New Releases in Cozy Mystery and Romance for November 2022!

There are several books being released this month. Here are my recommendations and the ones you should watch out for: Dead Men Don't Decorate by Cordy Abbott- published on November 8

The Sandcastle Hurricane by Carolyn Brown- published on November 8

Forget Me Not Cowboy by Addison Fox- published on November 29

Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott- published on November 29

Bread Over Troubled Water by Winnie Archer- published on November 29

On Spine of Death by Tamara Berry- published on November 29

Through the Liquor Glass by Sarah Fox- published on November 29

In the Arms of the Law by Deborah Fletcher Mello- published on November 29

The Gentleman of Holly Street by Lotte R. James- published on November 29

As always, I wish to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, Montlake, Avon and Harper Voyager, Kensington Books, Poisoned Pen Press and Harlequin for these wonderful Advanced Reader's Copies.

A Christmas Wedding With a Side of Murder!

 

Murder in a Cape Cottage by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s the week before Christmas, and Mac is preparing for her wedding. All pre-wedding jitters fade into the background when Mac’s fiancé, Tim, begins a cottage renovation project and opens up a wall to find a skeleton sitting on a stool, dressed in an old-fashioned bridal gown. As Mac delves into the decades-old mystery with the help of librarian Flo and her book group, she discovers a story of star-crossed lovers and feuding families. Yet this tale has a modern-day villain still lurking in Mac’s quaint seaside town, ready to make this a murderous Christmas.
This was a great holiday cozy mystery. I love Mac for her tenacity and how she works with the police to discover the identity of the murderer. The plot was enthralling, and I liked every twist and turn. I wish there were more encounters with the book group. Overall, a very satisfying read. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


View all my reviews

A Cowboy For Christmas!

 

Christmas Eve Cowboy by Diana Palmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

These three holiday romances are about three different sexy cowboys finding love with three feisty women who know what they want for Christmas: their own personal cowboy.
This was a nice holiday romantic read. I liked the main characters, and felt the spark that ignited between them. But I wanted more, more plot twists that had the characters overcome to get to the happy ending. Overall, these Christmas novellas were satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


View all my reviews

Nancy Drew and the Bungalow!

 

The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While trying to help a friend out of a difficulty, Nancy has a perilous experience in and around a deserted bungalow. She needs to be brave and, on her toes, to solve the mystery.
I’ve always loved the Nancy Drew stories, but I haven’t read all of them, and this one was new to me. It’s a great mystery for the young and young at heart. I think I will continue to read this series.


View all my reviews

A Gambler and A Wallflower Fall in Love!

 

How the Wallflower was Won by Eva Leigh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Finn Ransome is an expert on Lady Luck, which is why he refuses to take a chance on love. He believes his shortcomings will disappoint anyone he cares about. However, the clock is ticking on his father's matrimonial demands. The only woman to catch his eye is a bluestocking who would never consider a rogue like him. After a disastrous first Season, Tabitha Seaton decided to focus on books instead of ballrooms. She hopes to join the Sterling Society, a collective of the most influential minds in London. Except, they will never admit an unmarried lady. Now Tabitha needs a husband, and a notorious, handsome gambler may be her best bet. They decide to marry out of convenience instead of love. Once married, however, their potent attraction boils over into a deep passion that neither expected. When a painful mistake drives the new lovers apart, Finn will risk it all to prove a scoundrel and a wallflower are a winning pair.
This historical romance had two characters that showed great chemistry even though they were from different worlds. They both showed their inner strength by letting love in their hearts and conquering their personal challenges. I felt that the story was a little drawn out and some parts needed editing. It just seemed too long. But I enjoyed it overall. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


View all my reviews

Chinese Food and Murder!

 

Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lana Lee’s parents take off to Taiwan, leaving her in charge of her family’s Chinese restaurant. Unfortunately, the newlyweds who opened the souvenir store next door to Ho-Lee have turned up dead. Soon Lana finds herself in the midst of an Asia Village mystery. And, the more she learns about the dead husband, his ex-wives, and all the murky details of the couple’s past, the more Lana thinks that this so-called murder/suicide is a straight-up order of murder.
This was a great cozy mystery with a wonderfully written main character who is a joy to read about. The plot was very intricate, with different clues that confounded me, and I was surprised with the solution in the end. I recommend this story to all cozy mystery lovers.


View all my reviews

A Winter's Murder!

 

A Dark and Snowy Night by Sally Goldenbaum
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

During Christmastime, the Seaside Knitters are dealing with the death of a friend’s wife, the chef who was hired to cater the mayor’s holiday party. Suspects come to light as the Knitters start investigating. Could it be the husband? Or the wayward relative? Maybe it’s the nanny? The Seaside Knitters are on the case.
This cozy mystery placed me in a holiday mood as I curled up on the couch reading. The plot was very puzzling and kept me guessing until the end. The characters were fun to read about and I enjoyed them. I was confused with all of the head hopping. I’m not used to a multiple POV for a cozy mystery. Lastly, I felt it strange that there were aspects of the mystery that wasn’t revealed to the reader when they were related to the sleuths. Usually there is an unspoken pact between the author and the reader about the revelation of clues. I felt that was a little unfair. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


View all my reviews