Terror In Taffeta, by Marla Cooper

Terror in Taffeta by Marla Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fast, fun read. I grabbed this book out of its mailer and sat down to read a bit before starting dinner. Suddenly I was on the last chapter and dinner ended up delivery, haha.

During a destination wedding in Mexico, one of the bridesmaids drops dead during the ceremony and the bride's sister is arrested for murder. The Momzilla Mother of the Bride insists wedding planner Kelsey find the real killer, and Kelsey can't afford to say no.

I liked Kelsey, the suspects were plenty and varied and the plot twisty. And photographer Brody made a great sidekick for Kelsey. The location made me want to run off to Mexico.

A good start to a new series, I am looking forward to book 2.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book that I received from the author

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Death in Advertising, by Laura Bradford

Death in Advertising by Laura Bradford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tobi's newest slogan proves to be truth in advertising. A great start to a new series!

I will admit to starting this book with a bit of skepticism. I haven't been a fan of this author. I am glad I decided to give her another chance.

I liked Tobi quite a bit, she was a bit more realistic than previous protagonists from Ms. Bradford. The supporting "cast" were a lot of fun, and it's always nice to have a love interest who is NOT a law enforcement official.

The plot was fast and fun. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.

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A Measure of Murder, by Leslie Karst

A Measure of Murder: A Sally Solari Mystery by Leslie Karst
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the series.

I liked it. But there are a few things that still annoy me. I've worked in restaurants and I know the profit margin is slim to none. Most restaurant owners I know work loooong days, every day, working the front of the house, in the kitchen, doing paperwork, where ever they are needed, because payroll is tight. Yet Sally can manage TWO restaurants, go on bike rides, sing with a chorus and investigate a murder, all without passing out from exhaustion.

But I guess the average reader doesn't have that background. Once I managed to suspend my disbelief about that, the story line was interesting and fun. I like Sally, I like the other primary characters, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book, provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

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Some Kind of Magic, by Mary Ann Marlowe

Some Kind of Magic by Mary Ann Marlowe
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Not very magical. After reading the book blurb and seeing all the 4 and 5 star reviews, all I can say is, I was really disappointed in this book.

It's a typical formulaic romance, but from the blurb and title I thought it would have a bit of a twist. All it really had was pure silliness. Low self esteem wanna be musician girl meets famous musician guy but has no idea who he is. Then she finds out and of course the guy couldn't possibly want to be with a girl like her if it wasn't for the crazy perfume she's wearing. Misunderstandings occur, couple splits, each is miserable without the other, blah, blah, blah. They get back together and have their HEA.

All in all, it's a fast read with some funny bits, but pretty predictable and formulaic.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.

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Murder Go Round, by Carol J. Perry

Murder Go Round by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 4 in the series, and the best yet!

After book 3, I swore I was done with this series, so I had to really think long and hard about requesting this one from NetGalley. I am so glad I did! Lee totally redeemed herself in this book. She wasn't the bland, boring character she was in the previous book, but more fleshed out and fun. Maybe part of that is that she's more open to her gift now.

The book is still filled with kooky characters, it's set in Salem, after all. But I found I didn't mind them so much this time around. They fit the story better and some of the usual characters only briefly appear, so they aren't overwhelming.

Murder Go Round was a quick, fun romp through Salem with a bit of history thrown in. I absolutely enjoyed it.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

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Pressed to Death, by Kirsten Weiss

Pressed to Death by Kirsten Weiss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

To be published March 2017. Book 2.

There's a lot going on! I love the premise, and the paranormal museum. The present day murder mystery, combined with the mystery attached to the haunted wine press were interesting and fun. The small town has the typical kooky citizens that made me laugh.

But I felt distracted at times by the kooky cast of characters and their betting pool, Maddie's love life and the annoying police officer with a long held grudge. A few less off beat characters and a little more focus on the mystery wouldn't be a bad thing.

Pressed to Death was a fun read and I am looking forward to more.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reading Copy of this book

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Murder Wears White, by Stephanie Blackmoore

Murder Wears White by Stephanie Blackmoore
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 2 in the series.

What I did like: Mallory's family and the way they all worked together. I love the location and the concept.

What I didn't like: Too much going on! Instead of a relaxing read, I felt like I was running to catch up all the time. And some of it just felt forced. "Ooo, we have a ghost. Call in a paranormal team!" Because it's not just vandalism?? (By the way, vandalism that nearly kills someone is NOT a prank...) My mind would have gone straight to, "How is someone getting into my building?" not "It's a GHOST!" and I love ghost stories, but this was just too silly.

All in all, the things I liked are enough to get me to read the next in the series. It just needs a bit of tightening up, rather than running in every direction.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley.

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Scheduled to Death, by Mary Feliz

Scheduled to Death by Mary Feliz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the series.

I have to be up front and admit I didn't quite like this book as much as I liked the first one. The inept and frankly nasty, police detective who replaced Jason after his accident was completely unlikable and annoying. Not to mention, distracting.

I still enjoyed the story, but Detective Awful pulled me out of it more than he moved the story along and it got to the point where any time he showed up, I skipped ahead.

It was still a fun, fast moving story, with Maggie and Co. figuring out the real killer and tying up a few other interesting little side-plots.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

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Time Out, by Suzanne Trauth

Time Out by Suzanne M. Trauth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 2 in the series.

I like Dodie, and the way the restaurant she runs does a "dinner and a show" along with the local theater group. But I felt a little disappointed in this book. Dodie's "love interest," police chief Bill, is busy with a rash of burglaries, and doesn't seem too interested in a suspicious death (?! I would have thought a death would take priority, but what do I know?) or Dodie, for that matter.

All in all, I enjoyed this book, but felt there was a bit more filler than needed, which made the story drag a little at times. I still like the quirky characters and look forward to the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

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