Karoline Barrett

Raisin the Dead by Karolina Barrett is the second book in A Bread and Batter Mystery series. Molly Tyler is the baker and co-owner of Bread and Batter with her friend, Olivia Williams. The town is divided over adding an addition to the Destiny town library. Some people wish to protect a historical home on the land (that is falling down) and others wish to protect the Yellow Spiked Tree Frog. There is also a fuss over Serafina Alessi visiting town. Serafina is the head of her own perfume company. She is the niece of Phillip. Philip Baldeli is a member of the Library Advisory Board (advising on the expansion). Then Philip shows up dead. Molly’s mother Anne Tyler (and the director of the library) ends up a prime suspect. Molly sets out to prove her mother’s innocence.

The book was more of a romance novel than a cozy mystery (which I did not like since I wanted a mystery novel). Too much of the book was devoted to the romance between the main character, Molly and her boyfriend, Sean (which has progressed quite rapidly for only two books). The mystery was put on the back burner until more than halfway through the book. However, you do not need that long to identify the killer. The clues were scarce (until just before the mystery was solved). Our focus was also diverted by Sean getting into an accident and going into the hospital. Sean’s dead wife's twin has come to town and is causing chaos (especially at the hospital). I wanted more of the book focused on the mystery (and a better mystery). I give Raisin the Dead 3 out of 5 stars. The book is easy to read, a lovely town, and some interesting characters (a good start). Raisin the Dead is told in the first-person perspective. The book just needed more (and a lot less romance). I think with a little work this could be a very good series. Now if you enjoy romance novels, then you will enjoy reading Raisin the Dead.

I received a complimentary copy of Raisin the Dead from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation for the book.… (mere)

The Art Of Being Rebekkah is an enjoyable story about a woman's journey of self-discovery and getting a second chance at love.

Rebekkah Gelles' marriage to Avram is anything but picture perfect. Avram is a successful businessman who is very controlling and manipulative, he thwarts Rebekkah's desire to have a baby and sabotages her dream of becoming a professional artist. When Rebekkah discovers Avram's deceptive dark side: his criminal involvement in embezzling from his business partner and stealing her artwork, Rebekkah wants out of the marriage and demands a divorce.

Rebekkah meets Brooklyn Detective Nick Rossi, who is investigating Avram's embezzlement case. A mutual attraction develops between Rebekkah and Nick, and she finds herself falling for the handsome policeman. But there is a serious issue in their relationship that causes Rebekkah concern, their different heritages: she is a conservative Jew, while Nick is an Italian Catholic. As Rebekkah struggles with the dilemma of her new found love and their different heritages, she discovers that she is pregnant with Nick's baby, and if that isn't enough of a life changer, her adopted mother reveals Rebekkah's true birth heritage. Rebekkah embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will lead her to make decisions about her life, identity, faith, vocation, and love.

The Art Of Being Rebekkah was a wonderful story that follows Rebekkah Gelles' emotional journey of self-discovery and finding second love. You can't help but get drawn into Rebekkah's story, her journey is filled with questions, struggles, trials and tribulations, as she navigates the life-changing events that occur during her search to find her true identity. Rebekkah's journey will lead her to discover her true self, make life choices, find love, and discover the passion of her vocation as a professional artist.

Growing up in an Irish Catholic family, I loved that the author introduced the reader to the Jewish culture, it was interesting to learn about their faith and traditions.

This story has a little bit of everything that easily draws the reader into the storyline: Jewish / Catholic cultures, adoption, pregnancy, embezzlement, and getting a second chance at love. The storyline has a great mixture of intrigue, drama, romance, and surprising twists and turns. The characters are realistic and well-developed: Avram is a man that anyone would love to hate, while Rebekkah and Nick's relationship gave me a warm fuzzy feeling that made me smile.

The Art Of Being Rebekkah is a heartwarming and realistic portrayal of a woman's emotional journey of discovering the art of being her true self.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-art-of-being-rebekkah-by-k...… (mere)