Friday, July 29, 2016

Review: By Book or by Crook by: Eva Gates

Title: By Book or By Crook
Author: Eva Gates
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Lighthouse Library Mystery #1
Pages: 325
Format: Paperback
Source: Personal Purchase

Description:

Get bound up in murder in the first Lighthouse Library mystery!

For ten years Lucy has enjoyed her job poring over rare tomes of literature for the Harvard Library, but she has not enjoyed the demands of her family’s social whorl or her sort-of-engagement to the staid son of her father’s law partner. But when her ten-year relationship implodes, Lucy realizes that the plot of her life is in need of a serious rewrite.

Calling on her aunt Ellen, Lucy hopes that a little fun in the Outer Banks sun—and some confections from her cousin Josie’s bakery—will help clear her head. But her retreat quickly turns into an unexpected opportunity when Aunt Ellen gets her involved in the lighthouse library tucked away on Bodie Island.

Lucy is thrilled to land a librarian job in her favorite place in the world. But when a priceless first edition Jane Austen novel is stolen and the chair of the library board is murdered, Lucy suddenly finds herself ensnared in a real-life mystery—and she’s not so sure there’s going to be a happy ending....
 

My Thoughts:

In this book we meet Lucy who has recently changed jobs and is working in the Outer Banks at a local lighthouse library where they featuring books written by Jane Austen. When Lucy meets the chair of the library board Mr. Uppiton makes no bones about wanting to terminate Lucy's employment, when Jonathan Uppiton is found murdered all directions point to either Lucy or her boss Bertie?  Then the Austen novels go missing one by one who had the most to gain by stealing these precious novels?

I loved this book going on a wonderful adventure with Lucy full of all sorts of great characters.  Ms. Gates is a superb storyteller.  Drawing you into Lucy's world were you meet fellow library goers and people who work in town and some of them  are out to run Lucy out of town and blame all the crimes and murders on Lucy or her boss Bertie to get  back to the way things were.

Someone seems determined to frame Lucy for the murder and missing books!  Lucy is trying to figure out who wants her gone and why?  Whether it be the library board or someone else with a grudge against Lucy and her new job.  This book really drags you in and won't let go!  I enjoyed this book and everything it entailed.
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Thursday, July 28, 2016

Review: Address To Die For by: Mary Feliz


Title: Address To Die For
Author: Mary Feliz
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Series: A Maggie McDonald Mystery #1
Pages: 320
Format: e-book
Source: GEBT & NetGalley

Description:


For professional organizer Maggie McDonald, moving her family into a new home should be the perfect organizational challenge. But murder was definitely not on the to-do list . . . 
 
Maggie McDonald has a penchant for order that isn’t confined to her clients’ closets, kitchens, and sock drawers. As she lays out her plan to transfer her family to the hundred-year-old house her husband, Max, has inherited in the hills above Silicon Valley, she has every expectation for their new life to fall neatly into place. But as the family bounces up the driveway of their new home, she’s shocked to discover the house’s dilapidated condition. When her husband finds the caretaker face-down in their new basement, it’s the detectives who end up moving in. What a mess! While the investigation unravels and the family camps out in a barn, a killer remains at large—exactly the sort of loose end Maggie can’t help but clean up . . . 

My Thoughts: 

In this series we follow Maggie McDonald and her family as they move to Max's aunts old house he inherited from his aunt, unfortunately they didn't quite expect the disaster the house would be in.  Add that to finding a dead body well that doesn't help matters either and from Max and Maggie can figure out the caretaker was calling in police reports in the beginning but that ended up stopping as someone was adamant to destroy the house.  Will Maggie sniff out the killer in time?

This was a great cozy mysteries and fans of many other cozy series will find themselves enjoying this series as well.  I enjoyed reading about Maggie and her family as they move into the new house to them, and try to figure out who was killed in the house and why?  Definitely a fabulous addition to the cozy series!
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Monday, July 25, 2016

Review: Short & Tale Tales: Moose County Legends by: Lilian Jackson Braun

Title: Short & Tale Tales: Moose County Legends
Author: Lilian Jackson Braun
Publisher: Putnam
Series: The Cat Who Series
Format: Hardcover
Source: Private Purchase

Description:

"Good news for fans of the best-selling Cat who... mysteries--fictional columnist James Qwilleran has finally finished his book showcasing the colorful stories related to him by residents of Moose County, that famous region four hundred miles north of everywhere."

My Thoughts: 

I recently picked up a copy of this book and found it to be just what I expected, although I have found others anticipated a mystery book it's anything but mystery it's chock full of little stories people have told James Qwilleran when they ran in to him in Moose County.  I found them delightful and love how people came up to him on the street or at his residence with another story from long ago.  I think people need to remember that James always said one day he'd write a book about all these little stories that have been sent his way over time.  I thoroughly enjoyed the stories definitely some quarky ones to say the least.

I have been a fan of Lilian Jackson Braun since I was a teenager and my aunt handed me one of her books to try out and see if I would like it which I did so during my summers she would get me caught up on the recent cat who books, such a joy to read and go back to that time when I didn't even know what a cozy was much less had a genre for it.  It all started with the cat who saw red and the rest they say is history!

For those who love the Cat who books which ones is your favorite?
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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Review: Murder on the Mother Road by: Glenn Nilson


Title: Murder on the Mother Road
Author: Glenn Nilson
Publisher: Creekside Publishing
Pages: 318
Format: e-book
Source: GEBT

Description:

Bobby Navarro rides his Harley into another adventure when he discovers the body of a young woman in the trunk of a parked car in Williams, Arizona, on old Route 66. Who would leave a car, with a body in it, parked on the main street of town? And, who told the police Bobby had been the driver of the car, because they soon take him to the police station to conduct an "interview." Then, to make matters worse, Bobby realizes one of the police officers is a woman he had a crush on in high school. And, that's just his first night in town. Next morning, Bobby has breakfast at a local diner, where everyone is talking about the murder and the arrest of one of the diner's cooks. The staff don't think the suspect is guilty of the crime, and one of the locals, Daryl King, lets slip to Bobby that he knows who the guilty party really is. Trouble is, Daryl won't tell the police whatever it is he knows. In fact, Daryl has trouble talking with anyone. The fact that he made an exception in Bobby's case, leads to Bobby agreeing to work with the police to find out if Daryl does know who the killer is. Bobby's part in the investigation takes him to the Holiness Pentecostal Church of the Brethren, a church run by an ex-biker and two of his former gang members. There, he discovers a host of suspects, leaving Bobby to wonder whether he will have to "get religion" in order to help solve this Murder on the Mother Road. 

My Review:

This book follows Bobby Navarro who travels around on his motorcycle and helps out when he can, when he witnesses a hit and run and tries to do the right thing he finds himself knee deep in a murder investigation when a young girl is found dead in a car at a local hotel.  Who the girl is and what she is doing dead in the car is anyone guess?  Bobby finds himself helping the police trying to find out what happened.  It also leads Bobby to meet with a man Daryl who claims to know who did it in the girl, which leads to a local church and some biker gang members.  How far will Bobby to go to assist the police?


This was a great cozy mysteries that is very different from the typical ones you read, in this one we have a biker riding around trying to solve a murder which is very different then the typical ones you read.  Bobby seems like a likable character who wants to help where he can.  I definitely loved being on route 66 that was great and brought a lot of great characters with it.  Definitely a series I could read again.  Can't wait to see what is next for this series!

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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Review: Thread and Gone by: Lea Wait

Title: Thread and Gone
Author: Lea Wait
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Mainely Needlepoint #3
Pages: 290
Format: Kindle e-book
Source: Personal Purchase

Description:

When a priceless antique is stolen, murder unravels the peaceful seaside town of Haven Harbor, Maine. . .Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. But nothing grabs their attention like tying up loose threads. So when Mary Clough drops in on the group's Fourth of July supper with a question about an antique needlepoint she's discovered in her family attic, Angie and her ravelers are happy to look into the matter.

Angie's best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepointing. If Angie's right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in a safe in her office. But when the lawyer is found dead with the safe open and ransacked, the real mystery begins. . .


My Thoughts:

This book follows Angie Curtis and the Mainely Needlepointers as they are set to discover the history of a young Mary Clough who brings to them an antique needlepoint wondering it's value and mystery behind she has been cleaning up her house after her parents died and is deciding what to sell and what not to sell.  Along with the needlepoint is a letter written in French.

Angie and fellow Needlepointers set out to research the antique but Angie decides for safe keeping to leave the needlepoint with a local lawyer for safe keeping when  the lawyer winds up dead, and the needlepoint goes missing along with Lenore's jewelery it's up to Angie to find out what happened and try to reclaim the needlepoint for Mary.

From there the group finds out that it could be attached to Mary Queen of Scots, and multiple other Mary's.  The bigger question though is who killed the lawyer and what happened to the needlepoint?

I enjoyed this book but I get people complaining because of the lack of needlepoint being done but I definitely can see alot of people enjoying the aspect of history especially Marie Antoinette and Mary Queen of Scots.  I can't wait to see what is next with the Mainely Needlepoints!
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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Review: The Diva Serves High Tea by: Krista Davis

Title: The Diva Serves High Tea
Author: Krista Davis
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Domestic Diva #10
Pages: 304
Format: Nook e-book
Source: Purchase

Description:


The New York Times bestselling author of The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss serves up a new mystery steeped in murder…


When The Parlour opens up in town, domestic diva Sophie Winston finally has a place to satisfy her cravings for all things tea and crumpet related. And the shop serves as the perfect place for the ladies of the town to gather and gossip, especially since it’s conveniently located right across the street from the new antique store run by the handsome and charming Robert Johnson.
But speculation around Robert really boils over when he’s found dead—a victim of poisoning after attending a literacy fundraiser at The Parlour the night before. What Sophie learns about the man leaves a bitter taste in her mouth, and she’ll have to strain out a killer from a strange brew of suspects…

My Thoughts: 

In this book we find the usual gang going to a local and new tea parlor where Natasha is hosting an auction.  There you meet all sorts of new people.  First we find Sophie saving Natasha from an intruder when Natasha is attacked.  

Then things move to all things tea related with the new tea shop called The Parlour in town the auction is being held by Robert Johnson, who owns the antique store and is auctioning off things for kids literacy.  There Sophie sees her boyfriend Alex with a woman who seems to act like Alex is her property even though he's dating Sophie of course Alex seems oblivious to this.

Sophie finds herself having a new kid show up at her house repeatedly when his mother is off shoomazing with Alex.  And of course with all things Sophie related she finds a dead body it's Robert Johnson with his last words being 'Rosie' what it means no one knows and Sophie vows to stay out of it but with all things relating to Domestic Diva books Sophie gets multiple requests to get involved.  Who killed Robert Johnson and why?  What does the word 'Rosie' have to do with any of it?

I love this series it was my first adult reading series of cozy books as an adult.  I got drawn in and have named my laptop hard drive Domestic Diva I think everyone has a little Diva in them.  I love how we got to see more about the characters relationships and such it wasn't just about the mystery which was great a mystery with alot of history behind it.  I love those types of mysteries where you learn history on the people like when Sophie discovered Wolf's wife and that whole mystery.  Ms. Davis really knows how to turn out a fabulous mystery that keeps you entertained for a long time after the book is done.
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Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Review: Bring Your Own Baker by: D.E. Haggerty


Title: Bring Your Own Baker
Author: D.E. Haggerty
Publisher: Kindle
Series: Death by Cupcake #2
Format: e-book
Source: GEBT

Description:


Anna just wants to earn enough money on the side to buy into the bakery, Callie’s Cakes, where she works together with her best nerd pal Callie. The last thing she expects to see when she walks into Arthur’s apartment to do some moonlighting is a blood bath. Callie’s ready to jump into the investigation into Arthur’s murder, and she’s bringing another bakery worker, Kristie, into their hijinks whether Kristie wants to or not. But things aren’t as they seem. There are gang affiliations, illegal gambling dens, and ladies of the night to wade through. Will Anna and Callie discover who murdered Arthur or will Callie’s detective boyfriend and Anna’s self-appointed protector put a stop to such aspirations? 

Come join us at Callie’s Cakes, where murder investigations are on the menu, but make sure to bring your own baker, because Anna’s a bit preoccupied at the moment. 

My Thoughts: 

This book brings us back to Callie's Cakes and this time Anna Callie's baker is in trouble after finding her friend Arthur killed and Anna at the scene of the crime.  Now it's up to Anna to find out what really happened?  This book goes down so many dark paths between rival gangs, pimps and bookies oh my what Anna learns really puts a spin on Arthur and how much Anna really knew about him!

This book was everything you expect when reading Callie's Cakes love and mystery and adventure!  I love seeing what the girls are up to in this book and the lengths the guys in this book will go to to protect their women.  Such a pleasure of a read.  Definitely not your Grandma's cozy mystery!
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Book Blast: Bring Your Own Baker by: D.E. Haggerty

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BRING YOUR OWN BAKER book blast large banner 640





Bring Your Own Baker by D.E. Haggerty

BYOBCV


Cozy Mystery Self Published
Print Length: 166 pages 
Publication Date: June 20, 2016 
ASIN: B01FJVGWXI
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Synopsis

Anna just wants to earn enough money on the side to buy into the bakery, Callie’s Cakes, where she works together with her best nerd pal, Callie. The last thing she expects to see when she walks into Arthur’s apartment to do some moonlighting is a blood bath. Callie’s ready to jump into the investigation of Arthur’s murder, and she’s bringing another bakery worker, Kristie, into their hijinks whether Kristie wants to or not. But things aren’t as they seem. There are gang affiliations, illegal gambling dens, and ladies of the night to wade through. Will Anna and Callie discover who murdered Arthur, or will Callie’s detective boyfriend and Anna’s self-appointed protector put a stop to such aspirations?
Come join us at Callie’s Cakes, where murder investigations are on the menu, but make sure to bring your own baker, because Anna’s a bit preoccupied at the moment.
Warning: This is NOT your mom’s cozy mystery. Bring Your Own Baker may be a ‘clean’ read, but if gangs, illegal gambling, and pimps make you turn your nose up at your e-reader, you might want to skip this one. Although you’ll be missing some sizzling chemistry between Anna and her protector. Not to mention a whole bunch of witty dialogue.

Author Bio:


I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on from my mom's Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew to Little Women. When I wasn't flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although I did manage every once in a while to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. Another job change, this time from lawyer to B&B owner and I was again fed up and ready to scream I quit, which is incredibly difficult when you own the business. Thus, I shut the B&B during the week and in the off-season and started writing. Several books later I find myself in Istanbul writing full-time.

Author Links:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads

Buy links: 
Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

July 5

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Community Bookstop – Review
Laura's Interests – Review
Tea and A Book – Review

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Friday, July 1, 2016

BOTM: Grilled For Murder by: Maddie Day & GIVEAWAY

Title: Grilled For Murder
Author: Maddie Day
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Country Store Mysteries #2

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:


Robbie Jordan may have had reservations about the murder victim, but she still needs to turn up the heat on a killer if she wants to keep her new restaurant open for business…


In the charming small town of South Lick, Indiana, Robbie has transformed a rundown country store into the runaway hit Pans 'N Pancakes. But the most popular destination for miles around can also invite trouble. Erica Shermer may be the widow of handsome local lawyer Jim Shermer's brother, but she doesn't appear to be in mourning. At a homecoming party held in Robbie's store, Erica is alternately obnoxious and flirtatious--even batting her eyelashes at Jim. When Erica turns up dead in the store the next morning, apparently clobbered with cookware, the police suspect Robbie's friend Phil, who closed up after the party. To clear Phil and calm her customers, Robbie needs to step out from behind the counter and find the real killer in short order…

Maddie Day is offering a giveaway to one luck winner a physical copy of Grilled For Murder.  Good Luck!

This contest is open to USA residents:

please include your email in your response who is your favorite cozy character? (like Robbie Jordan, Hannah Swensen, etc)

This contest will end on July 7th!

BOTM: Grilled For Murder by: Maddie Day & GIVEAWAY

Title: Grilled For Murder
Author: Maddie Day
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Country Store Mysteries #2

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:


Robbie Jordan may have had reservations about the murder victim, but she still needs to turn up the heat on a killer if she wants to keep her new restaurant open for business…


In the charming small town of South Lick, Indiana, Robbie has transformed a rundown country store into the runaway hit Pans 'N Pancakes. But the most popular destination for miles around can also invite trouble. Erica Shermer may be the widow of handsome local lawyer Jim Shermer's brother, but she doesn't appear to be in mourning. At a homecoming party held in Robbie's store, Erica is alternately obnoxious and flirtatious--even batting her eyelashes at Jim. When Erica turns up dead in the store the next morning, apparently clobbered with cookware, the police suspect Robbie's friend Phil, who closed up after the party. To clear Phil and calm her customers, Robbie needs to step out from behind the counter and find the real killer in short order…

Maddie Day is offering a giveaway to one luck winner a physical copy of Grilled For Murder.  Good Luck!

This contest is open to USA residents:

please include your email in your response who is your favorite cozy character? (like Robbie Jordan, Hannah Swensen, etc)

This contest will end on July 7th!

Review: Yarned and Dangerous by: Sadie Hartwell


Title: Yarned and Dangerous
Author: Sadie Hartwell
Publisher: Kensington
Series:  A Tangled Web Mystery #1
Pages: 250
Format: Paperback ARC
Source: author

Description:


Time has not been kind to sleepy Dorset Falls, Connecticut, where an erstwhile resident is hoping to bring a tattered yarn shop back to life—but with a murderer on the loose, the whole town is in knots…

Josie Blair left Dorset Falls twelve years ago in hopes of making it big in New York City. But after earning an overpriced master’s degree and getting fired by a temperamental designer, she finds herself heading back to her hometown. Her great-uncle was injured in a car accident, and newly unemployed Josie is the only person available to take care of him. Uncle Eb’s wife didn’t survive the crash, so Josie is also tasked with selling the contents of her Aunt Cora’s yarn shop. But the needling ladies of the Charity Knitters Association pose a far bigger challenge than a shop full of scattered skeins…
Miss Marple Knits is one of the few businesses still open in the dreary downtown. Josie can’t imagine how it stayed open for so long, yet something about the cozy, resilient little shop appeals to her. But when one of the town’s most persnickety knitters turns up dead in a pile of cashmere yarn, Josie realizes there’s something truly twisted lurking beneath the town’s decaying façade…

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Josie Blair who has returned to Dorset Falls after leaving twelve years ago, she is there to help her Uncle.  After lossing her job when her boss makes advances towards her she goes home to help her Uncle Eb whose broken his leg and lost his wife due to a car accident?  But was it really an accident when her car was checked the day before?  Who had the most to gain from Cora's death?

There a no shortage of possibilities was it someone in the knitting circle that did or someone else have something to gain?  There are some residents who wish Josie would just go back to where she was and leave Dorset Falls forever.  Unfortunately Josie wants answers to what happened to Cora and why the big rush to sell the store?

I really loved this book it was definitely a great small town mystery with adventure and mystery.  Can't wait to see what is next for this quiet town of Dorset Falls and their various residents! 
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Interview with Nancy Hersage author of Follow The Dotted Line

What Genre do you write? 

I began as a playwright. My most successful play is a drama, which was done by the Kennedy Center. And I wrote both historical dramas and a thriller for TV. But I have also written dozens of comedy musicals for the stage, a genre in which I love working. My mystery novel, Follow the Dotted Line, in a quirky comedy in the tradition of Stephanie Plum, only the heroine is over 50 and has four grown chlldren.

What brought you to writing cozy mysteries? 

I love mysteries. I wanted to write an autobiography to tell some of the outrageous stories in my family. I didn’t know that genre, but I found a way to write a really quirky, satirical mystery story using a great amount of true-life material.

Who is your favorite character when you write a book? 

In this book, I love to hate the teenager, Harley Davidson. He’s outrageously naïve, ignorant and full of hubris. The central character, his aunt, can’t stand him. She’s the book’s quasi-heroine, but in many ways she’s just as self-centered and self-absorbed. They are mirror images of one another, standing on opposite ends of the political and social spectrum. This makes for a very make a dynamic duo.

Who inspires your books? (Dead or Alive?)


 Any good story inspires me to write. Any well-written good story still awes me. I love Denise Mina’s writing; great plots and terrific writing. I love the musical Once On This Island. Incredible music, wonderful writing, large and moving themes. This is exceptional writing that makes me want to scream with the pure joy of it’s artistry.


What do you do when you’re not writing? 

I have made my living writing for the last forty years. I don’t know how to do anything else but golf (I’m pretty good at that) and hang out with my grown kids and not-so-grown grandkids. (I have seven.) I’m also into listening to books on tape. Again, there is nothing more sublime than a well-written story well read.

Tell us three things people may not know about you?

I wrote the stage adaptations of both Ordinary People and A Separate Peace.
I sold a movie treatment to Tom Cruise.
I’m sort of an expert on Nicola Tesla.

If you were stuck on a deserted island (like Giligan’s Island) name three things you would take with you?

A set of Pings. A life-time supply of bean burritos. A cell phone, so I could argue politics, art and business with my three kids.