Search for the Dead, by Sheila Connolly

Search for the Dead by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 5 in the series, but can be read as a stand alone.

Abby and her boyfriend have the ability to see their dead relatives, though Abby's "gift" seems to be stronger than Ned's. Ned has known about his ability since childhood, Abby is quite new to her ability. In this book, Abby decides that she needs to learn more about what is happening and along with Ned's mother, goes to a psychic fair to check things out.

She also convinces Ned that it's time to look into the scientific aspect of their connection.

It was a quick and interesting read and advanced Abby and Ned's story a bit, filling in some blanks that have persisted through out the previous books.

There were a few things I didn't like, however. The scientific side was a bit too detailed and I am really getting tired of Leslie's attitude. I would like to see that storyline get some resolution.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*

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Cat Got Your Diamonds, by Julie Chase

Cat Got Your Diamonds by Julie Chase
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

First in a series.

I have to start off by saying that I really dislike the trend of dressing pets up. They're not dolls and they're not children and forcing them in to clothing seems mean.

That said, I actually did enjoy this debut mystery. It was fast paced and fun. There were a few scenes that had me laughing out loud. I liked the main character, she's smart, yet fanciful in a good way, and a strong female character. The supporting "cast" was the usual eccentric mix you tend to expect in cozies and they added to the fun feel of the story.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*

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The Good, the Bad and the Guacamole, by Rebecca Adler

The Good, the Bad and the Guacamole by Rebecca Adler
My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars, I wasn't a huge fan.

Book 2 in a series.

I wanted to like this book, I really did. The town is cute, the location could be brilliant, but the author never really makes use of the area of Texas the book is set in, other than to talk up Tex-Mex cooking, which just left me hungry.

I just couldn't get into this book. A book that should have taken me just hours to read took me 10 days to wade through, because it just didn't hold my interest. I kept putting it down to read something new.

The fact is, I just don't really like Josie. She's bland. And I am starting to get annoyed with books that anthropomorphize animals. I don't mind the ones where the animal has a personality, or even a special talent, but when you start dressing up your dog and treating it like your baby, I have to draw the line.

Sadly, I admit to finally just skimming the rest of the book just to get to the end. I won't be reading anything else in this series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.*

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Beignets, Brides and Bodies, by J.R. Ripley

Beignets, Brides and Bodies: A Cozy Mystery Set in Smalltown Arizona by J.R. Ripley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the series. I was able to jump right in without feeling like I was missing anything by not reading the first book.

A light, fun read, full of eccentric characters. Maggie and Mr. Markey had me laughing out loud. It was a fast moving romp through the wacky world of weddings and bridezillas (and Momzillas, too, haha).

The only thing I didn't particularly care for was the cover. It feels too dark for a cozy mystery to me. Luckily, this is one book I didn't judge by the cover!

If you are looking for another fun series, check out the Bird Lover's series by this author too.

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

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Send in the Clowns, by Julie Mulhern

Send in the Clowns by Julie Mulhern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 4 in the series.

Ellison and co. are back. After going to a haunted house with friends, Ellison's daughter Grace misses curfew. Ellison sets off to find her, but finds two scary clowns instead. One's covered in blood and dies right in front of her, after calling her name! The other is holding a knife. When Ellison comes back with help, they've both disappeared.

Now Ellison is faced with several protective men, a killer clown and a missing murder victim.

Having lived in Kansas during my teen years (80s though, not the the 70s), I have a pretty good idea what area of KC these are set in, so that's a huge plus for me. I love mysteries set in real places.

Ellison is a nice strong female character and I really enjoy the humor in this series. My only peeve about this series so far is the terrible love triangle trope as two men vie for Ellison's attention. I'm heartily sick of this plot device in everything!

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

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Dying for Strawberries, by Sharon Farrow

Dying for Strawberries by Sharon Farrow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

A bit darker than the usual cozy, I still enjoyed it. It's a good first in the series, with characters I mostly liked and would like to see more of. The one character I didn't really like (besides the murder victim, who was just awful), was Ryan, the main character's fiance. Something about him grated.

I'll definitely give book 2 in the series a chance.

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

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Frontier Grit: The Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Women, by Marianne Monson

Frontier Grit: The Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Women by Marianne Monson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

I live in the West, so stories about life on the Frontier fascinate me, especially stories about the women who braved long, hard, travels. The women in this book were all new to me, and I enjoyed learning about them and in fact may see if I can find out even more about a few of them.

What I did NOT enjoy was the author chiming in at the end of each chapter and blathering at me about why each woman was important and what she felt I should take away with me. It totally read like a high school essay, with the student trying to explain to the teacher why their essay was so good it deserved an A. After the first one, I just skipped them and moved on.

The author's style is a bit dry and academic at times, rather than that of a true storyteller, but for the most part I learned a lot about these women and enjoyed reading about them.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from the publisher, via NetGalley.

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Cast in Flight, by Michelle Sagara

Cast in Flight by Michelle Sagara
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 12 in the series.

I LOVE this series. I read this book in one go, I didn't want to put it down. The only negative is now I have to wait another year for the next book!

In this book we finally get some progress, in both Kaylin and plot. We get the promised dinner with the Emperor, and I loved it. Kaylin is growing as a character, but she still has relatively few filters and doesn't think before she speaks, which is often amusing for the reader, if not for her.

This book focused on the Aerians and Kaylin is forced to actually see them as the not perfect individuals that they are, rather than the perfect beings she's pretty much placed on a pedestal until now. I love seeing Kaylin's fierce loyalty to her friends/family.

I have to admit though, that I'd like to see an end to the Nightshade and his brother's squabbling, it's not going anywhere and it's just annoying. Frankly, I would be okay if Nightshade didn't appear for a few books.

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.*

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Saddle Up For Murder, by Leigh Hearon

Saddle Up For Murder by Leigh Hearon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 2 in a series.

This book just didn't hold my interest. I found myself putting it down and doing something else instead of reading it. The mystery was ok, it was more of Annie and her personal life that bugged me. I like strong women characters, but Annie seemed too determined to go it on her own, even to the point of getting involved in a long distance relationship. I found it sad that she really only seems to care about her animals and really only tolerate most people. By the end of the book she seems to have softened a little, which made her a little more likeable.

I would read the next book in the series, but only if I can get it from the library.

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


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All I Want for Christmas, by Jenny Hale

All I Want for Christmas: A feel good Christmas romance to warm your heart by Jenny Hale

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

Single mom Leah's future plans are messed up by her dead match-making grandmother when the home/business she expects to inherit must be split with a man she barely knows.

I felt bad for Leah when the plans she'd made with her grandmother to reopen a wedding venue in her childhood home fall through when David inherits half the house.

The story was a little slow moving, but still sweet, if predictable. David was a bit stiff, and even a little entitled, but the ending was satisfying.

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


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Killing Thyme, by Leslie Budewitz

Killing Thyme by Leslie Budewitz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, the best yet!

Book 3 in the series.

This is truly one of my favorite cozy series! I love visiting Pepper in Seattle and the Pike Place Market, which is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. And I don't have to deal with Seattle traffic to get there!

In Killing Thyme, always busy Pepper has even more on her plate, with a visit from her mother and a blast from the past that ends in murder. Pepper vows to stay out of it, but with her mother connected to the victim and secrets from Pepper's childhood coming to light, she feels she has to find justice for the dead woman.

I read this book in one sitting, because I did not want to put it down. One thing happens after another, keeping things moving at a satisfying pace. The mystery within the mystery was intriguing, and I loved the resolution of everything. The characters are strong and well developed, and most importantly, likeable!

As always, the recipes in the book sound delicious. I really want to make the Herbed Black Bean Pasta Salad, which sounds both yummy and EASY, haha.

*I received an advance copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review*


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Pocktbooks and Pistols, by Dorothy Howell

Pocketbooks and Pistols by Dorothy Howell
My rating: 1 of 5 stars, I did not like it.

Book 9 in a series.

Being book 9 should have been my first clue that this book wasn't going to work for me, there's too much history that I am missing here, and it was obvious.

And I really couldn't connect with the main character. Haley felt ditzy, shallow and materialistic. I am not at all about fashion, so the constant shopping and handbag babbling just got on my nerves. And working a crap retail job just to get an 80% discount at a sister store? Umm, have you ever worked retail? Crap job for sure, but you're lucky if you get any discount, and 80% off to a high dollar store (that isn't even the store you work at?)? NOPE. Never going to happen. Honestly, that point was so hard for me to get past.

That, and the blurb, which sounded ok, really had nothing to do with the storyline. "With the extra duties she’s taking on, Haley’s positioning herself to be Employee of the Month." Haley spends more time dodging work than taking on extra, and she certainly isn't willing to put in the kind of work to get to be employee of the month!

Maybe if I was more of a fashionista, or had never worked retail so I could ignore all of the inconsistencies in this book, it would have gone down better. As it was, I ended up feeling as though an interesting mystery got lost in too much trivia and annoyed by too much, "me, me, me," from the MC.

I was provided an ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

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The Purloined Poodle, by Kevin Hearne

The Purloined Poodle by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Novella in the Iron Druid series.

Thank Oberon! Pure praise for the Purloined Poodle's perspective! This book was all Iron Druid and sidekick. Or maybe Atticus was the sidekick this time around, but who cares! Clever Girl made only a very small appearance and Owen is only briefly spoken of.

I adored the puns, Oberon's silly dog sense of humor, Doctor Who Wibbly Wobbley Timey Wimey quotes, and even a reference to Seanan McGuire's Tybalt, King of Cats. Even the other dogs' names made me giggle.

Honestly, the last two full length Iron Druid books have been packed with so many other characters and differing points of view that it was lovely to see just the man and his dog again, solving a light mystery and not running for their lives like the majority of the series has been.

And I totally want to see more of Starbuck, haha.

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

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Unlucky Charms, by Linda O. Johnston

Unlucky Charms by Linda O Johnston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book 3 in the series and much better than the previous two. To be completely up front though, I have to say I would never have read it had I not received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.

The mystery was a bit slow to develop, but at least the characters didn't prattle on forever about superstitions this time. They were there, just not as overwhelming as the last books. Rory still tends to be repetitive at times, and certainly has her "too stupid to live moments," but it truly was a better story this time around and I am glad I read it.

One thing I still find annoying is the mayor's pronouncement that anyone who speaks of anything bad happening in the town will have bad luck. It's a small town, gossip happens, and as long as the merchants know not to talk about stuff like that in front of the tourists, who cares what they talk about? And it's not like you can force bad luck on someone, so it just comes off as silly.

I think after this book, I just might be willing to give the next book a try, since the superstitious fun is there, without being so over the top, and I do like the characters.

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Death of a Toy Soldier, by Barbara Early

Death of a Toy Soldier by Barbara Early
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book one in a new series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in one sitting, after surgery and it kept me well distracted from the pain. Why only 4 stars? The dreaded Love Triangle Trope raises its ugly head again. If not for the Jack-Liz-Ken triangle shaping up, it would have been just about perfect.

I truly hope we see more of sisters Irene and Lenora, because they just made me laugh out loud. I loved the whole shop crew, from Cathy's terrible cooking to Dad's terrible puns and everyone trying to one up him.

The idea of a vintage toy shop and game nights sounds like so much fun, even with games I hate, like Monopoly, haha. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the shop crew's adventures.

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

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Apprentice in Death, by J.D. Robb

Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars, I freakin' loved it!

The 5 star rating is based on the fact that this got me distracted through some heavy pain from surgery in the morning, and allowed the pain pills to kick in! If it's good enough to make me forget about pain, it's good enough to rate the 5th star, haha. Seriously, the only time I put this down was during surgery. It was just that good.

This time around, Dallas and crew are up against a long distance serial killer (LDSK) who strikes seemingly random targets.

Dallas and the friends get things done, even with threats of baby birthday parties and new home office designs. And as the LDSK hits close to home, the team buckles down to track down their suspect.

I'm always amazed that Nora Roberts/JD Robb can go 40-odd books in a series and still be an into the characters as she was at the start. So many authors of long running series lose interest, or worse start writing for themselves and change their characters some the dedicated fan doesn't even recognize them anymore. But Eve Dallas is still Eve, a little softer maybe, but still kicking ass and I adore her.

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It's Your Party, Die if You Want To, by Vickie Fee

It's Your Party, Die If You Want To by Vickie Fee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 2 in a series, though I didn't even realize it until I looked at the title on Goodreads.

As if Liv McKay didn't have enough to do planning multiple parties, now she has to help solve a murder as well.

Busy party planner Liv is a smart, capable and likeable main character. The murder victim, not so much. As a result, multiple people had reasons to want Morgan Robison dead. I enjoyed most of the characters in the book, though a few of the characters were a bit too quirky and frankly, annoying. If I had been Lucinda, I'd have called the cops on Sindhu and Nell and that would have been that.

Without giving any spoilers, I absolutely loved how Liv plotted a way to make the murderer(s) reveal themselves at the end of the book.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. The main characters were well written and the plot full of little twists and turns that kept things interesting. I am definitely going to get book one in the series, and looking forward to the next.

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

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The Murder of a Queen Bee, by Meera Lester

The Murder of a Queen Bee by Meera Lester
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 2 in a series. I definitely felt at times that I was missing information that I probably would have gotten if I had read the first book.

This book just wasn't my cup of tea. I had a hard time getting into the story, and in fact kept putting it down to read something else. Lots of little things that just added up to a big, "Nope." for me.

The entire "farmette" thing. It's a freaking farm, even if it's a small farm. For some reason the word "farmette" grates on me.

And I know this is a cozy, and therefore you have to be prepared to suspend your disbelief, but I just couldn't manage it in this one. Yes, Abby is a retired police officer. But retired is the active word, and there's absolutely no way they'd have let her on a crime scene, friends of another cop or not.

The relationship between Jack, Abby and Clay bugged me too, since I am not at all a fan of the love triangle trope and even a hint of one is a huge turnoff to me.

I really struggled to get past my first impressions of this book. I can't say I would recommend it, or rush out and buy the next in the series.

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

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Death by Pumpkin Spice, by Alex Erickson

Death By Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 3 in a series.

I started reading this book and had major deja vu. It took me a while to realize that I had read the first chapter at the end of the 2nd book in the series.

This series had a lot going for it, in theory, a bookstore/coffee shop is the perfect combination. And this one had pumpkin recipes too! Unfortunately, for me this book just never lived up to the potential. In fact, the whole series has been a bit of a dud. I gave it three books, but I doubt I will read any more in the series.

The main character just is not likable. She's so obsessed with finding a man that I just couldn't take it after a while. The only thing that saved the book from getting 1 star was the fact that almost the entire book took place at a Halloween party, and the pumpkin recipes.

Hopefully next time a book in this series comes out I will remember that I read the previous entries and give it a pass.

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

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Body on the Bayou, by Ellen Byron

Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 2 in the series opens with Maggie juggling helping heavily pregnant bridezilla Vanessa pull together her wedding, work, a new relationship and her art. When another B&B guest is murdered and Vanessa is the main suspect, Maggie has to add solving the murder to her to-do list.

I love the Louisiana setting, the glimpse into the old plantations and modern day life in the bayou. I like Maggie and her family (and most of her friends). I don't particularly like Vanessa. I strongly dislike Rufus. It all combines in to one great setting with fun characters and an interesting murder mystery.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of Cajun Country and the Crozats.

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

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