Book Review!

 

A Fatal Family Feast by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Angie Turner’s restaurant, the County Seat, is the perfect site for the wedding of her best friend and business partner, Felicia Williams, and the sous chef, Estebe Blackstone. Unfortunately, Felicia's family is far less enthusiastic about the union. They want the wedding cancelled believing that her ex-fiancé is a better choice. But when her ex is killed days before the ceremony and Estebe is framed for the crime, Angie must come up with a solution before the wedding is off.
This was a great culinary cozy mystery. Angie is a very likeable character who believes that family doesn't just mean a blood relation. She goes all out to keep her loved ones safe. The plot was exciting with a touch of romance which makes it a fun read. I felt the ending was a little predictable, but it was still a satisfying read. I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

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Cozy Mysteries Available Today!

Here are some of the new cozy mysteries available this week:

1. Bake, Borrow, and Steal by Ellie Alexander

2. Murder Under a New Moon by Abigail Keam

3.A Deadly Endowment by Alyssa Maxwell

and...

4. Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door by Barbara Ross

Book Review!

 

The Mystery of Albert E. Finch by Callie Hutton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bath, England, 1892. Mystery author Lady Amy Lovell is marrying Lord William Wethington, a fellow member of the Mystery Book Club of Bath. Amy's great aunt, Lady Priscilla Granville, is hosting their wedding at her stately Derby Manor House. But on the night before the ceremony Mrs. Alice Finch is heard arguing with her husband, Albert. The next morning at the wedding breakfast, Alice falls face-first into her breakfast, dead. Albert is accused of the murder, then, his dead body is found. Can Lady Amy and Lord William find the truth before their honeymoon plans are null and void?
I loved this story. The main characters are very likeable and wonderful to read about. I loved how the plot kept me on my toes, and I was surprised about who the culprit turned out to be. I like the historical aspect of the story and how Lady Amy fights for her independence. I received an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

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Book Review!

 

A Three Book Problem by Vicki Delany
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are catering a weekend party where David Masterson is entertaining friends at the Suffolk Gardens House. He’s a lover of Sherlock Holmes and asks Gemma to provide some books and props for the occasion. Detective Ryan Ashburton is assisting in the kitchen. When David asks to meet with Gemma and Jayne in the library, they are stunned and completely shocked when a dart sails through the window and into David’s neck, killing him. Gemma has a house full of suspects and knows that one of them is not David’s friend.
This was a very exciting cozy mystery. It reminded me of the closed room mysteries of the past with all of the interesting suspects and settings. Gemma seemed particularly single-minded in her investigation, and wouldn’t stop until she learned the truth. This story kept me guessing until the big reveal at the end. I received an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.


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Book Review!

 

Gathering Storm by Sara Claridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Published in 2015. Madeline always believed that love was an illusion. When she becomes stranded during a thunderstorm, reclusive tycoon Jean-Luc comes to her rescue. They both travel across France to help Madeline’s mother from a larcenous ex-boyfriend, and find their true passion is being together.
This was a sweet, quick read with an exciting ending. The relationship developed rather quickly between Madeline and Jean-Luc, but I felt the chemistry between them. I loved Madeline’s mother, and wish her character was written about more. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to read a fun, romantic story. I received an advanced reader’s copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Book Review!

 

Bake, Borrow, and Steal by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Ashland, Oregon, Jules and her team at Torte are working on a big event. They’ve been invited to create chocolate showpieces for the opening of a new exhibit, Shakespeare’s Lost Pages at the local museum. The museum is getting ready to unveil the Bard’s lost manuscript, Double Falsehood, which is being advertised as the greatest artistic discovery of modern times. Torte is also creating a historically accurate feast for the guests. Once the massive works of chocolate art are safely installed at the museum, Jules can let out a sigh of relief and enjoy the excitement of the grand celebration. But her relief is short-lived when news begins to spread that Shakespeare’s lost manuscript is missing. Then, the security guard tasked with keeping the priceless artifact safe has been murdered. When a family friend is charged with murder, Jules is on the case to find the culprit and the missing manuscript.
I loved this cozy mystery. The characters are likeable, and the setting makes me want to visit and spend some time eating. The plot was enjoyable, and full of red herrings and clues that kept me guessing. The romantic subplot is a wonderful addition to the mystery. This book can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend it for anyone who loves a good mystery. I received this advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.


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The Binge Your Bookshelves Reading Challenge!

Do you have so many books on your (virtual or otherwise) bookshelves that you will never be able to read them all? If you do, you can join me in a new challenge. You can find the details from LizziefayeLovesBooks on her YouTube video here: Announcing the Binge Your Bookshelves Challenge - YouTube. Happy Reading!

Book Review!

 

Midnight Snacks are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Published in 2018. Poppy is a busy woman trying to get her gluten-free baking business off the ground and helping her aunt remodel her old Victorian into a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey. When her Aunt Ginny starts sleepwalking on her new sleeping pill prescription and helping herself to neighbors' snacks and knickknacks, Poppy is alarmed. When a local humanitarian who worked with troubled teens is found murdered, the police suspect Aunt Ginny. Poppy believes that someone's trying to frame her. She will need to work tirelessly to uncover the killer and keep her aunt out of the big house.
I really enjoyed this cozy. It has a wonderfully puzzling plot which kept me busy guessing whodunit until the very end. The humor and romance littered throughout the mystery lightened the intensity and made this story a comfort read. The main character is an intelligent woman who survived tragedy and is rebuilding her life. Reading these stories puts a smile on my face. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story.


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Current Reads and Sprints!

Hey everyone! I'm currently reading two cozy mysteries. The first is Midnight Snacks are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery) by Libby Klein. The second is Bake, Borrow and Steal (A Bakeshop Mystery #14), an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley, by Ellie Alexander.

Storm Reads is hosting Reading Sprints and Book Chat tonight at 6pm on YouTube. So come by and bring your latest read! See you there!

Book Review!

 

Slashing Through the Snow by Jacqueline Frost
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holly White is the new innkeeper of the B&B at Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm. One of the guests, a B&B critic named Karen, makes Holly nervous because she can make or break the new inn. But, Holly is shocked when Karen’s bodies found in the Christmas toy donation box. The murder weapon is a metal nutcracker that Holly’s friend Cookie gave to her. And, when cookies fingerprints are found on the nutcracker, Holly tries to figure out who killed Karen and why.
This was a fabulous Christmas themed mystery. It was a good story to read while cuddling up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of tea. The plot was complicated and intriguing enough to keep my interest. I loved the characters and the setting was so well described that I would love to visit a place like it someday. I have found a new series, and I can’t wait to read the rest.


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New Releases for Cozy Mystery Lovers!

Hey everyone! Today, there are some great new releases in the Cozy Mystery genre that are available, including:

A Plus One for Murder (A Friend for Hire Mystery Book #1) by Laura Bradford

Absence of Mallets (A Fixer-Upper Mystery Book #9) by Kate Carlisle

Renewed for Murder (Blue Ridge Library Mystery #6) by Victoria Gilbert

City of Shadows (A Counterfeit Lady Novel Book #5) by Victoria Thompson

Book Review!

 

Renewed for Murder by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Library director Amy Webber is assisting her husband, dancer Richard Muir, on a new project. Richard and his partner, Karla, are choreographing a suite based on folk music and folk tales, while Amy searches the library's resources to supply background information on the dance's source material. But the music comes to a halt when a woman's body turns up in Zelda Shoemaker's backyard gazebo. Chief Deputy Brad Tucker puts Zelda at the top of his suspect list when he finds a blackmail letter in the dead woman's pocket. Zelda's best friend, Amy's aunt Lydia Talbot, begs Amy to use her investigative skills to clear Zelda's name. But the task is made more difficult by Zelda's who refuses to reveal why the victim might have blackmailed her. To complicate matters, Amy unearths records of a past tragedy that casts doubt on Zelda's innocence. She enlists her friends to help exonerate Zelda. But will revealing the truth end up forcing Zelda to spend the rest of her life behind bars?
This was a complicated puzzle, and a fun cozy mystery. The plot had many different elements to confound the reader. The characters are intelligent, and fun to read about. The library setting is a great hub of information perfect for our intrepid sleuth. And, the romantic subplot rounded out a wonderful story. The ending was satisfying and put a smile on my face. I received an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.


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Reading Sprints!

 Hey! Tomorrow, Friday, December 3, Storm Reads is hosting Friday Night Reading Sprints and Book Chat. It starts at 6pm on YouTube. 

And, on Saturday, December 4 at 12pm, the Beachbumbookworm is hosting Killing Time with Cozies. It's a couple of hours of reading sprints and talking about Cozy Mysteries. If you're interested in chatting about books and need some productive reading time, come join us on YouTube!

Reading Sprints!

 Tonight on YouTube, the Beachbumbookworm is hosting a couple of hours of reading sprints and also chatting about books, and you're all invited. It starts at 6pm eastern. Bring your current read and have some fun with us!

Book Review!

 

Against All Odds by Irene Hannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Published in 2009. Evan Cooper is a member of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team. He’s been tasked with protecting Monica Callahan whose diplomat father is involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East. She doesn’t believe there is any danger, but Evan knows differently. As he and his partner do their best to keep her safe, Monica's father activates an abduction that puts Monica’s life at risk. Now, Evan has to find the woman that has touched his heart before the terrorists take action.
This was an excellent romantic suspense novel filled with romance, nonstop action, and an element of faith that was sweet. I loved how the theme was to speak from your heart, it reminded me that what we speak to each other has power. The main characters were very well devised and likeable. I felt the sparks between the characters from the start. I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants a little action with their romance.

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