A Bakery Conundrum!

 

Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder by Valerie Burns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After Maddy Montgomery was dumped at the altar, she decides to move to New Bison, Michigan where her Aunt Octavia, to her surprise, left her a house, a bakery business and a 200-pound English Mastiff named Baby. Maddy doesn’t bake, but the locals are friendly, and the scenery is beautiful. With help from her aunt’s loyal friends, aka The Baker Street Irregulars, Maddy feels ready to tackle any challenge. That is, until New Bison’s mayor is fatally stabbed, and Maddy’s fingerprints are found on the knife!
I absolutely loved this cozy culinary mystery. Maddy was a woman at a crossroads and needed a push in the right direction. Her aunt’s inheritance helped her change out of the spoiled girl of her youth into a woman who cared for others. There were enough red herrings to keep me guessing. The one thing that irked me was that I don’t think the ending was complete. Were all of the murders solved? I don’t like loose ends in my mysteries. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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A Christmas Caper!

 

Candy Cane Crime by Amanda Flower
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bailey King’s cousin Charlotte is organizing the Candy Cane Exchange. She needs to pair the sweet notes everyone is exchanging with a peppermint treat by Christmas Eve. But when Charlotte discovers some of those delicious missives are for her, she stakes out the postbox, hoping to catch her secret admirer. And the surprising truth about her suitor’s identity has her contemplating leaving her Amish roots behind forever.
This was a cute little Christmas mystery. I loved how it placed me in a holiday mood with thoughts of Christmas fudge and candy. I also felt that the little romantic plot helped to give some depth to Charlotte’s character. I will definitely continue to read this series.


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New Releases for September 2022

 There are several books being released in September. Here are the books to watch out for: 

Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook, Release Date: September 6

Bound By Murder by Laura Gail Black, Release Date: September 6

Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade by Nancy Springer, Release Date: September 6

A Vacation to Die for by Lynn Cahoon, Release Date: September 6

The Pink House by Cindy Kirk, Release Date: September 12

The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe, Release Date: September 13

Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch, Release Date: September 20

How the Wallflower was Won by Eva Leigh, Release Date: September 27

A Dark and Snowy Night by Sally Goldenbaum, Release Date: September 27

Christmas Eve Cowboy by Diana Palmer, Delores Fossen & Kate Pearce, Release Date: September 27

Murder in a Cape Cottage by Maddie Day, Release Date: September 27

Duke Most Wicked by Lenora Bell, Release Date: September 27

Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell, Release Date: September 27

Gone For Gouda by Korina Moss, Release Date: September 27

Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day & Peggy Ehrhart, 

Release Date: September 27

A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder by Victoria Hamilton, Release Date: September 29

It looks like another great reading month! Tell me if you read any of these books, and if you like them on my Twitter page. Happy Reading!

A Colorful Murder!

 

A Colorful Scheme by Krista Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Coloring book creator Florrie Fox is attending the wedding of her wealthy boss and a famous romance author. They are marrying for the second time on the grounds of the Maxwell mansion. But when someone is poisoned during the festivities, Florrie realizes that someone doesn’t want a happily ever after.
This was an interesting cozy mystery. With so many suspects, it was hard to figure out whodunnit. The plot was suspenseful and kept me guessing. Florrie is a very likeable main character. She’s intelligent, and capable, I wish we could see more of her artistic side. I want to read the next installment. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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Chocolate Shenanigans!

 

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlotte Weaver is in New York City for Easter. She’s helping her cousin, Bailey, on the set of her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Once things start rolling, she starts to notice odd things happening, things that seem intended to make Bailey look bad. Not wanting to bother busy Bailey, Charlotte decides to keep her suspicion of sabotage to herself. But she knows that among Bailey’s fans at the Gourmet Television network lurks a dangerously jealous rival. Now Charlotte will have to find out who that person is before sour grapes turns one of the sweetest times of the year fatally bitter.
This was a great Amish cozy mystery novella. I love how Charlotte keeps her cool and finds the truth, she’s a real sleuth with intelligence and capability. I also like how her Amish-ness shows her honesty and naïveté about the English world. I loved the plot because it seemed like a full mystery even though it was short. I will recommend this novella to any cozy mystery lover.


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Anyone Want A Pizza and A Murder?

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Delilah O’Leary can’t wait to open her gourmet deep-dish pizzeria in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, a resort town with a long history as a mobsters’ hideaway, millionaires’ playground, and vacation mecca. Just before opening night, her plans hit the skids when her fiancé dumps her and leaves her with a very large memento from their relationship, Butterball, their spoiled, plus-sized tabby cat. Delilah’s trouble deepens when she discovers a dead body and finds her elderly aunt holding the murder weapon. Local police detective Calvin Capone, great grandson of the legendary gangster, opens an investigation, threatening to sink Delilah’s pizza dreams. Will she find the real killer before her dreams are spoiled.
This was an interesting cozy mystery filled with zany characters and a twisty plot. I’m unsure how I feel about Delilah. She’s very intelligent, yet she seems like a little bully, and stubborn. She doesn’t admit she’s wrong to her own detriment sometimes. The side characters in this story were wacky and very likeable. The tabby cat was a favorite of mine. The plot was very twisty and engrossing, I was glued from the first page to the last. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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A Dark and Stormy Murder!

 

A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Approaching St. Philip’s Graveyard, Theodosia Browning sees two figures locked in a strange embrace. Wiping rain from her eyes, Theodosia realizes she has just witnessed a brutal murder. While alerting the police, she recognizes the victim as the daughter of her friend, Lois, who owns the Antiquarian Bookshop next door to her own Indigo Tea Shop. Even though this appears to be the work of a serial killer, Lois begs Theodosia for help. Against the advice of her friends, Theodosia launches her own shadow investigation. And arouses the curiosity of a killer.
Laura Childs has done it again. Her writing has transported me to a Charleston, South Carolina tea shop where mystery abounds, and a sleuth struggles to find the truth. Theo is a creative and intelligent heroine who helps her friends when death surrounds them. I love Drayton and Hayley, who whet my taste buds with great food and recipes I want to try. The plot confounded me until the killer was revealed. I will definitely read more from this wonderful series.


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An Amish Thanksgiving Murder!

 

Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bailey King is busy for Thanksgiving. Swissmen Sweets is providing desserts for Harvest, Ohio’s first village-wide Thanksgiving celebration. Margot Rawlings, the event’s organizer, seems unfazed until she discovers her mother, former judge Zara Bevan, will be in attendance. Many Amish don’t like Zara because she was malevolent towards them when she was a judge. So, no one is prepared when Zara arrives with younger boyfriend Blaze Smith and reveals their impending nuptials at dinner. But after the announcement, Blaze suffers an allergic reaction and dies. Now, everyone who attended the meal, including Bailey, are prime suspects, along with Margo. Bailey must dig in and get to the bottom of this murder, before the killer goes up for seconds.
This was a sweet, yet captivating cozy mystery. Bailey is a great sleuth who works with the police when she feels she’s in over her head. She doesn’t like to take chances on her life, and I like that. It was great to see other characters, like Jethro, whose antics always put a smile on my face. The mystery was very well written, with just enough red herrings to make me wonder. The ending was satisfying. I will definitely read more from this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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A Literary Killing!

 

The Paper Caper by Kate Carlisle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Joseph Cabot is a very wealthy San Franciscan who owns the main newspaper in town, as well as radio stations and TV. Years ago, Brooklyn Wainwright’s husband Derek and his security team rescued Joseph from an assassination attempt. Since Joseph’s favorite author is Mark Twain, he’s endorsed the first annual Mark Twain Festival. As part of the festival activities, Brooklyn will spend a few hours every day at the Covington Library, giving demonstrations of her work at re-binding an old copy of The Prince and the Pauper. The biggest event is a citywide contest to find someone who looks like Joseph. The two men will trade places for a week as part of a publicity campaign to raise money for the Covington Library. But the fun turns frantic when a murder occurs. Now Brooklyn and Derek will have to chase clues to solve the murder before another death becomes front-page news.
This was a great cozy mystery read. I love reading about Brooklyn and Derek, and their exploits catching killers. The mystery was very puzzling, with red herrings that confounded me. I was surprised by the identity of the culprit. The setting, San Francisco, was so wonderfully described that I could envision the Covington Library and the parks. I love this series and can’t wait to read the next one.


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Vampires and Witches, Oh My!

 

Enchant the Dawn by Amanda Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When a mysterious man rescues Madison Bainbridge from a random attack, she sees only his broad shoulders, his gray eyes, and his kindness. But as she gets to know him, Madison realizes that he’s keeping secrets. Vampire Dominic Falconer wanted nothing more than a few weeks in New Orleans. He didn’t expect his intense feelings for Maddy, or for his enemies to take advantage of the situation.
This was a great vampire paranormal romance filled with interesting characters, and a plot that kept me interested until the last page. Madison was a very likeable heroine, although she was a little naïve, at times. Dominic was the alpha hero, who was into protecting Madison at all costs. The romance seemed a little convoluted and quick. This story included vampires, witches and spellcasting. There was mild violence, which mostly included biting. I recommend this story to readers of paranormal romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Zebra for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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Costumes and Murder!

 

A Killing in Costumes by Zac Bissonnette
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jay Allan and Cindy Cooper were soap opera stars living as husband and wife until the truth about their sexual orientations came to light. They have remained friends, and together opened Palm Springs’ movie memorabilia store, Hooray for Hollywood. To help boost finances, they meet Yana Tosh, an elderly diva of the silver screen who has a collection of costumes and props and is looking to sell. But Jay and Cindy have some competition, a vice president from a big auction house. When he winds up dead, they become prime suspects. With their freedom and livelihoods on the line, Jay and Cindy need to clear their names before they trade in their vintage costume collection for two orange jumpsuits.
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. Jay and Cindy are really likeable and are a great team. I think the setting (a memorabilia store in Palm Springs) is very unique and integral in understanding how much the main characters miss their previous occupations. The plot was juicy and kept me thinking until the end. I felt that the change in POV, from Jay to Cindy, was confusing, and thought there should’ve been a chapter or section break to assist in reading. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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A Wedding, Tea and Murder!

 

No Good Tea Goes Unpunished by Bree Baker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Catering her childhood friend’s beachfront wedding was a dream come true for Everly Swan and great exposure for her new iced tea shop and café. But when the groom is found floating face down in the surf, the locals of Charm, North Carolina turn their suspicions on his new bride. Everly knows her friend couldn’t be behind the murder, but with clues pointing in several directions, she can’t decide which wedding guest is the most likely culprit. But with a killer on the loose and a feeling that someone is watching her café very closely, Everly knows that if she can’t solve this murder soon, her cake might be iced for good.
This was a fantastic cozy mystery that I didn’t want to end. Everly is a likeable main character who’s creating a new life back in her hometown. She lives next to her wonderfully zany aunts who adore her and keep her on her toes. Then, there’s the handsome detective who gives Everly goosebumps whenever he comes around. I believe the best cozies have a little hint of romance. The plot was a puzzle, and I thought I had it figured out. But I was wrong, and the ending was very satisfying. I will definitely read more from this series.


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Suspense in Sapphire Bay!

 

Falling for You by Leeanna Morgan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After six years of focusing on her career, Natalie Armstrong returns to her grandparents’ cottage in Sapphire Bay. But no one told her that part of the cottage was rented to a handsome man. Gabe Lanigan is a former NYPD detective turned crime writer who is being stalked by someone recreating scenes from his books. Can he protect Natalie without falling for her?
I really wanted to like this romantic suspense more. It had a lot of suspense, but it lacked in the romance department. I didn’t feel any sparks between the two main characters, they never changed their behavior towards one another from the first page to the last. The only difference was that they said, “I love you.” I hope to read more books from this series.


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A Killing in Key West!

 

A Dish to Die For by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hayley Snow, food critic for Key Zest magazine, is having lunch with a friend outside of town. Afterwards, she discovers her husband Nathan’s dog, Ziggy, has disappeared. She follows his barking and finds him digging at a shallow grave with a man’s body in it. Davis Jager, a local birdwatcher, identifies him as GG Garcia, a Key West local and developer. When Davis is attacked in the parking lot of a local restaurant after talking to Hayley and her friend, Miss Gloria, Hayley is slowly but surely drawn into the case. Can she find the truth and the culprit?
This cozy mystery was a good read. I liked Hayley and how she worked with her husband and the police to solve the crime. Miss Gloria was the standout character to me, being the wise and wild older friend. I loved the descriptions of Key West, Florida, and it’s now on my list of places I want to visit. The plot was a dastardly diabolical puzzle, and I was surprised in the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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My Recommendations of Cozy Mysteries and Romances released in August!

 There are so many good cozy mysteries and romances being released this month. Here are my recommendations:

A Dish to Die For by Lucy Burdette- publication date: August 9th

A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs- publication date: August 9th

A Killing in Costumes by Zac Bissonnette- publication date: August 9th

Enchant the Dawn by Amanda Ashley- publication date: August 23rd

Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower- publication date: August 23rd

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley- publication date: August 23rd

A Colorful Scheme by Krista Davis- publication date: August 30th

With these books I know that I'll have a great reading month. And I hope that your month is full of great reads!