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Blooms, Bones & Stones #2
The Secret of the Jewel Shop
What do lavender, stones, and spirits have in common? You’ll need to read this love story within a love story to find out!
Carly – Carly James dream of opening her own jewelry shop is fast becoming a reality. The little shop with its crushed strawberry paintwork springs to life---filled with delightful things. The building’s history intrigues Carly, especially when she senses a spirit presence. Carly is a bit of a free spirit, which is evident by her outrageous clothing and vibrantly colored hair.
Jazz and Evan - Carly’s friends who appear in The Secret of Chestnut Hall, the first book in the Blooms, Bones, and Stones Series, are about to be married. In the meantime, Evan’s brother Dex arrives on the scene. He’s recently been through a rough patch, however is starting fresh and will occupy the other half of Evan’s huge home.
Dex – He agrees to temporarily help Carly out in the store. He’s logical and serious by nature and skeptical about her crystal reading. However, he decides to keep an open mind. Can two opposites really attract or will a schoolboy stalker cause a tragedy?
Carly – Carly James dream of opening her own jewelry shop is fast becoming a reality. The little shop with its crushed strawberry paintwork springs to life---filled with delightful things. The building’s history intrigues Carly, especially when she senses a spirit presence. Carly is a bit of a free spirit, which is evident by her outrageous clothing and vibrantly colored hair.
Jazz and Evan - Carly’s friends who appear in The Secret of Chestnut Hall, the first book in the Blooms, Bones, and Stones Series, are about to be married. In the meantime, Evan’s brother Dex arrives on the scene. He’s recently been through a rough patch, however is starting fresh and will occupy the other half of Evan’s huge home.
Dex – He agrees to temporarily help Carly out in the store. He’s logical and serious by nature and skeptical about her crystal reading. However, he decides to keep an open mind. Can two opposites really attract or will a schoolboy stalker cause a tragedy?
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2017
88 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Swift
35 books64 followersOlivia Swift loves writing cozy mysteries! Her stories are inspired by her varied interests…gardening, spirits, crystals and so much more. Of course, there must be a romance or two in her books and a happily-ever-after ending!
Growing up in a small English village, Olivia is only too familiar with the various characters that make up a community. There is always an event, drama, or mystery amongst the village folk.
Only a few years ago, Olivia and her husband chose to take an early retirement and moved to the Aquitaine region of France. There, in her sun-filled study, she is able to sit and write her books. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the window overlooks her lovely French country garden.
Growing up in a small English village, Olivia is only too familiar with the various characters that make up a community. There is always an event, drama, or mystery amongst the village folk.
Only a few years ago, Olivia and her husband chose to take an early retirement and moved to the Aquitaine region of France. There, in her sun-filled study, she is able to sit and write her books. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the window overlooks her lovely French country garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 3, 2020
Reconnecting spirits
A good series encompassing spirits, gardening and crystals and new love. Well written with a very smooth flow making it an easy read.
A good series encompassing spirits, gardening and crystals and new love. Well written with a very smooth flow making it an easy read.
November 17, 2021
A small town cute cozy mystery with a paranormal twist. The unmistakable scent of lavender sets Carly and her friends on a mission to uncover some things from the past. Not everyone wants the past revealed though…
Olivia Swift has done a great job with this lighthearted cozy. The characters are interesting and the mystery captured my attention.
Becky Boyd did a nice job with the narration. I enjoyed the different voices and accents she used.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Olivia Swift has done a great job with this lighthearted cozy. The characters are interesting and the mystery captured my attention.
Becky Boyd did a nice job with the narration. I enjoyed the different voices and accents she used.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
October 17, 2017
I received an advance copy for review. What follows is an honest review.
Quick short read, less than an afternoon I would say (I read it mostly on work breaks over two days).
It was more of a romance book than a mystery book to me. I would not put it in the mystery category as much as a suspense category. Mysteries tend to be who did it and why.
In this story the hero of the story is opening up her own jewelry shop with the help of her friends. While opening it there is a strong smell of lavender in the shop. Since she is a believer in the power of crystals and that type of thing, she sets out to find out why the resident ghost is still there. The story revolves around her and her friends trying to figure out why. Along the way they meet a person or two that wants to stop them.
It is a clean story, our hero and one of her male friends start a romance but there is nothing that you would not want a child to read going on.
This type of story involves things I do not believe in, but I do not review based on that. My only real gripe with the story is being able to believe that she has that many friends who can just drop what they are doing to help her out so she can run around figuring out why the ghost will not go to the next life. I am sorry, if I had 1/10 of the friends that would do that, I would be happy.
Recommend to those who want a quick, quirky, story that is clean.
Quick short read, less than an afternoon I would say (I read it mostly on work breaks over two days).
It was more of a romance book than a mystery book to me. I would not put it in the mystery category as much as a suspense category. Mysteries tend to be who did it and why.
In this story the hero of the story is opening up her own jewelry shop with the help of her friends. While opening it there is a strong smell of lavender in the shop. Since she is a believer in the power of crystals and that type of thing, she sets out to find out why the resident ghost is still there. The story revolves around her and her friends trying to figure out why. Along the way they meet a person or two that wants to stop them.
It is a clean story, our hero and one of her male friends start a romance but there is nothing that you would not want a child to read going on.
This type of story involves things I do not believe in, but I do not review based on that. My only real gripe with the story is being able to believe that she has that many friends who can just drop what they are doing to help her out so she can run around figuring out why the ghost will not go to the next life. I am sorry, if I had 1/10 of the friends that would do that, I would be happy.
Recommend to those who want a quick, quirky, story that is clean.
December 22, 2021
I didn’t like this as much as book 1. I can’t stand anything that legitimizes “psychics”. They’re frauds who con gullible people out of their munny. I enjoy a good mystery and a ghost story every now and then. Those are the only things that save this from getting a do not read rating from me.
The ending is lazily copied from the first book, which just cheapens the first one and causes any impact this story had to be lessened. It doesn’t even make sense. There’s a forced villain character who’s so obvious, he may as well have it tattooed across his face. But he offers absolutely nothing to the story and if you removed his entire character arc, the story would be better off for it.
The main characters being confronted by the villain at the end offers nothing to the story. The only purpose it seems to add is to make it more similar to the ending of the first book because it amounts to nothing. Then they do a second rushed wedding proposal which as I said above, cheapens any impact the first story’s rushed wedding proposal had.
The audiobook narrator does a great job of doing voices and bringing the characters to life.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
The ending is lazily copied from the first book, which just cheapens the first one and causes any impact this story had to be lessened. It doesn’t even make sense. There’s a forced villain character who’s so obvious, he may as well have it tattooed across his face. But he offers absolutely nothing to the story and if you removed his entire character arc, the story would be better off for it.
The main characters being confronted by the villain at the end offers nothing to the story. The only purpose it seems to add is to make it more similar to the ending of the first book because it amounts to nothing. Then they do a second rushed wedding proposal which as I said above, cheapens any impact the first story’s rushed wedding proposal had.
The audiobook narrator does a great job of doing voices and bringing the characters to life.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
May 29, 2022
**AUDIO REVIEW **
Thanks to Storyorigin and publishers for the Audio book of The Secret of The Jewel Shop.
I recently listened to book 1 of A Blooms, Bones and Stones Cozy Mystery series and really enjoyed it. However The Secret of The Jewel Shop was narratored by a different person and I just couldn't get into it.
I couldn't follow the story, the accent and the voice put on for the characters distracted me from the plot and to be totally honest I really don't know what went on. I couldn't tell you the story plot at all.
I feel really disappointed as I did enjoy the first book in the series and did think this one would be as enjoyable.
I will look for the ebook as I don't feel it was the authors penmanship that made this unlistenable.
I do look forward to listening to the other books in the series as I have noted that the original narrator does the voice for the others, It's just a shame that this different narrator spoiled this book for me
Thanks to Storyorigin and publishers for the Audio book of The Secret of The Jewel Shop.
I recently listened to book 1 of A Blooms, Bones and Stones Cozy Mystery series and really enjoyed it. However The Secret of The Jewel Shop was narratored by a different person and I just couldn't get into it.
I couldn't follow the story, the accent and the voice put on for the characters distracted me from the plot and to be totally honest I really don't know what went on. I couldn't tell you the story plot at all.
I feel really disappointed as I did enjoy the first book in the series and did think this one would be as enjoyable.
I will look for the ebook as I don't feel it was the authors penmanship that made this unlistenable.
I do look forward to listening to the other books in the series as I have noted that the original narrator does the voice for the others, It's just a shame that this different narrator spoiled this book for me
October 11, 2017
Book 2 is all about Carly, Jazz’s friend and former employee. Carly makes the most beautiful jewelry and has finally decided to take the plunge and open up her own shop. She buys a third of a former hotel, which has now been converted into 3 adjacent shops. Just before opening day, Jazz and Carly wander around the shop and a lovely smell of lavender envelopes the 2 girls. As Carly is psychic, she senses the presence of a ghost, a friendly one, living within her shop.
As the book progresses, Carly is determined to find out more about her resident ghost and to help her to move onto the next place. In the meantime, Evan’s brother Dex and Carly are getting to know each other better and it is quite obvious that they are falling for each other very quickly.
Another interesting novel by Olivia Swift, easy reading, puts a smile on your face.
As the book progresses, Carly is determined to find out more about her resident ghost and to help her to move onto the next place. In the meantime, Evan’s brother Dex and Carly are getting to know each other better and it is quite obvious that they are falling for each other very quickly.
Another interesting novel by Olivia Swift, easy reading, puts a smile on your face.
October 11, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed ARC of this book. This is the second book in this series. Carly James is opening up her own business. Evan, Jazzy and Evan's brother Dex all come to help her out. She does "readings from stones" and sells her homemade jewelry and stones. There is a scent of lavender in her store. There is a mystery behind this scent. Carly and Dex get together to find out just what is going on with this scent. Carly says it is a spirit from the past trying to tell them something. Could she be right after all part of her shop is from a very old hotel. Carly is also being stalked from a former school classmate. Can Dex and Carly find the answers they are searching for and will it end well or not?
June 8, 2024
Soy nueva en esto del cozy mystery ("misterio acogedor", en español).
Comienzo apenas a descubrir autores y vertientes.
En cuanto a este libro/audiolibro, es el primero que escuchode esta autora, y lo en encontré suficientemente entretenido como para querer seguir explorando su obra.
Este, en particular, es un cozy con un aire paranormal, sí, una dama que inaugura su joyería de ensueño, y todo parece indicar que hay un alma deambulando por allí, así que será necesario hacer uso de cristales para ponerse en contacto,
Desde luego que, en la vida real, no creo que en este tipo de situaciones paranormales, pero creo que, como relato cozy, es realmente FANTÁSTICO.
En cuanto a la narración (en versión audiolibro), creo que se disfruta mejor a una velocidad de 0.9
Comienzo apenas a descubrir autores y vertientes.
En cuanto a este libro/audiolibro, es el primero que escuchode esta autora, y lo en encontré suficientemente entretenido como para querer seguir explorando su obra.
Este, en particular, es un cozy con un aire paranormal, sí, una dama que inaugura su joyería de ensueño, y todo parece indicar que hay un alma deambulando por allí, así que será necesario hacer uso de cristales para ponerse en contacto,
Desde luego que, en la vida real, no creo que en este tipo de situaciones paranormales, pero creo que, como relato cozy, es realmente FANTÁSTICO.
En cuanto a la narración (en versión audiolibro), creo que se disfruta mejor a una velocidad de 0.9
October 30, 2017
This is the second book in the series, but do not despair, it can be read as a stand-alone.
A quick read, this book features a ghost that smells of lavender and that has some very definite opinions on certain matters, a former stalker that has returned and a family mystery to solve, while a romance in brewing in the background. Quite a mouthful, but Olivia Swift succeeds in making this an intriguing read tha I was unable to put down.
I would recommend this to cosy-mystery fans who loved a bit of romance n the mix.
Thank you to Lirios publishers for providing me with an ARC to voluntary read and review.
A quick read, this book features a ghost that smells of lavender and that has some very definite opinions on certain matters, a former stalker that has returned and a family mystery to solve, while a romance in brewing in the background. Quite a mouthful, but Olivia Swift succeeds in making this an intriguing read tha I was unable to put down.
I would recommend this to cosy-mystery fans who loved a bit of romance n the mix.
Thank you to Lirios publishers for providing me with an ARC to voluntary read and review.
July 7, 2018
Love transcends time and space.
Terrific. So much better than the first book. Giving up her job as a gardener and opening her own jewellery business has always been her dream. With her best friend now settled with her mountain climbing partner, she decides to take the plunge. However her new premises are haunted. Can she find out the story of the ghostly presence with the aid of her best friends partners brother? Great characters that live on the page and a really sweet storyline that incorporates love (past and present) with a background of stalking. Really sympathetic look at the turmoil suffered by both the stalker and the victim.
Terrific. So much better than the first book. Giving up her job as a gardener and opening her own jewellery business has always been her dream. With her best friend now settled with her mountain climbing partner, she decides to take the plunge. However her new premises are haunted. Can she find out the story of the ghostly presence with the aid of her best friends partners brother? Great characters that live on the page and a really sweet storyline that incorporates love (past and present) with a background of stalking. Really sympathetic look at the turmoil suffered by both the stalker and the victim.
July 6, 2019
I received this book from a site that gave me a free audible code for this book. This is the story of Carly James and the opening of her shop making jewelry. The shop is in a former hotel where a lady who worked is now a ghost. Carly and her friend discover the lady's story and bring her answers to her unresolved questions. Carly is stalked by a former schoolmate and all her friends rally around to help her. This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed the book. The mystery was well done and really enjoyed meeint Carly and all her friends. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
September 28, 2020
The main character and protagonist is Carly James. She is opening her own jewelry & gem shop.
She needs a lot of help from her friends. Totally unbelievable that she goes with others holding down the fort while she snoops.
She notices a strong scent of lavender in the shop. We learn this is a scent from a ghost that is trapped there. The story revolves around her and her friends trying to figure out why. Along the way they meet a person or two that wants to stop them.
It is a clean story.
The mystery is who is she, how can they help her, and who wants to stop them from researching the ghost.
She needs a lot of help from her friends. Totally unbelievable that she goes with others holding down the fort while she snoops.
She notices a strong scent of lavender in the shop. We learn this is a scent from a ghost that is trapped there. The story revolves around her and her friends trying to figure out why. Along the way they meet a person or two that wants to stop them.
It is a clean story.
The mystery is who is she, how can they help her, and who wants to stop them from researching the ghost.
November 15, 2021
The Secret of the Jewel Shop (Blooms, Bones and Stones, #2), my second read from author Olivia Swift. A cozy mystery with some paranormal influence. The plot is consistent & clever steadily building to a satisfying. Becky Boyd's narration adds to the enjoyment. “I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to the next book in this series Almost picture perfect. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
October 10, 2017
Thanks to Lirios publishing for the pdf download of the secret of the jewel shop by Olivia swift I voluntarily reviewed it was is the second book in the blooms , bones and stones series carly is opening her own jewel shop and would like to find the history about the building it was an amazing story it had some romance , paranormal stuff and mystery too it was a good story I would recommend this story to my friends and family LAURA8759 .
January 18, 2022
Have a little faith.
Some people just have a gift for seeing, hearing or feeling spirits so that when they come into contact with them they act in love and understanding rather than from a state of fear. Whilst it's true, there are many charlatans out in the real world, there are also very honest, down to earth and gifted people who share their gift to help in the lives of others. A lovely mystery with a dollop of clean romance. What's not to like?
Some people just have a gift for seeing, hearing or feeling spirits so that when they come into contact with them they act in love and understanding rather than from a state of fear. Whilst it's true, there are many charlatans out in the real world, there are also very honest, down to earth and gifted people who share their gift to help in the lives of others. A lovely mystery with a dollop of clean romance. What's not to like?
October 14, 2017
Very sweet romance with Dex and Carly. The growth of the sceptic,
into the besotted lover is sweet, and the stalking is not nearly so
bloody as In book one.
Carly's observations that Val the stalker being allegedly related to
the spirit romance ruins the story a bit is apt, unfortunately for his
mother, his violent origins make the whole seem more consistent story.
Love and marriage seem to thrive amid the chaos for this clan.
Great fun! I was pleased to read an advanced copy of this book and give my honest, voluntary review.
into the besotted lover is sweet, and the stalking is not nearly so
bloody as In book one.
Carly's observations that Val the stalker being allegedly related to
the spirit romance ruins the story a bit is apt, unfortunately for his
mother, his violent origins make the whole seem more consistent story.
Love and marriage seem to thrive amid the chaos for this clan.
Great fun! I was pleased to read an advanced copy of this book and give my honest, voluntary review.
October 15, 2017
This is the second book in this series. Carly is finally getting to open up her own jewelry store and the scent of lavender is everywhere. What's the mystery? Ghosts, spirits, old souls. old buildings? A cute story with lots of twists and surprises. A good read. I received an advance copy and voluntarily chose to review.
January 16, 2018
Not that good
Too simple for me. Fast read. Unbelievable. Characters don't respond in a normal way. If you have a prowler you call the police. If you,are as middle aged women and you are beaten, stabbed, you call 911. You do not call someone you met twice who is 20 years old. You call police. You need an ambulance.
Too simple for me. Fast read. Unbelievable. Characters don't respond in a normal way. If you have a prowler you call the police. If you,are as middle aged women and you are beaten, stabbed, you call 911. You do not call someone you met twice who is 20 years old. You call police. You need an ambulance.
January 6, 2020
Carly achieves her dream of opening her own jewelry shop. she gets a bonus spirit who is living in the building. With the help of Dex, Jules' brother who is about to marry Carly's friend Jazz, she uncovers the history of the female spirit, fights off a stalker and galls in love!
Ts is the second book in this series and it's even better than the first.
Ts is the second book in this series and it's even better than the first.
April 27, 2020
Waiting on Love
Wow what an explosive storey of love and romance Olivia Swift floats you through this mystery on the tail of a love so strong it reaches through time blended with the love and romance of the hear and now. Aquier a copy of "The Secret of The Jewel Shop "so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 😊Kat
Wow what an explosive storey of love and romance Olivia Swift floats you through this mystery on the tail of a love so strong it reaches through time blended with the love and romance of the hear and now. Aquier a copy of "The Secret of The Jewel Shop "so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 😊Kat
October 16, 2020
A ghost, a stalker, and two love stories
Carly's dream shop is haunted and she sets out to find out why and that opens a door to a stalker from her past. While planning Jazz's wedding, opening the shop, dodging the stalker, and and investigating her ghost she finds herself falling in love.
Carly's dream shop is haunted and she sets out to find out why and that opens a door to a stalker from her past. While planning Jazz's wedding, opening the shop, dodging the stalker, and and investigating her ghost she finds herself falling in love.
November 29, 2021
Book 2 in Swift's Blooms, Bones & Stones series. Main characters are Carly and Dex with returning characters Jazz and Evan from book 1. Well written with a good story line and flow. Short but detailed. Sweet, clean, cozy mystery with romance.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
July 14, 2023
Olivia Swift is becoming my new favourite author. Carly has just opened her new business. When the scent of Lavender sorrounds her. She belives this to be a ghost. So she and her new "friend" Dex. start to investigage.
This is a sweet cozy mystery, with wonderful characters.
The narration is excellent.
This is a sweet cozy mystery, with wonderful characters.
The narration is excellent.
October 20, 2017
GREAT Mystery
Loved this book so much, went & read the first book in the series! Wonderful characters who are true friends. In addition to ghosts, gardening, remodeling & historical research, I
learned a lot about crystals.
Loved this book so much, went & read the first book in the series! Wonderful characters who are true friends. In addition to ghosts, gardening, remodeling & historical research, I
learned a lot about crystals.
March 24, 2018
Gentle
I loved the way the author handled the ghost and the main character’s supernatural abilities. All her friends were both likable and quickly familiar to the readers. Story of ghost was intriguing and progressed seamlessly. You cannot wait to read more of n series soon
I loved the way the author handled the ghost and the main character’s supernatural abilities. All her friends were both likable and quickly familiar to the readers. Story of ghost was intriguing and progressed seamlessly. You cannot wait to read more of n series soon
November 18, 2021
Quick, fun read
This is another fun read/listen in this series that will leave you wanting more. The characters have a mystery to solve, business to build and friends to discover. It is just what you didn't realize you needed in your life
This is another fun read/listen in this series that will leave you wanting more. The characters have a mystery to solve, business to build and friends to discover. It is just what you didn't realize you needed in your life
January 12, 2022
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the secret of chestnut hall. The first book of the series. I liked how they kept all of the characters from the first book and just added more. The story was really interesting and I liked how it lead you into the next book..
May 8, 2022
A nice story.
I enjoyed this story. This is a sweet mystery with good characters. Carly has a ghost in her new shop and wants to help the ghost. Carly also has a stalker. Dex assists her, and romance in the air. There is one unexpected surprise.
I enjoyed this story. This is a sweet mystery with good characters. Carly has a ghost in her new shop and wants to help the ghost. Carly also has a stalker. Dex assists her, and romance in the air. There is one unexpected surprise.
October 25, 2017
Nice read
Really held my interest,good read,not overly silly with the spirits and all you could hope if you had that type of experience it would turn out as happily
Really held my interest,good read,not overly silly with the spirits and all you could hope if you had that type of experience it would turn out as happily
December 17, 2017
Amazing
Wow did I enjoy this one.A really well told read,it has everything you could possibly want.Mystery,thrills and romance and let's not forget the laughter.
Wow did I enjoy this one.A really well told read,it has everything you could possibly want.Mystery,thrills and romance and let's not forget the laughter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews