nonfiction books, was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.

Reading Group Guides of her books, Here

An additional book about the Dust Bowl:

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

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#historicalfiction #thedustbowlfiction

Falling Apart And Other Gifts From The Universe

 

Falling Apart And Other Gifts From The Universe by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Rae Union , 2025. *****

Publication November 11, 2025.

Addie, a nightwatchman and former cop, is struggling through AA when at sixty -two years old, she is questioning her role in life. She befriends two young adult drug addicts who live in the warehouse next to her work and shelters them. In an effort to protect them, she offers the shed behind her house with the expectation of no drug use. Learning what the most vulnerable experience on the street and in the warehouse, propels Addie into protector mode.  Her actions as a protector force her to reflect on her relationship with her son and brother. 

Catherine Ryan Hyde's stories often mirror societal issues and are not always "pretty" She cautions in her Author's Note "that the book contains references to a subject sensitive to many..." Her style of writing draws the reader immediately into the story and I eagerly look forward to each new release. She is my go to writer for a feel good book even though the subject matter can be dark or good versus evil. There is always a redemption and a fresh start. This book is an excellent one for discussion for a multi-generational Book Club. I highly recommend her books and devour them in two days, and can't wait for the next one. Her characters come alive and Addie's challenges are universal as well as endearing in her personal internal struggles with helping Jonathon and Jeannie.

Other Hyde books reviewed by me:

Seven Perfect Things

My Name is Anton  

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl

Have You Seen Luis Velez?

Just After Midnight

Heaven Adjacent

The Wake Up

Allie and Bea

Say Goodbye For Now

Ask Him Why

Worthy

Book Discussion Guides are available here. 

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Charts best-selling author of fifty books and counting. An avid traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she shares her astrophotography with readers on her website at www.catherineryanhyde.com

I received an electronic copy from Netgalley for an honest review. 

#bookstagram  #unhousedteens #addictionfiction 

Summer Reading List 2025

 

SUMMER READING LIST 2025

Books I have enjoyed this past year: 

The Book Club for Troublesome Women

by Male Bostwick. 

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

by Anna Johnston

The Exiles by Jane Harper.

The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarity

How To Read a Book by Monica Wood

James by Percival Everett

Rage by Linda Castillo.

A Rip Through Time Series by Kelley Armstrong.

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kn2025

A Rip Through Time Novels

 

Death At A Highland Wedding (Rip Through Time Novel #4) by Kelley Armstrong. Minotaur Books, 2025. 336 pages. **** UPDATED

In this Fourth book in the series, Mallory has adjusted to her life as a housemaid and Dr. Gray's Assistant. She accompanies Gray, Isla, and McCreadie to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's sister's wedding. While exploring the castle and surrounding land, Duncan  and Mallory discover that the groom, Archie Cranston, has set deadly traps for the endangered Scottish wildcats. They come across an injured cat caught in one of the traps and Mallory finds his injuries suspicious. Outraged over the fact that the traps are a danger to humans as well as animals, Mallory is determined to have them removed. When one of the wedding guests is murdered, the actions and attitude of the groom places him under suspicion. 

I loved this book when I read it. Homicide detective, Mallory Atkinson, travels 150 years into the past and emerges as housemaid, Catriona Mitchel. Catriona is a complex, unlikeable, character and adopting her lifestyle and place in the Gray household is very challenging for Mallory. At the same time, she is trying to find a way to return to her own life. When I received a copy for review,  I didn't realize that it was the 4th book in the series, so I immediately began reading the previous 3 books. I have completed the first three - A Rip Through Time, The Poisoner's Ring, and Disturbing the Dead. I strongly suggest that you read the books in order. The first book sets the stage and each book builds on the murders and the characters. The plot gets stronger with each book as more people in the household find out who Mallory is. # 3 and 4 are my favorites. Will Mallory change the future by providing modern tools and techniques for solving crimes or by having theories as to who the murderer is? 

Kelley Armstrong graduated with a degree in psychology and then studies computer programming. Now she is a full-time writer and parent and lives with her husband and three children in rural Ontario, Canada. For more information about Armstrong and her books, click here. 

Follow me on Instagram at flamazing_books. 

#timetravel #mysterybooks #bookstagram Scottishhighlandsmystery

The Unraveling of Julia

 

The Unraveling of Julia: A Psychological Thriller. New York: Grand Central, 2025. 400 pages ****

July 15, 2025 publication date

Julie thinks her life is over after the horrific murder of her husband. She then receives a letter informing her that she has been bequeathed a large sum of money and a villa in Italy. Having been adopted, Julia often wonders about her birth mother and considers if the owner of the villa is somehow related biologically to her. Only one way to get her answers, travel to Tuscany and investigate. Amazon synopsis here

Lisa Scottoline is one of my go to authors, I was happy to receive an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) of this book from NetGalley for a review. Drawn in from the beginning, I read it in two days. Murder, astrology, premonition, and visions, are woven throughout this psychological thriller. Scottoline is a master storyteller in her development of the characters and the scenes in Italy. Who hasn't felt uneasy and questions their reality? Scottoline uses her own birthday to authenticate Julia's astrological connections/info. Highly recommend for Book Clubs, many discussion points. Fans of hers will not be disappointed, prepare to do nothing else once you start reading.

Lisa Scottoline is a #1 Bestselling Author, The New York Times bestselling author and Edgar award-winning author of 36 novels. For more information about Lisa and her books, click here.

Other books by Scottoline:

After Anna

What Happened to the Bennetts

Most Wanted 

Corrupted

Someone Knows

Feared

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#bookstagram #Tuscanyfiction #mystery 

The Mystery Quilt Shop Hop 2025

Mystery Quilt Shop Hop 2025

 

My husband and I love Shop Hops, especially Quilt Shop ones. I purchased my Passport at Early Girl Quilts in Audubon, NJ. For 40.00, I received a passport to be stamped, a tote bag, and an informational card. The dates are March 1-9, 2025. There are nine shops listed and you receive two fat quarters at each shop, and at the 7th shop, a hopper receives the pattern designed by Rachel Rossi and at the 9th shop, a goodie bag.

We headed out on the first day and our goal was to visit all 9 shops in order to get the pattern. Our first stop was Pottstown Sewing in Pottstown, PA. There was a line at the door and a crowd inside. I was impressed that I could choose any fat quarter in the store. Definitely a difficult choice because I was getting mixed messages from the other shoppers as to what the theme is and whether the octopus, sea creatures on the bag and passport were a hint. I decided to pick out fabrics I liked and not worry about the theme.

The second store was Seamless Sewing Arts, Phoenixville, PA. This store was very crowded with happy  quilters talking fabric and where to go next!

The third store was Steve's Sew and Vac, Bridgeport, PA. This store was more difficult to locate, the GPS kept telling us we were there and we couldn't see it. Eventually we found it and met others we have seen on the way. Each store seemed to have different fabric, however, with many fat quarters to choose from at each stop. 

The fourth store is Stitch Central, Glenside, PA. They never disappoint!

The store is colorful with many activities. in addition to fabric and quilt supplies, there are many skeins of gorgeous yarn. There were many fq to choose from and I especially liked the flamingos at the entrance. I often shop at this store for their fabric selection including wide backs and many quilting supplies. 

Store 5 - Cut and Sew, Phila., PA. Lots of activity going on here....a child's sewing class was in progress, such fun! I finally remembered to take a picture of my handsome driver, Bob!

Cut and Sew has a large selection of solids and also accepts pre-owned fabric. There is a Little Free Fabric Exchange out in front of the store. (I wish I had taken a picture) There were Quilty gifts and colorful stickers that some of the students have designed, some were even free.

6. Needles and Bolts, Phila., PA A small store packed full of beautiful fabric, pre-cuts and fat quarters. So many colors and patterns! The salesperson offered to cut any fabric into a fat quarter if I saw something I liked on the bolt. 

7. The Quilted Nest, Collingswood, NJ. Woohoo, 7th shop, so I get the pattern. HIGHLY CONFIDENTAL The ladies are so nice and enthusiastic because I was their first shopper to get the pattern. 

8. Early Girl Quilts, Audubon, NJ. The fat quarters start at the front door and are throughout the store. This is the place for low volume fabrics. The back left corner of the store has a SALE corner with 1/2 yard cuts, bolts and gorgeous fabric throughout!

9. Homesewn, Media, PA. A goodie bag filled with coupons, stickers, candy, etc., to top off the day! 

We started at the first store at 10:00 am and left Homesewn at 2:30. What a day! I didn't do much shopping because of the lines and the crowds. I returned on Wed., the 5th with a friend to shop at 4 of the stores. 

The Hop is over, I can now share the pattern... Creatures of the Deep designed by Rachel Rossi!

There are alternative layouts available on Rachel's website. A few quilters have submitted their finished quilts for additional prizes and to be entered into a raffle for larger prizes. (sewing machine, etc.,) I definitely had a fun time and will consider participating in the future. Well-organized, fun theme, and enthusiastic shop owners, all added to this escape from winter challenge. 

My fat quarters are assembled, I purchased a light grey blue for the background and I am ready to sew!!

Stay tuned for the finished quilt!

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#mysteryquiltshophop2025

Book Club for Troublesome Women

 

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick. Harper Muse: 2025.   **** Publication April 2025.

No one writes about friendship like Marie Bostwick. She captures the frustration and dreams of women in the 60s and the societal norms that block them. Margaret Ryan has a wonderful husband, children, a nice house and it should be enough, but it isn't. Starting a Book Club with two of her friends takes a turn when she meets the flamboyant Charlotte who suggests they read the book, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Published in 1963, Friedan changed the lives of many women who yearned for more from life. "At the age of thirty-three, Margaret sometimes wondered if every woman was destined to become her mother eventually." She and the ladies in the Book Club (The Bettys) eyes are opened to what could be while redefining their roles in their families. 

I was a teenager when Friedan's book was published and remember the controversy surrounding it. I read it in 7th grade and knew not to write a book report on it. Thankfully, I grew up in a family that allowed me to read anything I wanted to. Perhaps, my mother was reading it at the time.  Bostwick captured the empowerment and the fear that this life changing book caused. An excellent companion book to Lessons in Chemistry and relatable especially for any woman who has felt that she is not living her best life.

Recommended for all Book Clubs. Many discussion points for men and women. 

I received a copy from Netgalley to review.

When not curled up with a good book, Marie Bostwick can usually be found in her office, trying to write one. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nineteen uplifting works of historical and contemporary fiction, Marie’s books are beloved by readers across the globe. Marie lives in Washington state with her husband and a beautiful but moderately spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. For more info, www.mariebostwick.com. 

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#bookclubs #womanfiction #femininemystique