Past Due for Murder, by Victoria Gilbert

Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 3 in the series.

Oops. I didn't realize this was the third book when I requested it. I think I would have liked it more had I read the previous two.

I have to admit, that my main reason for rating this book only two stars was the main character, Amy. She seemed really impulsive and well, not real smart.

The mystery within the mystery, based on local folklore and past events, was more interesting to me than the modern day mystery.

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

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Death by Committee, by Alexis Morgan

Death by Committee by Alexis Morgan

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

Book 1 in the series.

I like the main character, Abbey, she's resilient, smart and empathetic. And I adore Zeke, the mastiff she inherits along with a house. Not sure how I feel about her love interest, Tripp. He comes off as a bit bossy, which annoyed me. And something I am seeing lately, the mystery takes a back seat to their budding romance and all the other things/people in the story. That said, I try to give first books a bit of a break, since the author is trying to introduce us to everyone. This was enjoyable enough, and a nice, light, quick read.

I look forward to more of Abbey and Zeke in book 2.

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

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Coffeehouse Knits, by Kerry Bogert

Coffeehouse Knits: Knitting Patterns and Essays with Robust Flavor by Kerry Bogert

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars, simply because most of the patterns aren't what I like to knit.

This book has lots of lovely sweater, cowl, and scarf patterns. I was a little disappointed though, because the intro claimed that these were patterns to sip and knit at your local coffeehouse, with or without a knit group. For me, that means portable patterns. And sweaters don't fit that description for me. The most portable project is socks, and there are only two patterns in the book. Both are okay, but nothing super special.

It still gets 4.5 stars because the patterns look well written, with clear directions and charts and really, the items are gorgeous. They just don't fit my personal preference. It's still absolutely worth a look.

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

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A Literal Mess, by J.C. Kenney

A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney

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

Book one in a new series.

This was a nice, quick read. Readers are introduced to Allie Cobb and her family, along with her best friend, Sloan, as Allie goes home for her father's funeral and to clear up loose ends in his literary agency.

The book, like most first in a series books, spends a lot of time building relationships and characterization and not so much on the murder mystery. The mystery was fairly easy to figure out. The writing was solid though, and I really like Allie and her family.

I am looking forward to book two.

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

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The Coloring Crook, by Krista Davis

The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis

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

Book 2 in the series.

I loved Krista Davis' Wagtail series, and I wanted to love this series too, but I am struggling with it.

This book is another in a string of cozy mysteries that has way too much going on/way too many characters. I kept mixing characters up in my head and having to go back and re-read bits. The multiple mysteries fell a bit flat for me as well. There were too many distractions for me to really get in to the story.

I do like Florrie, and the bookstore, though. I will read the next book, and hope that Ms. Davis scales things back a bit and returns to her tight, fun, writing.

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

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Slay in Character, by Lynn Cahoon

Slay in Character by Lynn Cahoon

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

Book 4 in the series.

It's good to be back at a writer's retreat with Cat and her friends, but this wasn't my favorite of the series.

The setting for the murder is an old West town, set up as a tourist attraction. And this time, it's not just Cat involved in the mystery, but her guests that seem to get a kick out of putting themselves in danger. I think that's why I didn't like this one as much. It's bad enough when the main character has too stupid to live moments, but then you throw in a gaggle of women who seem to think the whole thing is a game, and I just kind of got annoyed.

My favorite part of the whole book was the end, when Seth's surprise project was finally revealed. That bumped it from two stars to three for me right there.

As always though, I am looking forward to more book retreats!

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

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Tied Up With a Bow, by Sheila Connolly

Tied Up with A Bow by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Novella in the County Cork series.

I didn't realize this was a novella when I requested it on NetGalley. I am still glad I did, though. It's nice to see Maura's softer side, since relationships/friendships seem to baffle her a bit.

I'm loving the group led by Seamus, as well and of course, The Thing across the road.

This was a nice, quick read.

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

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A Crafter Knits a Clue, by Holly Quinn

A Crafter Knits a Clue by Holly Quinn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

First in the series.

I found myself torn with this book. I wanted to like it, because it's a crafting book, and the local crafters that were introduced in the book were interesting, but the author may have told us a little too much about at least two of them! That was one of the few times I actually agreed with Sammy, haha.

What I liked: 1. The shop itself. I'd like to know more about the handcrafts the shop sells. 2. The town setting. The people we meet are fun and I loved that they all came together to support others on multiple occasions. 3. The plot. It was decent enough, but over shadowed by the things I didn't like.

Unfortunately, my list of things I didn't like was hard for me to get past: 1. Sammy. She's not a crafter, so I thought that was a little disappointing, when you take in the title of the book and the name of the store. And she really came off as very young and immature, both in her attitude and her relationships. 2. S.H.E. It just rubbed me the wrong way. It was a childhood game, and the grown ladies are still acting like they're kids hunting down a lost pet or something (And honestly, the name just annoyed me. It's like the State Farm commercial with the she shed. It grated on my nerves). 3. The tentative relationship between Sammy and the detective. It felt a bit forced. 4. The pacing. It dragged a bit in places, and as a result I found myself putting it down for a while.

I may try book 2 in the series, but it's definitely a library read, not a must buy.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book given to me by the author.*

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Death and Daisies, by Amanda Flower

Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

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

Book 2 in the series.

I love Amanda Flower, but so far this series has been just OK. I like the main character, Fiona, but I am not fond of her immature sister, Isla. And the way she was sneaking around especially annoyed me.

This mystery didn't hold my attention as much as the first book did. I feel like only the second book in, there's a lot more we could learn about the garden, and so I missed that element.

All in all, Ms. Flower's writing is solid and I did enjoy the book, but I'd like to see Isla grow up a bit.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*

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Wreath Between the Lines, by Daryl Wood Gerber

Wreath Between the Lines by Daryl Wood Gerber

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

Book 7 in the series.

It's time for a Christmas visit to Crystal Cove! And Jenna and Crystal Cove go all out for the holidays. We also get to meet more of Jenna's family, as her sister and her family are in town for a singing competition.

Between the holiday hustle and bustle, family issues and of course, a murder, there's a lot going on in this book. It's not the strongest mystery, but it was a fun book anyway and a nice quick read.

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


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Séances are for Suckers, by Tamara Berry

Séances are for Suckers by Tamara Berry

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

First in the series.

I thought this was a fun new twist on the usual paranormal cozy mystery. The main character, Eleanor, is not a physic at all, but pretends to be one to make a living and support her sister. Despite the fact that at heart, Ellie is a con artist, she's still incredibly likable and funny. And she does play "ghostbuster", getting rid of the rats in the attic or making sure that the plumbing is fixed.

Ellie is smart and observant, and the mystery unusual enough to keep me up late reading until the very end. And this time, Ellie's client knows she's fake and just wants her to get rid of the ghost that he's sure is fake as well, but that the rest of the family is positive exists.

I had several laugh out loud moments while reading, and I look forward to more of Madame Eleanor Wilde.

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

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Murder by the Book, by Lauren Elliot

Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott

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

Book one in a new series.

This book is very much focused on introduction and building relationships among the main characters.

There was A LOT going on in this book, and a lot more that I suspect will be followed up in additional books. The mystery the book centers on is a bit convoluted and complex and I felt as though all the relationship building was a bit distracting. It comes off more as a romance with mystery elements thrown in.

My biggest complaint though, is that there was too much unrealistic behavior going on for me to be able to completely suspend my disbelief and sink into the story. For instance, a brand new business owner who leaves her business almost entirely in the hands of her newly met and hired shopkeeper while she runs around solving a mystery. Most small businesses fail in the first year, as a result, most small business owners are pretty much shackled to their business, trying to keep expenses down. Even if the money came from an inheritance, it still seems far-fetched. Add in the chief of police having to arrest his own sister and not being ethically required to turn the investigation, at least officially, over to someone else and I just couldn't help but shake my head.

Hopefully now that a lot of the relationship framework is established, book 2 can concentrate on the mystery.

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

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Nipped in the Bud, by Sheila Connolly

Nipped in the Bud by Sheila Connolly

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

Book 12 in the series.

I am sincerely happy that this series got picked up by a new publisher, but this book is not my favorite in the series. In fact, since Seth and Meg got married, something has been a bit off for me. Part of it is that Meg and Seth are still in the slow season and still bored, just like they were in the previous book and Meg comes off as very whiney.

I will continue to read the series, but I sure hope things get a bit more lively in Granford soon and Meg and Seth are less bored.

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

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The Knitter's Dictionary, by Kate Atherley

The Knitter's Dictionary: Knitting Know-How from A to Z by Kate Atherley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, A fantastic little resource.

Know how to knit? Want to go beyond knit and purl? Then you need to learn how to read those patterns! From k2tog to PSSO, this is the perfect little book to demystify knitting patterns. It's a sweet little reference book to have on hand when you're stumped by an abbreviation. It also has some handy techniques for things such as joining a new ball of yarn.

This is not the book for you if you're trying to learn how to knit, but if you're ready to tackle something harder than a hat or scarf, this book is for you. Intermediate and experienced knitters should still find this handy as well.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book received from the publisher, via NetGalley*

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The Trail of Terror, by Richard Estep

Trail of Terror: The Black Monk of Pontefract, Cripple Creek Jail, Firehouse Phantom, and Other True Hauntings by Richard Estep

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

I'm fascinated with ghosts and things that go bump in the night. I know myself well enough to know that ghost hunting isn't for me, (The closest I've come is multiple visits to the Stanley Hotel, but never actually looking for ghosts.). Knowing that, I live a little vicariously through books and tv shows on the subject instead.

Richard Estep has a gift for story telling that almost makes the reader feel like they are on the investigation with him and his team, which frankly, is rare these days. Most recent books on the subject are either poorly written or dry as dust.

In this book, Estep tackles multiple locations in the U.S. and Great Britain. He doesn't skimp on details, each location gets its own chapter. I love the fact that he details his team's investigation in each spot, including the fact that a lot of the time, nothing happens. Each location was interesting, and I always love getting a bit of the history along with the ghost hunt.

I am looking forward to Richard's next book, whatever it may be.

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

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Haunted Castles of England, by J.G. Montgomery

Haunted Castles of England by J.G. Montgomery
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

I love reading about ghosts and haunted places, and I love history, so this was a good read. As an American, I did have to ask my English husband what the different property designations meant, though. Each castle had a bit of its history and where possible a link to the castle's website. I actually did find myself tapping on a link, just to learn more. It was the perfect read right before Halloween.

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

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Haunted World War II, by Matthew Swayne

Haunted World War II: Soldier Spirits, Ghost Planes & Strange Synchronicities by Matthew L. Swayne

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, this book was ok.

If you're a history buff, this is a book for you, as it's history with a few ghosts thrown in. But I found it a bit dry and repetitive.

It had some decent bits, and I learned more about WWII, so it gets 2 stars.

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

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Assault and Beadery, by Mollie Cox Bryan

Assault and Beadery by Mollie Cox Bryan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 4 in the series.

I keep wanting to like these books, purely because they're about craft retreats that sound so fun. But this one was especially slow to take off. I found myself skipping bits.

One good thing about this book is that Cora and Jane finally felt like separate characters, rather than interchangeable. But we're four books in, and I just don't know that I'll read any more.

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

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Premeditated Peppermint, by Amanda Flower

Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 3 in the series.

"Peppermint is much more than a Christmastime treat. It has a thousand uses. It has been used to freshen breath, flavor beverages, calm nerves and even grow hair. But as far as I could tell, it did not have the power to repel ex-boyfriends."

The very first paragraph made me laugh out loud, and pulled me right in to the story. It was well written, the setting interesting and I did enjoy it. But....

While I like Amanda Flower's writing, this isn't my favorite series. I'm having a hard time connecting with the characters. I'm not sure why, exactly. I just know that I found myself setting this one down a few times and reading something else. I much prefer her Magical Bookshop series, and her Amish Quilt Shop series, written as Isabella Alan.

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

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A Deadly Brew, by Lynn Cahoon

A Deadly Brew by Lynn Cahoon

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

Novella in the series.

This was a short, fast, read that I enjoyed. I do like Jill and Greg and South Cove. The series is well-developed and well written. This is just a a quick pre-Halloween visit to South Cove as Jill and friends spend a weekend in a supposedly haunted house. Spooky happenings cause them to try to figure out the mysterious history of the house, about to be torn down.

I like this series a lot, and I highly recommend starting with the first book in the series. This short can be read as a stand alone, but why deny yourself the pleasure of the whole series?

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

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