The Visitor Catches A Bouquet by Marji Laine is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “Miz Hawkins, have you seen my aunt?” MacKenzie Chastain peered into the kitchen as the woman stirred the glaze for the ham.”
But first the photo and verse. When I stepped outside to roll the garbage to the street Monday night, this moon was in the southern sky. It didn’t take but a second for me to get my camera. I love taking moonshots and I’m so thankful to my friend Cheryl for letting me use her camera! Bracing the camera against the wall of my carport kept the camera steady, and I think the shot turned out nicely. 🙂
Now for The Visitor Catches A Bouquet by Marji Laine. Here’s the cover and back copy:
How do a bride-to-be,
a retired principal,
and a group of teenage volunteers add up to murder?
Connie B. Wright is in the thick of it this time!
Mackenzie Chastain is the spitting image of her Aunt Connie, and she’s delighted that the Wright Foundation has agreed to host a huge event in support of Archway Kids. She has a special passion for the charity that has become her career path. Not to mention the handsome director who will soon become her husband.
When the grand gala is interrupted by murder, though, Aunt Connie is the one who is led away to jail. Mac doesn’t have her aunt’s clue-driven investigative skills, but her loved ones are being scrutinized and blamed for the crime, one after the other. She must dig into the past of this man who seems to be an almost perfect stranger to all of them.
Or is he?
Match wits with The Visitor to reveal the path of a calculating killer.
My take:
I didn’t intend to stay up past midnight reading when I opened my Kindle to The Visitor Catches a Bouquet. But I couldn’t stop. I had to see who was shooting at MacKenzie Chastain. And whether her fiancé would get out of jail in time for the wedding. And if her Aunt Connie was going to be arrested again for murder.
Marji Laine has created a great heroine in MacKenzie Chastain–don’t you just love that name! I didn’t realize this was a series when I started reading it and it’s even the last one in the series, but that didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the book. I’ll have to go back now and read the other six stories! All of them feature Aunt Connie.
Cozy mystery fans will love this story! And there are six more stories featuring Aunt Connie! You can buy it here or read it on Kindle Unlimited.
Okay, readers, what are you reading this week? Leave the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library!
The Visitor Catches A Bouquet by Marji Laine is this week's Reader Friday. Read my review and comment on the blog and I'll enter you in an August drawing for a book from my library! Share on X
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Comments 33
Love your moon photo and the verse! The Visitor Catches a Bouquet sounds right up my alley, just added it to my Kindle.:-) I am reading N.Y. Dunlap’s Misadventures of Itchy Izzy, a Christian rom-com and Dunlap’s debut. The first lines: “The stars in the sky reached farther than the eye could see. They spoke volumes to Isabelle’s loneliness.”
Author
N.Y. Dunlap’s first line is very intriguing. I will check it out! Glad you enjoyed the moonshot.
I also love the protagonist’s name. It sounds like a series I will enjoy. I’m reading, The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick which also promises to be good.
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I love the title of the book you’re reading, Delores!
Thank you for continuing to share the books you read. I have read several. Love the verse and picture. I am reading Robert Whitlow’s, “Double Idenmity.”
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Kim, I was supposed to read Double Indemnity for my church’s book club and I thought I ordered it, but evidently I didn’t. But I plan to read it soon! And I love sharing books and authors I enjoy!
This comes from Coming Home by Shelley Shepard Gray: “Ma’am? Can you hear me, ma’am?” Anderson was standing off to the side as his coworkers worked to secure the vehicle with rescue struts—the adjustable tools used to steady wrecks. “Her eyes were open a second ago, Anderson,” one of them muttered as he pulled out the combi-tool.
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Coming Home sounds so intriguing. I love Shelley Shepard Gray’s books,
Diana. And she is such a sweet person!
Great moon shot, Pat. I can clearly see some of the larger craters at the terminator. And, the verse is always a good match when looking up at the sky; day or night.
For the most part, cozies are not my thing, but I like Marji’s regular suspense novels. I wish she’d write more of them.
“Cold Case Revenge” by Jessica Patch begins with “Nick Rossi glanced up at the pewter sky and snatched his Stetson before it blew off his head into the gust of wind that rolled off Lake Chelan. Lake Chelan National Recreation Area rested in a glacially carved trough in the Cascade Range of Washington state and took one’s breath away.” This is book 6 of the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series. I’m really enjoying this series. While the books can be read as stand-alone, or out of order, I think it’s better to read them in sequence. With six already out, you can even binge read them 🙂 And, they’ve got smart and fun K-9s in them!
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I downloaded Jessica’s book last night, Tim. I’ve read several of the others…need to see which ones so I can catch up. 😉 I thought you might enjoy the moon shot. By next week, the moon should be full and clouds permitting, I’ll get a shot of it and post it next Friday.
I enjoy Marji’s suspense books, too!
Oh my! That’s really a great shot of the moon, Pat. I’ve never seen the craters in them before. This is amazing. Good job!
The visitor Catches a Bouquet sounds like a fun read. Loved your review. I had an Aunt Anna sort of like Marji’s Aunt Connie. Boy, did we have some adventures.
It seems everyone is reading very interesting books this week…and most weeks, as well.
“A touch of kindness and enthusiasm could transform a person’s spirit, and Quintessa Beaumont delighted in participating in the process.” This is the first line of When Tides Turn, a Navy WAVES story by Sarah Sundin.
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Thank you, Barbara! I hope to post a full-moon shot next week. And Sara Sundin’s books are some of the few historicals I read!
book sounds great! “Wing Crosby isn’t breathing” The Wrangler’s last Chance by Jessica Keller
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Wow, Shelia, that’s a great opening line!
You did a great job getting that shot of the moon. I’d be very pleased if I get take one that good. I guess I need to find somewhere that the street lights won’t interfere. We live next door to a school, which has lights all around it. And there is a small park across the street that is lit at night. In addition, there’s a street light directly across the street. Lights all around. I’m sure they help keep down vandalism and other problems, but it certainly isn’t conducive to nighttime photography.
I’m still reading the same book I was reading last week. With a three-day trip that kept us going constantly and another book to proofread, I didn’t get much time to read for fun. I’m hoping to finish this one today or tomorrow, and then start a new one.
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Edward, if you have a zoom lens on your camera the lights won’t make any difference. This photo was actually taken before it was totally dark, even though it looks like it’s midnight. It’s helpful to have a tripod, too. I have one, but I didn’t get it out, and instead braced against the corner of my house. I’ve also set the camera on my next door neighbor’s fence to steady it.
I haven’t had much time to read this week, either! Work is definitely getting in the way of my fun. lol
Great shot of the moon, Pat. This sounds like a series that I would enjoy. I finished He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox earlier this week. The first line Is:
Prologue
Callie’s ears filled with the sound of windshield wipers slapping and Momma’s incessant muttering.
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Gloria, I have to get that book. It sounds intriguing!
Love the photo and scripture, Pat!
Marji Laine is a new-to-me author. Thank you for the recommendation.
Enjoy your weekend.
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Thanks, Caryl. I think you will enjoy her books!
Great shot of the moon Pat! Love that whether night or day we can look to the heavens and see God’s handiwork!
Marji Laine is another new to me author and The Visitor Catches a Bouquet sounds like another interesting read.
Just finished Lynette Eason’s Countdown. Love her books. Have a blessed weekend everyone!
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Thanks, Miss Mary! I agree about looking at the heavens. I think you’ll enjoy Marji’s books! And I loved Countdown.
I hope I’m not too late on this, but I’m reading this week The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It’s really been a cute story so far and the second in the Cape Cod Creamery series. Love the moon picture, there is a big bright one up there tonight!
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It’s not too late, MS. Dottie. And tomorrow I’ll have that big full moon from last night on the blog. 🙂
I’m reading an ARC of Daniel’s Oil by Urcelia Teixeira. It opens with, “She should have known. The signs were there right under her nose, plain as day.” I can tell I’m going to stay up late tonight! 🙂
I’m reading The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott Mc Daniel
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I’m not familiar with that book, Lucy. I’ll have to check it out.
nothing this week
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I hope you get time to read next week, BN!
I didn’t get in as much reading this week as I usually do, so I’m still working my way through “Counting on a Cowboy” by Debra Clopton…. but the good news is I’m almost done! Next one is “Kissed by a Cowboy” and the last one in the Four of Hearts Ranch series. I’ll be sad to leave these great characters behind!
Marji Lane sounds like a terrific author & I enjoy a cozy mystery every once in a while. I may be checking these out in Kindle Unlimited!
Have a great weekend Patricia!
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Trixi, I think you’ll enjoy Marji’s books! She also writes romantic suspense. 🙂
I love the moon shot, beautiful. And this book sounds interesting.
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Thanks, Gail. I realized last night it wasn’t the one I took last week…will post it tomorrow. lol