The Reflection Room by Cindy Kirk - 4 Stars!

Hope owns a bridal shop that has a unique gift. She places an intended bride on a pedestal in front of a special mirror that shows Hope the right dress for the bride. But she wonders why she never sees herself in a wedding gown. Hope is an independent minded woman who fears opening her heart because she doesn't want to get hurt. But what happens when the right man comes along?

I really liked this contemporary romance with a touch of magic. Hope is an interesting character, and I loved reading about her perspective on the relationships in her life. The setting was very well described, and I enjoyed reading about the festivals and local events. I will definitely read more from this series.

 

Spellbound By Murder by Stacie Ramey - 2 Stars!

When her grandmother suffers a fall and asks for help managing the family bookstore, single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old daughter to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut. Hoping to save Mystic Hollow Books from a big box rival, Veronica enlists popular author Adam Whitford as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival. But when Adam turns up dead, Veronica becomes the prime suspect in his murder. As the local sheriff investigates, Veronica takes matters into her own hands to solve the case and clear her name. Then her gran reveals a secret: the bookstore is magical. Can Veronica use the store's magic to get her out of this predicament?

When I read the blurb, I got excited. I wanted to see how they would use the elements of magic in the investigation and solving of a cozy mystery. But what I found didn't agree with my tastes. There wasn't a lot of action in the plot and there seemed to be more of a mystery in the magic than the actual death of the victim. I loved the characters and the way they related to each other. The bookstore setting was intriguing. It's one of my favorite settings for a cozy mystery. I just felt that the magic took away from the realistic nature of finding the culprit. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber - 4 Stars!

When Courtney Kelly's friend, Genevieve, is murdered, Courtney investigates and wonders if Genevieve's scathing reviews and opinions had influenced someone to homicide. And when a second victim is discovered, could one of Courtney's friends be the culprit. With only a germ of a clue, Courtney will have to overturn every rock to get the dirt on the real killer.
This was a really cute cozy mystery. I love how Courtney sees fairies and how they relate to her. Fiona and her fairy friends are mischievous and cute and fun to read about. I also love how Courtney's cat relates to Fiona and the other fairies. The plot was very interesting; there were so many suspects that I almost felt confused between all of them. I also loved how the setting was described. I would love to visit Carmel-By-The-Sea to find some fairies. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

The Letter Box by Cindy Kirk - 4 Stars!

For decades, whispers have swirled around the old letter box. Some call it enchanted, claiming it brings kindred spirits together. Others laugh it off as a charming tale. Landry Fisher has never been one to chase fairy tales. But standing at a crossroads in her life, she’s willing to try anything. Desperation leads her to place a letter in the letter box. What she doesn’t realize is that when her words find their way to a kindred soul, her life will be forever changed. Will the magic of the letter box finally reveal its secrets? Or will Landry’s leap of faith leave her grasping for answers that may never come?
I always get excited when I'm going to read a Cindy Kirk romance. After reading her stories, I usually feel happier and more hopeful than before. That is, until this book. Now, it's a wonderfully mysterious and romantic tale, but there's something missing. I felt that the relationship between Landry and her parents needed more of a resolution. They needed to own up to what they were doing to her and apologize. Because of the lack of closure, I felt the ending was a bit rushed. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

The Youth Elixir by Cindy Kirk - 5 Stars!

At ninety-two, Matilda knows she has reached a time when there are more days behind her than ahead. And that’s okay. Surrounded by beloved friends, she’s grateful for every day. Still, listening to others plan their futures, Til can’t help but imagine, what if? What if she had left Grace Town? What if she had married and had children? What if she had pursued her passions, rather than focusing on bettering the lives of those around her? An encounter with a mysterious stranger offers Til a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a chance to start over and begin anew as a young woman. Til has been many things in life, but never a risk-taker…until now.
There are certain people in this world who have a gift, a gift of showing people the true meaning of life and love through the words they speak or the words they write. Mrs. Cindy Kirk Is one of those people with this gift. Reading her work will make you think, make you feel, and make you experience what is truly wonderful about life. Whenever I feel low, stressed or overwhelmed, I pick up one of her books and I feel better by the end.
The characters in this book are fun to read about. The plot of this book is wondrous, as the town it's set in. Strange things happen in Grace Town, and I can't wait until the next installment to this wonderful series.

 

The Enchanted Music Box by Cindy Kirk - 5 Stars!

Successful businesswoman Annie Laggett's life is forever changed when she impulsively picks up a vintage music box that had been tossed to the curb. At home, as strains from the music box fill the air, Annie is transported back to first observe the past, then the present from the role of an observer and finally to see what her future could hold depending on what course she takes.

As I read this story, something strange started happening. I saw parallels between the main character's life and my own. I looked at a relationship I was in with a new perspective. And the subsequent change has made my life better with less drama. I think this is the best novel Ms. Kirk has ever written, (for obvious reasons) and I believe if you love contemporary romance, you need to read a Kirk romance!

 

A Fair-ly Complicated Murder!

 

A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Courtney Kelly, the proprietor of a fairy garden and tea shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, is having an old sorority sister's fortieth birthday bash, and a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion. Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day, which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder.
This fantasy cozy mystery was interesting to me. The setting was beautifully described and makes me want to visit there and see if I can spot a fairy. The plot is full of twists and red herrings that made me indecisive about the culprit’s identity. I love reading about the sleuth and her life working at the shop. What threw me off about this mystery was the abundance of suspects, I was confused and couldn’t tell them apart, at times. I will read another mystery from this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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