Skeletons We Find by Chelsea Michelle Review

 

I'm absolutely loving the Watson Twins mystery series by Chelsea Michelle, both the mini mysteries and the full length mysteries. Skeletons We Find is the second full length novel, and I think it might be my favorite mystery so far. Each of these stories has a mystery that is introduced and solved in the course of the book. However, there is one mystery that has kept the reader guessing since the first book. And I have to tell you, I really want to know for sure what's going on. Plus, as the series has progressed we have seen character development and relationship development, so you will want to read this series in the recommended order. 

In Skeletons We Find the twins Chelsea and Michelle are helping with a remodel of a house that will become a home for single moms. There is some controversy about the use of this property, but that isn't the biggest issue. As the house is being worked on, a skeleton is unearthed, temporarily halting work on the home and opening up a decades old cold case.

The twins and their friends, now dubbed the Dinner Detectives, start sneakily investigating possible suspects, making themselves targets of some concerning threats, to the dismay of their friend Kyle, who happens to be a police officer. There are quite a few suspects and I have to say, this story kept me guessing right up to the big reveal. Quite the shock actually. Which is awesome.

Faith is very important in the lives of most of the main characters, and they pray and go to church.  However, there are also community members that are a part of a cult, which brings for some interesting suspicions and interactions. Additionally, legalism is an issue. I love that the importance of grace is discussed. Also, one of the twins is in a relationship that brings up the concern of a believer being involved with an unbeliever, so I am really wanting to see how the authors deal with that in the future. 

This is an awesome faith-filled, small town, cold case, cozy mystery. I love the way the authors brought everything together, except for that one mysterious conundrum. I really want to know what exactly is going on there. So yeah, I can't wait for the next book, which comes out this fall. 

I highly recommend this book and the series. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Friday Fun - June 19, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles. This book releases next week on June 23rd.

        Book Beginnings on Friday    

 

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

 The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles:

"A body can't run from what they've seen."

I wondered what had been seen and why someone may want to run from it.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles:

"'Joe made some fish and taters for supper. Let's get a good meal in you. Give your hair time to dry, and then we'll bring out the mirror. That work alright, honey?'

I wanted to hate her for the pain she'd put me through, but when she batted them big puppy eyes at me, I knew her intentions was out of love."

Reviews:

Two weeks ago I shared one book in my Friday Fun. Here's the link to my review:

Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti

Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti Review

 

Shipwrecked Faith is the first book I've read by Danielle Grandinetti, and let's just say, I am now a fan and can't wait to read more of her books. This book is the first in her new Dawning Sisters historical romance series, and it is awesome. I definitely wished I didn't have to put it down, and would have finished it a lot sooner if it wasn't for it being graduation season.

We see this story from multiple points of view, but the main characters are Sadie Dawning and Kellan O'Roark, who meet when Kellan saves Sadie from two dangerous men in Chicago. Sadie is on her way home to her family after receiving a concerning telegram when these men attempt to kidnap her. Kellan is trying to disappear because he turned over incriminating evidence against the cousin who took him in after his parents died. Kellan puts his own dire circumstance in more jeopardy to save Sadie and help smuggle her aboard the ship he secured work on so he could leave Chicago.

We also see Sadie's sister Marjorie's point of view, who I have to say I was not a huge fan of at first because of her complaining attitude toward her sister. I'm happy to say my feelings changed as the story progressed and I got to know her more. Additionally, we get occasional glimpses of Tiernan's point of view. He is the cousin Kellan is running from. Knowing Tiernan's thoughts really does increase the suspense and tension, because the reader knows for sure that there is additional danger on the way.

I love that this story takes place at the very beginning of what comes to be known as the Great Depression and contains other real life events. We see how Black Tuesday is sort of overshadowed by the sinking of the S.S. Wisconsin in the area were this story takes place. The concern is there, but they seem far away while the characters are dealing with their own personal problems. 

Sadie and Kellan and the Dawning family are wonderful characters who I was quite invested in. I was really concerned for Sadie and Kellan's well-being, as well as the family's with all that they were dealing with. But I loved the strong faith that holds them up and encourages them. We are reminded how God is working in all circumstances. And though I am usually not a huge fan of quick romances, I do love Sadie and Kellan's relationship, and how they depend on and encourage each other, even though they only just met. 

This is an awesome beginning to a series and I can't wait to read the second book. I'm hoping we get to see more of Sadie and Kellan and an update on the family. I'm really curious to see who Marjorie ends up with. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the review team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Friday Fun - June 5, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti.

        Book Beginnings on Friday    

 

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

 Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti:

"Ears attuned to any noise, Kellan O'Roark wiggled his fingers before applying his skills to the lock on Cousin Tiernan's desk."

Sounds like Kellan is doing something on the naughty side. Possibly.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti:

"Tiernan sat at his desk. The boy would turn up. Tiernan had no desire to chase him down. He needed to focus his attention on discovering who turned him in. He'd start with who owed him the most. They would want to get him out of the way first. Not that he planned to go anywhere."

Reviews:

I don't have any new reviews to share this week. I'm still trying to finish all these books.

Friday Fun - May 29, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting Superstar by Cali Black. This is the first book in her new series.

        Book Beginnings on Friday    

 

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

 Superstar by Cali Black:

"Jayce Austin picked up his phone and leaned back against the leather seat of his chauffeured car."

Well, he's getting comfy. And seems like he is well-to-do.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

Superstar by Cali Black:

"'If it was me. . . ' Shiloh eyed her calmly. 'I'd grab that hot man, go down whatever road he led me down, and never look back. He might hurt you, but he might love you. And girl. . . ' She looked at Sierra with a crazy face. 'Being loved by Jayce Austin might be the most thrilling thing that happens to you in this lifetime.'"

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun. I'm still reading the one, but here is the review for the other:

The Liar's Treasure by Connie Mann

Several weeks ago I shared a book on my Friday Fun and I finally had a chance to finish it. Here's the review:

Blueprint for Love by Penny Zeller

The Liar's Treasure by Connie Mann Review

 

I was so excited when I learned that there was a second book in the Speranza Team series by Connie Mann. I loved the first book, The Crown Conspiracy, which released a couple of years ago. I had hoped the author was planning more books, and that we would get to see these characters again. I have to say, I loved The Liar's Treasure even more than the first book. 

Like the first book, there was tons of adventure, danger, and suspense, with a smattering of possible romance. We get to see the story through multiple protagonists' and antagonists' points of view. However, there are a couple of people that seem to be the "main" male and female characters who are kind of drawn to each other, just like the first book.

Camille and Lucien have known each other for years, but they don't really run in the same circles, and they don't get along. Camille isn't sure if she can trust him or not, both because of past and current circumstances. More of their past relationship is revealed as the story progresses. 

I love that this book begins in the prologue with pirates and the entire story is a hunt to find treasure connected to an object that was discovered by said pirates. I was intrigued that there was a centuries old belief that this treasure could cause almost instantaneous death if the finder wasn't pure of heart. I loved that the author linked it to the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts in the New Testament. This was an action-packed race against time to find multiple parts of a treasure before the bad guys could get their hands on it. And the suspense ramps up after a couple of the characters are kidnapped. 

There is danger coming from multiple, unknown villains. Characters are being murdered and threatened. There are clues to discover and follow. Bad guys to avoid and defend against. And through all this we see the strength of the ladies on the Speranza Team. Let me tell you, these are no damsels in distress. Each of the ladies on the team brings her own expertise and talents and helps where needed. 

I appreciated that this book seemed to show the characters' faith in God more clearly than the first book. And there was no mention of the main good guys cussing, which one of the things I took issues with in the first book. No, the first book didn't have foul language in it, don't misunderstand me. I'm fine with Christian authors stating that characters cussed without using the actual words. What bothered me in the first book was it mentioning that the good guys, who I assumed were Christian, were cussing. So, yes, I was glad to not see that in this second book.

I loved seeing the characters praying to God and putting their trust in him. I loved two of the quotes that the characters used to press on:

The reminder that "Faith is easy when you're standing on familiar ground" and "We have to put feet to our faith."

If you love fast paced, un-put-downable books with tons of adventure and danger and treasure hunting and mystery and faith, you will want to read this book. And though both books can stand alone, I'd recommend reading book one first so you can get to know the ladies in the Speranza Team.

I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Blueprint for Love by Penny Zeller Review

 

Blueprint for Love by Penny Zeller is the third book in the Small Town Shenanigans series. And it might just be my favorite. I loved being able to revisit the small town of Cloverdale Falls and meet up with old friends while getting to know Jeanette and Cameron.

Jeanette, our FMC, is an interior designer who is in town to turn the attic of the bed and breakfast into a suite. She had fallen in love with the town when she had visited in the past. She is looking forward to the challenge of this job and excited for the step up it could give her in her career. However, she was not expecting to go head-to-head with the contractor, our MMC. They get off on the wrong foot when she first arrives in town, and things just get more tense from there. Her vision of how to renovate the attic keeps clashing with his ideas. They resort to betting on whose ideas will be preferred by the owner and then the winner choosing something the loser has to do. 

There are some hilarious consequences and some heartwarming moments as the pair realizes they may just not be completely annoyed with each other. Perhaps there are some feelings developing. Which isn't the greatest idea, seeing as she will be headed back to Florida after the jobs are complete. How will this relationship be able to develop? I really wanted to know how the author was going to make this work. I mean, it is a romance after all.

I loved the way that God was working in their lives as they leaned on him with their concerns. Jeanette with her career and Cameron is struggling because of the health of his father and the way it is impacting his family.  Prayer is an important part of their lives, not just in these circumstances, but you could tell they have a strong relationship with their Lord. I loved seeing a strong church family that came to the aid of those in need, in multiple circumstances.

And yes, I was thrilled to get to see Maeve and Beulah again, along with the newest member of the CFI (Cloverdale Falls Investigations), Nyla. In the midst of the home renovations, there are also small mysteries to solve, and our main characters may end up getting roped into things they would have preferred not to be doing. 

And oh my goodness, I just loved the way animals were included in this story. Especially Francesca, Jeanette's doggie, and Henrietta the chicken. Some fun and hilarious moments ensued.

If you are a fan of rivals to more rom-coms set in small communities, you will want to check out this book. In fact, you'll want to read the entire series. And yes, you will want to read them in order to avoid relationship spoilers as the main characters from the first two books are a part of the story.

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.