The Diva Hosts a Murderer by Krista Davis - 5 Stars!

With her family visiting her Northern Virginia home, it’s a good thing Sophie Winston is an expert at entertaining. But, meeting the man her widowed Aunt Melly married in Las Vegas is a little awkward. Especially when her longtime secret admirer is there too, which could lead to some fireworks. Then, Sophie’s favorite tour guide is murdered, and evidence points to her own father. And what’s the real story with her new uncle and the mysterious pal he’s brought along with him? Some of the secrets Sophie’s uncovering is leading her to an unexpected treasure hunt. Can Sophie find the truth and the murderer before her father is arrested? 

This is another great installment to a fabulous cozy mystery series. I love Sophie and her friends who help her with her investigations. I love how she works with the police. Even though there are good and bad people in this story, the police are usually put in a favorable light. They are not made to look unintelligent. The food and the setting of the story make it fun to read because it brings a coziness factor that is prevalent in this series. And I'm always in the mood for a snack as I am reading. I recommend these stories to anyone who loves a cozy mystery. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Killer Cupid by Laurien Berenson - 5 Stars!

Melanie Travis is happy to spend three days with Sam, her Standard Poodle, Faith, and their friends Bertie and Frank at the White Birch Inn; a New England resort nestled at the foot of a snow-covered mountain. The inn has a full slate of couples' activities planned for the Valentine's weekend. But, after the first night, a body is found. The sheriff launches an investigation, but at the inn keeper’s urging, Melanie tries to sneak a little detective work into her romantic getaway. But with the resort sold out for the holiday weekend, there's no shortage of suspects, and Melanie’s sleuthing is already attracting the wrong kind of attention. But if she doesn’t catch the killer soon, another innocent victim may get the kiss of death.

I am pleasantly surprised about my feelings for this cozy mystery. This was a wonderful holiday read, and I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Melanie is a wonderful amateur sleuth, she's smart, capable and tenacious all throughout her investigation. She's also careful and doesn't take risky chances that could put her in jeopardy. Her friend Bertie and the other side characters helped build a picture of who Melanie is, and I would love to learn more about all of them. The plot was very confounding. I thought I knew who the murderer was, but I was surprised by the culprit's identity in the end. I have found a new cozy mystery series, and I can't wait to read all of these stories. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

A Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson - 5 Stars!

Ashley Branson has a lot to prove with her new cat yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. It's a place to find inner wellness and adopt adorable cats from the local shelter. It’s also a chance for Ash to run her own life, out from under her overbearing mother. Everything was going well until she discovers one of her new clients, a college professor, dead in her studio. Then, Ash’s brother, Hunter, becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear his name and save her business, Ash does a deep dive into the connections the victim had with her other clients. But countless suspects, and contradictory leads mean Ash will have to stretch to the max to outthink a clever killer who’s ready to strike her down.

This was a wonderful new cozy mystery series that I hope to continue reading. I love the main character and how she's striving to make her own way in the world and not living under her family's assumptions. She's not compromising on what she wants, but taking her life day by day to making it what she believes is for the best. And I respect her for that. The plot is well written, and the mystery was confounding enough that I was surprised by the big reveal in the end. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion. 

From This Moment On by Bella Andre - 5 Stars!

For thirty-six years, Marcus Sullivan has been the responsible older brother. But when the future, he's planned turns out to be nothing but a lie, Marcus needs one night to shake free from it all. Nicola Harding is known as Nico, the pop star. Only her sexy image is totally false. After a terrible betrayal, she vows not to let anyone else get too close or hurt her again. Especially not the gorgeous stranger she meets at a nightclub. One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree upon. But nothing goes as they plan when they find a deeper connection than they anticipated. Can Nicola and Marcus open their heart and find their happily ever after?

This was a fabulous contemporary romance that I found on my Kindle after organizing it. I am so glad that I was able to read this wonderful story. The characters were fun to read about, and I felt their romantic connection all the way through the story. The Sullivan family is large enough that there will be more books for me to read. I can't wait; my TBR just became much larger!

 

A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle by Darci Hannah - 3 Stars!

When chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride got a role on the reality show Food & Spirits, she thought cocktails would be served with her food. Instead, she’s cooking up dinners for the dearly departed. She also discovers abilities to connect with the beyond, which helps her find murderers. Now, she's heading for a haunted Scottish castle where an annual bagpipe competition is being held. As Bunny and her costars hunt for the ghost piper, they hear a scuffle and a body is found at the bottom of the cliff. Can Bunny find the killer before he vanishes into thin air?

This was a very interesting cozy mystery. Even though there was a major paranormal element, I liked that the main character solved the mystery without relying too much on her extrasensory perception. All of the characters were fun to read about and helped move the plot along. The plot dragged in a few spots and made it hard to continue reading until the end. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Nancy Drew: Password to Larkspur Lane - 5 Stars!

People are seeing blue lights in the sky, and a carrier pigeon furnishes Nancy with a clue to a mysterious retreat. Can these two instances be connected? Nancy Drew is on the case!

This was one of my favorite Nancy Drew stories because it had action and suspense and at times left me at the edge of my seat. I will always recommend these stories to cozy mystery lovers of all ages.

 

Shock and Paw by Cate Conte - 5 Stars!

It’s the holiday season on Daybreak Island, and Maddie James is looking forward to the Christmas festivities. Word gets out that Donna Carey, the publisher of the island’s only daily newspaper, may be selling the business. Becky, Maddie's friend and local journalist, is appalled that her boss is entertaining the idea. Maddie is sympathetic, but she has her own problems, like getting pulled into the Christmas event committee, and solving the case of a cat breeder trying to sell designer cats as gifts on the island. Then Donna winds up dead. And Becky becomes the main suspect. Maddie is thrown into another murder investigation in order to save her best friend from a Christmas behind bars.

I absolutely love this cozy mystery, and I found a new series that I can devour. I love Maddie James and her family and all the side characters. The plot was very engrossing, and I kept on turning the pages long into the wee hours of the morning. I was surprised with who the culprit was in the end. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.