Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah - 4 Stars!

 

Lindsey is preparing for Halloween night at the Beacon Bakeshop. When teenagers start leaving ghoulish surprises, and a film crew wants to prove whether the lighthouse is haunted, Lindsey is tested. But, when a dead body is left hanging from a tree, Lindsey may need help to solve this Halloween mystery.
I really enjoyed reading this wonderful mystery filled with likeable characters, a gorgeous setting, and a suspenseful plot that kept me turning the pages until the very end. The culprit was a real surprise to me as I thought another character was the murderer. The only drawback for me was the length of the story, I felt that it was a bit too long. I hope to enjoy another book from this series soon. I wish to thank NetGalley and the publishers for the privilege of reading this ARC.

The Angel in the Square by Cindy Kirk - 5 Stars!

 

After being accused of a crime she didn't commit, Jenna takes her aunt on a road trip. On the way, she picks up a girl she thinks she knows. But this girl has a story and a past that is both mysterious and unbelievable. And this girl will change the course of Jenna's life forever. 

Ms. Kirk has been blessed by God to create stories that people need to read. And I wish that the worlds she creates could be real. The setting of this story seems like an ordinary small town, but strange and wonderful things happen there. There is just enough description that I could feel the rain or feel the warmth of the spring day. The characters she creates are well developed with both strengths and weaknesses. The plot of this story made me think about the truth about life and how we all need to find our true happiness. If I could give it 10 stars, I would! 

One For the Books by Jenn McKinlay - 5 Stars!

 

Lindsey and Sully are preparing for their wedding, but everything goes awry when the man who's supposed to be marrying them winds up murdered. When their friends become suspects, Lindsey and Sully are determined to find out the truth before the blessed day.

Jenn McKinlay is one of those authors who always writes wonderful stories and they never let you down. Her characters are diabolically created, either you love them or hate them. She describes settings so well that even though I read this in August, I could feel the December cold. The plot kept me second guessing who the culprit was, and I was surprised in the end. A must read!

Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke - 3 Stars!

 This was a very good mystery. I loved familiarizing myself with characters that I enjoy reading about. It was like visiting old friends. The thing I didn't like was the cliffhanger at the end. A mystery should be completely wrapped up. There should be no loose ends.

A Countess to Remember!

 

The Reluctant Countess by Eloisa James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Giles Renwick, Earl of Lilford, has never made a fool of himself over a woman until he meets Lady Yasmin Régnier. Yasmin is totally unsuitable as a wife, a mistress (she is a lady!), nor a friend, since they dislike each other. Her gowns are too low, and she loves to gossip and giggle. So, they wouldn’t be a good match, would they?
I loved this historical romance. It had true love, intrigue and diabolical characters. I liked Yasmin because she wouldn’t let scandal stop her. She knew who was a true ally. I liked Giles because the rumors didn’t stop him from being with Yasmin. The plot kept me interested until the very last page. I will read more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

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Investigations and Romance!

 

In the Arms of the Law by Deborah Fletcher Mello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When his brother is accused of murder, attorney Ellington Black vows to prove his innocence, even as he comes up against investigator Angela Stanfield, who suspects there's more to the story. But Ellington needs evidence, so they team up to find out the truth. Can new love survive their investigation?
This was a great contemporary romantic suspense. The plot kept me at the edge of my seat wondering how the story would end. The Black family is full of interesting characters, and I want to read the rest of their stories. It was a pleasurable, easy read. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

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New Releases in Cozy Mystery and Romance for June 2023!

 Hey Everyone! We're coming up on the beginning of a new month, and you know what that means. New books are being released. And, if you're like me, you can't wait to read them! 

Here are my recommendations for a great romance and cozy mystery read: 

Death Knells and Wedding Bells by Eva Gates (Crooked Lane Books, published June 6th)

The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela M. Kelley (St. Martin's Press, published June 6th)

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari (Crooked Lane Books, published June 6th)

How the Murder Crumbles by Debra Sennefelder (Crooked Lane Books, published June 20th)

Hunting a Hometown Killer by Shelly Bell (Harlequin, published June 27th)

Harper and the Single Dad by Amy Andrews (Harlequin, published June 27th)

Thank you to NetGalley for granting me the honor of reading these ARCs. As always, all opinions are my own!

Happy Reading!