Murder on Tour by V.M. Burns - 4 Stars!

Samantha Washington's last stop on her book tour is a book festival in her hometown of North Harbor, Michigan. The guest of honor, bestselling author Judith Hunter, is accused of plagiarism and sabotage by two fellow authors. When a publicist is poisoned during a cocktail reception, Sam wonders if the killer missed the intended target. With feisty Nana Jo and the girls from Shady Acres Retirement Village lending a hand, Sam tries to solve the case before the festival delivers another fatality.
This was another good mystery in this fabulous series. I love how the main character figures out who the culprit is while writing her own mystery novel. Nana Jo and her friends always lend help and a little comic relief during some intense situations. The mystery was well plotted and the big reveal at the end was a surprise. I will definitely read another mystery from this author. This review is my unbiased opinion. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy.

 

Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott - 3 Stars!

Shay Myers, proprietor of Crystals and CuriousiTEAS on the Monterey Peninsula, is in trouble when a customer dies after having her tea leaves read. Can Shay's extrasensory perception help her find the truth before an innocent person gets charged with murder?
This was a very good and intelligent cozy mystery full of interesting facts about crystals and herbs. The plot was very intriguing, but I felt that Shay used her ESP to deduce who the killer was, instead of using her intelligence, or her observational skills. I felt that the pacing was slow, and the ending was drawn out. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Murder Checks Out by Victoria Gilbert - 3 stars!

Amy Muir is a mother of five old twins, a library co-director, and she's helping her husband, Richard, with his production of the holiday classic, the Nutcracker. She's way too busy to involve herself in another murder investigation, and yet, when the chair of the festival committee is found dead at the town’s ice rink, Amy is determined to uncover the real perpetrator.
This was a good cozy mystery to read on a blustery day. I love Amy and how she uses her observational skills and intelligence to solve mysteries in order to save her family members or friends. I loved how her family has grown and now she has the twins. They are a cute distraction from the suspenseful plot points. It was a satisfying read. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Murder at Sunset Rock by Debra Webb - 4 Stars!

Olivia Ballard came home to bury her grandfather and found out he was murdered. She needs help investigating and Huck Monroe, Sunset Cove’s new deputy detective, is helping her. She wishes he didn't break her heart. Huck wants to help her and have another chance with her. Can they find the truth and heal their broken hearts?
This was an intense romantic mystery filled with twists and turns, and a romance that kept me turning the pages until the very end. I loved the camaraderie between the two main characters, and how they used their wits and intelligence to solve this mystery together. I will definitely read another story from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Botched Butterscotch by Amanda Flower - 5 stars!

Mother’s Day is a busy time at the candy shop Bailey King runs with her Amish grandmother. This year Bailey’s parents are visiting Harvest, Ohio. During a Mother’s Day Tea at the local church, a thief makes off with the money raised for a local women’s shelter. Bailey tries to discover who stuck their fingers in the cookie jar. Can she find the culprit before events boil over into disaster?
This was a great little cozy mystery Filled with great characters, an interesting plot, and the setting that I want to come back to time and again. I love reading about Jethro, the precocious pig. If you want a nice, short and sweet taste to this fantastic cozy mystery series, read this!

 

Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal by Raquel V. Reyes - 2 Stars!

A trip to Miriam's parents in Punta Cana becomes a hunt for a possible property saboteur. But before Miriam can begin to uncover the person damaging the vacation rentals her parents manage, she’s called away to Puerto Rico to film a Three Kings Day special. Then, she finds an anonymous personal gift on her doorstep on New Year's Eve. Luckily, her BFF, Alma, and their friend Jorge are in town to keep her distracted between filming cultural segments for the network. But the fun comes to a halt when Jorge's telenovela heartthrob novio goes missing. And there is something worrisome about Alma's new boyfriend. Can Miriam figure out what's going on before it's too late?
This was an interesting cozy mystery. I like the main character and how she tries to help her friends and family when something is wrong. Puerto Rico was described very well, and I felt like I was there as I was reading. The political problems in Puerto Rico were accentuated more than the actual mystery. I read cozy mysteries for the escape, and the puzzles within the plots. I love reading about the different places and characters. Politics has no place in a cozy mystery because it stops the plot and takes time away from what makes them enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane 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.