Something's Knot Kosher, by Mary Marks

Something's Knot Kosher by Mary Marks

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book was just "knot" for me. I love books about crafting, but I just found myself unable to get into this book. I couldn't relate to the characters, and really, that may be because once again, I've managed to pick up a book that is number 4 in a series that I have not read. The relationships and friendships feel like there's some back story here, and I never really felt caught up.

The mystery was interesting and well thought out, and I did finally finish after a lot of picking it up and putting it down to read something else.

I am thinking about picking up the other books in the series, to see if that makes a difference. My recommendation is, read the books in order. If you've read the rest of them, I think you will like this book more than I did.

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



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Cracked to Death, by Cheryl Hollon

Cracked to Death by Cheryl Hollon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Book 3 in a series, but absolutely an enjoyable read even if you haven't read previous books.

I'm loving this series. Savannah Webb is settling in to life in Florida, running and expanding her family's glass shop, Webb's. Professionally and personally, her life is happily moving right along.

In this entry, Webb's Glass Shop is having upcycling classes. Savannah's friend and employee, Amanda, is teaching the students to make their old glass bottles into cheese platters, or decorative glass flowers, as well as other fun ideas. Who knew you could do such cool things with empty glass bottles? I wish we had a glass shop near me, this would be so fun to do!

Meanwhile some very old glass bottles show up and trouble follows, with a body washed up on the beach. With Amanda keeping secrets and acting strangely, the Webb's group must come together and find out who killed the man and why.

This book is well written, with well developed, likable characters and an interesting mystery. I loved the treasure hunt aspect. My only regret with this book is we didn't see as much of Jacob and Suzy. I love that young man.

I can't wait to see what the future holds in store for the entire Webb's crew.

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



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Braking for Bodies, by Duffy Brown

Braking for Bodies by Duffy Brown

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I am absolutely enjoying this series. I totally adore how each murder ends up an island festivity, haha. With this one, Evie ends up convincing the hordes of tourists that the murder victim they've seen is actually part of a special murder mystery weekend put on by their hotel. Crews of arm chair detectives roam the island trying to find who done it. The islanders play along to keep the fudgie dollars from drying up.

But when Evie's best friend ends up the prime suspect, Evie goes in to action to keep Fiona from being locked up, all why trying to live up to her role as maid of honor in a wedding that seems doomed.

An absolutely enjoyable romp over Mackinac Island. I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for a light-hearted, amusing, cozy mystery.



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Fixin' to Die, by Tonya Kappes

Fixin' To Die by Tonya Kappes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


After two years of little to no crime, Sheriff Kenni has to solve two serious crimes and prove that she has what it takes to be sheriff.

This book was a good first in a series. I enjoyed the touch of paranormal, with Kenni's ghostly gramps, the previous town sheriff, helping her out The sexy State Reserve officer on loan since Kenni's deputy just retired, was a nice addition as well. The small town feel is realistic and fun, full of the quirky (and annoying) characters found in so many small towns.

It was a fun cozy mystery, and I am looking forward to book 2.

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



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Murder Most Fowl, by Edith Maxwell

Murder Most Fowl by Edith Maxwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Book 4 in a series.

While this was book 4 in the series, I have to say that I never felt lost, having not read books 1-3. The main characters feel well developed, and most important, likable. The main character, Cam, is smart enough to save her own fanny as well, and I really like that.

The story was tight and fun, while still having some suspense about who is behind the vandalizing of local farmer's animal enclosures and who killed Cam's neighbor. I got so engrossed in this book that I read it straight through to the end.

Now I have to go find books 1-3, haha.

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



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A Bead in the Hand, by Janice Peacock

A Bead in the Hand by Janice Peacock

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is the second in a series. It can be read as a stand alone, as I had not read the first book, and I didn't seem to be missing anything, plot-wise.

I really enjoyed this book. I love Seattle and Oregon, so the setting appealed as well as the subject. I consider myself a crafty person, but I knew nothing about glass beads, other than they sell them in the craft store and make really pretty stitch markers for knitting, haha. I like that Jax talks about making them without going in to too much detail, it makes the process sound interesting. And the description of the beads made me want to buy them.

I liked the other characters in the book as well, even the Goth twins, annoying as they were. I am looking forward to the next book, but...

My only complaint came at the very end of the book, when the author shoe-horned the dreaded love triangle into the book.

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



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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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