Coconut Drop Dead by Olivia Matthews - 4 stars!

Brooklyn’s annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival is finally here, and Spice Isle Bakery is thrilled to be one of the event’s food vendors. Co-owner Lyndsay Murray hopes their West Indian pastries and finger foods draw people back to the bakery. The day's festivities are cut short when Camille, lead singer of a reggae band, dies. The police think it may be a tragic accident. But Lyndsay’s cousin Manny believes someone cut her life short. Now Manny needs Lyndsay’s help to make sure a killer faces the music.
This cozy mystery has two things that I love: food, and music. Lindsay is a fabulous sleuth who helps out her loved ones when they get into trouble. She gets help from her family who are always involved in the mysteries that she tries to solve. I love how her family stick together and work with each other at the bakery. The plot was very entertaining and confounding as I was surprised when the killer was revealed in the end. I will definitely read more from this author again. This review is my unbiased opinion. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy.

 

Alaskan Blackout by Joanne Rock - 3 stars!

When Quinton Kingsley arrives in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands in search of his missing half-brother, he finds a brash beauty instead. McKenna O’Brien maintains his brother’s bar while he’s hiding in the wilderness. Though McKenna’s off limits, Quint can’t ignore their sizzling attraction. Giving into temptation one stormy night only makes Quint desire McKenna more. Has Quint finally found the woman of his dreams? Or will he risk losing her forever?
Honestly this was a good yet predictable romance. The two main characters are both strong and capable characters who have lived through many difficult times. They are likable enough that I wanted to see them get together, but I didn't like the predictable complication that seems to be found in many romance novels. Isn't there another way to add an obstacle to the plot without resorting to the old standby? Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Murder on Tour by V.M. Burns - 4 Stars!

Samantha Washington's last stop on her book tour is a book festival in her hometown of North Harbor, Michigan. The guest of honor, bestselling author Judith Hunter, is accused of plagiarism and sabotage by two fellow authors. When a publicist is poisoned during a cocktail reception, Sam wonders if the killer missed the intended target. With feisty Nana Jo and the girls from Shady Acres Retirement Village lending a hand, Sam tries to solve the case before the festival delivers another fatality.
This was another good mystery in this fabulous series. I love how the main character figures out who the culprit is while writing her own mystery novel. Nana Jo and her friends always lend help and a little comic relief during some intense situations. The mystery was well plotted and the big reveal at the end was a surprise. I will definitely read another mystery from this author. This review is my unbiased opinion. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy.

 

Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott - 3 Stars!

Shay Myers, proprietor of Crystals and CuriousiTEAS on the Monterey Peninsula, is in trouble when a customer dies after having her tea leaves read. Can Shay's extrasensory perception help her find the truth before an innocent person gets charged with murder?
This was a very good and intelligent cozy mystery full of interesting facts about crystals and herbs. The plot was very intriguing, but I felt that Shay used her ESP to deduce who the killer was, instead of using her intelligence, or her observational skills. I felt that the pacing was slow, and the ending was drawn out. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Murder Checks Out by Victoria Gilbert - 3 stars!

Amy Muir is a mother of five old twins, a library co-director, and she's helping her husband, Richard, with his production of the holiday classic, the Nutcracker. She's way too busy to involve herself in another murder investigation, and yet, when the chair of the festival committee is found dead at the town’s ice rink, Amy is determined to uncover the real perpetrator.
This was a good cozy mystery to read on a blustery day. I love Amy and how she uses her observational skills and intelligence to solve mysteries in order to save her family members or friends. I loved how her family has grown and now she has the twins. They are a cute distraction from the suspenseful plot points. It was a satisfying read. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.