It’s time for mini book reviews again! I like to do them in groups of three, sometimes four.

Let’s start with Trixie!

Trixie Belden The Secret of the Mansion: I loved Trixie Belden growing up and when I picked this up at the used book store I had to take it home with me. I am cracking up reading it now as an adult – these kids either have the best luck or worst luck, I can’t tell! So far, a small boy was bit by a copperhead, Honey almost got run over by a truck, Trixie dove into a shallow part of the lake, hit her head and knocked herself unconscious (with no follow up care), Trixie was thrown from a horse, Jim fell off a ladder, and a stray dog charged them and then died suddenly at their feet, a small aircraft crashed on their land, and a house burned down. It was a crazy ride, but I loved it. I loved the fact that Trixie had chores on her farm but also lots of freedom to be a kid, I loved that balance of responsibility and then just being a kid. It was nice to revisit Trixie and her friends, and I will probably keep reading this series, all over again.

Next up, another mystery, Nightshade for Warning, part of the Enchanted Garden series.

Nightshade for Warning: This series is so fun! I am bummed that it appears there are only three in the series, and I am picking up number three today from the library. Don’t authors know we want to keep reading a series forever when we like it? Lol. Anyway, this was another light read, full of flowers and intrigue, and aromatherapy. Ellie gets embroiled in another murder mystery, this time not to save herself but to save her brother’s fiancee, who is the top suspect. And of course Dash and Nabokov make appearances as well! You can see Nabby the cat in the window, hiding there on the shelf.

Speaking of cats..

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter: I absolutely loved this book. It had cats, magic, cat welfare awareness, and it was set in 1920s Montreal. It was fantastic. In this world, average everyday people who are magicless don’t really care for those who are magical, believing them to be reckless. Agnes definitely is not a fan of magical wizards, so when she finds out that the Dark Lord himself is her landlord she is not thrilled. But she needs the space for her cats so she makes it work.

I loved Agnes’ character. She was a take charge, Type A personality, yet still quirky. Agnes likes things organized, loves a list (much like me lol), and loves her cats, all forty some of them, and worries about the ones still on the streets. Does she enter into a working relationship with the dreaded Dark Lord to help her cats? You will have to read to find out!

I was very involved in animal rescue for years before Wyatt was born, I helped start an organization, fostered, served on the board, volunteered at the shelter multiple nights a week, and I would like to add that from the perspective an animal rescuer, this book was spot on. The TNR efforts, all the little details involved, were perfect. Fawcett either has to be in animal rescue herself or did some thorough research!

I loved this book, and it is a definite five star for me!

When Wanderers Cease to Roam: I had been slowly savoring this book for a few months, diving in here and there when I needed a pick me up. I loved reading Swift’s memories, her snippets about cats and weather and nature and being cozy, the names she picked for each month. I loved her illustrations as well. This book is a treat for the soul. Thank you Jeanie at Marmalade Gypsy for sharing about it on your blog!

And that is it from me today!! I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you smile!