Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke - 5 Stars!

Juliette Winters is used to taking care of herself. She has no time for romance, or friendships. She's busy dominating the publishing world by single-handedly saving her company from financial ruin with the book deal of the century. Business magnate Warren Ellingham has guaranteed Juliette exclusive rights to his memoir that promises to expose the secrets of his exclusive country club, Pacific Pines. But when Warren is murdered and the memoir is stolen, Juliette starts an investigation and enlists the help of Charlie Hawkins, a hot doctor with a heart of gold. As the investigation heats up, so does the tension between Juliette and Charlie. But Juliette can't afford any distractions. If she doesn't uncover Warren's killer soon, the thing that was supposed to secure her future might just be the thing that ends it.

I love this author. I have read two of her books and both of them are laugh out loud funny. Juliet is a wonderful character full of quirks and idiosyncrasies that she tries to keep hidden so she can look perfect all the time. But her perfectionism catches up to her and the hijinks that ensues made me laugh time and time again. I love books that end happily and have a funny bone. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced Readers copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner - 5 Stars!

A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to help women who have been betrayed by the men in their lives. She has two rules: Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman. Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register. On a February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley, Nella awaits her customer. She's surprised when a twelve-year-old girl named Eliza Fanning enters. This unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the women whose names are written in her register. In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s, and not everyone will survive.

This was a powerful and emotional historical fiction story. The author described the setting so well that I felt the cold weather come through the pages and shivered from the description of the Thames River. The characters were so astonishingly real to me that I looked up apothecaries in 18th century London. I always ask myself how the author comes up with these beautifully flawed characters and their stories. It is all a part of the mystery of great fiction. And this story is an example of great fiction. I definitely recommend!

 

The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany - 4 Stars!

Gemma Doyle is excited about Jayne Wilson’s birthday and her upcoming wedding. She heads to the Blue Water Café, the site of Jayne’s party. But the affair turns to disaster with the presence of the bride and groom’s respective exes in attendance. Gemma and Jayne decide to take a break on the chilly deck when they spot the body of a party attendee floating in the water below. As Detective Ryan Ashburton investigates, Jayne’s wedding is in peril, especially when it is revealed that her fiancé, Andy, is a prime suspect. Now, it’s up to Gemma to keep Andy from prison and save Jayne’s wedding day from ruin.

This was an interesting cozy mystery where every character had their own secrets, and that made for wonderful red herrings that kept me guessing on the truth of the story until the very end. Gemma is a wonderful character full of contradictions and just enough stubbornness to make her a wonderful amateur sleuth. The side characters are fun to read about, and I love to return and read more about them every time another installment comes out. It makes me want to search for a Sherlock Holmes Bookstore and Emporium. I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Writer and the Rogue by Lydia Drake - 1 Star!

Desperate times call for drastic measures, and Miss Caroline Devereux has decided to blackmail the Earl of Rockford to save her family from utter ruin. Either they marry, or Caroline will spill the Earl's secrets to all of society. Can they find love together?

When I first read the blurb for this book, I was interested. But as I started reading, I found myself not liking the heroine. She seemed very selfish and unlikable, which was very shocking because I liked the last book that I read from this author. Why couldn't other people in her family get a job? This story just wasn't for me. I would like to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn - 4 Stars!

Simon Basset and Daphne Bridgerton have decided to pretend they are courting, so Simon doesn't have to deal with marriage-minded society mothers. And Daphne will attract some worthy suitors. But as Daphne waltzes with Simon, it's hard to remember that their courtship is a sham. Can she convince Simon to give their love a chance?

This was a great love story filled with intense emotions, and steamy bedroom scenes. The main characters were opposites, but their attraction leaped off the page, and you could feel the emotional connection. The one thing that I did not like was that each chapter was so long. In my opinion, it threw the pacing off. But I will continue to read the rest of the series. This review is my honest opinion.

 

At Death's Dough by Mindy Quigley - 4 Stars!

It’s February in the resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and love and danger are in the air. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is gearing up to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with her police detective boyfriend, Calvin Capone. But their romance is put on ice when a discovery plunges Delilah and Capone into the heart of a century-old crime. As old secrets begin to surface, Delilah realizes that nearly everyone in town has something to hide. With the pressure mounting, Delilah must help Capone untangle a web of deceit that could lead them to a priceless treasure. Will Delilah and Capone solve the mystery and find the loot? Or will they spend their first Valentine’s Day sleeping with the anchovies?

I love reading about Delilah and her pizza shop. She's not your typical sleuth and she knows that she's stubborn and doesn't like to apologize for anything. She's human, and sometimes her stubbornness gets her into trouble. I enjoy reading her exploits and how she tries to get out of trouble. The other characters in this story are very individualistic and enjoyable to read. The plot was diabolically devised with several red herrings that kept me guessing until the very end. I enjoyed this series and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Crime Rangoon by Vivien Chien - 5 stars!

Cindy Kwan, owner of The Modern Scroll, is privileged to host author, Charlene Chan for a signing in honor of her latest book, The Mystery of General Tso. Lana Lee is thrilled when Cindy asks her to be Charlene’s helper for the event. Taking her duties seriously, Lana stays by the author's side to assist when needed. With a line out the door, Cindy is overjoyed at the signing's success. Until the author is found dead in the mystery aisle, clutching a copy of her own book. Lana’s boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, is in charge of the investigation, and feels overwhelmed. For the first time, Adam calls on Lana to help him solve the case. The couple must work together to outwit the murderer and solve the mystery.

This mystery will make you think on your feet until the very last page wondering who the murderer is. I love Lana as an amateur sleuth because she is smart, capable, goofy, and feels very human when she gets herself into binds. Asia Village is an interesting setting, and I can visualize the fountain and the stores surrounding it. Many characters, red herrings and suspects, can come and go, making it great for cozy mysteries. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.