Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower - 5 Stars!

With Easter around the corner, Bailey King has been recruited to create a giant toffee bunny for the weeklong springtime festival that will also feature live white rabbits. But death becomes the main attraction when Stephen Raber keels over from an apparent heart attack. Except it wasn't Raber's heart that suddenly gave out. A lethal dose of lily of the valley was mixed into a tasty piece of toffee. Who'd want to poison a jovial rabbit farmer who reminded Bailey of an Amish Santa Claus?
The Amish candy shop mysteries are one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love the main character, she's intelligent and kind. The plot was engaging and interesting. The author describes the differences between the Amish community and the Englishers, and you understand there are pros and cons to each. I also liked how we got to see the main character in Amanda Flower's other series in this installment. Lastly, it wouldn't be a candy shop mystery without Jethro the pig to delight us with his shenanigans.

 

Books and Bribes by Lucinda Race - 4 stars!

In Pembroke Cove, Maine, everyone has something to hide. When bookstore owner Lily Michaels takes a tumble and hits her head, her cat Milo starts talking to her, and she discovers she’s a witch. When her aunt is accused of murdering the librarian, can Lily find the truth while discovering her new talents?
I really liked this story because it was an easy fun read. The characters were likeable. The plot was intriguing, and there was a smattering of interesting suspects. The one thing that annoyed me was that the main character was able to use her new talents to help save her during the climax. It seemed the resolution came too easily.

 

Spurred to Justice by Dolores Fossen - 3 Stars!

A taunting text from a serial killer gives FBI agent Nolan Dalton only minutes to save the next victim. Former cop Adalyn Baxter, Nolan’s ex-girlfriend, receives the same message. That’s just the beginning of a cunningly orchestrated plan that unearths a shocking secret about Nolan. As the Texas lawman struggles to come to terms with his past and protect Adalyn, a madman’s end game could bury them both.

This was more of a suspense thriller than a romantic suspense. The romance seemed secondary to the thriller aspect, which was surprising considering it's a Harlequin Romance. The main characters, Adalyn and Nolan, were very likable and the plot was engrossing. The story dragged a little bit. I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the honor of reading this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Irish Knit Murder by Peggy Ehrhart - 3 Stars!

Isobel Lister has always been a colorful character, and her fun-loving spirit is on display at the senior center celebration as she performs some beloved Irish songs. But just minutes later, her body is found backstage. Pamela finds herself suspecting everyone. There’s a Wiccan, a woman upset about cultural appropriation, two men Isobel was seeing, and old friends and family who may have feared Isobel would spill their secrets. But Pamela’s on the case, and that means for the killer, the jig will soon be up!
This cozy mystery seemed very low key, there wasn't a lot of excitement, and I felt the two main characters didn't really investigate much. This is one of those mysteries where I liked what happened during dinner and the knit and nibbler's club more than the mystery itself. I would like to learn more about the characters involved in the knitting club. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for the honor of reading this advanced reader's copy. This review is solely based on my honest opinion.

 

One Duke Down by Anna Bennett - 4 stars!

Miss Poppy Summers is determined to keep her family’s fishing business afloat. Her poor widowed father has fallen ill, and her brother has moved to London, leaving her precious little time to pursue her dreams. So, she spends mornings in her rowboat, casting her nets. Andrew Keane is the Duke of Hawking, and he came to the seaside resort of Bellehaven Bay to escape his life in London. Someone wants to kill him, and he intends to find out who. He implores Poppy to tend to his injuries and hide him on her beach, reasoning it will be easier to find his attacker if that man assumes Keane is already dead. Under Poppy’s care, Keane regains his strength―and a sense of purpose. As they work together to solve the puzzle of his would-be murderer, they realize that together they can have a fairytale ending.
This was a really good suspenseful historical romance. I enjoyed the main characters; they were well suited to each other. This author took the best things I like about a historical romance and combined it with the best things I love about mysteries. The only drawback was I felt it was too wordy which made the story drag a bit. Otherwise, I thought it was great. I definitely will read other stories from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the honor of reading this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Murder Served Neat by Michelle Hillen Klump - 3 Stars!

Reporter-turned-mixologist Samantha Warren is mixing up traditional cocktails at the German Texan Lodge’s Fourth of July festival. Lodge loyalties are divided over a proposal to build a private tennis center on the lodge grounds. Her mom’s best friend Patty Davis is opposed to the plan. Society matron Angela Clawson is all for it. At the festival, they’re seen in a heated argument. Then, Angela is found dead. Can Samantha help Patty and find the real culprit?
This was a good cozy mystery, although I felt a little disconnected. I remembered the main character yet didn't remember any of the other characters involved in this mystery. I became confused with the suspects, and I had problems telling them apart. Overall, I like the plot and hope to read more from this author soon. This review is my unbiased opinion. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy.