Death by Java by Alex Erickson - 5 Stars!

Krissy Hancock is visiting her family in California. She's startled to see a store called Death by Java, a copycat business run by her high school rival, Valerie. When they stop in and witness an argument with a health inspector, the whole scene leaves a bad taste in Krissy's mouth. Despite her irritation, Krissy finds herself trying to help Valerie after the health inspector is found dead on the premises. Can Krissy help Valerie stay out of jail?
This is one of my most anticipated reads. The characters are very likable, and I always find the plots enjoyable. It makes me want to find a bookstore cafe with a cute kitty and a great seating area to spend my day reading the latest in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

A Wonderful Christmas Crime by Jacqueline Frost - 5 Stars!

As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take it easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to a progressive dinner, she thanks him. A thief tries to steal an antique ornament from the holiday display, but later, her dead body is found. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of another homicide and asks her to leave the investigating to the police. Will Holly be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again?
This is one of my favorite holiday cozy mystery series because it's full of wonderful characters, a jolly and happy environment, and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Holly is a great sleuth who tries to play by the rules especially with her husband, but she always has the need to find the killer. This is a holiday treat for anyone who loves a cozy mystery. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Brooks for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Second Time's the Charm & Her Secret Billionaire by Brenda Jackson, Yahrah St. John - 4 Stars!

In Second Time's the Charm by Brenda Jackson, part-time rancher and musician Dylan Emanuel never forgot his romance with Charm Outlaw. Nor the pain of their sudden breakup—and her father’s demands to stay away. When they cross paths on vacation, Dylan can’t resist inviting her to his ranch, and Charm can’t resist a little payback. Will revenge lead to a second chance…or the truth about what really happened the first time around?

In Her Secret Billionaire by Yahrah St. John, chef Egypt Cox flirts with a stranger at her restaurant, and he ends up with amnesia! Their chemistry is delectable. But when Egypt discovers her mystery lover is Garrett Forrester, his secrets may threaten their newfound connection.

These two stories were wonderful reads with charming characters and plots that made me turn the page until the end where the happy ending was revealed. I honestly liked the first one better than the second one, but the second one had more steamier scenes. But I recommend this book to anyone who likes a steamy contemporary romance. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Murder She Wrote: A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran - 4 Stars!

Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house; Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. But, when the wife of the buyer is murdered, can Jessica find the truth before somebody's Christmas is not so jolly.

This was a great cozy mystery. I love to visit Cabot Cove and see all my favorite characters. This story wasn't a great example of a cozy mystery, but it had a lot of coziness in the setting and the atmosphere, especially because it took place around Christmastime. It seems like the cozy mystery plot only took up about 30% of the book, whereas the rest of the story was about a Maine competition to find the best Christmas town. I will definitely read more from this series, and I recommend this series and the TV show to anybody who loves a good cozy mystery.

 

O, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany - 3 Stars!

It’s Christmastime in Rudolph, New York, shop owner Merry Wilkinson is worried when her neighbor, Mabel D'Angelo, who's a town gossip, goes missing. Do the new neighbors have anything to do with the missing woman? 

This is an interesting mystery. Although, I was intrigued with the setting and the activities in the town more than the plot. I love reading about the characters and I feel like I'm visiting with old friends. These stories always put me in a Christmas mood. I will definitely read another mystery from this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Epilogue to a Christmas Murder by Lauren Elliott - 5 Stars!

For Christmas, Addie is donating a dozen books to the lighthouse museum’s Twelve Days of Christmas charity fundraiser. One of them is a first edition of The Gift of the Magi imported from England. Addie receives an unexpected bonus when the book is delivered by Detective Inspector Noah Parker, whom she met in England, and has been daydreaming about ever since. But on the night Addie delivers the book to the museum, someone posing as one of Santa’s Elves steals all of the charity gifts. Then, a body is found on the rocks outside the lighthouse. Now, it’s up to Addie to connect the clues, find stolen goods, and catch a killer.

This was a great cozy mystery and an interesting ending to a great series. There was a melancholy feeling that I got from reading this story because it seemed that the main character felt sad and depressed that life was changing. Since Lauren Elliott passed away, this is her last story. I will miss her writing, and the wonderful characters she created. I will recommend her stories to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Death on Dickens Island by Allison Brook - 5 Stars!

 

Delia Dickens has come home to Dickens Island, an island in the Long Island Sound. She’s looking forward to helping revitalize her family's general store as well as curating a small book nook. Plus, she wants to reunite with her teenage son. But Dickens Island isn’t the peaceful town Delia remembers. Delia’s Aunt Reenie and Uncle Brad, both community leaders, are at odds over the sale of a farm and its future use. When a young woman, new to the town council and friendly with Brad, is found murdered, everything escalates and reaches a new boiling point. With Reenie and Brad both suspects in the case, the townspeople start to take sides. When her grandmother's ghost visits her, Delia learns how past events have impacted the present and it is up to her to expose the farm’s sordid secrets and catch a murderer.

This was a great start to a wonderful new cozy mystery series. Allison Brook has the right formula to keep a reader satisfied until the very end of the story. Delia is a fabulous amateur sleuth who uses her smarts and observations to help solve a mystery that is affecting her community and her family. Being originally from Long Island, I love the setting because it reminds me of home. Delia's grandmother's ghost is an intriguing side character who helps guide Delia with her investigation. The plot was engrossing and made for a satisfying read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.