Fudge and Marriage by Nancy Coco - 5 Stars!

Allie McMurphy is marrying police officer Rex Manning on Mackinac Island. But her mother wants it done her way. Why else would she show up two weeks before the nuptials? Honestly, a murder investigation would be a great distraction. When Allie finds Velma French dead, her rival Myrtle is found sobbing nearby. Allie vows to solve the crime before she walks down the aisle. 

This was a great cozy mystery filled with wonderful characters, dastardly suspects, and enough sugar to make anyone hungry for a sweet treat. I honestly believed I figured out whodunit and was totally wrong. I was surprised by the identity of the culprit in the end. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

 

Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates - 5 Stars!

The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from around the world. When author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting, she is puzzled by his presence. After she steps inside to get him a drink, she’s shocked to discover that he’s been murdered on her deck in the few minutes she left him alone. When Heather Harrison, Todd’s widow, shows up in town, her motivations aren’t inspired by grief, but political ambition. Can Lucy catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.

I loved this cozy mystery. I love Lucy and all the characters at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. She always tries to work with the police to help them with their investigations, not go behind their back and make them look silly. The setting is so well described I can always envision the Lighthouse library on the shoreline and smell the salty air. The plot was ingenious, and the culprit was a surprise to me. I can't wait to read the next installment to this wonderful mystery series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Next Deadly Chapter by V.M. Burns - 4 Stars!

Michigan bookshop owner and mystery writer Samantha Washington is engaged to be married, and set to meet her future mother-in-law, Dr. Camilia Patterson. Nano Jo and the ladies of Shady Acres Retirement Village throw a surprise bridal shower for Sam at the Four Feathers Casino. She's embarrassed and slips back to her room to work on her latest historical mystery set between the wars, in which a houseguest meets a grim end at an English country manor. The next morning, Sam gets a call from Camilia, who’s discovered a dead body in her room. Now Sam has to find a killer and keep her future mother-in-law out of the fire.

I loved this cozy mystery. It's full of fun characters, dastardly suspects, and a plot that was both interesting and compelling. This author actually combines two different mysteries into one story. There is the main mystery set in contemporary times, and a mystery that is written by the main character set in England in the 20th century. I would love to see a full novel of the historical mystery. The author makes each setting come alive through her words. I can't wait to read the next novel in this wonderful series. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime by Vicki Delany - 4 Stars!

Gemma Doyle and her friends are in London for her sister Pippa’s wedding. Waiting for her in the hotel lobby is none other than Gemma’s ex-husband, Paul Erikson. Paul has a rare book he wants her to see. Gemma agrees to meet him at their old shop, Trafalgar Fine Books, the following day. But when Gemma arrives, accompanied by Grant, a rare book dealer, they find Paul dead in his office. Because of their previous relationship, Gemma feels she owes something to Paul and vows to find his killer.

This was an interesting cozy mystery full of intriguing characters and a setting that was so beautifully described I felt that I was in London with Gemma. I loved how some of the side characters were there to help with the investigation. They were a lot of fun and made me laugh. The pacing seemed off. Some of the chapters were really long and some of the chapters were really short. Some scenes dragged on, and some scenes seemed too quick. I can't wait to read the next one in this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Schooled in Murder by Victoria Gilbert - 5 Stars!

Jennifer ‘Jenn’ Dalton is an author and educator at Clarion University in Virginia. When a confrontation between a professor and one of Jenn’s students, Mia, escalates, no one thinks much of it, until his dead body is found. With the sleuthing skills Jenn has acquired writing murder mysteries, she’s determined to solve the case and clear Mia’s name.

This was a wonderful start to a great cozy mystery series. Jenn is a wonderful amateur sleuth who has learned her investigative skills through writing mysteries. The setting of this story reminded me of the time when I was in college, and I could honestly see what the author was describing clearly. The plot was wonderfully created with red herrings and clues, and I couldn't figure out whodunit, and was surprised when the murderer was revealed. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea by Darci Hannah - 4 Stars!

Lindsey Bakewell’s lighthouse bakeshop in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, is hosting a celebrity cookbook author from the UK, British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry. Ms. Lemonberry is trying to renew her career after several scandals. When Lindsey finds her dead body, she realizes that the scandals may have followed her across the pond. Can Lindsey find the true culprit?

This was an enjoyable cozy mystery filled with delicious food and dastardly characters. Lindsay is a great amateur sleuth with a penchant for finding dead bodies. All of the side characters and suspects were interesting, and I wasn't able to figure out whodunit. I was surprised when the murderer was revealed in the end. The paranormal aspect was not at all scary but just be warned there is a ghost. I enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next one in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Death by Caramel Macchiato by Alex Erickson - 4 stars!

When Pine Hills, Ohio hosts an intertown murder mystery game, bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock assumes it’ll all be in good fun, that's until Krissy winds up at the one location where there is a real dead body. Police immediately stop the competition while they conduct a real murder investigation. Can Krissy shuffle through the suspects and draw out the real killer before another player takes their final turn.

This was a very enjoyable cozy mystery surrounding a murder mystery theater game. I love escape rooms and would enjoy something like this, but without a real murder. Krissy is a great amateur sleuth who uses her observational powers and intelligence to solve a mystery faster than the police can, which definitely annoys them. The plot was confounding, and I couldn't figure out who done it until the big reveal in the end. The romantic subplot made this story even more enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly - 5 Stars!

Christmas in Balsam Dell promises to be festive for Carly Hale when a theater company comes to town to stage A Christmas Carol. But Scrooge is not the most ill-tempered character in the production, as actor Prescott Lennon proves when he begins berating everyone else in the cast for their poor theatrics. When his behavior threatens the production, someone decides to resolve matters with a fatal solution, and frames Carly’s friend Gina for the murder. With her friend on the hook, Carly will have to sort the truth from fiction, even as her pursuit of the killer scares the dickens out of her.

This festive cozy mystery was full of wonderful characters and dastardly suspects. I love reading about Carly and her grilled cheese eatery. I admit to having a grilled cheese while reading this story, and there are wonderful recipes found in back of the book. The plot was full of misdirection that kept me turning the pages trying to figure out whodunit. I was surprised by the identity of the true culprit. I can't wait to read the next one in this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley - 5 stars!

Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary and her kitty companion, Butterball, get into the holiday spirit as Geneva Bay, Wisconsin hosts the nation’s premier snow sculpting championship. The annual event transforms the resort town into a wonderland of snow castles, ice rinks, and cozy cups of cocoa. On the eve of the festival though, a Chrismukkah catering gig brings some frosty tidings and heralds a visit from Delilah’s older sister. When a missing party guest’s frozen corpse turns up inside one of the town's snowy sculptures, murder threatens to put the celebrations, and Delilah’s crew, on ice for good.

This was a great addition to a wonderful cozy mystery series. I love how Delilah has grown as an amateur sleuth, And Biz is hysterical, and lightens the heavy scenes gratefully. The side characters are enjoyable to read about. Honestly the culprit was one of my suspects, and I was surprised when I was right because usually, I'm not. The plot was engaging, and the setting put me in the holiday spirit. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman - 5 Stars!

As a member of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm, Eleanor Law delights in proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. When a con man pretends to be her fictional boss, "Charles King," Ellie knows he’s lying, but accepting the scoundrel’s offer of help might be the key to cracking her new case. “Henri Bonheur”, or “Harry”, claims his criminal past is behind him, but a man who steals and seduces with ease can never be trusted. As the investigation intensifies, Ellie’s infuriated to realize she’s falling for her law-breaking accomplice. How can she love the scoundrel when she doesn’t even know his real name? And what will happen when Harry’s past finally catches up with him?

This historical romance grabbed me from page one and didn't let me go until I had finished the entire story. It was a quick read filled with passion, intrigue and suspense with characters that I want to see again. I liked how these independent women were passionate about solving mysteries and writing wrongs in an era where, in reality, women weren't respected enough. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

A Poisonous Palate by Lucy Burdette - 5 Stars!

  

When food critic Hayley Snow receives an email about a decades-old disappearance, her curiosity is piqued. Catherine Davitt has returned to the Keys to research a book about Hemingway’s wives, but she’s also on the hunt for the truth about her missing friend. Hayley quickly agrees to help investigate and they hit the road to see what clues they might find. When they find the dead body of a man from Catherine's past, they both need to tread lightly because knowing the truth may lead to more dead bodies.

I was surprised at how much I loved this cozy mystery. It drew me in and never let go. I loved Haley, and all of the other quirky characters that helped her investigate this mystery. I loved how you got to see some of Haley's life beyond the investigation. It gave me a more complete picture of her life. The setting was so well described it made me want to live on a houseboat in the Florida Keys. This was a quick read with a highly satisfying ending. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

Easier Dead Than Drawn by Bailee Abbott - 3 Stars!

When the town council hires Chloe Abbington's friend, wall muralist Lana Easton, to paint a mural advertising the return of the floating amphitheater, not everyone in Whisper Cove is happy about the theater or Lana. Naysayers think the noise from concerts and visitors will disrupt their quiet community. It doesn't help that a lot of money taken from the town's budget is being used to pay the muralist for her services. The mood turns even more grim when Lana is found dead, and since Chloe was there alone to discover her body, that makes her the prime suspect. Can Chloe and her sister, Izzy find the true culprit among several suspects?

This cozy mystery had great characters and a wonderful plot that kept me confounded until the very end. One of the things that confused me was the number of suspects. There were too many to keep them straight in my mind. I love the idea of having a business like this that caters to parties where people can be creative using paints and other crafts. Thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Excellence by Joel Osteen - 5 stars!

This book by bestselling author Joel Osteen is derived from material previously published in You Can, You Will, The Power of I Am, and Break Out! In it, he discusses how we should keep improving, stay focused, stay passionate, and make a habit of excellence. He encourages readers to get out of their comfort zones and make the rest of their life the best of their life.

This Christian book seemed more like a pep talk between the reader and the author. I love listening and reading Joel Osteen because he is so positive. Personally, I have been through many challenges recently, and whenever I open up one of his books or listen to one of his sermons I feel like things can change for the better. Thank you, Pastor Osteen, for helping me let go of the past and look towards a more favorable future. Thanks to Faith Words and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Defender After Dark by Charlene Parris - 4 stars!

When a CEO is assaulted at his own construction site, Detective Mark Hawthorne is determined to catch the culprit. He finds a welcome distraction in bakery owner Britt Gronlund, who rebuffed the CEO’s threat to take over her business. But when the CEO winds up dead, Mark needs to find out who killed him. Can he defend Britt from the accusations that she is behind the murder? And can he find the real killer?

This Harlequin romantic suspense was an enjoyable read with great characters and a mysterious plot that kept me guessing until the very end. This story was a great mix of mystery and romance. And I didn't feel the need to cringe at overused tropes. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.