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Latte Lines: Weekly Books, Writing & Author Life

Writing Sparkle

Welcome to the forty-second book review of fifty-three. As you know, I used to provide freelance book reviews to several review companies. It was a great experience that introduced me to new authors and their wonderful books. Each week this year, I’m opening my Weekend Coffee shares with a link to a review I’ve provided. Reviews are three stars or higher. The genres range from picture books to fiction and nonfiction titles.

The Girl Who Survived
The author is Lisa Jackson
Published in April 2023
The publisher is Kensington
Available in Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover, and Paperback (400 pages)
Police Procedurals (Books) | Suspense (Books) | Crime Thrillers (Books)

If we were having coffee, I would share that I didn’t write a review for The Girl Who Survived. I gave it 4 stars out of 5 on Goodreads. The story opens with a lot of action, and my interest as a reader was through the roof. However, I found that the middle section of the book dragged a bit. Perhaps this is just a side effect of such a hooking opening. Lisa kept me guessing about who the killer was, and she ended the book with a few shocking twists. It is an interesting read.

If we were having coffee, I would share that I finished my first 3,000-piece puzzle, and it wasn’t easy. I started this puzzle in the spring, took a puzzle break over the summer, and restarted in September. It has a lot of false fits, particularly in the border, which is where I like to start. I learned that larger puzzles need a different approach. When I do another 3000-piece puzzle (which won’t be for a few months), I will start by sorting the pieces into colours and shapes. I might not start with the border, but with a prominent part of the image. Anyway, here is a picture of the one I finished. The Ravensburger box says it has 3168 pieces and approximately 47 2/3 by 31 1/2 inches.

If we were having coffee, I would share that last weekend’s Author Showcase event was a lot of fun. I met a lot of wonderful new authors from my area, and I look forward to doing events with them again. Big thank you to the bookstore that hosted us, Lindsay Coles. Another big thanks to everyone who came out to offer support.

If we were having coffee, I would share that I tried dill pickle pizza for the first time. No, that isn’t a typo. I tried dill pickle pizza, and I liked it! I will eat it again. Next time, I will try to remember to get a picture to share. Have you tried dill pickle pizza?

By Shari Marshall (2026)

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Published by Writing Sparkle

22 thoughts on “Latte Lines: Weekly Books, Writing & Author Life”

  1. Well done with the big puzzle! It looks challenging. Glad you had a lot of fun at the Author Showcase event. I haven’t tried dill pickle pizza. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi, Library Girl. It was a challenging puzzle. I will try another 3000-piece one in a few months, but I will work through it differently based on what I learned from this one. 2000 piece puzzles are a good challenge; I’ve done a few as well. Thanks for stopping in.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Beaton, my virtual coffee friend, where have you been? I feel like I haven’t had a virtual coffee with you in a while. I hope all is well.

      Rubik’s Cubes are fun. I’m not the best at them, though. Best of luck with that. Thanks for stopping in.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Indeed its been a long minute since I popped by for a virtual coffee… All is well enough I suppose… survived a literal storm and some had it a lot worse.

        Anyhoo am at a quarter to looking for a Youtube tutorial to solving the Rubik how are people able to complete it blingd folded in under minute??? 😂

        ~B

        Liked by 1 person

    1. 500-piece puzzles are lovely to work on, and I have a few of those in my collection too. Puzzles aren’t for everybody, though; my husband has zero interest in even helping me fit the pieces together. Haha.

      I will share a picture of the dill pickle pizza when I get it next. I’m actually hoping to get pizza next weekend so the picture (if I remember) will be shared in two weeks.

      Happy reading , Deb.

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