Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods - 5 Stars!

Maddie Townsend's life in Serenity has been turned upside down when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. With her three children heartbroken, Maddie has to return to the workforce, and take charge of her best friends' newest project, the town's only fitness spa for women. When her son's anger issues begin to affect his love for baseball, Maddie steps in to help. But she didn't expect to develop feelings for her son's coach, Cal Maddox, and learn he has feelings for her, too. But their new relationship may threaten both their reputations and careers. Could he be the one man in all of South Carolina who can help her find serenity?

One day a friend came over to my house. She told me about this series she found on Netflix that had been running for a couple of seasons, and it was called Sweet Magnolias. I had never heard of it and so we decided to watch. And it's now one of my favorite shows. When I found out it was a book series I wanted to read it and I have to say I loved this book. Even though it's slightly different than the TV show, the plot and the setting came alive in my mind as if I was watching the show. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and I recommend it to anyone who loves the series.

 

Death at the Door by Olivia Blacke - 4 Stars!

Ruby Young is adjusting to her new life in Boston. A big part of that is her roommate—the ghost of the woman who lived there before. For Cordelia Graves, she may no longer be breathing, but it’s still her apartment. They’re both happy they’ve become friends. Cordelia even set Ruby up with her old job. But, when Ruby discovers the body of a delivery guy at work, Cordelia is hesitant to start an investigation for fear that Ruby will be hurt or worse. It will take both of them working together to navigate the fine line between the dead and the living to bring a killer to light.

This was a good cozy mystery, and the characters were very unique. I felt the author was very imaginative with the rules she put on the ghost characters. It lent a bit of suspense when the ghost character had to do something, not knowing whether she was going to be hurt or there was going to be a consequence for it. I felt that the plot was a little drawn out with some dull moments in the middle of the story. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander - 5 Stars!

Fall has arrived in the hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, where theater director Lance’s production of Perfect Crime has been met with rave reviews. He has put his own spin on the Broadway classic, opting for an intimate experience. Jules and the team at Torte are whipping up a murderous crime scene feast for the cast party. But, when the director is found murdered, can Jules help the police find the real culprit before someone else dies off-stage?

As always, Elie Alexander writes wonderful cozy mysteries that I love to devour. Jules is one of my favorite amateur sleuths. I find this story another example of a perfect cozy mystery. All of the elements are there, the only thing that there was too much of was the description of the food served. Personally, I am trying to lose some weight and reading her delectable mysteries makes it hard because I always end the chapters a little hungrier. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Truffle Trouble by Amanda Flower - 5 Stars!

Summer is upon the village of Harvest, Ohio, and folks are abuzz over Bailey King’s upcoming June wedding. The Amish Candy shop owner is marrying Holmes County Sheriff Aiden Brody. At the reception, a wedding guest dies after sampling the hors d'oeuvres. Café owner and new caterer Darcy Woodin is pegged as the number one suspect. And the victim is one of Darcy's ex-boyfriends. Bailey is certain the young woman is innocent. Can she help solve it in time for her honeymoon?

I love this series and this installment is a great addition to it. I love how Bailey works with her husband to solve the mystery. There were so many diabolical characters and red herrings to make guessing the culprit a wonderful challenge, and I was surprised by the big reveal in the end. I hope there will be many more Amish Candy Shop Mysteries in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Spellbound By Murder by Stacie Ramey - 2 Stars!

When her grandmother suffers a fall and asks for help managing the family bookstore, single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old daughter to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut. Hoping to save Mystic Hollow Books from a big box rival, Veronica enlists popular author Adam Whitford as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival. But when Adam turns up dead, Veronica becomes the prime suspect in his murder. As the local sheriff investigates, Veronica takes matters into her own hands to solve the case and clear her name. Then her gran reveals a secret: the bookstore is magical. Can Veronica use the store's magic to get her out of this predicament?

When I read the blurb, I got excited. I wanted to see how they would use the elements of magic in the investigation and solving of a cozy mystery. But what I found didn't agree with my tastes. There wasn't a lot of action in the plot and there seemed to be more of a mystery in the magic than the actual death of the victim. I loved the characters and the way they related to each other. The bookstore setting was intriguing. It's one of my favorite settings for a cozy mystery. I just felt that the magic took away from the realistic nature of finding the culprit. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

High Tea and Misdemeanors by Laura Childs - 5 stars!

Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, are tapped to cater the wedding of Bettina and Jamie. Theodosia and Drayton are setting up when they hear a crash from the greenhouse. They discover that part of the roof has collapsed trapping the maid of honor and groom. He will pull through, but she didn't make it. Can Theo find the truth behind this tragedy?

This was a beautifully written cozy mystery. Theo and Drayton are great amateur sleuths that will do anything to protect their friends. One of the things I like most about this story is the descriptions of the various tea parties at the Indigo Tea Shop. I would love to go to Charleston and visit a tea shop. The plot was very clever, and I couldn't figure out whodunit until the big reveal in the end. I will definitely read more of this series.

 

Enola Holmes and The Clanging Coffin by Nancy Springer - 4 Stars!

In February 1891, Enola Holmes is attending a burial when she hears the sound of a handbell in the graveyard. When she investigates, she discovers that the ringing bell is attached to a tombstone erected over a gravesite and someone is pulling the string to ring the alarm. Enola and her companions unearth the coffin within, and free a young woman named Trevina Trairom. Enola finds herself comforting and protecting this young girl. The girl remembers very little, and has no idea who has buried her alive, or why. Can Enola find the truth about Trevina's past?

This was a great historical cozy mystery filled with scenes that made London in 1891 come alive in my mind. Enola Holmes is a wonderful amateur sleuth similar to her brother, Sherlock. The side characters were dastardly drawn and helped in creating suspense. The plot of this story was very engaging and kept me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen next. I will definitely read more of this series. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.