Celebrate in Good Hope by Cindy Kirk - 5 stars!

All Rosalie Carson wants for Christmas is to get back on her feet. After losing her apartment and her job, Roe is on the verge of being homeless. Out of desperation, she accepts a friend’s offer to stay at her family’s cabin in the woods outside Good Hope. Roe is looking forward to a quiet Christmas alone. For eight seasons, Jason Boone has been the hottest star in the NFL. Then, a potentially career-ending injury took him out of the game. Fortunately, his coach has just the place for Jason to recuperate: a cozy cabin in the woods outside of Good Hope. Boone will have all the holiday cheer he wants and all the peace he needs. Christmas is in full swing in Good Hope. Sharing a cabin isn’t what either Roe or Boone had planned, but they quickly discover that there is no better place than Good Hope to embrace the magic of the season and to fall in love.

I absolutely loved this book, the characters, plot, setting, etc. And this series is one of my all-time favorites. I mentioned in one of my other book reviews that I would move to Good Hope if it were a real place because the people and the setting and everything about it lightens my heart. I am sad that this series is ending, but I'm hopeful that the new series will continue on in the same vein. I want to thank Cindy Kirk for all of her stories that lighten my heart and give me hope for a future that's a little kinder.

 

Murder Off The Books by Tamara Berry - 4 stars!

Author Tess Harrow and her daughter, Gertrude have a bad reputation due to their involvement in recent murder cases. To change people's perceptions, Tess combines her new book release and her bookstore opening into one big event. But the night before the party, Tess is surprised when her mother comes for a visit, with her younger new boyfriend. Gertrude recognizes him as the notorious Levi Parker, a man recently connected to the deaths of three elderly widows. Tess alerts Sheriff Boyd about him, but it's already too late. Levi Parker is found dead, and Tess's mother is the prime suspect. Her mother swears she didn't murder Levi. Can Tess get to the bottom of the story before it's too late.
I liked this cozy mystery. The ending wasn't a surprise because I realized who the culprit was in the beginning of the book. But the plot was so convoluted that I wanted to read it until the very end. I loved Tess's mother. She was a breath of fresh air and a little comedic relief. I also liked the romantic tension between the main character and the Sheriff. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Hard Dough Homicide by Olivia Matthews - 4 stars!

Spice Isle Bakery owner Lyndsay Murray is always looking for new ways to grow her family’s business. But she regrets agreeing to host the retirement dinner for local high school principal Emily Smith. The tyrant used to be her mother's boss, and they did not get along. Emily starts convulsing after eating the curry chicken and dies soon after. It’s not long before the Murray family are back into the heart of another murder investigation, losing customers in the process. Lyndsay must put aside her reservations about investigating another crime, because the Murrays refuse to go down without a fight.
This was a really good culinary cozy mystery that made me hungry at times. I love the characters, and Lyndsey is a great reluctant amateur sleuth. I couldn't figure out the identity of the murderer and was surprised in the end. The one thing that took me out of the story was when the author used the phrase “kissed her teeth” throughout the book. I counted at least 8 times a character in this story did that. It became very annoying. Otherwise, this book would've gotten 5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity of reading this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Songs of Wine and Murder by Lynn Cahoon- 3 stars!

With the Moonstone Beach Festival coming up, Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books and More, is touching base with her fellow small business owners to make it as successful as possible. It's frustrating when Darla, the owner of South Cove Winery, is late to a meeting, but they manage to get the discussion rolling about the kite flying event and the big Battle of the Bands, which Darla’s musician boyfriend is hoping will be his big break. And Jill, of course, will be there with her food truck, hoping for a financial boost. When one of the musicians is murdered, Jill and her detective fiancé will have to find out who ruined the festival atmosphere with murder.
I was very excited to read this book because it was from one of my favorites in all cozy mysteries. But the ending left me unsatisfied. Even though the characters and the setting were fun to read about, the chapters seemed way too long, and the pacing was off a bit plus there was no big ending. Usually, the main character would have a confrontation with the killer, but that didn't happen here. The killer was caught " off stage" and it was a quick ending. Thanks to Kensington books and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Death Knells And Wedding Bells by Eva Gates - 4 stars!

Lucy and Connor planned for the perfect Outer Banks wedding. Aside from typical rumblings of familial tensions, the late spring weather allowed for a beautiful day, the food was delicious, and everyone had a good time, until one of the guests goes missing and another is found dead. When some of Lucy's family and friends become suspects, she starts investigating to learn the truth.

This was an exciting cozy mystery filled with dastardly suspects and confusing clues to keep you guessing until the very end. I have been a fan of this series for many years, and it's still going strong. The only drawback to this was the length of each chapter. It seemed to disturb the pace of the book. I will definitely read another lighthouse library mystery. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.