Late Checkout, by Carol J. Perry

Late Checkout by Carol J. Perry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 8 in the series.

It's always fun to visit Salem, Lee, O'Ryan and Aunt Ibby. This one was fun all the way to the end, though I felt like Lee's visions were kind of a waste of time this time.

I have to admit, though, I miss the pre-WICH-TV setting, when Lee was teaching reporting instead of actually doing the reporting. I will still look forward to the next book.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Beyond a Reaspnable Stout, by Ellie Alexander

Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander

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

Book 3 in the series.

When I realized this was the 3rd book in the series, I quickly got the first two from my library. I wasn't super enthused about this series once I started reading. I think that can easily be traced to the fact that I don't like beer at all. So despite living in an area very well known for its microbreweries, I just don't know much (or care to know much) about making beer. There's A LOT of detail about the craft, and it was just too much for me.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Christmas Cocoa Murder, by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day and Alex Erickson

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O'Connor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

I honestly got this book for the Maddie Day story. I enjoyed it very much. It's always fun to visit South Lick, IN and Robbie's Country Store.

The Carlene O'Connor story actually made me want to go back and read some more of her series. I'd only read the first few before this short story. Now I want to know more about Siobhán and her family, though the whole Macdara thing at the end was slightly baffling.

The most surprising story was Alex Erickson's. I've not been able to really get into his series, so the fact that I really liked this literally locked room mystery was a bonus, since I almost didn't even bother to read it!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Fudge Bites, by Nancy CoCo

Fudge Bites by Nancy CoCo

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was just okay.

Book 7 in the series.

I was so looking forward to this book. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. I couldn't stay interested for long, and ended up putting it down for different books multiple times. Some of the plot aspects seemed a little preposterous, and Allie spent too much time feeling sorry for herself.

My biggest complaint is still about the love triangle aspect of the story. It's old, and annoys the crud out of me. Seven books in and that should have been wrapped up.

I'm not sure if I would read another in the series at this point.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Cup of Holiday Fear, by Ellie Alexander

A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it, mostly.

Book 10 in the series.

It's always nice to visit Ashland and Torte Bakery. Jules and the bakery gang are fun and likable. There seems to be more Christmas cheer than mystery in this book, with the murder occurring in between holiday happenings. Even with that, it still started off as one of the better books in the series, but kind of lost steam towards the end.

My biggest complaint about the series is the Jules/Carlos drama. I'd like to see that settled once and for all. As a result of the long, drawn out, relationship angst, I really can't give it more than 3 stars.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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The Horrors of Fox Hollow Farm, by Richard Estep and Robert Graves

The Horrors of Fox Hollow Farm: Unraveling the History & Hauntings of a Serial Killer's Home by Richard Estep

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a combination of true crime book and ghost story and it's hard to say which bit was creepier, the parts that are 100% proven (the serial killer targeting gay males in Indiana) or recounting of the haunting of the home where the crimes are supposed to have occurred.

The book starts with the history of the home and the horrors of an alleged serial killer and his crimes. It then goes in to the story of the next owner of the property and finally, into the paranormal investigation of the property by Richard Estep and his team.

I found the entire book utterly fascinating and didn't want to put it down.

I received an uncorrected ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and my biggest complaint is that the version I started to read had missing letters that made it annoying/hard to read. I finally borrowed the final version from my library, which didn't have the same issue. That's the only reason it took me so long to finish. I actually read the hard copy version in one sitting.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Last Pen Standing, by Vivian Conroy

Last Pen Standing by Vivian Conroy

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

First in the series.

This one just wasn't for me. I had a hard time connecting with the main character, and most of the other characters didn't really appeal to me either. I found myself putting this down often and reading other things instead. I finally skimmed to the end.


*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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All Hats on Deck, by Sandra Bretting

All Hats on Deck by Sandra Bretting

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 5 in the series.

This is probably my favorite of the series. The main character is showing herself to be smart and kind-hearted. She feels a bit more grown up now, not so impetuous.

The mystery itself was interesting and the book stayed nicely paced. It kept me wanting to turn the page. So much so, that I read it in one sitting.

I enjoy this series and am looking forward to the next one.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Fatal Cajun Festival, by Ellen Byron

Fatal Cajun Festival: A Cajun Country Mystery by Ellen Byron

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it, but it's not my favorite.

5th in the series.

This time around it just felt like there were too many characters in the mix to keep track of and too much going on. It didn't have the charm of the previous books and Maggie really had some stupid moments.

I still enjoy the series and look forward to the next book.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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