☕The Sunday Salon: Sunday January 12, 2025 ☃️

Happy Sunday! Thanks to Deb Nance at Readerbuzz for hosting The Sunday Salon. 

Weekly Reads Round Up: Favorite Read of the Week

I post reviews on Instagram and Goodreads. What have you read this week? 

Family Ties on Beamer Street by Sheila Riley

My Review:

Family Ties on Beamer Street by Sheila Riley– a BRAND NEW instalment in the emotional Beamer Street series, set in Liverpool 1926, against the backdrop of The General Strike.

The third book in the Beamer Street series, but certainly reads well as a standalone. This is exactly the kind of historical fiction that I love and can’t put down. I was lucky enough to grab this on audio, and I will admit that I ignored everyone around me so I could get as much listening in as possible.

Peggy’s story is a powerfully emotional one, and her determination makes her such an admirable character. I also enjoyed seeing her transformation from someone who would never have accepted help or a job she considered “beneath” her to a more open-minded, empathic character. She was on a true journey and I loved it.

The writing was vivid and brought the setting of 1926 Liverpool to life on the page. I easily pictured everything in my mind – I almost felt like I was watching a saga in my mind as I read. I was truly swept away.

Wonderful characters and a strong story made this a five star read.

What I’m Reading & Listening to Now:

Reading: What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange

Listening: Puzzle Me a Murder (Alice Pepper Lonely Hearts and Puzzle Club Mystery #1) by Roz Noonan

Week in Review: 

What a snowy week – four snow days! We only went to school once (on Thursday). I love a good snow day, but that was a bit too much. We read a lot and baked oatmeal raisin cookies. My son and I made it to our taekwondo class twice during the week (our goal is to go twice a week in January – we are way out of the habit of going). On Saturday, we went to my mom’s and made cut out sugar and gingerbread cookies. We hadn’t gotten to that over the break so it was great fun to get to it now – especially nice to leave the house! Her kitchen is very sunny so it was a cozy spot.  

Snow day snuggles and reading
Cut out gingerbread and sugar cookies

Something I’m Looking Forward To:

It will certainly be a change to go to school five days this week and it is a busy week. We’ve got meetings and appointments, but the biggest appointment is that my daughter gets her braces off on Tuesday! I’ve got brunch scheduled next Saturday with a friend I haven’t seen since August, and my book club meets next Sunday night. I’m trying to be a bit more intentional in planning things to look forward to – even small things like the release date of a new book or favorite dish on our meal plan. 

Posted Recently:

On the blog:

Virtual Book Tour & Book Blast: Wine and Whispers: A Cozy Mystery (Sophie Brooks Mysteries) by Daisy Landish

Virtual Book Tour & Book Review with Rachel’s Random Resources: Family Ties on Beamer Street by Sheila Riley

Virtual Book Tour & Book Review with Rachel’s Random Resources: The Cream Tea Killer (Morwenna Mutton Mystery, Book 3) by Judy Leigh

BOOK REVIEW – Schooled in Murder (Campus Sleuth Mysteries #1) by Victoria Gilbert

Netgalley Catch Up: Time to Check In (January 2025)

Five Star Audiobooks: October, November, December 2024

A review for a book I read earlier was published on Kings River Life News & Reviews. Check it out here:  

A New Lease on Death (Supernatural Mysteries #1) by Olivia Blacke

Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin 

When the Carnival Came by Kathleen Bailey



8 responses to “☕The Sunday Salon: Sunday January 12, 2025 ☃️”

  1. It was definitely a strange week, made all the stranger by tacking it on the end of holiday break. I hope you and your family make the transition smoothly to the more normal days.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. You make the Beamer Street series sound very good! Congrats on all the snow days – now that I don’t work for the schools anymore, my kids are surprised when I have to go to work and they’re off. LOL But our district has only had one snow day so far this school year! Hope your daughter’s braces removal goes off well 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. We got a bunch of snow here too! My kid’s school was delayed for two days, but it didn’t get canceled. I hope you have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Puzzle Me a Murder sounds like a fun read! I’m reading a cozy right now too; it’s called Schooled in Murder.

    Yay for your daughter getting her braces off! My daughter is hoping to get her expander removed next month and then hopefully the braces will be off entirely before the end of the year. At least that’s what she’s hoping.

    Your cookies look so good! It sounds like you made the most of the snow days. I hope you and your family have a good week this week and that it isn’t too hectic as you get back to the regular routine.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Cold weather caused a lot of schools and workplaces across Texas to close last week. It almost, but not quite, froze here.

    I am curious about What Happened to the McCrays.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Snow days sound fun but I can see how four could be too much. Those cookies look yummy!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. The snow is still like ice here and you can walk on top of it. The roads are starting to clear though so I imagine the kids will be going back to school here as well. Congratulations to your daughter! I bet she’s so excited to get her braces off. Have a wonderful week!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. How exciting for your daughter!

    Have a great week

    Liked by 1 person

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About Me

Welcome! I started my career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now I’m a stay at home mom. While my career might have changed, my love of reading has been a constant since I was in 4th grade, and I read over 200 books a year. I love talking about books and connecting readers of all ages with just the right book. Thanks for reading!