The Smell of Ink/Lukten av Trykksverte

It's time for the final Top Ten Tuesday of the year, courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . Fittingly enough, the topic of the week was favourite books I read in 2019. I read a bunch of great books this year, so this is just a random selection of some of my favourite books I've read this year. My picks are; Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop by Abigail Drake The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith Barnhill by Norman Bissell The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd by Robert Davies The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova Small Spaces by Katherine Arden The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quintet #1) by Roshani Chokshi

Earlier year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the book Lavender & Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Netgalley This Christmas, small-town Blue Hollow Falls will work big holiday magic for two people who have researched everything but love . . . Avery Kent needs a project. The busy brain that earned her two PhDs before the age of eighteen is fascinated by the home she’s created with her three friends in Blue Hollow Falls, but the farm and the tearoom are running like clockwork now. As the holiday season approaches, it’s time for Avery to dive into one of her last uncharted research topics: love. Not for herself, of course; for her friend, Chey! But a closer look at the handsome young veterinarian Avery has chosen for this romantic equation has her wishing for gifts she never thought she wanted . . . Another former child prodigy, Ben Chandler is more like Avery than she ev

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery Silent Knit, Deadly Knit (A Knit & Nibble Mystery #4) by Peggy Ehrhart through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads When murder silences the Christmas cheer in charming Arborville, New Jersey, Pamela and her Knit and Nibble pals must unravel the most bone-chilling mystery this side of the North Pole . . . Pamela has been in merry spirits since her artsy daughter Penny returned home from college for the holidays. But their mother-daughter bonding time gets cut short when a terrified Penny stumbles upon the dumped body of Millicent Farthingale, a wealthy craft shop owner who was popular for all the wrong reasons. From a scheming business partner to a seedy husband several years her junior, Millicent attracted scammers so in love with her assets, they'd toss her down a chimney to get their paws on them. Now, with only a hand-knit

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the book A Body in the Bookshop by Helen Cox through Netgalley and it's the second book in the series about Kitt Hartley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Netgalley It's nearly Christmas in York, but it seems the season of goodwill hasn't touched everyone... When DS Charlotte Banks is suspended from the police on suspicion of assaulting a suspect in the burglary of a local bookshop, librarian Kitt Harley and her friend Evie Bowes refuse to believe she is guilty. But why is she being framed? With Charlotte's boss DI Malcolm Halloran unable to help, Evie decides to take matters into her own hands. Kitt takes little persuading to get involved too - after all, as well as Charlotte's career to save, there are missing books to be found! From the tightknit community of York's booksellers, to the most gossipy bus route in the country, Kitt and Evie leave no

It's the last Friday of the year, which means it's also the last Book Blogger Hop post of the year, thanks to  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The question of the week, considering it is post-Christmas, was fittingly enough "What bookish goodies did you get for the holidays?". Book Blogger Hop In my case, I recieved two bookmarks and a cookbook. I might add that I'll return the cookbook as it wasn't too my taste/needs.

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery Have Yourself a Beary Little Murder (Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery #3) by Meg Macy through Netgalley. I read the book shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads This holiday season, teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman must solve the slaying of Santa Bear . . . Sasha and her sister Maddie are thrilled that the Silver Bear Shop and Factory has won the Teddy Bear Keepsake Contest, which means they get to produce a holiday specialty toy, a wizard bear named "Beary Potter." Promising to be just as magical is Silver Hollow's annual tree-lighting ceremony and village parade. Only one hitch: the parade's mascot, Santa Bear--played by Mayor Cal Bloom--is missing. After a frantic search among the floats, Bloom is found dead. When the outfit is removed, it's clear the mayor's been electrocuted. Who zapped hizzoner and then stuffed him in

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the romance novel Christmas at Frozen Falls by Kiley Dunbar through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Netgalley Christmas magic can thaw the coldest of hearts… Sylvie Magnusson is going to be lonely this Christmas. Instead of jetting off for her sunshine honeymoon, she’s freezing at home in Cheshire. Guess that’s what happens when your fiancé dumps you a week before your wedding… Sylvie’s best friend, Nari, plans a trip to see the Northern Lights and get Sylvie’s mojo back. But as their Lapland getaway approaches, Sylvie realises that Frozen Falls is the hometown of Stellan Virtanen, her dreamy Finnish ex-boyfriend, the one that got away. Even though he actually ran away, and Sylvie never understood why… Luckily, when they meet, Stellan’s still gorgeous – and her heart is warmed when he shows her the romantic delights of Lapland (as well as some seriously adorable Husky puppies). But w

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the Christmas themed cosy mystery Marry Christmas Murder (Wedding Planner Mystery #5) by Stephanie Blackmoore through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads As professional wedding planner Mallory Shepard organizes a Christmas Eve gala for her best friend, Olivia, the obstacles are starting to outnumber Santa's reindeer . . . Olivia's dreaming of a white Christmas--as in a white wedding gown and all the trimmings. But that's not the only event that's keeping everyone busy. Olivia's family are in real estate development, and they're sponsoring Paws and Poinsettias--a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. Meanwhile, Mallory's mom wants to use her daughter's connection to snag a job staging homes for the company . . . and the current stager is not filled with holiday cheer at the news that she might be replaced. When the endangered employee downs

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the novel Wrapped Up In Christmas by Janice Lynn through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll publish my review. Description from Goodreads A gift of warmth to heal two hearts… Sarah Smith in Pine Hill, Kentucky has had her heart broken in the past. She pours herself into her work at church and into special projects—like making a quilt for a wounded warrior. Bodie Lewis is lost. All he’s ever wanted was his career as an Army Ranger, but he was injured in an explosion that killed his brothers in arms. In the hospital, he receives a handmade quilt. Later, he sets out on his final mission: to find and thank its maker. Bodie expected Sarah to be an elderly lady, not a lovely young woman. When she mistakes him for a handyman, he doesn’t immediately set her straight. Instead, he sets about repairing the home she’s turning into a bed and breakfast. Sarah’s presence and the spirit of the small town bring Bodie something he thoug

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the cosy mystery Christmas Cow Bells (A Buttermilk Creek Mystery #1) by Mollie Cox Bryan through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads The first novel in Mollie Cox Bryan's brand new mystery series, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, will keep you guessing until the cows come home . . . Christmas is a time for new beginnings, so after her big breakup, Brynn MacAlister takes the gouda with the bad. With her three Red Devon cows, she settles in bucolic Shenandoah Springs, eager for a new life as an organic micro-dairy farmer and cheese-maker. Then her dear cow Petunia's bellows set the whole town on edge. But it isn't until Brynn's neighbor, Nancy, dies in a mysterious fire that her feelings about small town life begin to curdle . . . It seems some folks were not happy with Nancy's plan to renovate the Old Glebe Church. But is a fear of change a motivation for mur

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the paranormal cosy mystery novella The Ghost of Christmas Past (Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #8.5) by Angie Fox through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads From NY Times Bestselling Author, Angie Fox, a hauntingly fun holiday addition to the USA TODAY bestselling Southern Ghost Hunter series She needs a Christmas miracle... Verity Long is ready to deck the halls, jingle some bells, and maybe, just maybe have a merry Christmas with her boyfriend’s stuffy family. Truly, if she doesn’t extend the proverbial olive branch to the overbearing Wydells, she’s afraid she’ll hit them over the head with it. But when her boyfriend’s mother pulls a shocking stunt, Verity finds herself with a big decision to make. And if that’s not enough, there’s an unexpected guest at her door. It’s the ghost of the woman who helped rescue Verity’s pet skunk t

It's Friday and nearly Christmas, but I do have the time to squeeze in a Book Blogger Hop post, courtesy of  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The question of the week was fittingly enough " What is your favourite Christmas themed fiction or non-fiction book? ". Book Blogger Hop As it is sometimes a bit difficult narrowing it down completely, I will mention a couple of my favourites. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens The Christmas Truce: The Place Where Peace Was Found by Hilary Robinson and Martin Impey Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the Christmas-themed cosy mystery Apple Cider Slaying (A Cider Shop Mystery #1) by Julie Anne Lindsey through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Apples are at the core of the family business run by Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe. But this year's crop is unseasonably ripe with murder . . . ONE ROTTEN APPLE Blossom Valley, West Virginia, is home to Smythe Orchards, Winnie and her Granny's beloved twenty-five-acre farm and family business. But any way you slice it, it's struggling. That's why they're trying to drum up business with the "First Annual Christmas at the Orchard," a good old-fashioned holiday festival with enough delicious draw to satisfy apple-picking locals and cider-loving tourists alike--until the whole endeavor takes a sour turn when the body of Nadine Cooper, Granny's long-time, grudge-hol

It's Wednesday again and time for a new Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge, courtesy of  Long and Short Reviews . The topic of the week was 10 gifts for people who love X and I chose coffee. I might add that the majority of items I will mention in this post, will only be found/purchased in Norway. I will also split the list in two; coffee subscriptions and coffee. Coffee Subscriptions Øverbakken Kaffebrenneri Coffeeberry  (it's an awesome coffee shop located in Sandnes) Langøra Kaffebrenneri Maridalen Brenneri Carlos Coffee Kaffebrenneriet Coffee Stavanger Kaffebrenneri Helmer Te & Kaffe  (indie shop in Stavanger) Rostrup Kaffi & litt te  (indie shop in Sandnes) Husets kaffe

It's Tuesday and time for a new Top Ten Tuesday post, courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . The theme of the week was a pretty easy one, which is top ten books on my winter TBR. I might add that my list is highly influenced by the fact that I've got a bunch of Netgalley books I want to read. Here's my picks; The Penmaker's Wife by Steve Robinson Sheperd's Warning by Cailyn Lloyd Mrs Despard and the Suffrage Movement by Helen Matheson-Pollock and Lynne Graham-Matheson Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Undead Client by M. J. Downing One by One by D. W. Gillespie The Paris Mysteries by Edgar Allan Poe The Story of a Goat by Perumal Murugan The Occupation by Deborah Swift Wrong Victim by Helen H. Durrant Black Quarry Farm by Iain Cameron

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery novel Here Comes Santa Paws (Melanie Travis #24) by Laurien Berenson through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads It's the most wonderful time of the year in Connecticut, but Melanie Travis finds surviving this December may take a real Christmas miracle when a yuletide murderer comes to town . . . As Melanie attempts to deck the halls in a house overrun by pampered Poodles, her event planner friend, Claire, is busy playing Santa--beard and belly not included--for the wealthiest clientele on Connecticut's Gold Coast. A personal shopper gig in the affluent town of New Canaan seems like business as usual. Except Claire's stylish stint comes at a higher price than she bargains for when she stumbles over her newest customer's dead body on the job. Named a prime suspect for murder, she begs for Melanie's help, then vanishes

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the non-fiction book The Christmas Project Planner: Super Simple Steps to Organize the Holidays by Kathi Lipp through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Ready or Not, Christmas Is Coming Christmas—whether you really love it, secretly dread it, or fall somewhere in between—shows up the same time every year, as unavoidable as your aunt’s fruitcake. But next season, don’t stress your “elf” out. Be ready with this amazing planner designed to help you get a handle on the holidays. Stay organized (and sane) when you put expectations aside and choose to focus on the things you truly want to do during Christmas. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish with just a little more organization and less obligation. The simple projects in this book will help you stay on schedule so you can spend more time enjoying your friends and family instead of frantically trying to cobble Chris

The Books Under the Tree Tag was created by  Game of Tomes  and I really wanted to play along on this one. What book would you like to find under the tree this year? Normandy '44 by James Holland What is the best book you have ever received for Christmas? Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling What book gives you all the Christmas feels? Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey What book do you plan on reading to put you in the Christmas spirit this year? I've already read so many, that I've more or less had enough. What book have you read this year that you would like to throw out with the Christmas tree after the holidays? There weren't any that were so bad. What is a book from this year that you would like to place under a friend’s tree? Thief of Cahraman by Lucy Tempest Challenge: Create a stack of books in which the spines alternate green and red! Share the titles. The Power by Naomi Alderm

It's Friday yet again, which means it's time for a new Book Blogger Hop post, courtesy of  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The question of the week was " Is there any specific genre you like to read during the Winter? ". Book Blogger Hop For me, it's not really the case as I'm an eclectic reader in general, no matter the season.

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the picture book One Wild Christmas by Nicholas Oldland through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but for obvious reasons I didn't want to publish my review until now. Description from Goodreads Best friends the bear, the moose and the beaver have been so busy getting ready for Christmas, they have forgotten the most important decoration of all - the Christmas tree! Rushing through the snowy forest, they reject one tree after another. And then they spot it. A pine tree that is just the right size, with soft needles and a wonderful scent - it's perfect! But just as the beaver is about to chop it down, the bear stops him. He can't allow this tree to be harmed, it is simply too beautiful! But the moose and the beaver disagree. Is there a way they can have a perfect Christmas - without chopping down the perfect tree? My Thoughts on the Book One Wild Christmas was a sweet and charming picture book about Christmas and one gets

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the novel A Gingerbread Romance by Lacey Baker. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Nothing could be sweeter than knowing your heart is at home… Taylor’s architectural firm enters her in a contest in which the teams will design and build life sized gingerbread houses. After the contest, Taylor will likely be getting a promotion to a position in another city. But Taylor’s original partner soon backs out, and she needs to find a replacement. When she meets Adam, a baker and single dad, at a local bakery, she convinces him to partner with her for the contest. After all, winning would give the bakery and his designs much needed exposure. For years Taylor has been resistant to call anywhere “home” for fear it would only be temporary. But the time she spends with Adam and his daughter Brook in their cozy home, decorating for Christmas, and enjoying Philadelphia’s holiday traditions, fills her w

It's Tuesday and time for a new Top Ten Tuesday post, courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . As it was a freebie week in terms of themes, I decided writing a list of 10 2019 releases that would make great Christmas gifts. My picks are; The Immortal Prudence Blackwood by Stephanie Grey Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell A Peach for Big Jim by Lisa Belmont The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns Barnhill by Norman Bissell Cold Waters by Debbie Herbert Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen Swords, Sorcery & Self-Rescuing Damsels edited by Lee French and Sarah Craft The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith Tracking Game: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery by Margaret Mizushima