The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose - 5 Stars!

Sarah Morgan is one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Washington, DC. With a perfect case record and having made named partner before the age of thirty-five, her life is going exactly as she planned. However, the same cannot be said for her husband, Adam, a failed author, who's grown to resent his wife's meteoric success as he feels it's come at the expense of their relationship. For almost two years, Adam has kept his affair with Kelly Summers a secret, but everything changes when her body is discovered at the couple's lake house and Adam is arrested on suspicion of murder. Sarah now finds herself facing her most challenging case yet when she vows to defend her husband--a man accused of murdering his mistress. While Adam is certainly guilty of sleeping with Kelly, is he guilty of killing her too?

This mystery thriller was so good that the first word out of my mouth after I closed the book was, "Wow!" I don't want to say too much because I will give the ending away and I don't want to do that. All of the characters were really well written with flaws and idiosyncrasies that make them disarmingly likable. The settings made me feel like I was standing in the courtroom in Washington DC or at a lake house on the shore observing. The best thing about this book though is the plot. Can't say this enough, Read this book! You won't regret it, especially if you like a good suspenseful mystery!

 

A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns - 3 Stars!

Thanks to Maddy Montgomery’s social media savvy, Baby Cakes Bakery is becoming a huge success, so much so that she’s attracted the attention of her nemesis, Brandy Denton. When Brandy blows into New Bison and disrupts a vlog Maddy’s filming, their argument goes viral. After Brandy’s body is found in the freezer at Baby Cakes, Maddy becomes a murder suspect. With the help of her aunt’s friends, Sheriff April Johnson, and her veterinarian boyfriend Michael, Maddy needs to find the truth behind the murder before another body drops.
There are many good things to say about this cozy mystery. The plot was very entertaining, and I couldn't figure out who done it until the big reveal at the end. The side characters were likable, and I wanted to get to know them. This time, though, I felt that the main character was too aggressive in her language. She was threatening people, which made me feel very uncomfortable for her in certain situations. I also missed a lot of the bakery setting because she wasn't really working there much. I do want to read the next installment in this mystery, as I've liked a previous book in this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Case of the Bleus by Korina Moss - 5 Stars!

Cheese lovers from across the Northwest have come to the Sonoma Valley for the Northwest Cheese Invitational. As owner of the local cheese shop, Curds & Whey, Willa Bauer loves it. The event showcases custom cheese creations, and it’s the perfect time to gather with old associates to honor her former boss, the late cheese legend, Max Dumas. He was famous for creating his award-winning Church Bleu. Only Max knew the recipe and location to his beloved cheese, and many are eager to have these revealed at his will reading. Instead, Max stuns everyone with one cryptic clue. When a fellow colleague is murdered everyone falls under suspicion. Is a killer trying to get away with murder, and the cheese?
Put simply I loved this cozy mystery. It has wonderful characters set in a little town with wonderful shops that cater to my every culinary whim. To be honest I think I gained about 5 lbs. reading this book because all I wanted to do was eat cheese. There was also a bookstore which made me happy because that's my other favorite thing. Ms. Moss, you are a wonderfully creative writer. I can't wait to read your next delicious mystery. If you're looking for a wonderful cozy mystery, and don't mind the wonderful cheese, look no further!

 

Secretly Married to a Prince by Ally Blake - 4 Stars!

Matilda Waverly needs a husband to claim her inheritance. But what if she already has one? And what if he just happens to be a prince?
This was a great contemporary romance to fill the needs of any reader out there who wants to read about being wooed by a prince. Honestly, the romantic part of me was ecstatic with the HEA ending. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Peking Duck and Cover by Vivien Chien - 4 Stars!

 

For Chinese New Year, Asia Village is creating a memorable holiday event that will bring positive light to the plaza, and prosperity for all those involved. But during the celebration, a member of the lion dance performance team is found dead backstage with a single bullet hole through the heart and a red envelope in their pocket containing four one-dollar bills, an omen of death. Lana Lee is asked to help find the murderer before someone else dies.

This was a great installment to a wonderful series that always makes me crave Chinese food. All of the characters are wonderful to read about, and the plot is twisty enough to keep me guessing and I never figure out who the culprit is until the big reveal in the end. I can't wait to read the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

Olive You to Death by Lynn Cahoon - 4 Stars!

Jill Gardner, the owner of Coffee, Books, and More, is happy when she learns antiques dealer Josh Thomas and Mandy Jensen are getting married. That is, until Mandy goes missing. As Greg starts to investigate, he asks Jill to watch over Josh, who becomes a suspect. Josh is working with a professor to find a bank robber's lost treasure. Then, the professor is murdered. Can Jill and Greg unravel these mysteries?
I love to read about Jill and everyone in South Cove. Whenever I read these stories, it feels like I'm visiting old friends. The plot contained two different mysteries which kept Jill guessing as well as the reader. There was a lot of character growth, and it was a delight to see how they changed. For example, in the beginning of the series, Josh was a grouch. In this book, he seems more likeable. I would recommend this to any cozy lover. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

A Limited Edition Murder by Lauren Elliott - 3 stars!

Although enjoying her extended stay working at Second Chance Books and Bindery in West Yorkshire, England, Addie Greyborne feels adrift. The engagement party of her dear friend, Tony, at Milton Manor promises to be a joyful distraction. When Tony presents his fiancé with a special copy of Wuthering Heights as an engagement gift, the lord of the manor insists the book was stolen from his library. Afterwards, Addie takes her Yorkipoo, Pippi, out for a walk on the moors and stumbles across the body of a young woman. The police suspect Tony of foul play. Addie vows to get to the bottom of what’s going on. But it’s a twisted, treacherous path to the truth and Addie will need to watch her every step.

As a singular mystery, this story was very good. It had likeable characters, a great plot, and a wonderful setting that I would love to visit. The only problem was I couldn't see it as part of the existing series. It seemed very discombobulating to read Addie in a totally different environment with new characters. Since I started liking these characters, will I ever see them again in any other stories? As readers, we should have had more background on why she went to England in the first place. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

To Trust A Hero by Alexis Morgan - 4 Stars!

Max Volkov recently helped solve a mystery in the small town of Dunbar, Washington, and now he’s going to stay at Rikki Bruce’s bed-and-breakfast to write the story. Against her better judgment, Rikki finds Max becoming more involved with the life she has built for herself and her son. He’s handsome, charming and has a writer’s curiosity, all of which puts both her heart and her secrets at risk.
This was a very sweet wholesome romance. It was a satisfying read without the need for overt sexuality. Rikki's strong, no-nonsense attitude played well against Max's need to be a caretaker. There was enough suspense to keep me interested and turning the pages. I would definitely read this author's work again. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Stranger in the Library by Eva Gates - 5 stars!

When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, librarian Lucy and the staff at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are inspired to create an educational display about art history. The display is a huge success, but afterwards, they discover a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing. Lucy gets an invite to the glitzy opening night for the real show, where she notices tension among the show’s organizers. Then, the man scheduled to give the welcoming speech is discovered drowned in a fishpond. Something is afoot in Nags Head, and it’s up to Lucy and her friends to get to the bottom of it before it’s not just paintings being framed.
This was a fun cozy mystery full of great characters and a plot that, at times, had me sitting at the edge of my seat. Lucy is a great amateur sleuth who winds up seeing things that no one else sees and getting into trouble with nefarious culprits. I love all the side characters at the Lighthouse Library and how they help with getting Lucy in and out of trouble. I really can't wait until I read another novel by this wonderful author. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Sincerely, The Duke by Amelia Grey - 4 Stars!

Miss Edwina Fine has red hair, green eyes and is one of triplets, she knows about superstitions about women like her. So, when a marriage proposal from the Duke of Stonerick arrives, Edwina jumps at the chance to solve her problems. It will take more than Edwina’s wit to navigate her past, reservations about marriage and the passion that ignites within her for the irresistible duke. Rick, Duke of Stonerick, enjoys his life. But when a recurring illness reminds Rick he has no heir, he picks a name from a list of prospects his mother presents and writes a simple marriage proposal. Then he forgets about it, until that very lady shows up, ready to accept. With Edwina marriage doesn’t seem much of an inconvenience. But will keeping his illness a secret cost him her love?
This was a sweet historical romance full of interesting characters and the Regency setting that I love. I loved how the author began each chapter with a little blurb about "fine gentlemen." The heroine was very interesting because she was unusual and had to deal with rumors and suspicions of something she couldn't control. But the people who loved her didn't see her as unusual but beautiful. I like that! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis - 5 Stars!

In Old Town, Natasha Smith’s mother, Wanda, is engaged to antiques dealer, Orson Chatsworth. Natasha is planning the entire wedding, beginning with an engagement party. Natasha splurges on food boards that go beyond basic cheese and crackers. Guests are dazzled with butter boards, dessert boards, and even doughnut boards. The food is to die for—until someone actually does. When the groom collapses from being poisoned, suddenly Stella’s boards look a lot less appealing. But with an event this big, the spread of suspects is impressive. When even Sophie is not above suspicion, she knows it’s time to get on board and scrape together an investigation of her own before murder becomes the town’s next trend.
I absolutely love this cozy mystery. It's one that I look forward to reading again and again. The characters are wonderful to read about, and the plot is always well thought out and puzzling. At the beginning of each chapter, there are letters written either to Natasha or Sophie from their fans which showcase different techniques to throw parties and create wonderful recipes. This series doesn't disappoint, and I can't wait to read the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Speak the Blessing: Send Your Words in the Direction You Want Your Life to Go by Joel Osteen - 5 Stars!

In Speak the Blessing, bestselling author Joel Osteen offers unique insights into how our words have power. When you speak what God says about you, you give those words the right to come to pass. But nothing happens until you speak the blessing. Your words become your reality.
This was a great book about speaking positively and focusing on God's blessings in your life. You speak and think positively, and God will move in your life. I recommend this book to any Christian who needs a spiritual boost. Thanks to NetGalley and FaithWords for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.