Clouds in My Coffee, by Julie Mulhern

Clouds in My Coffee by Julie Mulhern

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A bit of a wild and crazy romp with Kansas City's Country Club set (I'm getting a Mission Hills County Club vibe) full of multiple murder attempts on the main character, eccentric friends and family, and a hot detective. I found this book to be fun, if a bit outlandish.

I'll be looking forward to more of Ellison and company.

This is book 3 in a series.

*I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.



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Murder at the Mansion, by Janet Finsilver

Murder at the Mansion by Janet Finsilver

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


When I requested this book from Netgalley, I didn't realize it was book 2 in a series. I started reading and a few things here and there and I soon figured out I was missing some backstory. But it was still a solid stand alone read. The characters were fun and the story interesting. I'll be looking into the first book now.

*I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review



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Bright Blaze of Magic, by Jennifer Estep

Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I love Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series, but I had never looked any farther than that. So I saw this book on Netgalley and figured if it was anything like that series, I would love it. I did, but I came in on the last book of the trilogy! Oops.

But Estep is great at writing series books that can stand alone and so while I obviously was missing some relationship issues, she gives enough background to clue me in without boring her long time readers.

And there was nothing boring about this book. From start to finish it grabbed my attention and I had to finish it in one sitting. And now I really hate that this is the last book, because I want more! I will be going back and reading the first two books, for sure.

*I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.



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The Obsession, by Nora Roberts

The Obsession by Nora Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I don't usually have weird dreams from things I read or watch. But I started reading this book before bed. At about the halfway point I had to put it down and go to sleep, though I didn't really want to, haha. It gave me nightmares! I dreamed of sexual sadist serial killers, just like Naomi's dad. And weird as it seems, that's a good thing. It made an impression on me, put me in the story, or I never would have dreamed about it. And having had those dreams, I picked it up again first thing in the morning as I drank my coffee. I didn't put it back down again until I read the last page.

I consider this book one of Robert's best books over the last few years.



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A Familiar Tale, by Delia James

A Familiar Tail by Delia James

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I highly enjoyed this book, once I managed to settle down enough to actually read it. I had a pretty bad case of book ADD this last week, caused by too many good books to chose from, an inability to sit still for long and itchy, watery eyes and sneezing fits making it difficult to see.

When the cold pills and allergy pills both finally began to get things under control, I finally managed to snuggle in to bed with this book for a sick day read-a-thon. And I proceeded to read it cover to cover in that one sitting.

I love Alastair and Annabelle, and all of their witchy friends. The one downside is that the author seems to be easing toward the dreaded love triangle trope, between Young Sean, who is definitely interested, and Frank, who is wrapped up in his newspaper. I hope that the triangle never develops, but it seems to be hinted at in this book.

I will be looking forward to book 2, By Familiar Means, in September.



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I didn't think it was possible

to feel so crummy you don't even want to read!  Blech!

Hearse and Buggy, by Laura Bradford

Hearse and Buggy by Laura Bradford

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, I didn't like it.

It's categorized as a mystery, but for me the only real mystery was how the main character was so quickly accepted by the Amish, especially after they'd already been burned by the previous shop owner. I'm sorry, but that just doesn't feel authentic to me.

And the mystery? The victim wasn't even dead yet and I knew who was going to off him and why. Characters were one dimensional and boring, and the Amish were very stereotyped. I ended up skimming through the book, past long bits filled with many gasps, googly eyes between star crossed teens, and of course, the crappy, trite love triangle trope. In fact, due to the use of TWO love triangles, I honestly would give this -1 star if I could!

Seriously, if you'e looking for an Amish cozy, go with Isabella Alan's Amish Quilt Shop series. I liked it a lot more.



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Tea Cups and Carnage, by Lynn Cahoon

Tea Cups and Carnage by Lynn Cahoon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've only recently found this author, but already I've devoured all of the books in this series. So far, this is my favorite of the bunch. The characters feel more rounded in this installment and I like that very much.

I also like that in this book, Jill, while still being Jill and poking her nose into things, shared more with Greg and really only stumbled in to danger this time around. I like that much better than when the main character stubbornly sticks herself in a bad situation because she can't just pick up a phone and call for help!

One thing I have to admit that has grated on me through out the whole series is the lack of manners that most of the characters display. There's talk about being polite to customers, yet no one seems to ever say "please" or "thank you" when they ask for or receive something. In an earlier book Aunt Jackie even chides Jill about not saying please. Seriously, are manners dead??

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.



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Murder at Morningside, by Sandra Bretting

Murder at Morningside by Sandra Bretting

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A nice first in a new series. I liked Missy, and I liked the Southern charm, although there might have been one too many exclamations of "gah-lee" for me!

She's a typical amateur detective though, nosy as heck and putting herself in to dangerous situations after swearing she'd do no such thing, haha. "Why, Lance. Do you really think I'd run off and do something foolish?" And Lance (the police detective in charge of the murder investigation) knows it's going to happen, too, but he's powerless to stop Missy.

And after reading the sneak peak of the second book, Something Foul at Sweetwater, I'll be looking forward to reading it, as well.

*I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*



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The 1906 San Fransisco Earthquake and Fire: As Told by Eyewitnesses, by Charles Morris

The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire: As Told by Eyewitnesses by Charles Morris

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book wasn't quite what I expected it to be,. I'd expected more firsthand accounts, instead what I got was a very detailed news account written by the author (who was there and did witness the earthquake and aftermath himself, so the description was true, if a bit misleading) with a few quotes from others sprinkled in.

I think if I were a historian and San Fransisco my interest, I'd have found it a bit more to my liking. As it was, it was a bit too dry for an amateur history buff like me.


*I was provided an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*



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Grilled for Murder, by Maddie Day

Grilled For Murder by Maddie Day

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A decent second outing in the Country Store mystery series by Ms. Day. I was pretty sure who the killer was from the start, and I was correct, but it was still an entertaining read. The denizens of South Lick have definitely endeared themselves to me, and I want to read more. I will unfortunately, have to wait a year for the next installment. I will wait, impatiently, to read more!

*I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*



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April Reads

My "To Read" list for April (In no particular order):

Rest in Peach, by Susan Furlong

Reading Up a Storm, by Eva Gates

An Unhappy Medium, by Dawn Eastman

Breach of Crust, by Ellery Adams

Blood Orange, by Susan Wittig Albert

Crime and Poetry, by Amanda Flower

The Obsession, by Nora Roberts

Shadow Rites, by Faith Hunter

Fire Touched, by Patricia Briggs

The Cracked Spine, by Paige Shelton

Chaos Choreography, Seanan McGuire

Plus, I just received approval for 8 books to read and review for Netgalley, so they'll come first.

Nine Lives, by Wendy Corsi Staub

Nine Lives by Wendy Corsi Staub

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I liked the setting, I liked the "oddball" characters. I didn't like the present tense. It bugged the crap out of me. I finished the book, and even enjoyed most of it, but I just couldn't get past the present tense. That was just a deal breaker for me. There's a reason most authors don't use it, it's hard to pull off. Frankly, it didn't work here, either.

It was distracting and didn't feel natural, didn't flow well. As a result, it took me days to finish what should have been a quick read. Instead, I read a little, got annoyed with the writing, and then put it down to read something else or go do something else.

As a result, this book only got an "Ok" rating from me, because I barely made it through and I won't be checking out any more books in this series, or even from this author.



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A Turn for the Bad, by Sheila Connolly

A Turn for the Bad by Sheila Connolly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Absolutely improbable plot, but for some reason, quite entertaining. Totally marking it down a full star for the damned love triangle trope that seems to be so prevalent in cozy mysteries these days.



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