A Sewing Murder!

 

Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abbey Chandler returns to Hideaway Grove, where she spent her childhood summers, for a fresh start and a new life. When the local librarian is mowed down by a car, Abbey becomes a suspect and her car is impounded. She stays with her aunt, and learns how to sew and investigate the murder. Will she learn the truth and find the murderer before it’s too late?
This was a good start to a new cozy mystery series. This book had a good plot and some interesting characters. But it was slow, and there wasn't much excitement or suspense. The mystery itself kept me interested until the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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A Wicked Duke and a Wallflower!

 

Duke Most Wicked by Lenora Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Scarred by a dark secret, Brandan Delamar, Duke of Westbury, must concede his misdeeds have finally caught up with him. With five younger sisters to support, he must marry for money. Sunny and steadfast, Viola Beaton is no heiress. As music instructor to the duke’s sisters, she’s developed a genuine affection for the bright young ladies. Unfortunately, she’s also developed a forbidden passion for her wildly attractive employer. When Westbury decrees that he’ll choose not only a bride, but grooms for his sisters, Viola can’t allow him to curtail their freedom. She strikes a bargain: if he allows his sisters to attend the Season, Viola will chaperone them and keep them safe from scandal. What if Viola and the duke are the ones most likely to cause a scandal?
This historical romance is full of adventure, and wonderful characters. Viola is a great every woman character, she doesn’t have a title and works hard with her father to stay afloat financially. Brandan is a man who condemns himself unjustly for his father’s hatred. But I didn’t feel any real passion between the main characters. I wanted to, I just felt something was missing. The writing was otherwise good. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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Another Murder, She Wrote Mystery!

 

By the Time You Read This I'll Be Gone by Stephanie Kuehn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This young adult cozy mystery is full of intrigue and suspense. But I felt that the character was too young for me to enjoy it. She was scared to do certain things that I thought could help her figure out the mystery faster. The solution to the mystery seemed to be a little out of left field. It wasn't what I suspected. Lastly, I wish there was more Jessica Fletcher in the story.

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Nancy Drew and the Jewel Thieves!

 

The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene

3 out of 5 Stars

Teenage detective Nancy Drew finds herself in danger when she sets out to track a jewel thief.

This was a good mystery for any vintage mystery lover to read. I love how Nancy Drew uses her smarts to get herself out of trouble. I felt this one was a bit slow in the pacing, though.

New Releases in Cozy Mystery and Romance for November 2022!

There are several books being released this month. Here are my recommendations and the ones you should watch out for: Dead Men Don't Decorate by Cordy Abbott- published on November 8

The Sandcastle Hurricane by Carolyn Brown- published on November 8

Forget Me Not Cowboy by Addison Fox- published on November 29

Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott- published on November 29

Bread Over Troubled Water by Winnie Archer- published on November 29

On Spine of Death by Tamara Berry- published on November 29

Through the Liquor Glass by Sarah Fox- published on November 29

In the Arms of the Law by Deborah Fletcher Mello- published on November 29

The Gentleman of Holly Street by Lotte R. James- published on November 29

As always, I wish to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, Montlake, Avon and Harper Voyager, Kensington Books, Poisoned Pen Press and Harlequin for these wonderful Advanced Reader's Copies.

A Christmas Wedding With a Side of Murder!

 

Murder in a Cape Cottage by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s the week before Christmas, and Mac is preparing for her wedding. All pre-wedding jitters fade into the background when Mac’s fiancé, Tim, begins a cottage renovation project and opens up a wall to find a skeleton sitting on a stool, dressed in an old-fashioned bridal gown. As Mac delves into the decades-old mystery with the help of librarian Flo and her book group, she discovers a story of star-crossed lovers and feuding families. Yet this tale has a modern-day villain still lurking in Mac’s quaint seaside town, ready to make this a murderous Christmas.
This was a great holiday cozy mystery. I love Mac for her tenacity and how she works with the police to discover the identity of the murderer. The plot was enthralling, and I liked every twist and turn. I wish there were more encounters with the book group. Overall, a very satisfying read. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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A Cowboy For Christmas!

 

Christmas Eve Cowboy by Diana Palmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

These three holiday romances are about three different sexy cowboys finding love with three feisty women who know what they want for Christmas: their own personal cowboy.
This was a nice holiday romantic read. I liked the main characters, and felt the spark that ignited between them. But I wanted more, more plot twists that had the characters overcome to get to the happy ending. Overall, these Christmas novellas were satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


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