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Inquiry Into Love and Death
Inquiry Into Love and Death | Simone St James
161 posts | 67 read | 63 to read
In 1920's England, a young woman searches for the truth behind her uncle s mysterious death in a town haunted by a restless ghost Oxford student Jillian Leigh works day and night to keep up with her studies so to leave at the beginning of the term is next to impossible. But after her uncle Toby, a renowned ghost hunter, is killed in a fall off a cliff, she must drive to the seaside village of Rothewell to pack up his belongings. Almost immediately, unsettling incidents a book left in a cold stove, a gate swinging open on its own escalate into terrifying events that convince Jillian an angry spirit is trying to enter the house. Is it Walking John, the two-hundred-year-old ghost who haunts Blood Moon Bay? And who beside the ghost is roaming the local woods at night? If Toby uncovered something sinister, was his death no accident? The arrival of handsome Scotland Yard inspector Drew Merriken, a former RAF pilot with mysteries of his own, leaves Jillian with more questions than answers and with the added complication of a powerful, mutual attraction. Even as she suspects someone will do anything to hide the truth, she begins to discover spine-chilling secrets that lie deep within Rothewell and at the very heart of who she is."
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Charityann
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Enjoyed this one! If you‘re looking for a book with paranormal elements, this one is for you!😄👻📖 #hauntedshelf #hexesandcrows @Catsandbooks

Catsandbooks Yay! 👏🏼 🐦‍⬛🧡 2mo
39 likes1 comment
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Avanders
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It‘s time 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Oooooh my goodness @PatriciaU !! I‘ve been spoiled in cozy perfection. Thank you so much!!! The books are perfect choices, I can‘t wait to eat those nuts 🤤, the socks are soooo soft, buggy already stole the cocoa ornament 🤭, the tea selection (!!), the book sleeve is 💯, & the notebooks, stickers, scarf, bookmarks, & chapsticks!! 🤎🧡💛 And the apples were spectacular 🍎♥️. Thank you so much!!!

#FallingForFallSwap #fffs

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome package 🎉 3mo
Avanders (Tee hee - the real apples aren‘t in the pic - we devoured those upon opening. This is just a sticker rendition of them for the photo op 😁) 3mo
Gissy Great box🍁🤎🧡🍂📚💛I will open mine as soon as my daughter wake up...she likes to open my swap boxes 😂 3mo
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Chrissyreadit 🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁I love that apples were in the box!!! 3mo
AmyG Fabulous! 3mo
PatriciaU So glad you like everything and very glad the apples made it through okay!!! 3mo
Avanders @PatriciaU loooved it all!! ♥️♥️♥️ 3mo
MaleficentBookDragon I just bought The Full Moon Coffee Shop. It looks so cozy and adorable. 3mo
Avanders @MaleficentBookDragon agreed!! I can‘t wait to read it 🌕☕️🤎 3mo
Amiable Fabulous package! 3mo
61 likes10 comments
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bookandbedandtea
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Pickpick

In an England still reeling after the Great War Jillian is called from her studies at Oxford to identify her disreputable uncle's remains. He was a ghost hunter & his death was no accident. Soon she's dealing w a haunting, a town w a history of smuggling, & an inspector from Scotland Yard while she tries to determine what happened to her uncle. Along the way she makes new friends, discovers some personal truths, finds romance, & acquires a cat.

bookandbedandtea I very much enjoyed Jillian's journey but I wish I'd had a map of the town. I usually see settings very clearly but I could not place the houses and other locations in relation to each other and it drive me nuts. 4mo
31 likes1 comment
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AmandaBlaze
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On sale today at Amazon.

TheBookHippie I loved this one! 4mo
24 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
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#AutumnPlease

There‘s a #Scarf on the cover of this spooky, atmospheric story by one of my favorite authors. And, the rocky cliffs of Britain with a house & village full of secrets, murder & ghosts is a good place to wear one.🧣👻

+6 #Scarathlon points for Team #SpookyGhostClub 👻🖤

Eggs Loved this book - great choice 👏🏻🧣💙 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love this cover and this author 📚 1y
36 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
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I often find that St. James‘ books take me awhile to get into, but once I do, I enjoy them very much. I‘ve been reading this one, about a woman who comes to a town to pack up her dead, ghost hunting uncle‘s things and finds much more, for about a month and still had half of it left. I finished it today. I also finished The Authority Gap (a pick) and listened to The Harlequin Tea Set on my #audiowalk .

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KathyWheeler
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My power is out again because they‘re replacing the pole outside my house, so I‘m sitting here by my window reading Simone St. James. Picture is not from outside my house; it‘s from the internet.

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KathyWheeler
Inquiry Into Love and Death | Simone St James
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1:/ The tagged book, The Authority Gap, The Last Coyote, The Christie Curse, and Demon Copperhead.
2:/ Simone St. James, Barbara Kingsolver, Patti Callahan Henry, Jane Austen, and many more.
3:/ Let Me Be Frank — Tracy Dawson
#weekendreads

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5feet.of.fury
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Pickpick

I love the way St James entangles a ghost story, a murder mystery, romance and family secrets in her writing.

An Inquiry Into Love and Death takes place in 1920s England. Jillian leaves her studies at Oxford to pack up the home of her deceased ghost hunter uncle. Thinks his death wasn‘t an accident, meets a handsome inspector and encounters legendary local ghost Walking John.
#outstandingoctober #scarathlon2022 #teamslaughter #31by31 #spookoween

TheSpineView Awesome 2y
Catsandbooks Gorgeous view! 🍁 2y
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 A great author. 2y
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5feet.of.fury
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Perfect day for leaf peeping and listening to a ghost story.
👀🍂🍁👻

IndoorDame Gorgeous! 2y
AllDebooks Oh wow, stunning photos 😍 2y
32 likes2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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I love her books!! Still need to read this one!

🧣💜🧡📚

#Scarf
#OminousOctober

IndoorDame This was the first one of hers I read. It‘s awesome! 2y
46 likes2 comments
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jen_the_scribe
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Pickpick

I couldn‘t put this one down, and when I was forced to, I did so begrudgingly. A tale with twists and turns, intricately woven and full of interesting characters. It starts with a mysterious death in a small haunted town and slowly reveals more shady circumstances. I need to read more ghostly mysteries. Thanks for another great recommendation @IndoorDame #NewYearWhoDis #NYWD22 @monalyisha

SRWCF I like the cover. 📖 📕 📘 📗 3y
IndoorDame Glad you liked this!!! This was the first of her books I read, but I‘ve loved everything I‘ve read by her since, and she‘s quickly becoming a must read author for me. 3y
jen_the_scribe @IndoorDame Good to know! I looked up her other books and added a couple to my wish list 😁 3y
jen_the_scribe @SRWCF Me too! From her other books, her publishers have great designers because I like most of the covers 😊 3y
monalyisha OoOo this one sounds fun! 3y
27 likes5 comments
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jen_the_scribe
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We all slept in and had a late breakfast, so this is where my Luna girl and I will be until lunch 😊 It‘s been so long since I‘ve had a lazy Saturday. #DogsofLitsy

Leftcoastzen Awww! Enjoy your lazy Saturday! 3y
24 likes1 comment
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jen_the_scribe
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The car line for parent pick up can be frustrating, but I usually enjoy myself this way 😁 (we‘re parked, not driving)

Aims42 This is why I always bring a book along, Bookworms are never bored 🥰 3y
jen_the_scribe @Aims42 A truer statement has never been spoken! 3y
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CBee
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#12booksof2021 #October @Andrew65
Decided to read some spooky stories in October, and these were both perfect for that. I‘ve read four of Simone‘s books now - she‘s a favorite ♥️😊

RebeccaRoo7 I had no idea that she also wrote these. I was only aware of her more popular ones. Good to know!! 3y
CBee @RebeccaRoo7 happy to help 😊 These are less well known - I read two of her more recent popular ones and loved them. Her style shifted a bit - different time periods. Great spooky ghost stories 😁 3y
60 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
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Thank you, @Andrew65 , for tagging me for #12booksof2021 !

January, I read a few 4 star reads, but this one was a 5 star read. I absolutely loved the spooky nature of this - ghost hunting in the early 20th century with enough sinister villagers to make you wonder what is going on. And things that go bump in the night…literally…

This was the second St James I had read, and I realized how much of a fan I am of her books thanks to this one.

Andrew65 A great choice 3y
Crazeedi I was thinking o read this! But I checked and I didnt, hmmm 3y
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Librarybelle @kspenmoll I plan to join in! It‘s thanks to the #SundayBuddyRead that I started to read St James. I have the January schedule saved and am ready to go! 😁 3y
TheBookHippie I'm so excited for January!!!! 3y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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Eggs Pretty 🖤🧣👓 3y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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#Ghost
#Haunted

👻🖤🧡

Soubhiville This is a great photo! That place definitely looks like it has ghost potential! 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Soubhiville thank you!! This old house is on my dad‘s land and has been there for over 100 years!! I agree! Definitely ghost potential! 👻🖤 3y
AmyG Yes…great photo. That makes me wonder who lived there and what life was like back then. (edited) 3y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG I can find out!! 3y
AmyG Let me know. I am always so fascinated by old houses…what went on there. (edited) 3y
Eggs Beautiful photo and great author💙📚🖤 3y
SusanLee Love the photo 😘 3y
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CBee
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Flew through this one! Decided October was the perfect time for some ghosty stories, and this one fit the bill for sure! A fabulously independent and intelligent heroine, a swoony police inspector, a resident ghost, family secrets, a coastal English town, and murder mysteries to boot! Loved it!

AmyG I really enjoyed this one, too. 3y
CBee @AmyG I checked out The Haunting of Maddy Clare from the library as well, will probably start it next! Just in the mood for ghost stories I think 👻 3y
kspenmoll This was so enjoyable as all her books are for me! 3y
CBee @kspenmoll have you seen that she has a new one coming out next year? (edited) 3y
kspenmoll @CBee I had no idea! Thanks! 3y
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Thanks for the tag @hannah-leeloo

I don't have outdoor space at home, so indoors it is near a window.

Am I? Don't ask me how I do it! #sundaybuddyread #booked2021 #pop21 #thatsclassic #foodandlit #bookspinbingo #authoramonth #FairyTaleReadingChallenge and maybe #education21 & #YApril

Care to play? @AlysonCE @Apostcardlife @peanutnine

#thoughtfulthursday @moonwitch94

MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 😊💗💐📚 4y
Apostcardlife Haha that first question "in the spring" feels leading! ? I do mostly read indoors and, hadn't thought about it, but mostly at night, but I did just recently put a little table out on my patio & have been wanting to make it a special little "Me" place out there so, who knows! Second, no photo or book challenges for this month... so far! But plenty of reading, nonetheless. ? 4y
Apostcardlife Also thanks for the tag! 💗 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Apostcardlife I think you're now obligated to occasionally read on the patio to make up for those of us living the suburban downtown apartment life who don't have patios. 🤣 Thanks for playing along! 4y
53 likes4 comments
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JackOBotts
Inquiry Into Love and Death | Simone St James
Pickpick

My March #bookspin did not disappoint! I‘m a Simone St. James fan, and have enjoyed discovering her earlier titles and strong, independent female leads. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Kimberlone
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Catching up on reviews from the end of January...

I can‘t say I loved this one as much as the rest of the #SundayBuddyRead crew, but I did still like it a lot. Loved the moody setting and 1920s time period. There were parts that were kind of boring, and I zoned out in the audiobook narration, but the plot was still interesting for the most part. I think the romance worked better with the more ambiguous ending before the epilogue. 3 ⭐️

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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Damn it feels good to finally have another 5-star read! This book has everything: mystery, ghosts, strong female lead, a potential love interest, a picturesque English village, and a cozy cottage of you don't mind a ghost potentially being your roommate. (/end of my Stefon impression) This book kept me guessing and gave me just enough to let my imagination run a little wild. I wanted maybe a little more at the end, but that's just nitpicky.

TheBookHippie This one I enjoyed thoroughly !! 4y
kspenmoll This was wonderful!!! 4y
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AmyG I loved it. I am reading Queenie now and it makes me miss this book. 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @AmyG I've seen lots of differing reviews of Queenie. Hopefully it'll at least give us a good discussion. I'll start it Friday or Saturday. 4y
BiblioLitten @AmyG I almost bailed on Queenie, and wasn‘t sure if I liked the character. She grew on me though and I ended up feeling happy for her. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
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rjsthumbelina
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Pickpick

I am officially a fan of Ms. St. James. This one had a wonderful, sometimes creepy sleepy quiet historical town as its setting. A town with a ghost. Jillian leaves Oxford to come here after the death of her uncle. She stays to unravel the mysteries of the town, her uncle's death, and the ghosts that seem so present.

#sundaybuddyread @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie 🤍🤍🤍welcome to the club! 4y
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DarkMina
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Pickpick

10 of 2021. This is my second book by Simone St. James. This book had intrigue, suspense and plenty of twists and turns to keep me engaged in the story. I loved Jillian. Such a strong intelligent woman. Glad I joined the #sundaybuddyread to read this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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DebinHawaii
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Pickpick

I thank #sundaybuddyread for introducing me to Simone St. James with The Sun Down Motel. This is the 2nd of her books I‘ve read & enjoyed. She writes a good gothic-leaning mystery. I loved the history, ghostly & romantic elements she wove together for a story that kept me wanting to find out what happened from beginning to end. Jillian, our MC is brave, smart & easy to root for & I liked the many turns the story took. Good stormy day/night read.🌫

AmyG This was my second of hers, too. I really enjoyed it! 4y
Karisa Ha! I didn't realize both books had the same author until I read your post!🤦‍♀️ They felt completely different to me (probably due to time periods) but I liked them both so much! 4y
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Jari-chan
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Pickpick

My first book for #Sundaybuddyread

This one's not as strong as The Sun Down Motel, but it also is quite a few years older. But one can already see the talent in St. James' writing - she really worked on her skills and that's I think was her newer book that good.

I enjoyed the first half of the book, but then it got a little low for me. The love story wasn't mine at all and the solution was a bit... predictable.

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DebinHawaii
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I really meant to finish up this week but I slept more than read when I wasn‘t working. So having a late🍿dinner & reading to the end for tomorrow‘s final #sundaybuddyread discussion.

Bookwormjillk Seems like a perfect night! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🎉🎊📚 4y
mdemanatee Popcorn dinner of champions (I also had popcorn dinner last night 😂) 4y
73 likes3 comments
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cwarnier
Mehso-so

Over all this was not my favorite book, but I am also not a huge fan of ghost stories.
I do/ did enjoy the Sunday discussions each week.
#Sundaybuddyread

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kspenmoll
Inquiry Into Love and Death | Simone St James
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#joyousJanuary #sundaybuddyread #overbookedclub #audiomystery #Islandlife #sealife
I just realized as I was posting this, that each of these books is either set in the ocean, in islands by the sea, in inlets or rivers. Water and people‘s relationship with it is a predominant theme. As for me, I visit the sea as often as I can, and live within walking distance to a river. Aquarius I am.
Finished 3. Working on Mapmaker‘s goal.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful covers!!! 4y
valeriegeary I love it when that kind of book serendipity happens! 4y
TheBookHippie Ocean is my second love of my life 💙 4y
Andrew65 Doing great. 👏👏👏 4y
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Sargar114
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Pickpick

Not a book I would normally pick, but so glad I did. After her Uncle‘s mysterious death, Jillian goes to the small town of Rothewell to sort out his affairs and finds herself caught up in a mystery that is much more than she bargained for. Full of twists and turns and touches of romance and supernatural. Would recommend especially if you‘re already a fan of St. James‘ other work. Read for #sundaybuddyread and Bernie cause I can‘t get enough.

Sargar114 Also square 21 for #bookspinbingo 4y
erinreads I can‘t look at any picture on the internet now without looking for Bernie! 😂 4y
AmyG This is FABULOUS! @TheBookHippie (edited) 4y
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vlwelser 😂😂😂😂 this is awesome 4y
TheBookHippie Omg!!!!!! Peeing myself 🤣🤣🤣✊🏼✊🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 4y
CoffeeAndABook Perfect 👌🏼😂😂😂 4y
DebinHawaii Brilliant! 🤣🤣🤣 4y
JaclynW I still love to see all of the Bernies. 🤣❤️👏 4y
29 likes8 comments
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BookwormAHN
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Pickpick

Loved it and I can't wait for the discussion on Sunday ladies 😸
#SundayBuddyRead

kspenmoll Me too!!! 4y
LibrarianRyan Just FYI I got your box. Yeahhh. I‘ll take pics as soon as I can. 4y
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mollyrotondo
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So I love this author. This was yet another fantastic mystery/ghost story. I loved the 1920s England setting and the strong intellectual female main character. All the “suspects” were great. St. James had me guessing until the very end. I very much recommend to mystery lovers! Thank you #Sundaybuddyread for picking another one by this author! This was my #bookspinbingo No. 21 pick

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PatriciaU
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I have not been able to sleep for days, and have started listening to this audiobook. The narrator‘s voice is so soothing, but the story is so good it‘s not helping lull me to sleep! So tired.

TheBookAddict Have you tried the Calm app? Melatonin? 4y
TheBookHippie I feel ya. I just went through a long bout of it. 4y
Tamra Lavender? 4y
rachelsbrittain So sorry! I've been having a bad spell of insomnia / poor sleep lately but nothing that bad. Hope it gets better soon 💛 4y
kspenmoll That‘s awful- so sorry! 4y
38 likes5 comments
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catebutler
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A quiet evening - laundry tumbling in the dryer, a current read for #SundayBuddyRead (I‘m enjoying immensely), shortbread cookies and a cup of mint verbena tea. I find I usually sleep better, when my day ends like this. ☕️📖 🛌 Although, this book does have a bit of the spook factor. Reader be warned! 😳

vivastory Hey, what would be the best way to get in touch to discuss date/time for Feb discussion & the discussion questions? Are you on GR? 4y
catebutler @vivastory I do have GR, https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2064042-catie If you want to shoot me a DM, on there we can figure out the best way to discuss. 4y
vivastory Great! Thanks 4y
58 likes4 comments