Allie Pleiter

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Shelby Phillips has been managing her mother’s needlepoint shop for just over a year now and is very excited about Gwen Lake’s two-week-long arts festival. Two well-known needlepoint designers will be featured artists for the event. Two pillows stitched by Paul Bardo and Laura Bitters are being auctioned off as the headlined pieces for the festival’s auction, and their new needlepoint designs will be available to purchase at Nina’s Nimble Needle.

Sadly, the two show more stitchers do not get along. Shelby tries to schedule them to be in the shop at separate times, but when the two pillows disappear, the artists meet face-to-face and square off with barbs and accusations. They meet again at the auction dinner, where Shelby notices Laura is clearly unwell, but before she can render aid, the woman falls to the floor convulsing. By the time the paramedics arrived, Laura Bitters had died. Tests show that she had been poisoned. Police Chief Tallen asks Shelby to leave the case to him, but soon Shelby, her friends, and a magazine reporter very familiar with both needlepointers are trying to unravel the evidence and canvassing clues to stitch together everything they need to pin down the killer.

In this second Nimble Needle Mystery, Shelby’s mom is having trouble letting Shelby take control of the shop and their part in the festival. This is compounded by needlepoint designer Paul Bardo’s lack of trust in Shelby’s abilities. I admired Shelby’s patience with her mother and her professionalism in dealing with Paul. I also enjoyed how she brought together a group of her peers to enjoy needlepoint and how she nurtures the NYAGs (Not Your Average Grannies) group. The police chief and the mayor being married brings a fun dynamic to the story.

The festival brought a variety of artists and art lovers to town, a few with motives to murder Laura Bitters. I took great pleasure tagging along with Shelby and her friends, as they worked through all the twists and turns. The confession was intense, and the arrest was harrowing. I was pleased to see that my armchair sleuthing was on the right track.

I especially liked how Ms. Pleiter mixed in relevant subplots seamlessly, taking into account how a business could be hurt during a murder investigation and how a community comes together to help rectify the situation, the funny festival events, and Shelby’s quest to bring needlepoint to the younger generations.

Two Purloined Pillows was a fast-paced, entertaining cozy mystery with charming characters and a fun, crafty theme. The future looks bright for the Nimble Needle. I look forward to returning to Gwen Lake for another needling adventure with Shelby and her friends. show less

3.0-3.5 stars--I have a hard time giving Love Inspired more than an average rating.

I did like that this book focused more on business (a food truck) rather than a romantic relationship.

Jana is hired as the food truck's chef (because of a former relationship with Ellie) and is trying to hide from and forget former boyfriend Ronnie.

Witt is trying to prove his worth to his father and brother-in-law after feeling forced out of the family business (but being accepted by his cousins to develop a show more new part of their business).

As a result, they both have some of the "I'm not lovable" vibes--and a feeling of wanting to work hard to prove themselves before having personal relationships.

Jose was a nice addition and added some humor to the story. I'm glad he found a talent in cooking and is being supported by both Jana and Witt in getting additional training for that talent. In one way, I hope we get to see a story with Jose in the future--perhaps one while he is in cooking school but definitely one once he is ready to return to the Blue Thorn Ranch family and either have his own food truck or take over the kitchen at the restaurant Witt envisions. show less

A Refuge in Montana by Allie Pleiter is a tender and uplifting tale with realistic, relatable characters. They experience heartache, doubt, struggles, hope, and joy, which makes the story feel genuine and heartfelt. I especially loved Vicky’s son, Taylor. Children at that age are both adorable and wonderfully honest. Vicky’s mother and aunts are delightful additions to the story, bringing humor and warmth. Their care for the animals, as well as for Vicky, Taylor, and the townspeople, show more shines through, and I enjoyed their well-meaning meddling.

I also felt for Dunk and Buddy, the horse and donkey. The story is a good reminder that animals are intelligent and have feelings, too. A Refuge in Montana is the third book in the Three Sisters Rescue Farm series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first two books as well to fully enjoy this charming series. With a thread of faith woven throughout, this is a poignant story about hope, forgiveness, and healing. show less

Allie Pleiter welcomes readers back to Collinstown with holiday cheer, vicuna (which are renowned for their wool), Libby’s ex-husband, and a murder in It Came Upon a Midnight Shear.

From the first book in this series, I’ve wanted Libby to be my best friend. Sure, she’s curious and sometimes sticks her nose in where she shouldn’t. She’s also patient (well, except when it comes to Sterling and his family); loves her family, friends, and community; and welcomes people into her show more circle.

Throughout this series, Pleiter has grown with the mystery threads in each book and this one was by far my favorite. There are so many suspects with excellent motives and opportunity. There are two crimes somehow connected to the vacuna. And I did not see the reveal coming. Those are the stories that stick with me the most.

And I have one word for Libby’s relationship with Gavin…FINALLY! If this was the final book in the series, it wraps up well but can I just say I hope we get more of Libby, Gavin, and the rest of Collinstown?

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own. show less