Sunday, March 31, 2019

Review: Homicide In Hardcover by: Kate Carlisle

Title: Homicide in Hardcover
Author: Kate Carlisle
Publisher: Obsidin
Series: Biblophile Mystery #1
Pages: 289
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Description:

The streets of San Francisco would be lined with hardcovers if rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright had her way. And her mentor wouldn't be lying in a pool of his own blood on the eve of a celebration for his latest book restoration.

With his final breath he leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message, and gives her a priceless and supposedly cursed copy of Goethe's Faust for safekeeping.

Brooklyn suddenly finds herself accused of murder and theft, thanks to the humorless, but attractive, British security officer who finds her kneeling over the body. Now she has to read the clues left behind by her mentor if she is going to restore justice.

My Thoughts: 

I figured since I started out this series with Books of a Feather I would go back to the beginning.  In this new series Brooklyn is a book binder and she is off to see her mentor who she had a falling out with when she decided to go out on her own.  Hoping to repair their relationship she is pleasantly suprised to see that Abraham is willing to bury the hatchet and move on with his protege. When later on she finds him dead she can't understand who would kill him and why?

This book introduces us to Derek right away and how he always following Brooklyn after the murder which seems to be centered on a book called Faust.  Some claim the book is cursed, but Brooklyn won't be deterred from working on the book.

I loved watching these two stumble around with the mystery especially as another body turns up.  Now someone has there sets sight on Brooklyn and Derek has to do everything he can to help her and make sense of what is going on.  Such an incredible mystery that had me guessing til the very end.
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Review: The Hidden Corpse by: Debra Sennefelder


Title: The Hidden Corpse
Author: Debra Sennefelder
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Food Blogger Mysteries #2
Pages: 310
Format: Paperback
Source: GEBT

Description:

Former reality TV baking show contestant and recent divorcĂ©e Hope Early is trying to find her recipe for success as a food blogger—but murder keeps getting in the mix . . .

When Hope’s elderly neighbor perishes in a home fire, she can't help but feel somewhat responsible. Only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her over, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn't even remember cooking. Clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone.

But it turns out she wasn't alone. When a second body is discovered in the basement of the burned house, suddenly what appeared to be a tragic accident is beginning to look like premeditated murder. As rumors spread like wildfire, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer, but she might be jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire . . . 

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

My Thoughts:

This book follows Hope Early who is working as a book blogger and taking a workshop to help her photos on her blog look better.  Hope's neighbor has returned home after being in rehab and is desperate to stay home and not end up in a nursing home.  When a fire burns the house and another person is found dead.  Hope finds herself investigating and wondering who started the fire and why?

This book reminds me alot of The Domestic Diva series and other foodie mysteries.  It was fun to read as Hope cooked up possibilities to what happened.  Hope has her work cut out for her in this book as she is doing multiple things at once and you find yourself pulled into her town and figuring out who the bad guy was and why!  Can't wait to see what is next for this local author!
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Saturday, March 30, 2019

Review: A Cooking Conspiracy by: Kate Carlisle

Title: A Cooking Conspiracy
Author: Kate Carlisle
Publisher: NAL
Series: Bibliophile Mystery #7
Pages: 305
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

It’s a recipe for disaster when bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright is asked to restore an antique cookbook….

Brooklyn has always been a little obsessed with food, but it was her sister Savannah who became a chef, graduating from the prestigious Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris. She and her classmates all went on to successful careers, but none of them achieved culinary superstardom, like Savannah’s ex-boyfriend Baxter Cromwell.

When Baxter invites the old gang to participate in his new restaurant’s gala opening in San Francisco, Savannah looks forward to seeing her friends, and even asks Brooklyn to restore a tattered cookbook—an old gift from Baxter—as a present for him. But Brooklyn immediately recognizes that the book, which has strange notes and symbols scrawled in the margins, is at least two hundred years old. She thinks that it probably belongs in a museum, but Savannah insists on returning it to Baxter.

Shortly after receiving the gift, Baxter is found dead, with Savannah kneeling over him, bloody knife in hand, and the rare cookbook has disappeared. Brooklyn knows her sister didn’t kill him, and she suspects the missing cookbook might lead to the real villain. Now Brooklyn will have to turn up the heat on the investigation before Chef Savannah finds herself slinging hash in a prison cafeteria. 

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Brooklyn local book binder and her spy boyfriend Derek Stone as they are involved in the world of cooking and cuisine.  In this one Savannah, Brooklyn's sister and her cooking friends are helping one of their own with his grand opening.  Baxter Cromwell has arrived in San Francisco and opening his new restaurant with the help of his friends from college.  

Brooklyn finds herself restoring a book for Baxter that Savannah wants to give back as she is sick of holding on to the book.  On the opening night he's stunned and not in a good way when Savannah gives him the book back all restored.  Later on Baxter is found dead with Savannah standing over him with the bloodied knife in her hands.  Who killed Baxter and why?

This book was definitely a continued wonderful addition to the series.  In this one Brooklyn really has her work cut out for her as she keeps having to remind her sister that someone among them may be a killer.  Which is a job in itself.  

I really enjoyed this the writer pulls you in and won't let go until the story is over.  Totally worth the mystery and unraveling the clues.
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Monday, March 25, 2019

Review: Books of A Feather by: Kate Carlisle

Title: Books of a Feather
Author: Kate Carlisle
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Bibliophile Mystery #10
Pages: 309
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Brooklyn’s friend Ian runs the Covington Library, which is hosting an exhibit featuring John James Audubon’s massive masterpiece, Birds of America, currently on loan from an Arab sheik. During the gala celebrating the book, she is approached by Jared Mulrooney, the president of the National Birdwatchers Society, who urgently needs Brooklyn’s skilled hands to repair a less high-profile book of Audubon drawings that’s fallen victim to spilled wine.

At the same party, Brooklyn is flying high after she’s asked to refurbish and appraise a rare copy of Poor Richard’s Almanac. But everything runs afoul later that evening when Mulrooney’s body is discovered in the library. Rumors fly about a motive for murder. Perhaps Mulrooney wanted to sink his claws into the pricey Audubon book, but Brooklyn believes the man died fighting off a daring thief.
Soon more troubles ruffle Brooklyn’s feathers. Her parents pop in for a visit with an unsavory friend in tow, and there’s a strange man on her tail. With danger beginning to circle Brooklyn’s every move, it’s clear she must find answers before things really go south . . .

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Brooklyn Wainwright whose helping her friend Genevieve Taylor work through her father's collection of books and make sense of it.  She takes home some books that Genevieve wants to have fixed up.  When she gets home she meets Crane a friend of her fiancee Derek.

When they go to the Covington Library for a bird exhibit Brooklyn meets Jared Mulrooney who need Brooklyn to fix his book next thing Brooklyn knows is he is dead.  After several attempted break ins at her apartment her parents arrive and have a friend of theirs spend the night with them only to wind up dead the next day.  Who is going around killing people and why?  What is the fascination with Brooklyn's apartment?  What book are they after?

This is a cute little series about book binder extraordinaire Brooklyn as she solves mysteries along with repairing books.  She has dealt with her share of mysteries having to do with books everytime and the length people go to swipe a book.  Even so far as to murder for a book!
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Sunday, March 24, 2019

Review: Tsarina by: J. Nelle Patrick

Title: Tsarina
Author: J. Nelle Patrick
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 328
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Natalya knows a secret. 

A magical Faberge egg glows within the walls of Russia's Winter Palace.
It holds a power rooted in the land and stolen from the mystics.
A power that promises a life of love for her and Alexei Romanov.
Power, that, in the right hands, can save her way of life.

But it's in the wrong hands.

My Thoughts: 

This book follows what happened in Russia with the fall of the Romanov's.  Early in it we see Alexei and the Faberge egg.  The egg was imbued with all Rasputin's powers and fellow mystics alive.  

When Bolshevik revolution happens Natalya and her friend end up running and wind up kidnapped and made to do things they would rather not do.  Natalya travels all over to get the egg back as she is now protected by the powers of the egg.

This book was all over it was a great re-telling of the story and a spin on what happened during that time frame and added mystical aspects add to it.  Once I began I found I couldn't put it down and was eager to see how they would end the story.  Definitely worth checking out to see how it all played out!



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Saturday, March 23, 2019

Review: The Goddess Inheritance by: Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Inheritance
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: Goddess Test #3
Pages: 303
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Description:

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity. 

My Thoughts: 

Kate has spent nine months being kidnapped by Queen of the Gods and a very vengeful Titan.  Finally she gives birth and has her baby taken away be Calliope.  In a desperate move she begs Cornus to help her and strikes a deal with him.  

Henry searches and finds Kate and war becomes a thing coming quicker than later.  Henry ends up injured and Kate and James go another search to get Cornus's wife to assist them with Cornus even if she won't help there aren't many options left.  Kate is desperate to get her baby back at any cost.

This book had so much going on you can see Kate grow as she does what she needs to protect her family even calling on previous girls who attempted the Goddess Test. That along with an old family member helps to assist Kate to end the war!
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Friday, March 22, 2019

Review: Goddess Interrupted by: Aimee Carter

Title: Goddess Interrupted
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: Goddess Test #2
Pages: 305
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Description:

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.
As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry's first wife, Persephone.

My Thoughts: 

Before Kate Winters can enjoy her time in the Underworld someone interrupts her coronation ceremony.  When Calliope interrupts with the help of her father Cronus Henry finds himself kidnapped along with other Gods to the Underworld.  Will Kate be able to save them in time?  Kate, James and Eva travel through the land to find Cronus and retrieve those they love.  One ally they aren't sure of but they definitely need is Henry's first wife Persephone.  Will she help her family or walk away again?

This book was jammed pack full of action and definitely huge relationship problems as Henry and Kate try to figure out their relationship and what will come of their future.  Kate wanting to be nothing like Henry's first wife can't help but feel like she's living up to a idol to Henry she can't compete with.  

Then there is Cronus and Calliope who are determined to cause the Gods nothing but pain and death.  I love Kate and how she deals with things with new eyes and prospective!  Can't wait to see what happens next especially with the serious cliff hanger in the story!
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Friday, March 15, 2019

Review: Broken Bone China by: Laura Childs


Review: Broken Bone China
Author: Laura Childs
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: A Tea Shop Mystery #20
Pages: 335
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalle & GEBT

Description:


Theodosia Browning serves tea and solves crimes in Charleston, a city steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.

It is Sunday afternoon, and Theodosia and Drayton are catering a formal tea at a hot-air balloon rally. The view aloft is not only stunning, they are also surrounded by a dozen other colorful hot-air balloons. But as the sky turns gray and the clouds start to boil up, a strange object zooms out of nowhere. It is a drone, and it appears to be buzzing around the balloons, checking them out. 

As Theodosia and Drayton watch, the drone, hovering like some angry, mechanized insect, deliberately crashes into the balloon next to them. An enormous, fiery explosion erupts, and everyone watches in horror as the balloon plummets to the earth, killing all three of its passengers.

Sirens scream, first responders arrive, and Theodosia is interviewed by the police. During the interview she learns that one of the downed occupants was Don Kingsley, the CEO of a local software company, SyncSoft. Not only do the police suspect Kingsley as the primary target, they learn that he possessed a rare Revolutionary War Union Jack flag that several people were rabidly bidding on.

Intrigued, Theodosia begins her own investigation. Was it the CEO's soon-to-be ex-wife, who is restoring an enormous mansion at no expense? The CEO's personal assistant, who also functioned as curator of his prized collection of Americana? Two rival antiques' dealers known for dirty dealing? Or was the killer the fiancĂ©e of one of Theodosia's dear friends, who turns out to be an employee—and whistle-blower—at SyncSoft?

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

My Thoughts:

In this book Theo and Drayton are having a hot air balloon ride and find themselves watching a drone fly around the hot air balloons.  When the drone flies into one of the balloons and the balloon crashes to the ground killing Don Kingsley the CEO of SyncSoft.  Of course everyone in town is curious about who had the drone and why kill Don Kingsley.

As Theo and Drayton investigate the situation they find themselves with more questions than answers especially when a rare flag disappears and many people seem to have interest in it.  Could it have been his his soon to be ex-wife who is determined to open a B & B.  Or could it be local antique collectors in the area?  Or could it be a Theo's friend's sweetheart who blew the whistle on SyncSoft? 

This was a great adventure to go on even with  all the rain this book was definitely intriguing to say the least.  We get to see many different people and what had to gain by the death of the CEO along with the rare flag. 

I also enjoyed learning and reading about Drayton's house and seeing how he handled being photographed for a magazine spread.  Can't wait to see what is next.  And I loved the hero of the book Early Grey to the rescue he was wonderful helping out where he can!
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Thursday, March 7, 2019

Review: Tandem Demise by: Duffy Brown

Title: Tandem Demise
Author: Duffy Brown
Publisher: Kindle Edition
Series: A Cycle Path Mysteries #3
Pages: 298
Format: e-book ARC
Source: Author Request

Description:

Smugglers on the hunt, a police chief on the run, lost loot and a dead wedding planner have the Mackinac Island regulars riding in circles 

After solving two murders, bike shop owner Evie Bloomfield thought life on Mackinac Island would settle into boredom until she finds out Nate Sutter, island police chief and once-upon-a-time under cover cop is on the run. Some badass guys from Nate’s Detroit days think he stole money from them in a champagne smuggling operation and now they’re headed to the island to get their loot. Evie is determined to help Nate because he’s a good cop, Nate is determined to keep interfering Evie and island locals out of harms way, and the crooks are determined to get their money. 

To add to the island’s problems there’s a dead guy on the dock and the new wedding planner is more interested in playing bedroom bingo than ordering bridal bouquets. 

With the help of Fiona, Evie’s BFF and local newspaper editor, Evie is determined to prove Nate innocent, figure out how champagne smuggling, bodies on the dock and a bad wedding planner are tied together and not wind up taking a long walk off a short pier herself. 

My Thoughts: 

In this book a body appears dead on the dock.  True Evie nature she questions the situation and why die on the dock?  Evie finds herself trying to clear Nate the local Police Chief whose badly in trouble of course he warns her away but when a body appears and it appears to be connected to Nate Evie can't help but stumble her way into trying to clear him.  The more she pokes around the more questions pop up about Nate and the dead guy on the dock.

I love this series and it gets better every time.  As you dig in you find you can't put the book down.  It pulls you in and you can't stop until you find out if Nate will be cleared or is he doomed to go to jail.  I can't wait to see where this series goes next!
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Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Review: A Gift of Bones by: Carolyn Haines

Title: A Gift of Bones
Author: Carolyn Haines
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Series: Sarah Booth Delaney #19
Pages: 272
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Christmas comes to Zinnia, Mississippi—Sarah Booth Delaney must solve a case as the holiday approaches, in this new cozy mystery from Carolyn Haines.

Christmas is just around the corner and Sarah Booth and Tinkie are preparing for a festive holiday season. After a turbulent season of solving cases, they’re ready for some holiday cheer. Sarah Booth and Sheriff Coleman Peters have finally gotten together, and this is the first holiday they’re celebrating as a couple. Sarah Booth busies herself with decking the halls and daydreaming about romantic Christmas nights with Coleman.

Then her friend Cece Dee Falcon shows up needing Sarah Booth’s help—right now. She shows Sarah Booth a box that was delivered by courier and left at Cece’s front porch. It contains a lock of hair, a photograph of a pretty young woman, very pregnant, and a note demanding ransom for the return of the teen. Cece reveals that this is her cousin’s daughter, Eve Falcon, and that she’d lost touch with this part of her family years ago. Eve and Cece had been close, until the family had a terrible falling out, and banished Cece from their lives. The countdown begins as the kidnapper pushes for payment—or else, he threatens, Eve will meet her maker. It’s up to Sarah Booth and her friends to find the girl before something terrible happens on what should be the merriest day of the year.

Carolyn Haines’s trademark humor and lovable characters are back, in a heartwarming Christmas story that will enchant and delight readers looking for a suspenseful mystery wrapped in joyful holiday merriment.

My Review:

Sarah Booth is getting ready for Christmas and spending time with Coleman her boyfriend.  When her friend Cece asks for help it seems Cece's neice is missing and very pregnant and Sarah and Tinkie find themselves deep embroiled in investigating what happened to Eve Falcon the pregnant teen.  

As they dig in deeper the questions become greater.  Why kidnap Eve to what purpose and why?  Will Sarah and Tinkie be able to retrieve the girl before she has the baby.  Who kidnapped her any why?

This was a fun adventure back in south.  We see what everyone is up to Christmas.  And watch Sarah and Tinkie try to help their friend Cece to have this resolved before Christmas hits as the baby is due on Christmas Eve.  It was such a blast and I couldn't put the book down it was so good!
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