Dashing Through the Snowbirds, by Donna Andrews

Dashing Through the Snowbirds by Donna Andrews 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, I loved it.

Book 32 in the series.

I'm not a big Christmas fan, but I always look forward to the Meg Langslow holiday books each year. This year was no different. They're always a fun, somewhat crazy tale, filled with Meg's over the top family, along with Caerphilly favorites. This one once again made me laugh out loud multiple times.

I switched between the audio version and the ebook version depending on what I was doing, and I love the audio narrator. It made a fun distraction while walking on my treadmill in the evenings.

I will absolutely continue to read whatever this author puts out.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in both ebook and audio, provided by the publishers, via NetGalley.*


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Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake, by Mazey Eddings

Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, DNF.

The premise sounded cute, but the book itself just wasn't for me. I didn't like Lizzie, at all. I know people with ADHD, and yes, it sucks, but Lizzie uses it as an excuse for EVERYTHING instead of trying to do something, anything about it. Yes, it's exhausting, but you still have to take responsibility for your actions instead of just passing it off as, "Oops, I have ADHD."

And in the wake of the Roe v Wade reversal, Rake's attitude feels icky and the whole, "Lizzie is the good girl who chose to keep her baby vs. the Evil Ex who had an abortion," really didn't sit well. STOP SHAMING WOMEN FOR MAKING THEIR OWN CHOICES!

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

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Other Birds, by Sarah Addison Allen

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen 

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

I've enjoyed every book by Sarah Addison Allen, but this one was absolutely my least favorite of the bunch.

It just didn't connect with me the way previous books have. It didn't enjoy the characters in this book nearly as much. Maybe because there were so many of them, shoe horned into the story. And so many issues in there as well. From hoarding and mental health issues, to past sexual assault and growing up in a cult, to child neglect. And of course, they all come together in the Dellawisp, and help each other heal?

As multiple other reviewers have said, I felt like this book meandered from character to character, while never really fully developing each one or really combining them all in to one complete story, and then BAM! The last few chapters suddenly things start happening and everyone comes together and it all just fell flat for me.

All in all, it had a few lovely moments and Allen is fantastic at description. I hope this book marks her return to writing and that there will be more from her soon.

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

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Six Feet Deep Dish, by Mindy Quigley

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, Did not finish.

First in a new series, but last for me.

I had a really hard time getting in to this book. The main character just wasn't super likeable. Wow, a chef with anger issues? And she actually thinks that is a good thing! Add in that a lot of the descriptions of things (characters' weight and relationships with food, etc.) were really off-putting. Other descriptions were just dumb. I mean, please stop describing the man's lips as "pillowy."

This series is not for me.

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


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A Rip Through Time, by Kelley Armstrong

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First in the series.

I'm honestly torn on this one. I like Kelley Armstrong's books, but this one didn't hold my attention like they normally do. Maybe it was the period setting. It was an okay first book, and I'll probably read the next in the series, but historical mysteries really aren't my thing and combine that with the time travel element, and the whole thing is just off for me. It took a while to get through, just because I could only read for a few pages before some new shiny thing caught my attention.

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

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A Good Day for Chardonnay, by Darynda Jones

A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the series.

I am really enjoying this series. I love Sunshine and Auri, they're both fun and have a great relationship. They're both fun, smart and sassy. Sunshine's parents could use being a little less indulgent with Auri, though, haha. Levi, at times makes me want to slap him, with his macho man act.

All in all, I found this book a fun, fast read and I am very happy that all the mysteries within the mystery have wrapped up. It will be interesting to see where things go next.

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

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A Tale of Two Cookies, by Eve Calder

A Tale of Two Cookies by Eve Calder

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

Book 3 in the series.

I didn't realize when I requested this book that it was book 3. I prefer to start from the beginning, but I didn't have any problems getting in to this story.

The characters were fun, and some of the situations made me laugh out loud. I thought the mystery of the missing bride groom was interesting and didn't want to put it down until I finished. Lucky for me, it was a fast, easy, read.

I'm looking forward to more from this author.

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

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The Falcon Always Wings Twice, by Donna Andrews

The Falcon Always Wings Twice by Donna Andrews

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

Book 27 in the series.

Donna Andrews is one of my go to authors when I need something to make me laugh. The entire Meg Langslow series is laugh out loud funny, and this one did not disappoint.

Biscuit Mountain has been turned into a Ren Faire on weekends, complete with a falconer, jousting, games, turkey legs, and mead and ale. And of course, crafts people, like Meg and Faulk. It's wonderful to see all of our favorite characters again, and for the most part they're all having a grand time. Apart from one bothersome actor with an affinity for mean-spirited pranks, anyway.

The entire Ren Faire storyline was amusing and I would love to see Donna Andrews return there again some time.

If you're looking at picking up this book without having read any of the others in the series, it's a stand alone story, but do yourself a favor and start from the beginning, it's such a fun series you'll be glad you did.

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



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A Bad Day for Sunshine, by Darynda Jones

A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones

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

Book 1 in a new series.

I originally really liked Darynda Jones' previous series (it started to go a bit too off the rails for me after several books, but that's another blog post), so when I saw she had a new series coming out I decided to request it.

I'm glad I did. I liked Sunshine immediately. Her relationship with her daughter is fun, but still mostly realistic and they're both sharp, capable females. In fact, this book has numerous independent, tough, funny, sexy, smart females and I loved that.

The plot kept me entertained and laughing out loud, while waiting to see what would happen next. I can't wait for the next book (And I really want Sunny to take that *itch of a blackmailing mayor down! You know it's coming, she threatened Sunny's daughter!).

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided to me 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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Killer in the Carriage House, by Sheila Connolly

Killer in the Carriage House by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 2 in the series.

I liked the first book a bit better but, I'm not liking this series as much as I usually like Ms. Connolly's other work. Kate isn't super likable, and in this book, the mystery seems more like filler in the story of the town's history.

However, it took me a few books to warm up to Mara in Ms. Connolly's County Cork series, so I am willing to give the next book a chance.

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

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Toucan Keep a Secret, by Donna Andrews

Toucan Keep a Secret by Donna Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 23 in the series.

I always love to read about Meg and her family. The plots are always entertaining and I had several laugh out loud moments with this one. Meg is the typical nosy protagonist, but she's not stupid about it. She doesn't deliberately blunder in to dangerous situations, even while she does her best to help the police figure out who is responsible. The cold case element to this book added another layer that was interesting.

It was a fun, fast, read that I pretty much didn't put down until it was done.

Being a long running series, I suggest starting with early books, not because you have to, but because they're FUN and it's always interesting to see how the main characters have changed.

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

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Cat About Town, by Cate Conte

Cat About Town by Cate Conte

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

Book 1 in the series.

When the most likeable character in the book is a cat, there's a problem. The only thing I really liked about the main character, Maddie, is her love for cats and taking JJ in.

And I felt a bit cheated, since the blurb said, "When a stray orange tabby pounces into her life, she’s inspired to open a cat café." No, she wasn't. She came home to bury her grandma and check up on her grandfather, she has a juice bar in California. The stray cat prompted her to make friends and take him home with her, that's all. The cat cafe idea didn't really come into play until the very end of the book. (view spoiler)[(And I would bet good money I know where the idea and the money for that came from... Cat Man.) (hide spoiler)]

And don't get me started on the stupid love triangle. That's just destined to ruin a story faster than you can say, "annoying."

I won't be anticipating book 2, though it might go on my library list, just to see how the cafe develops.

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


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Gone Gull, by Donna Andrews

Gone Gull: A Meg Langslow Mystery by Donna Andrews

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

Book 21 in the series.

Another fun outing with Meg and family, this time at the new Biscuit Mountain Craft Center. I dearly love Meg, and it is wonderful to see her back to blacksmithing, even if it is only to teach the basics to the craft retreaters.

Of course Meg ends up smack dab in the middle of a mystery. Someone seems to have it in for the center, playing nasty pranks that could lead to the end of Cordelia's new business. Meg sets out to find out who the culprit is before that happens. And then she finds the body of one of the craft teachers.

All my favorite family members have at least bit parts in this story, which just adds to the fun.

It did start off a bit slowly, but once it got moving I couldn't put it down.

I am definitely waiting impatiently for the next Meg book, Ms. Andrews' usual holiday installment!

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


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Cozy Case Files: A Cozy Mystery Sampler, Volume 1, Various Authors

Cozy Case Files: A Cozy Mystery Sampler, Volume 1 by Ellie Alexander (and various other authors)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, it was exactly what it claimed to be, a sampler of cozy mysteries that I highly enjoyed.

This is nice sampler of 14 cozy mysteries published by St. Martin's Press in the spring/summer of 2017. I had only read books by a few of the authors with excerpts in this book, so it was a nice introduction to the other authors' work.

This sampler did as it was intended, and whetted my appetite for these new releases. Of course, now I am quite impatient to read the complete stories, haha.

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


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Fudge and Jury, by Ellie Alexander

Fudge and Jury by Ellie Alexander

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

Book 5 in the series.

I love the setting for this series, a small Oregon town with a fondness for Shakespeare (and of course the main character is Juliet!).

The mystery and characters are all strong, and I love the Torte crew. My only complaint about the series is Juliet's on again/off again husband, Cruise Ship Casanova Carlos. I'd really like to see that relationship wrapped up, one way or the other. When they are off again, he's just a distraction. Jules seems to have decided that Ashland is where she belongs, so why is C.S.C. Carlos even still an issue? Of course, the end of the book certainly gives a reason for him still being in the picture and I am not sure I like it, but that's all I will say about that so as to not give anything away.

Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read with fun characters and an interesting plot, and oh yeah! Chocolate! ;)

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

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The Secret Ingredient of Wishes, by Susan Bishop Crispell

The Secret Ingredient of Wishes by Susan Bishop Crispell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Fans of Sarah Addison Allen will love this book. It was a sweet story of a woman with the power to grant wishes, whether she wants to or not.

Rachel Monroe tries to run from her questionable gift, and ends up in Nowhere, North Carolina, where lost things have a habit of turning up and magic isn't really considered all that unusual.

In Nowhere, Rachel learns that maybe she can have a normal life after all, with friends, and even a possible romantic relationship with the cute guy next door.

This truly was an absolutely lovely story about second chances that I could not put down.

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

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Pumpkin Picking with Murder, by Auralee Wallace

Pumpkin Picking with Murder by Auralee Wallace
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was just okay. This book took me a lot longer to get through than usual. I kept having to put it down because something in it just pulled me out of the story and it was frustrating.

Honestly, this book just wasn't my cup of tea. I expect cozy mysteries set in small towns to have some eccentric characters. that's how it is with small towns. What I don't expect is that they will ALL be that way. Every last character seemed to be "quirky," the main character, Erica, still rebelling against her childhood, she claims to care for Grady and then keeps information from him; her rich, immature and annoying best friend, Freddie, who jumps from plan to plan with no common sense and way too much money; Erica's mother, Summer Bloom, the stereotypical hippy-dippy flower child, who at this point and time is refusing to speak because she's running a silent retreat for more hippy-dippy wannabes.

And then there's Tweety and Kit Kat. They're people by the way, not dogs or cats. Tweety and Kit Kat nearly made me mark this book as DNF, just because the names made me say to myself, "Who's trying too hard to be cutesy, then?"

I finally managed to slog through it, to a decent resolution of the murder mystery. It did have some funny moments, but for the most part, it tries too hard to be funny. Sadly, I will not be looking forward to anymore books from this author.

*I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

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Die Like an Eagle, by Donna Andrews

Die Like an Eagle by Donna Andrews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars(4.5 stars, really!)

I have to start by saying, I love Ms. Andrews' Meg Langslow series. When I saw the book on NetGalley I was super excited. I honestly try to wait until closer to publishing date to read the ARCs I am given. Die Like an Eagle comes out Aug. 2, I was approved early on June 9. By the end of the day I had finished it, because I could not put it down! Lucky for me, Blogger allows me to schedule publication of this post to a little closer to publication date.

First off, can you believe this is book 20 in the series? And I still can't read one without laughing out loud. This time, Meg and her eccentric family are involved with a coach-pitch Summerball team. But before they and the rest of the Summerball league can enjoy opening day, the annoying league president's look-a-like half brother ends up murdered and stuffed in a porta-potty. Meg quickly figures out that more than that stinks, as she looks into the president's business practices and relationships.

As always, Meg's family provides amusement, if mostly in the background for this book. But the laughs were still plenty and the story kept moving, with never a dull moment. If you haven't read the series, this one can be read as a stand alone story. However, it's worth going back and starting at the beginning, Murder With Peacocks, you won't be sorry you did.

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

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