Kailey Crane is marveling over how wonderful her life is.  She loves her job as a reporter for the Herald and she has a near perfect fiance, Ryan.  It seems her life couldn't get much better at the moment.   After she and Ryan finish a lovely meal at one of Seattle's best restaurants, Kailey takes her bag of leftovers and makes her way to leave.  On the sidewalk, she sees a extremely thin bearded homeless man hovering nearby.  When she offers her food to him, their eyes and meet and she is stunned to realize that this man is Cade, her ex-boyfriend and love of her life.

Cade disappeared from her life without warning nearly 10 years ago.  Kailey cannot believe that he has been living on the streets in the same city this entire time.  She becomes determined to find him again and get some answers.  Their love was volatile and strong but Kailey has started a new life with Ryan that is near perfect.  Can she put the past behind her and focus on her future with Ryan or will her love for Cade be rekindled and become stronger than ever?

Sarah Jio is an excellent storyteller and I have enjoyed a number of her previous works.  The concept of this story is unique and thought provoking.  I'm sure all of us have someone in our past, whether it was a romantic relationship or a friendship, that we have lost touch with and wondered where life has led them.  Always explores that question in a touching and realistic way.  

I received this book courtesy of Ballantine Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I'm always intrigued with any type of historical fiction and the Salem Witch Trials were a period of American history that interests me.  The Fifth Petal offered me so much more than that and I really enjoyed this novel.  

Rose Whelan, who was once a respected historian but now is a considered the community outcast, is accused of murdering one of the town's youth.  Salem's chief of police John Rafferty believes that Rose is innocent but fresh accusations are now surfacing about Rose and a decades old Halloween triple homicide known as "The Goddess Murders."  

Callie Cahill, the daughter of one of the women murdered that night, has returned to Salem to care for Rose, who was like an aunt to her, and perhaps gain some resolution to her mother's murder.  Callie has been plagued by nightmares for years, and it seems that her visions of that night are becoming clearer.  Will she remember in time to solve her mother's murder and prevent her own?

I had previously read The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry and I have seen The Fifth Petal being referred to as the second in that series.  While I enjoyed The Lace Reader and would recommend reading it, I feel The Fifth Petal is definitely a stand alone title and that the two books could be read independently.

I enjoyed learning about Callie's chosen profession of music healing and the author's research into that field was evident.  I appreciated the vivid description of the various locations in the novel.  I also thought the characters were well developed and believable.  

I received this book courtesy of Crown through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

Fredrik Backman has a beautiful style of writing that I just adore.  This novella was a lovely story that offered a peek inside the mind of an elderly man who was struggling to hold on to his memories while his family is struggling to deal with the situation.  Many of us have dealt or will deal with a similar scenario in our lives and this book touched my heart.  The symbolism in the story is wonderful and it is well worth the read.  

If you've followed my blog for very long, you already know Karen White is one of my favorite authors and I can always depend on her books for a great read.  The Guests on South Battery is the fifth installment in the Tradd Street series and I loved everything about it!  

In The Guests on South Battery, Melanie is just returning to work from maternity leave and on her first day back, she meets a new client Jayne Smith.  Jayne recently inherited a historic home on South Battery and wants to sell it as soon as possible.  Despite wanting to earn an easy commission, Melanie insists that Jayne visit the home to be sure she knows what she would be giving up.  During their visit, Melanie can't help but sense different battling spirits in the house.  Add to that, the renovation on Melanie's own home has recently unearthed an old cistern in the backyard, and it would seem the spirits are ready to communicate with Melanie again whether she is ready or not. 

I enjoyed all the twists and turns in this latest installment in the Tradd Street series.  As always, after reading a Tradd Street book, I am ready to plan a trip to Charleston  so I can experience in person the world Karen White makes come to life so vividly from the page.  I have often recommended Karen White books to friends and The Guests on South Battery is another one to add to my highly recommend list!  

I received The Guests on South Battery courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.