Month: June 2026

Posted in Cozy Ghost Stories

The House on Foster Hill

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

By Jaime Jo Wright

Have you ever tried to outrun your past, only to realize it doesn’t stay behind you… it follows you in ways you never expected? And sometimes it doesn’t even show up as the past at all – it shows up as your present, and maybe even your future.

This book sits right in that space.

Tropes

Let’s start with the basics:

  • Dual timeline
  • Haunted / “living” house
  • Cold case mystery
  • Gothic small-town setting

Themes

This story leans into some heavy, meaningful ground:

  • Grief
  • Trauma recovery
  • Female resilience and strength in hardship

Synopsis

Two women, separated by a century, find themselves connected through one place: Foster Hill.

In the early 1900s, Ivy Thorpe carries deep grief after the loss of her brother and the betrayal of someone she trusted. When a body turns up near a local estate, she steps straight into a mystery filled with buried secrets and long-hidden truths.

In the present day, Kaine Prescott runs from a life she can no longer face in San Diego. She buys the rundown Foster Hill with the hope of restoring it in honor of her late husband. Instead, she finds a house that refuses to stay quiet. What she uncovers ties directly into the danger she thought she left behind.

As past and present begin to collide, both women move toward one conclusion – one that exposes secrets that never should have stayed buried.

My Thoughts

Jaime Jo Wright does it again.

I found this book even more haunting and intense than The Bookshop of 99 Doors. I had to set it down more than once just to clear my head. The haunting never crosses into horror – it stays eerie, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling in the best way.

The house absolutely acts like a character. I love when authors do that. Foster Hill holds layers of secrets, and each one peels back like an onion. Every reveal pulls you deeper into the story until you realize how far in you’ve gone.

Both Ivy and Kaine feel fully developed. As they untangle the mystery, they also confront parts of themselves they’ve avoided. Their growth feels natural and earned.

The romance stays closed-door and clean, with no spice or language, which fits the tone of the story well.

Faith threads through the book in a grounded way. It never feels forced. Instead, it shows up in the real, messy moments – grief, anger, questioning, and that very human tension of trying to trust God in the middle of loss.

And the pacing? Excellent. I read this in under 48 hours because I kept telling myself, “just one more chapter,” until suddenly I was too far in to stop.

I love finding stories like this – haunted, atmospheric fiction with a strong faith undercurrent done well.

Cozy Vibes Check

Atmosphere:
Gothic, eerie, and wrapped in quiet tension from beginning to end.

Pacing:
The story builds both timelines carefully, letting each layer of the mystery unfold at its own pace.

Emotional Tone:
Reflective, somber, and unsettling at times, but threaded with quiet hope.

Reading Experience:
It felt like peeling back old wallpaper in a forgotten house and finding something hidden underneath that was never meant to be seen.

Favorite Quote

“Sometimes the past doesn’t stay buried… it waits for someone brave enough to listen.”

Pair It With

Drink: Hot chai tea – something warm that carries both comfort and quiet courage in the same cup.

Vibe: A steady Sunday morning rain with the windows cracked just enough to let the sound in – the kind that becomes part of the story. Percy at my side, a light summer blanket pulled close, and that quiet feeling that the house outside your window feels a little too still.

Rating

Rating: 5 out of 5.
Posted in Bookshelf Favorites

Why I Choose to Read No-Spice Books

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Can I be honest with you?

I didn’t always read clean books.

For years, I enjoyed spicy romance novels. I loved the excitement, the chemistry, and the emotional intensity. At the time, I didn’t think much about how those stories were shaping my expectations.

Then I got married.

What I quickly discovered was that real life rarely looks like fiction. Real relationships aren’t built on perfectly timed grand gestures, flawless communication, or endless romantic moments. They’re built on ordinary days, imperfect people, and the choice to love each other anyway.

At first, I kept reading those books. I even wrote some of that content myself. Looking back, though, I can see that the stories I consumed slowly became a measuring stick for my own life.

Without realizing it, I started comparing.

Why doesn’t my relationship feel like that?

Why isn’t romance easier?

Why don’t I feel what the characters feel?

The more I compared, the more dissatisfied I became.

My husband made efforts to show love in his own way, but I often overlooked them because they didn’t match the version of romance I had built in my mind. Instead of appreciating what was real, I focused on what was missing.

And comparison rarely stays in one area of life.

Soon, I wasn’t just comparing my marriage. I compared myself.

I didn’t look like the women in the books. I wasn’t as confident, glamorous, fashionable, or outgoing as the characters I read about. Little by little, my self-confidence eroded.

The problem wasn’t the books themselves.

The problem was what I allowed them to become in my heart.

Scripture reminds us:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

For me, that verse became deeply personal.

I began to realize that what I read was influencing how I viewed myself, my relationships, and even my contentment. The stories I consumed fed expectations that no real person could consistently meet and encouraged comparisons that slowly stole my ability to appreciate what was right in front of me.

Years later, my marriage ended.

To this day, I would never blame books for my divorce. Marriages end for complicated reasons, and mine was no exception.

But healing has a way of giving us perspective.

Looking back, I can see that some of the stories I consumed encouraged comparisons and expectations that made it harder for me to appreciate the good that existed in my real life. They weren’t the cause, but they certainly weren’t helping.

I don’t share that because I’m interested in creating rules for other people. I share it because I’ve lived with the consequences of comparison, and I know how quietly it can take root.

Today, I still love books just as much as I always have.

But I’ve become more intentional about what I read.

I choose stories that leave me feeling encouraged instead of dissatisfied. I look for romance built on connection, kindness, sacrifice, friendship, and emotional intimacy. I’ve discovered that some of the most beautiful love stories happen in a glance across a room, a hand held during a difficult season, or two people choosing each other again and again.

That’s one of the reasons Clean Reads & Cozy Sips exists.

Not because I think everyone has to read exactly what I read.

Not because I’m interested in judging anyone else’s choices.

But because I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful stories can be.

Books shape us. They influence our thoughts, our expectations, and sometimes even the way we see ourselves.

These days, I choose books that bring peace, hope, and joy into my life.

And honestly?

I’ve never enjoyed reading more.

A Question for You

Have you ever noticed a book, movie, or television show influencing your expectations of relationships, life, or even yourself?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Posted in Bookshelf Favorites

Ten Cozy Mysteries for Summer Reading

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

As someone who is still getting her reading mojo back, I’m going to cheat a little on this one. Don’t worry – I’ll probably revisit this topic more than once.

I don’t have a list of my top ten cozy mysteries for summer. What I do have is a list of my top ten cozy paranormal mysteries for summer.

All by the same author.

How’s that for efficiency?

My sister and niece introduced me to the Southern Ghost Hunter series, and they absolutely nailed my reading vibe. I love mysteries. I love ghost stories. And if you stick around here long enough, you’ll probably hear me talk about both quite a bit.

Now, you may be thinking, “Ghost stories? Aren’t those better suited for fall?”

Honestly, you’re not wrong. I may very well revisit this list when Halloween rolls around.

For now, though, these are my favorite cozy summer ghost stories. Why summer? Because every one of them takes place in the South, where the weather is hot, the sweet tea is cold, the pecan pie is plentiful, and somebody is always firing up a barbecue.

These are listed in no particular order of favorites.

1. Southern Spirits

This is where it all begins. The story takes place in a fictional Georgia town known for peaches and pecans—which, when combined and topped with ice cream, make a dessert worthy of its own book review. But I digress. We’re here for books, not pie.

Southern Spirits introduces Verity Long, who inherits her grandmother’s house and accidentally traps a 1920s gangster ghost on the property. One accidental ghost imprisonment later, Verity can suddenly see and talk to spirits. Naturally, chaos follows.

2. The Skeleton in the Closet

The second book doesn’t disappoint. This time, Verity and Frankie investigate a murder that takes place in the town library. Because apparently even libraries can’t escape murder mysteries.

3. The Haunted Heist

Verity tries to focus on something other than ghosts for a change. Unfortunately, her boss ends up dead, and a gangster ghost may have information about the crime. Before long, Verity and Frankie plunge headfirst into another mystery and plenty of chaos.

4. Deader Homes and Gardens

Next, Verity takes a job at the creepiest mansion in town. She plans to identify the murderer and exorcise the resident ghosts.

The ghosts, however, have their own plans.

5. Sweet Tea and Spirits

When a prestigious local society invites Verity to join, she thinks she’s finally moving up in the world. Then someone discovers a dead body at the society’s headquarters.

As usual, Verity drags Frankie along while she untangles the mystery.

6. Murder on the Sugarland Express

Verity and her boyfriend plan a romantic train trip through the Tennessee mountains. Unfortunately, the train comes with a haunted history.

It doesn’t take long before the past crashes into the present and derails what should have been a romantic weekend.

7. The Mint Julep Murders

This time, Frankie needs Verity’s help. Together, they assist a gangster ghost with a colorful past that leads them straight to a haunted asylum.

As the body count rises, Verity’s simple plan – help the ghost and get out – becomes considerably more complicated.

8. Southern Bread and Dead

Verity volunteers at a church charity event, expecting a fairly normal day.

Instead, a longtime family friend turns up dead.

As old secrets begin surfacing, Verity discovers that some members of the congregation have worked very hard to keep the past buried.

9. Give Up the Ghost

High school reunions already have a reputation for dredging up old memories.

This reunion takes things a step further.

When ghosts from the past start pulling the living into decades-old conflicts, Verity and Frankie race to uncover the truth.

You may never look at a class reunion the same way again.

10. Death at the Drive-In

Finally, a seventy-year-old cold case returns to the spotlight when new evidence emerges in the death of a young girl.

While the police follow the physical evidence, Verity and Frankie consult the ghostly witnesses. Together, they help solve a murder that has remained unsolved for decades.

Final Thoughts

These books fall around a Level 2 on the intimacy scale and contain only mild swearing. Some of the hauntings get intense, but the stories never venture into anything occult or dark. They’re simply fun ghost stories wrapped around engaging murder mysteries.

One of the things I appreciate most about Angie Fox’s writing is her commitment to character development. She builds a cast you genuinely enjoy spending time with while delivering mysteries that keep the pages turning. Most importantly, she never forgets to make the stories fun.

Of course, this list only covers paranormal mysteries. The next time I put together a summer mystery recommendation list, I may actually include books that don’t involve ghosts.

Although, let’s be honest.

That seems highly unlikely.

Posted in Cozy Ghost Stories

The Bookshop of 99 Doors

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

By Jaime Jo Wright

You had me at “bookshop” and kept me with the haunted mansion and century-old secrets. I stayed up way past my bedtime reading this one.

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

I picked this one up for the bookshop and Gothic mansion vibes and wound up staying for the mystery.

The story follows two women living more than a hundred years apart, both connected to the same estate and the secrets hidden within its walls. As the past and present begin to collide, long-buried truths come to light. Packed with suspense, family drama, and faith, this story kept me guessing until the very end.

Cozy Vibes Check

Atmosphere: Dark, emotional, tense, and haunting

Pacing: Steady from start to finish. Not a single lag.

Emotional Tone: Heavy at times but ultimately hopeful. Expect grief, mystery, and plenty of deliciously spooky moments.

Tropes You’ll Find

  • Dual Timeline
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Historical Mystery
  • Family Secrets
  • Books About Books

Clean Reads Rating

Romance/Intimacy: Level 2 – Sweet & Slightly Swoony

Language: Level 2 – Mild “Oops I Said Dang” Energy

Faith Content: Strong

Cozy Factor:
More eerie Gothic mystery than cozy mystery, but the bookshop setting adds a cozy touch.

Suspense Level:
Expect plenty of twists, tension, and late-night reading.

My Thoughts

This book was a wild ride.

Imagine meeting someone at the pool. You chat for a few minutes, feel completely comfortable, and then they shove you into the deep end and walk away while you figure out how to swim. That was my reading experience.

At first, I wasn’t sure this book was for me. Not because it moved slowly—it absolutely didn’t. The pacing was excellent from page one. I just struggled to settle into the mood of the story. Then chapter three arrived, and suddenly I couldn’t stop reading.

Let’s start with the hauntings.

They were atmospheric, creepy, and incredibly well done. Jaime Jo Wright doesn’t rely on terrifying horror moments. Instead, she leans into whispers, tapping sounds, creaking floors, passing shadows, and those unsettling glimpses from the corner of your eye. The kind of spooky that keeps you turning pages instead of hiding under a blanket.

Then there are the secrets.

Both timelines revolve around women trying to uncover the truth while surrounded by people who seem determined to keep it hidden. Every answer leads to another question, and every revelation uncovers something deeper. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story threw another twist my way.

And then there’s the manor.

The house isn’t just a setting.

It’s a character.

I love stories where the house feels alive, where every hallway, staircase, and locked room carries its own history. This manor holds its secrets close and reveals them only when it’s ready. Around every corner, inside every room, and behind every door waits another clue. That’s exactly the kind of Gothic mystery I love.

Finally, let’s talk about the faith element.

The theme of faith over fear runs throughout the story, but it never feels preachy. Instead, it feels authentic. The characters question. They wonder. They search. And through it all, they wrestle with what is true and where hope can be found. I especially appreciated how both women sought God while navigating the strange and seemingly supernatural events surrounding the house.

My Official Pairing

Setting: A cozy corner on a rainy evening with a lamp glowing nearby and the rest of the house just a little darker than usual. I actually read the last fourth of this book during a thunderstorm at night—nature really provided the perfect setting. 

Drink: A salted caramel mocha or dark chocolate hot cocoa.

Favorite Quote

“You are promised by God himself that if you search for Him, the truth will set you free.”

Read This If You Love

Rebecca – for the sprawling estate, haunting atmosphere, and secrets lurking beneath the surface.

Jane Eyre – for the dark, foreboding house and the mysteries hidden within its walls.

The Haunting of Hill House – because the house itself feels like a living presence that influences everyone around it.

The Lost Apothecary – for dual timelines, determined women, and long-buried secrets finally coming to light.

Final Thoughts

If Rebecca and a cozy bookshop had a faith-filled Gothic mystery baby, it would probably look a lot like The Bookshop of 99 Doors.

Come for the bookshop.

Stay for the secrets.

And don’t expect much sleep.

Posted in Slow Reading Moments

Books and Music: Finding the Perfect Reading Formula

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I have a confession to make.

I don’t listen to music with lyrics when I read.

Not because I’m trying to be mysterious or like I belong in a curated Instagram reading nook with perfectly stacked books and a candle that costs more than my grocery budget – but because I’m self-diagnosed ADHD and lyrics turn my brain into a karaoke stage I never agreed to perform on. 

But here’s the twist: I also cannot read in total silence.

So yes. I live in a very specific kind of chaos.

We’re talking curated auditory conditions only, please and thank you.

Somewhere between silence and a full Broadway soundtrack, I’ve built a reading life that actually works for my brain. And honestly, it took me a while to admit that my “normal reading environment” doesn’t look anything like what I once thought it should.

And speaking of learning things the hard way, I also used to try reading in an office breakroom which, in hindsight, deserves its own cautionary tale.

So… let’s talk about it.

The Breakroom Chronicles (or: Why I Gave Up on Public Reading)

Once upon a time, back when I had an office job and fewer emotional boundaries, I tried to be a “lunch break reader.”

I even made an effort. I picked a table far away from people. A strategic table. A “no one will bother me here” table.

Reader, they bothered me there.

For some reason, the moment I opened a book, I became a social magnet. Not a subtle one either. People didn’t just approach me. They projected conversations across the room like I was hosting a live podcast called “Please Interrupt Me Mid-Chapter.”

So I learned something important:

If I want to read, I need the right environment. Not just hope for one.

So I’ve learned to stop guessing and start choosing. Here are the five spaces where reading actually works for me and keeps me coming back for more. 

Night Reading: The Cozy Shutdown Protocol

My number one reading scenario happens at night.

I crawl into bed. My loyal reading companion, Percy (my dog and emotional support fluff unit), takes his place beside me like he signed a lifelong contract.

The TV hums in the background, just loud enough to count as “not silence,” but quiet enough that I don’t actually absorb anything happening on it.

Perfect.

Kindle in hand. Blanket positioned with surgical precision. Brain slowly powering down.

This is where I read until I drift off mid-sentence and wake up at 2 a.m. with my Kindle resting on my face like it, too, gave up on me.

Early Morning Reading: The Ritual of Becoming Functional

Early morning reading is not casual. It’s a full production.

First, I walk the dog. Percy supervises.

Then I make coffee like I’m auditioning for a slow-living commercial.

Then I do my Bible study, make my bed, find my favorite blanket, and only then – only then – do I allow myself to read.

I usually play classical music or an ambient YouTube channel that sounds like “forest rain meets gentle optimism.”

This is my most disciplined reading window. I feel like a very organized Victorian woman who definitely owns too many books and possibly judges people for fun.

Outdoor Reading: Main Character Energy (Minus the Drama)

On a good day, I take my reading outside.

I queue up a springtime classical playlist or a “music for readers” station on Spotify and settle in with my feet up and the sun doing its best to heal all my problems.

This is peak reading life.

Birds chirp. Breeze cooperates. I pretend I live in a cottage somewhere far more picturesque than my actual zip code.

For a brief moment, everything feels like a book cover.

Crochet, Embroidery, and the Audiobook Multiverse

If I’m working on crochet or embroidery, I switch modes entirely.

This is audiobook territory.

And yes – I count audiobooks as reading. I will not be taking questions at this time.

I pair it with soft YouTube ambience (no lyrics, obviously), and suddenly my hands and my brain are both busy in the most satisfying way.

It’s multitasking, but make it cozy.

Sunday Afternoons: The Holy Quiet Window

After church on Sundays, something magical happens in my house.

Everyone disappears into their own spaces.

The living room becomes mine.

I bring my blanket. Percy joins me immediately, because he respects tradition. I turn on soft ambience, and I read while the house settles into that quiet, golden pause between obligation and the next week.

It’s peaceful in a way I don’t always know how to explain, but I definitely try to recreate it emotionally on weekdays.

The Future Library (a Loft Full of Possibility)

Now, here’s where things get exciting.

We have a loft in our home that currently functions as… a yarn storage situation. A very chaotic, very colorful yarn storage situation.

But I’ve started planning something better.

Little by little, I’m turning that loft into a library.

Shelves. Cozy seating. Probably too many homemade blankets. Definitely more books than reasonable logic would suggest.

I’ll share more as it comes together, because this feels like one of those “becoming the person you didn’t know you were building toward” projects.

And honestly? That’s the best kind.

Final Thoughts: My Reading Rules Don’t Have to Make Sense

So yes, I don’t read in silence.

Yes, I curate my background noise like a DJ for introverts.

And yes, my dog is part of my reading routine.

But I’ve stopped trying to make my reading life look like anyone else’s.

Instead, I’ve built one that actually works for me – ADHD brain, noisy preferences, emotional support blankets, and all.

And honestly?

That’s the only kind of reading life worth keeping.

Photo by Mohamed M on Unsplash