Book Review: The Little Bee by Nicola Killen

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The Little Bee  by Nicola Killen  is a children's picture book about a girl name Ollie who follows a bee to a magical, secret garden. But, the next day, the beautiful garden was gone, and the little girl misses her new friends. What will she do? This beautiful book has an expected publication date of May 5, 2026. I'd like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Beach Lane Books for approving my request for a digital Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Little Bee . I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. Nicola Killen wrote such a beautifully worded story that I found myself immersed in the story, and I'm not even the target audience. It's a charming tale that should encourage children to explore nature and make them want to plant their own secret garden.  Equally beautiful were the illustrations. I found myself taking the time to actually look a the pictures as I read. It's a great story to read   at bedtime  with ch...
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Book Review: Masquerade Party Murder (Juniper Holiday, #4) by Leighann Dobbs

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Masquerade Party Murder (Juniper Holiday, #4) opens with Juniper Holiday setting up for her New Years Eve party, but the party goes horribly awry during the fireworks when the mayor is found dead . . . killed by a gunshot.  Juniper must find out who the murderer is and clear her dear friend's name.

I have absolutely fallen in love with the Juniper Holiday book series by Leighann Dobbs.  The books in this series are the perfect beach read and super fun.  And, if I get in a funk while reading, these books definitely pull me out of that funk.  Masquerade Party Murder definitely pulled me out of a reading funk.

What's great about this series is that you don't have to read them in order, although it definitely helps, and Masquerade Party Murder can be read as a stand alone book like the rest in the series.  Even though this is a cozy mystery, there are some fantasy elements in the story lines . . . witches and werewolves play a part, and of course, ghosts do as well.  If you're not a fan of fantasy, you don't have to worry as the witches and werewolves aren't in the forefront of the story.
 
I love the characters, especially Juniper and Victoria and even Detective Mallard.  In fact, I keep waiting for Victoria and the detective start dating and fall in love.  If that happens, and I think it will, it will probably not happen for several books . . . just a guess.

There were a few red herrings in the story, which I definitely fell for in my guessing of who did it.  However, when a certain piece of evidence is introduced, it confirmed my original guess of who the killer was, and I was mad at myself for being led astray.  

Five out of five stars is what I gave Masquerade Party Murder (Juniper Holiday, #4) by Leighann Dobbs.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, and I hope there are many more.  If you enjoyed this book, I recommend reading the Lucy Stone book series by Leslie Meier.

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