Review: The Diva Cooks Up A Storm by: Krista Davis

Title: The Diva Cooks Up A Storm
Author: Krista Davis
Publisher: Kensington
Series: A Domestic Diva Mystery #11
Pages: 352
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

When a trendy, underground dinner club leaves some guests six-feet-under the table, entertaining professional and amateur sleuth Sophie Winston hopes she has all the right ingredients to put a murderer on ice in New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis's new Domestic Diva mystery . . .

Domestic diva Sophie Winston can whip up an elaborate event in her sleep, but as the hippest hostess she rarely gets to enjoy the full guest treatment. Which is why her best friend Nina Reid Norwood loops her in to the latest culinary craze: a pop-up gourmet dinner party. The celebrity chef, the epicurean menu, and the high-profile attendees are all a surprise, turning the decadent dining experience into the hottest ticket in Old Town. But Sophie's just pleased as punch that she finally has an opportunity to join her fellow foodies in some fun.

The posh party proves to be a recipe for disaster when Hollis Haberman sours spirits by bringing his own hot new dish--his young trophy wife. With Hollis's son and ex-wife in attendance, there may be more heat at the table than in the kitchen. But by aperitifs, Sophie discovers Hollis swallowing his last bits of air, and she must scramble to stop a killer before the swanky supper becomes anyone else's last meal.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Sophie and her friends as Sophie and Nina are looking forward to a little getaway but when bad weather gets in their way they make the best of Old Town.  After a dinner at a new place called underground dinning, an acquaintance of Sophie's ends up dead and all eyes look to his flashy wife Kelsey did she kill him or was it someone else?  

As Sophie digs more into finding out what happens it leads to ex-wives,  a young angry teenager, and a law office that holds it owns secrets.  

This book offers so much with so many people.  We see how life has been treating everyone from Mars and Natasha to Humphrey and Nina and many other people show up in this book.  I thoroughly enjoy this series as Sophie does he best to figure out what is going on with the murderer, and those who are impacted by the death of loved ones.  I can't wait to see what is next for our Domestic Diva and where she will head next!

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Review: Secrets Abound on Missing Lake by: Tanya Fyfe

Title: Secrets Abound on Missing Lake.
Author:  Tanya Fyfe
Publisher: Createspace
Pages: 344
Format: e-book
Source: Book Tour

Description:

Luke Houser is approaching his sixteenth birthday as well as summer vacation in the tiny mountain community of Missing Lake. He continues to try to find balance between real life with friends and their social requirements with the secret world of the mystical dragons. Luke faces challenges with one of his beloved sled dogs as well as with Zagros, the majestic silver dragon, when he has to make choices that could lead to potential disaster. As the summer unfolds, so do more secrets in all aspects of Luke's life and he tries to make sense of everything happening around him. This is the third book in the series which shares Luke's awkward and yet charming journey through adolescence with his beloved team of huskies, his friends near and far, and two dragon eggs that are going to hatch in the middle of nowhere.

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My Thoughts:

Luke Houser is getting ready for his 16th birthday and the birth of baby dragons which he can't tell anyone.  Only few know about the dragons which makes it difficult for Luke.  Summer vacation is coming and Luke is looking forward to it.  This book was a great coming of age story along with the dragons he has known to look for when he can never knowing when they will appear.  I think this book will appeal to many teenagers and young adults.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review: Loving Eleanor by: Susan Wittig Albert

Title: Loving Eleanor
Author: Susan Wittig Albert
Publisher: Persevero Press
Pages: 250
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

When AP political reporter Lorena Hickok—Hick—is assigned to cover Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1932 campaign, the two women become deeply involved. Their relationship begins with mutual romantic passion, matures through stormy periods of enforced separation and competing interests, and warms into an enduring, encompassing friendship documented by 3300 letters. 

Set during the chaotic years of the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the Second World War, Loving Eleanor reveals Eleanor Roosevelt as a complex, contradictory, and entirely human woman who is pulled in many directions by her obligations to her husband and family and her role as the nation's First Lady. Hick is revealed as an accomplished journalist, who, at the pinnacle of her career, gives it all up for the woman she loves. Then, as Eleanor is transformed into Eleanor Everywhere, First Lady of the World, Hick must create her own independent, productive life. Loving Eleanor is a profoundly moving novel that illuminates a relationship we are seldom privileged to see, celebrating the depth and durability of women's love.

My Thoughts:

This book starts out with Lorena Hickok more commonly known as Hick who learns of Eleanor Roosevelt's death and is heartbroken.  She has someone take her to the grave sight and leave flowers for Eleanor.  Not wanting any part of the media circus that ensues at the funeral.  Then someone tells her that she should write a memoir about her time with the First Lady.  It would accompany letters shared between the two women should they ever be released.

Hick met Eleanor for the first time in 1928 when she was sent to cover the Democratic Ticket which was a big deal back then especially for a woman.  But Hick was no ordinary woman in the slightest!  This book spans a four term president and after wards.  We learn so much about the relationship between Hick and Eleanor the people they meet and interact with as well as their own relationship. 

This was such a journey to go on reading about the past and things that happened.  I thought it was well written and so intriguing to learn about these two women who seem very larger than life.  In a time where women are still suppose to be quiet and well mannered here are women who are very much involved in their own causes and not just cooking in the kitchen.  Which I found refreshing to read about their passions and desires!

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Review: Tall Tail by: Rita Mae Brown

Title: Tall Tail
Author: Rita Mae Brown
Publisher: Bantam
Series: Mrs. Murphy #25
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library & NetGalley

Description:

In this fast-paced mystery by Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown, Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen and her animal friends seek to solve a whodunit rooted in eighteenth-century Virginia—uncovering a shocking secret that refuses to stay buried.

TALL TAIL

At any moment a perfect summer day in Crozet, Virginia—nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains—might turn stormy and tempestuous, as Harry knows too well when a squall suddenly sweeps in. In a blink, Harry’s pickup nearly collides with a careening red car that then swerves into a ditch. Harry recognizes the dead driver slumped over the vehicle’s steering wheel: Barbara Leader was nurse and confidante to former Virginia governor Sam Holloway.

Though Barbara’s death is ruled a heart attack, dissenting opinions abound. After all, she was the picture of health, which gives Harry and her four-legged companions pause. A baffling break-in at a local business leads Harry to further suspect that a person with malevolent intent lurks just out of sight: Something evil is afoot.

As it happens, Barbara died in the shadow of the local cemetery’s statue of the Avenging Angel. Just below that imposing funereal monument lie the remains of one Francisco Selisse, brutally murdered in 1784. Harry’s present-day sleuthing draws her back to Virginia’s slave-holding past and the hunt for Selisse’s killer. Now it’s up to Harry and her furry detectives—Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker—to expose the bitter truth, even if it means staring into the unforgiving eyes of history and cornering a callous killer poised to pounce.

My Thoughts: 

This book finds Harry involved in a car accident narrowly missing herself and watching as Barbara Leader winds up dead.  Harry has trouble buying the explanation of the death.  Then the book goes back to the 17 hundreds which shows the story of a family who are helping a couple escape from a family after a brutal murder of the husband of the household.  This book goes back and forth as we learn what happened way back when and what is currently going on!

I really enjoyed this story it was fun to go back in time and be caught up in the present as well.  It was definitely a worthwhile adventure to go on!  I especially loved when the animals added their opinions it was too cute!

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Review: Eggs in A Casket by: Laura Child

Title: Eggs in a Casket
Author: Laura Child
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Cackleberry Club #5
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

The ladies of the Cackleberry Club are always ready to serve—whether they’re cooking up breakfast or sniffing out a bad egg.

While Petra handles the breakfast rush at the Cackleberry Club, the café’s other two owners, Suzanne and Toni, head to Memorial Cemetery to help prepare for its 150th anniversary celebration. But as they search the winding paths for the historical society tent, they discover something else out of place: the body of ex-prison warden Lester Drummond lying facedown in someone else’s freshly dug grave.

In the small town of Kindred, everyone knows everyone, and Lester was no exception. Suzanne knew him as the creepy guy who made unwanted advances on her friend Missy Langston. But now it appears the man was hiding a few secrets…and at least one of them was worth killing for.

As the case cracks open, there are plenty of suspects to consider—from recent parolees to Missy herself, who Suzanne and Toni saw speeding away just before they found the body. Now, with a cemetery celebration in the offing, and the local authorities in over their heads, it’s up to the Cackleberry Club to unscramble the clues and clear their friend’s name.

Recipes Included!

My Thoughts: 

In this book Toni and Suzanne stumble on a dead body while bringing somethings out to a historical society event.  What they didn't count on was a dead body.  Lester Drummond the victim was also a warden at the jail so there are no shortage of victims!  Can Suzanne figure it out in time?  Or will the murderer get away free?

This was a great story and can totally be read as a standalone as well as part of a series.  A lovely adventure to go on where you meet different people in town and learn more about them as well as solving a murder!  Can't wait to see what is next!

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Interview: Janet Finsilver author of Murder at The Mushroom Festival

Recently I had a chance to sit down and talk with Janet Finsilver author of Kelly Jackson mysteries!  Her latest book is Murder at the Mushroom Festival!

What genre do you write?

In the mystery world they are called cozies. I prefer to call them safe whodunits. What I mean by that is there is no graphic violence and the main characters will always survive to return in the next book. They might get roughed up a bit, but they won’t get killed. You can enjoy them knowing you’ll get to encounter them again in the next book.

How did you come to write whodunit books?

I love mysteries. I like the classic authors like Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Rex Stout. They didn’t have to put a torture scene or descriptive violence in their books to attract readers. Murder She Wrote was a favorite show. Put those together and I write the Kelly Jackson mystery series. 

What is your favorite character to write about? 

I really don’t have a favorite. I love them all and that’s why I continue to write the books. Kelly is my protagonist, so I write about her the most. She was raised on a Wyoming cattle and horse ranch, and it’s been fun fleshing out her background and writing about her family. I enjoy my crime-solving senior citizens, the Silver Sentinels, who all have very different personalities.

Do you have a favorite villain in any of your books?  One that stood out more than others?

No, not really. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to share it because that would be a “spoiler.” In thrillers you often know very quickly who the villain is. Cozies aren’t that way.

Who inspires your books?

The writers I mentioned earlier along with many others as well as Murder She Wrote. I want people to have a fun read, an interesting mystery, and a place and a group of characters they want to return to again and again.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I do all the chores that I’ve neglected when I’m writing! I’m also beginning to train my young dog, a Rhodesian ridgeback, in agility.

Do you have any new books coming out or books you want to share here?

Murder at the Mushroom Festival comes out April 17, 2018. There is a mushroom hunting contest and the theft of logs worth a lot of money because of their unique characteristics. The dog in this book is Max, short for Maximillian. He’s a mix but think goldendoodle. He is trained to find mushrooms and is also a diabetic alert dog. 

What was one of your dreams when you were a child?

I wanted to have a horse. I have been fortunate enough to have had two in my life. I continue to ride western whenever I have the opportunity.

Do you have a favorite drink?

I have two drinks I really enjoy. I love really cold Pelligrino sparkling water in the morning. A cup a day of strong black coffee provides my other favorite beverage. 

If you were stuck on a deserted island and could take three things with you what would they be?

My husband and my two dogs. They’d all be carrying food and water…so they’d be a bundle of “three things.” I hope this still fits in the perimeters of the answer! 

Of course it fits within the question!

Thank you for taking the time to sit down and answer these questions I myself am an avid fan of Murder She Wrote so I really like that she influenced your books as well!

Thank you for taking the time to do this!

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Review: The Bordeaux Betrayal by: Ellen Crosby

Title: The Bordeaux Betrayal
Author: Ellen Crosby
Publisher: Scribner
Series: A Wine Country Mysteries #3
Pages: 370
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Ellen Crosby's third tale of suspense set amid the vines of Virginia wine country involves a two-hundred-year-old bottle of Bordeaux that Thomas Jefferson may have purchased for George Washington and is turning out to be a wine to die for.

It has been a year since Lucie Montgomery took over running her family vineyard at the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Bordeaux Betrayal now sweeps her into a mystery that began more than two centuries ago in France and ends in murder not far from Montgomery Estate Vineyard.

When author and historian Valerie Beauvais turns up dead the night after a verbal brawl with a noted wine critic on the grounds of Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, Lucie is certain Valerie's death is related to something she knew concerning the authenticity of the priceless Washington Bordeaux.

As Lucie and her eccentric winemaker Quinn Santori bring in the last grapes of the season, Quinn's controversial past becomes intertwined with the murder and the rare wine, testing the bonds of their increasingly close relationship. New neighbors challenge Lucie for allowing a century-old hunting club to use her land for foxhunting; Mick Dunne, Lucie's ex-lover, comes back into her life; and her beloved French grandfather makes an unexpected visit that will rekindle painful memories some would prefer to forget.

As Lucie investigates the shadowy history of the Washington wine, she uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal and a long-forgotten scandal that affects not only the international wine world but her own as well.

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Lucie Montgomery who is getting ready for an auction of Washington's wine that was never received.  Many seem to want this bottle of wine, which for Lucie means more money for kids that really need it.  When Valerie tells Lucie she wants to tell her the history of this bottle of wine Lucie reluctantly waits to see what Valerie has to say but when she's a no show Lucie goes looking for her and finds her car flipped upside down with a very dead Valerie inside.  Who killed Valerie and why?  

Lucie's also having company in her french grandfather Luc is in town and adding to the great story that is told.  Also we see what is going on with Quinn who seems to be all over the place,  and dealing with an ex-wife he'd rather forget.  As well as Dominique who is now un-engaged as she and her boyfriend broke up.  Joe the ex of Dominique has been spotted around Valerie did he have something to do with her death?

There is so much going on and the story involves history of Jefferson and Washington as well as current times.  I really enjoyed it  Ellen Crosby is like a fine wine getting better all the time!

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Review: The Chardonnay Charade by: Ellen Crosby

Title: The Chardonnay Charade
Author: Ellen Crosby
Publisher: Scribner
Series: A Wine Country Mystery #2
Pages: 272
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Facing a freak late-May frost that threatens to kill the grapes in her vineyard, Lucie Montgomery hires a helicopter to fly over the vines — in total darkness — stirring up the Arctic air on the ground so the fruit will not freeze. But her luck in salvaging the harvest runs out when she discovers the body of Georgia Greenwood, a controversial political candidate, lying near the fields. Georgia’s husband Ross — Lucie’s friend and doctor — immediately falls under suspicion. To make matters worse, Ross, a renowned collector of Civil War documents, has just discovered a letter that seems to prove Confederate President Jefferson Davis had prior knowledge of the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. In the small town of Atoka, Virginia – proud home to Mosby’s Rangers, a legendary Confederate guerrilla company led by Colonel John Singleton Mosby, the “Gray Ghost” — the news is a bombshell.

Three years ago Ross saved Lucie’s life after she was involved in a near-fatal car crash. Now she intends to return the favor and prove Ross’s innocence. As the search for Georgia’s killer escalates, Lucie crosses swords with her attractive but cantankerous winemaker, Quinn Santori, and confronts her own unwelcome feelings of jealousy over his new romance and job prospects. Her worries about her kid sister’s out-of-control drinking and a second vineyard-related death further ratchet up the tension. Even though Lucie believes in vino veritas — in wine there is truth — the path to uncovering a murderer involves making a heartbreaking decision that will alter the lives of those she loves.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the wine mysteries in this one Lucie is dealing with a dead body at the vineyard along with her sister Mimi is out of control.  When Georgia Greenwood is found dead by Lucie who has no idea why Georgia is there add to the fact that Randy their local worker at the vineyard is missing!  Who killed Georgia and why?  What happened to Randy and will Lucie get anywhere with her younger sister?

This book was everywhere between the death of Georgia and how that impacts everyone who wanted to kill her.  As Lucie digs she learns more and more about Georgia and her marriage to Ross the doctor who helped Lucie after her car accident.  Then there was the relationship between Lucie and her sister who is going down a very dangerous road.  Will Lucie and Eli be able to rally around and help her or is she totally out of control!

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Review: A High-End Finish by: Kate Carlisle

Title: A High-End Finish
Author: Kate Carlisle
Publisher: Signet
Series: A Fixer-Upper Mystery #1
Pages: 336
Format: Nook e-book 
Source: Purchase

Description:

FIRST IN A NEW SERIES!

In the seaside town of Lighthouse Cove in northern California, everyone knows the best man for the job is actually a woman—contractor Shannon Hammer. But while Shannon can do wonders with a power drill and a little elbow grease, she’s about to discover that some problems aren’t so easily fixed....

Shannon’s home-renovation and repair business is booming, but her love life needs work. On a blind date with real estate agent Jerry Saxton, she has to whip out a pair of pliers to keep Jerry from getting too hands on. Shannon is happy to put her rotten date behind her, but when Jerry’s found dead in a run-down Victorian home that she’s been hired to restore, the town’s attractive new police chief suspects that her threats may have laid the foundation for murder.

Determined to clear her name, Shannon conducts her own investigation—with the help of her four best friends, her eccentric father, a nosy neighbor or two, and a handsome crime writer who’s just moved to town. But as they get closer to prying out the murderer’s identity, Shannon is viciously attacked. Now she’ll have to nail down the truth—or end up in permanent foreclosure.…

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Shannon Hammer whose having a bad day dating wise when she goes on a date with Jerry Saxton who turns out to be a world class jerk.  When Jerry ends up killed and Shannon finds the body the heat is on to clear her name.  As the bodies pile up the only thing in common are Shannon's pink tools.  Who is committing murders?  And why frame Shannon?

We also meet Mac Sullivan a author of mystery books in this story and the heat is on.  As Shannon investigates she learns more and more about the mysterious Mac and why he's chosen Lighthouse Cove to move to. 

Can't wait to see what is next in this series!

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Review: Title Wave by: Lorna Barrett

Title: Title Wave
Author: Lorna Barrett
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Booktown Mystery #10
Pages: 320
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Tricia and Angelica leave Booktown behind for a pleasure cruise, but they’re going to need their life jackets because a murderer has also booked passage—in Lorna Barrett’s New York Times bestselling series.

While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in Adirondack chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.

But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...

My Thoughts:

This book follows fellow residents of Booktown who are on a cruise ship meeting with various authors.  What no one counted on was murder to follow Tricia.  When an author E.M winds up dead and Tricia finds the body no one else seems to think it's murder but Tricia has her concerns.  Will Tricia figure it out in time?  Or will the murderer get away with it?

I love this series it's fun to see what Tricia and Angelica are up too.  This one was great because it brought in other characters we have seen and get to see what they are up to now.  We also watch Tricia getting little anonymous gifts from someone mysterious?  Could the mystery be good or bad?

The odd part about this book was the situation with Tricia and Angelica's parents while their dad was happy to see them their mother was back to treating Tricia like crap for a long time ago incident.  We see Tricia manage it best she can.  We also learn more about the family history of the Miles girls.

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Review: Rockets' Red Glare by: Lynn Cahoon

Title: Rockets' Red Glare
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Kensington
Series: A Tourist Trap Mystery #9.5
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

 As sunny South Cove, California, gears up for their annual Fourth of July celebrations, a local murder threatens to kill the fireworks . . .

South Cove’s local businesses are up in arms after volunteer fire chief Barry Gleason threatens to shut down anyone who doesn’t comply with the fire code. But when Barry schedules a training burn in an old abandoned barn, he is the only one who doesn't come out alive. Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More—smells murder in the ashes. She’ll have to work quickly to nab a killer with a short fuse—or else everyone’s holiday will end with a fizzle . . .

My Thoughts:

South Cove is getting ready for the fourth of July celebrations and Barry Gleason is going around checking out businesses to see they are up to code.  Instead of this going smoothly he has stirred some fireworks of his own with threatening to close shops before the holiday.  When a fire breaks out and Barry winds up dead Jill finds the whole thing suspicious and is determined to investigate to find out what's up.  Will she figure it out in time?  Or will the fireworks explode in her face?

This book was cute and fun to read as a novella it showed Jill investigating a murder and learning more about resident's of South Cove.  Really was a fun 4th of July novella for anyone looking for a cute adventure for the holiday season!

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Review: How The Finch Stole Christmas! by: Donna Andrews

Title: How The Finch Stole Christmas!
Author: Donna Andrews
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Series: Meg Langslow #22
Pages: 278
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Meg's husband has decided to escalate his one-man show of Dickens' A Christmas Carol into a full-scale production with a large cast including their sons Jamie and Josh as Tiny Tim and young Scrooge and Meg helping as stage manager.

The show must go on, even if the famous―though slightly over-the-hill―actor who's come to town to play the starring role of Scrooge has brought a sleigh-load of baggage and enemies with him. And why is Caerphilly suddenly overrun with a surplus of beautiful caged finches?

How the Finch Stole Christmas! is guaranteed to put the "ho ho hos" into the holidays of cozy lovers everywhere with its gut-bustingly funny mystery.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Meg and her husband Michael whose been working with a very difficult actor to put on A Christmas Carol which is making the Ebeneezer a saint compared to the actor named Malcolm Haver they are trying to keep sober and in line.  Meg also finds herself knee deep in finches and can't figure out why other than her grandfather trying to foster finches all over town!  When a local renter Johnny Willimer winds up dead and no idea what happened Meg finds herself more questions than answers!  Will they figured who killed the renter and why?  Will the play go on without a problem or will it get worse?

I loved this series granted I had read one previous book I really need to catch up.  Meg and Michael have their hands full with so much going on.  I liked the banter between certain characters at time made me laugh.  Such an enjoyable adventure to go on it was such fun and really was a great mystery as well!

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Review: Downfall by: J.A. Jance

Title: Downfall
Author: J.A. Jance
Publisher: William Morrow
Series: Joanna Brady #17
Pages: 382
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher

Description:

Arizona sheriff Joanna Brady returns in this outstanding new mystery set in the beautiful desert country of the Southwest.

With a baby on the way, her mother and stepfather recently slain, a re-election campaign looming, and a daughter heading off for college, Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady has her hands full when a puzzling new case hits her department, demanding every resource she has at her disposal.

Two women have fallen to their deaths from a small nearby peak, referred to by Bisbee locals as Geronimo. What’s the connection between these two women? Is this a case of murder/suicide or is it a double homicide? And if someone else is responsible, is it possible that the perpetrator may, even now, be on the hunt for another victim?

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Joanna Brady very shortly after the novella which followed the death of her parents.  In this one Joanna is still preparing for their funeral along with a double homicide of two women who seem to have nothing in common.  Futher search leads them to a local school teacher who was one of the victims Susan seems to have more secrets than Jessica Fletcher has murders in town.  In the course of the investigation Joanna learns more about those involved with Susan the more possible suspects appear!

I enjoyed reading this book one of the authors I read early on in my book life.  I was addicted to J.P Beaumont and after reading the novella about Joanna and Alli I was hooked and can't wait to see where the books lead next.  This one kept me going late into the night wondering who the killer was and watching Joanna solve the crime!

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Interview: Debra Sennefelder author of The Uninvited Corpse & Giveaway

Recently I had the chance to sit down with Debra Sennefelder whose new  book The Univited Corpse is coming out and had a chance to visit with Community Bookstop and give us some insight into her.

What genre do you write?

I write cozy mysteries.

How did you come to write cozy mysteries?

The first cozy I read was Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Then I discovered Diane Mott Davidson and Katherine Hall Page in my local bookstore. I was hooked on cozies since then.

What is your favorite character to write about?  

I love writing a strong female character who is pushed out of her comfort zone to find justice.

Do you have a favorite villain in any of your books?  One that stood out more than others?

I don’t have a favorite villain. I do have one villain I feel the most sorry for and that villain is in THE UNINVITED CORPSE. Unfortunately, I can’t much more without giving away who the villain is.

Who inspires your books?

There is no one in particular. I’m always inspired by other authors and by my critique partner. I’m also inspired by snippets of conversation, news headlines and day-to-day life. Book 2 in my Food Blogger mystery series was inspired by an event that happened at a neighbor’s house one Sunday afternoon. Inspiration is everywhere for writers.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love to bake and cook, so you’ll find me in my kitchen a lot when I’m not writing. I also love to exercise. A good workout helps clears my head and sometimes it helps come up with an idea. I love to take walks with my two Shih-Tzus, Susie & Billy.

Do you have any new books coming out or books you want to share here?

The Uninvited Corpse, book 1 in the Food Blogger Mystery series, is my debut novel and releases on March 27th. In January 2019 I’ll have a new book, Murder Wears a Little Black Dress, released and it’s the first book in a new series, Resale Boutique mysteries.

What was one of your dreams when you were a child?

To be a published author.

Do you have a favorite drink?

Coffee.

If you were stuck on a deserted island and could take three things with you what would they be?

Mascara. Coffee. Sunblock. Lots of sunblock. I burn.

Thank you for taking the time to do this!

Your welcome thank you for stopping by Community Bookstop and sharing yourself with all of us!

GIVEAWAY:

I have one copy of this book to giveaway this copy is a physical book and is open to USA residents only all you have to do is tell me your favorite cozy author there is no right answer just wondering which ones people like also please include your email address!

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Review: See Me by: Nicholas Sparks

Title: See Me
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 486
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

See me just as I see you . . .

Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. With a history of violence and bad decisions behind him and the threat of prison dogging his every step, he's determined to walk a straight line. To Colin, that means applying himself single-mindedly toward his teaching degree and avoiding everything that proved destructive in his earlier life. Reminding himself daily of his hard-earned lessons, the last thing he is looking for is a serious relationship.

Maria Sanchez, the hardworking daughter of Mexican immigrants, is the picture of conventional success. With a degree from Duke Law School and a job at a prestigious firm in Wilmington, she is a dark-haired beauty with a seemingly flawless professional track record. And yet Maria has a traumatic history of her own, one that compelled her to return to her hometown and left her questioning so much of what she once believed.

A chance encounter on a rain-swept road will alter the course of both Colin and Maria's lives, challenging deeply held assumptions about each other and ultimately, themselves. As love unexpectedly takes hold between them, they dare to envision what a future together could possibly look like . . . until menacing reminders of events in Maria's past begin to surface.

Rich in emotion and fueled with suspense, SEE ME reminds us that love is sometimes forged in the crises that threaten to shatter us . . . and that those who see us for who we truly are may not always be the ones easiest to recognize.

My Review:

This book follows Colin Hancock and Maria Sanchez who have grown up differently.  Colin in between boarding schools to deal with his anger issues, and Maria has her ups and downs in the field of being a lawyer.

This book offers alot to readers from various mysteries and thrillers to relationships and so on which had me wondering what was going on and how Colin and Maria were going to work out their issues which was pleasant when the book ended!

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Review: Biscuits and Slashed Browns by: Maddie Day

Title: Biscuits and Slashed Browns

Author: Maddie Day

Publisher: Kensington

Series: County Store Mysteries #4

Pages: 292

Format: e-book ARC

Source: NetGalley

Description:

For country-store owner Robbie Jordan, the National Maple Syrup Festival is a sweet escape from late-winter in South Lick, Indiana--until murder saps the life out of the celebration . . .

As Robbie arranges a breakfast-themed cook-off at Pans 'N Pancakes, visitors pour into Brown County for the annual maple extravaganza. Unfortunately, that includes Professor Connolly, a know-it-all academic from Boston who makes enemies everywhere he goes--and this time, bad manners prove deadly. Soon after clashing with several scientists at a maple tree panel, the professor is found dead outside a sugar shack, stabbed to death by a local restaurateur's knife. When an innocent woman gets dragged into the investigation and a biologist mysteriously disappears, Robbie drops her winning maple biscuits to search for answers. But can she help police crack the case before another victim is caught in a sticky situation with a killer?

My Thoughts:

In the latest book by Maddie Day we find Robbie Jordan owner of Pans 'N Pancakes up to her neck in maple festival of course what isn't on the menu is a chocking and murder! When a Professor Connolly shows up he rubs alot of people the wrong way including Robbie's co-worker and it's up to Robbie to figure out who killed the professor and why?  In a town like South Lick there seem to be no shortage of secrets, but can Robbie sort through them all to get to the truth or will she be cut out like the Professor?

This book was great and introduced readers to the world of maple sugaring for those who don't know.  I really liked watching how Robbie handles things and it shows Robbie more human who makes mistakes trying to do the right thing.  Robbie is far from perfect and in my case that makes her more of a perfect character she's has flaws which I think add to a story.  I'd be more worried about her if she was too perfect!  If you haven't picked up on these books yet you are missing a real treat.  This book I would highly recommend to food lovers and mystery lovers as well!

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Review: Killer Tied by: Lesley A. Diehl

Title: Killer Tied
Author: Lesley A. Diehl
Publisher: Camel Press
Series: Eve Appel Mystery #6
Pages: 264
Format:
Source: GEBT

Description:

Eve Appel Egret is adjusting to married life with Sammy and their three adopted sons in Sabal Bay, Florida. While still running her consignment stores, she is going pro with her sleuthing by becoming an apprentice to a private detective.

Until her marriage, Eve’s only “family” was her grandmother Grandy, who raised her after her parents died in a boating accident. Now, in addition to her husband and sons, she has a father-in-law who clearly dislikes her. Sammy’s father, a full-blooded Miccosukee Indian long presumed dead, has emerged from the swamps where he’s been living like a hermit, and he isn’t happy about Eve's marriage to his half-Miccosukee, half-white son.

As for Eve’s family, are her parents really dead? A woman named Eleanor claims to be Eve’s half-sister, born after her mother faked a boating accident to escape her abusive husband, Eve’s father. Then Eleanor’s father turns up dead in the swamps, stabbed by a Bowie knife belonging to Sammy’s father, Lionel. Strange as Lionel Egret is, Eve knows he had no motive to kill this stranger. In order to clear him, Eve must investigate Eleanor's claims, and she might not like what digging around in her family’s past uncovers.

Book 6 in the Eve Appel Mystery series.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Eve Appel Egret who meets a man whose looking for his daughter before Eve can help him he's gone and then a woman comes in claiming to be Eve's sister and feeds her this incredible story about what supposedly happened to Eve's mother after she died in a boating accident.  This creates all sorts of conflicts with Grandy and Eve as they both know Eve's parents died in a boating accident when Eve was 8.  When the man Henry winds up dead and Eve's father-in-law is the suspect in the crime it's up to Eve and Nappi to get to the bottom of it.  Will Eve figure out in time or will her snoopy skills get her more than she's bargained for?

This book had so much going on the strained relationship between Eve and her father-in-law Lionel.  Sammy and Eve having a fight and Eve investigating the crime which leads them back and forth between Florida to New York and back to Florida then back to Connecticut and one more jaunt to Florida again.

It also shows alot of history with Eve's family her Grandy's sister Irene and her daughter Brenda and finally Eleanor who seem to have all sorts of hidden secrets whether Eve and Grandy want it that way or not.  Getting to the bottom sure takes a boatload of work but this book definitely couldn't be put down I read it one day.  Eve has a way of dragging you in and not letting go until the perps are arrested and justice has been correctly served!

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Review: Murder She Wrote: Date with Murder by: Jessica Fletcher

Title: Murder She Wrote: Date With Murder
Author: Jessica Fletcher
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Murder She Wrote #47
Pages: 304
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Jessica Fletcher investigates a friend's murder and a dangerous dating service in the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series...

Jessica Fletcher takes up the cause of her good friend Barbara "Babs" Wirth after Babs' husband Hal suffers a fatal heart attack that Jessica has reason to believe was actually murder. At the heart of her suspicions lies a sinister dating site Hal had used while he and Babs were having marital issues--a site that may be complicit in somehow swindling him out of millions.

Jessica's investigation reveals that Hal was far from the only victim and when his former business partner is also killed, a deadly pattern emerges. Jessica teams up with a brilliant young computer hacker to follow the trail but as she gets closer to the truth, two near misses force her to realize that she may very well be the next victim. 

The stakes have never been this high as Jessica finds herself being stalked by the killer she is trying to catch. She must now set the perfect trap to avoid her very own date with murder.

My Thoughts:

This book brings us back to Cabot Cove as summer is ending and everyone is gathered at Babs and Hal's house to celebrate Labor Day.  As the festivities are winding down Jessica helps Babs locate Hal when they find him lying in the kitchen.  After rushing him to the hospital we find out Hal died and Jessica finds herself wondering how a young man could wind up dead.  Could foul play be at hand or is it just a case of heart attack regardless of the age?  When Jessica is confronted by someone claiming to be Hal's lawyer threatens her, Jessica really wonders what is going on?

This book takes you all over from Boston to New York and back to Cabot Cove.  We get to see Jessica work with Mort the sheriff and Seth the good old country doctor as well as Harry McGraw a local private investigator in New York who helps Jessica investigate the death and where it will lead which is right back to Cabot Cove. 

I am such a huge fan and this book didn't disappoint.  I was like watching the show except it was reading a book which really pulled you in and didn't let go until you knew the ending which I was greatly surprised with!  Can't wait to see what is next with Cabot Cove and Jessica and her friends and loved ones!

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Review: Death of A Cookbook Author by: Lee Hollis

Title: Death of A Cookbook Author
Author: Lee Hollis
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery
Pages: 320
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell will be cooking alongside top chefs at a cookbook author's party. But a killer plans to ruin her appetite . . . 

When Hayley's idol, cookbook author and TV personality Penelope Janice, invites her to participate in a Fourth of July celebrity cook-off at her seaside estate in Seal Harbor, Maine, Hayley couldn't be more flattered. She just hopes she can measure up. With a who's who of famous chefs whipping up their signature dishes, this holiday weekend has all the ingredients for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience.

Instead, Hayley gets food poisoning her first night and thinks she overhears two people cooking up a murder plot. The next morning, a body is found at the bottom of a cliff. Tragic accident or foul play? To solve a real cliffhanger, Hayley will need to uncover some simmering secrets--before a killer boils over again . . .

My Thoughts:

In this book Hayley meets her idol Penelope Janice a cookbook author when Penelope invites Hayley to spend the weekend at her estate in Seal Harbor.  Hayley agrees and not long before drama unfolds.  For Hayley that entails food poisoning and eavesdropping on a murder plot!  Did Hayley hear a murder plot or was her food poisoning that severe that she dreamed it?  When Penelope's husband winds up dead it's up to Hayley to figure out what is going on!  Will Hayley figure it out of will her snooping get her that much closer to last call?

This book was great we get to see Hayley team up with Bruce from work and together they try to get to the bottom of what is going on with the rich and elite.  After several attempts on Hayley's life and a little work from Bruce and an old ex-girlfriend they are able to piece together what is really going on and why!  I can't wait for the next in this fun series!

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Review: Death of A Lobster Lover by: Lee Hollis

Title: Death of A Lobster Lover
Author: Lee Hollis
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #9
Pages: 320
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell is off on a girls' getaway with her two best friends. But soon they'll have to get away from a killer...

The quaint fishing village of Salmon Cove, Maine, seems like the ideal location for a girls' weekend with Hayley's gal pals, Liddy and Mona. Liddy's on the rebound from a breakup, but when she meets a handsome tourist, it looks like a little romance might liven things up.

Unfortunately, Liddy's new sweetheart is found dead on the beach the next morning at the town's Lobster Bake, next to an overturned cooking pot. The liberated lobsters may be scrambling back to the sea, but Hayley's not about to let a murderer escape so easily. To crack the case, she'll need to blow the lid off some serious undercover activity--or risk becoming ensnared in a killer's trap...

Includes seven delectable recipes from Hayley's kitchen!

My Thoughts:

Libby, Mona and Hayley are off for a weekend in Salmon Cove Maine where Mona's uncle has a cabin but like most things everything is not what it seems.  Libby meets a handsome man who agrees to go to a lobster festival with her but when she is stood up the real nightmare begins.  When the body of a travel writer winds up dead on the beach and the girls are getting into tons of trouble with the local police, Hayley becomes determined to figure out what happened and why?

This book was full of so much mystery and adventure.  We get to see what the girls are like when they are out of their comfort zone and meet the people of Salmon Cove.  Salmon Cove was where we learn Mona spent alot of summers visiting and making friends.  It's like Bar Harbor in some ways and not in others and it was great to see Hayley get to the bottom of multiple mysteries.  Can't wait to see what is next for Hayley!

Next in the series is:

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Review: Plum Tea Crazy by: Laura Childs

Title: Plum Tea Crazy
Author: Laura Childs
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: A Tea Shop Mystery #19
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover ARC
Source: Publisher

Description:

Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.

While viewing the harbor's Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy Neville's Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it's discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow.

At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner--all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Theodosia Browning who is at the mansion of Timothy Neville when her and Drayton witness the murder of a banker Carson who plummets to his death.  Theo hoping to catch the killer sets off in a chase after him which leads them to a inn.  When she returns with Drayton to Timothy's house they find him asking her to look into the murder and who might have done it.  This leads to his wife, business co-workers, to multiple of other characters.  Will Theo figure it out in time or will this web get deeper and deeper with a possible killer running away free.

This book was great the series seems to get better with each book.  In this one Theo finds herself going in many directions without getting the answers she's seeking.  I found myself drawn in not able to put the book down as it was a real page turner.  I loved watching as Drayton and Theo tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together until at the end the puzzle was finally solved!

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Review: Shot in The Dark by: Cleo Coyle

Title: Shot in The Dark
Author: Cleo Coyle
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Coffeehouse Mystery #17
Pages: 352
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

From Cleo Coyle, the New York Times bestselling author of Dead Cold Brew, comes a delicious new entry in the "fun and gripping" (The Huffington Post) Coffeehouse Mystery series.

A new smartphone dating game turns the Village Blend into a hookup hot spot, until one dark night, when a gunshot leaves a dead body behind and the landmark coffeehouse becomes the center of a whole new scene--a crime scene.

As Village Blend manager Clare Cosi attempts to finalize a date for her wedding, her ex-husband becomes addicted to making dates through smartphone swipes. Clare has mixed feelings about these quickie matchups happening in her coffeehouse. Even her octogenarian employer is selecting suitors by screenshot! But business is booming, and Clare works hard to keep the espresso shots flowing. Then one dark night, another kind of shot leaves a dead body for her to find. 

The corpse is a successful entrepreneur who became notorious for his "hit it and quit it" behavior: prowling for women on dating apps, then devastating his conquests with morning-after insults. Though the NYPD quickly arrests one of his recent victims, Clare finds reason to believe she's been framed. 

Now, with the help of her ex and crew of quirky baristas, Clare starts "swiping" through suspects in her own shop, determined to find the real killer before another shot rings out. 

Includes a bang-up menu of tempting recipes.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Clare Cosi whose hosting Cinder dating couples at the Village Blend which is the newest app that allows swipe to meet couples to get together.  When a young woman goes crazy after her fella who dropped her like a bad habit.  Not long after the news travels about the dangers of the Village Blend and Tucker winds up quitting which Clare won't tolerate.  She is determined to get her shop business again and her barista back. When the body of a young woman is found in the water Clare wants to know who she is at any cost!

When the fella who is anything but honest winds up dead, and all points lead to something going on with a new drug in town.  Clare finds herself relying on friends and family to help catch a killer.  This book brought you all over the place from fitness clubs to crazy dating apps to an assortment of characters who look good for the murders but the truth is out there and Clare will stop at nothing to figure it out!

I enjoyed this book and the adventure it brought I couldn't put it down Clare, Matt, Tucker and everyone else at the Village Blend are so addictive that you want to see what is going on and what everyone is up to.  I look forward time and again for the lastest in this great series that is like fine wine only getting better over time!

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Review: Six Feet Under by: Tonya Kappes

Title: Six Feet Under
Author: Tonya Kappes
Publisher: Henery Press
Series: Kenni Lowry #4
Pages: 300
Format; e-book
Source: GEBT & NetGalley

Description:

Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth. And let me tell you, this broth is in trouble. Get ready for a Southern showdown. 

The residents of Cottonwood, Kentucky are sent into a tizzy when the Culinary Channel comes to town to film an episode of Southern Home Cookin’ with celebrity chef Frank Von Lee. 

Especially Sheriff Kenni Lowry. 

Her mama’s award-winning chicken pot pie is what brought Frank to town, and they don’t make hair in the South bigger than her mama’s ego after the news. 

When Frank Von Lee is found dead from food poisoning and the most likely culprit is Mama’s chicken pot pie, Kenni’s poppa, the former sheriff, comes back from the Great Beyond to assist in the investigation. 

But nothing’s prepared Kenni for such a personal tie to a case, and she finds herself pushing the limits of the laws she’s sworn to protect. 

This book’s so delicious it’ll make your mouth water and leave you hankerin’ for more.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Sheriff Kenni Lowry who has her plate filled with her ghostly father showing up which always means nothing good and her mother entering a contest for a Culinary Channel.  When the celebrity chef Frank Von Lee shows up dead it's up to Kenni to figure it out.  Of course all the evidence points to her mama but Kenni won't give up even when she has to give the case to Finn she refuses to back down and keeps searching for the guilty party.  Will Kenni figure out in time or is her number up and she's wind up joining her daddy in the great sky life?

This book was great and quick moving it pulled you in wanting to know what is up with Kenni's mamma. What was really great was watching Kenni and locals help her even though she was technically off the case. I really found myself enjoying the adventure and looking forward to the next one!

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Review: The Spook in The Stacks by: Eva Gates

Title: The Spook in The Stacks
Author: Eva Gates
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Series: Lighthouse Library Mystery #4
Pages: 250
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Halloween in North Carolina’s Outer Banks becomes seriously tricky when librarian Lucy Richardson stumbles across something extra unusual in the rare books section: a dead body.

Wealthy businessman Jay Ruddle is considering donating his extensive collection of North Carolina historical documents to the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, but the competition for the collection is fierce. Unfortunately, while the library is hosting a lecture on ghostly legends, Jay becomes one of the dearly departed in the rare books section. Now, it’s up to Lucy Richardson and her fellow librarians to bone up on their detective skills and discover who is responsible for this wicked Halloween homicide. 

Meanwhile, very strange things are happening at the library—haunted horses are materializing in the marsh, the lights seem to have an eerie life of their own, and the tiny crew of a model ship appears to move around when no one is watching. Is Lucy at her wit’s end? Or can it be that the Bodie Island Lighthouse really is haunted? 

With The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on everyone’s minds and ghoulish gossip on everyone’s lips, Lucy will need to separate the clues from the boos if she wants to crack this case without losing her head in The Spook in the Stacks, the delightful fourth in national bestseller Eva Gates’ Lighthouse Library mysteries.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Lucy Richardson whose working at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library as Halloween is approaching they have agreed to let Louisa Jane do all her talks on hauntings and things.  Add to that a businessman from Nag's Head long ago is deciding where to donate his documents to either a college library or the lighthouse library.  When he winds up dead the pressure is on to find the killer.  In the cops sights is his granddaughter Julia.  Will Lucy figure it out in time?  Who will win the mayoral election going on?

I really enjoyed this book as it has everything I've come to love with the lighthouse mysteries.  The patrons of the library plus the staff make it a real treat to go back and see what everyone is up too.  It was also good to see that Nag's Head was dealing with the elections as well!  I really loved it and found I couldn't put it down until I had it all figured out.  Even though this book really kept  me guessing on the bad person.

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Review: Reading up a Storm by: Eva Gates

Title: Reading up a Storm
Author: Eva Gates
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Lighthouse Library Mystery #3
Pages: 336
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGaller

Description:

The national bestselling author of Booked for Trouble returns with another charming mystery set in the most literary lighthouse in North Carolina's Outer Banks. 
Misfortune blows into North Carolina's Outer Banks when a dead body in a boat on the shore leaves local librarian Lucy Richardson racing to solve a strange new mystery....

After a successful party at Bodie Island's Lighthouse Library, librarian Lucy Richardson is ready to curl up with her cat, Charles, and a good book. But her R and R is cut short when she notices some mysterious lights leading a small boat to crash into the coast.

The two shipwrecked seafarers survive the ordeal—but one of them shows up dead ashore a few days later. Lucy finds herself again roped into a murder investigation and navigating a sea of suspects, all of whom had motives to deep-six the deceased. And this time, she has a sinking feeling that finding the real killer won't be so easy...

My Thoughts:

This book follows Lucy Richardson whose working at the Lighthouse Library when a new resident comes to town and ends up dead in a boat.  Who killed Will and why?  Was it a book seller who he was stiffing or was it his girlfriend who was so naive as to know what Will was really up to or was it someone else with a different agenda?  As pressure is put on Lucy when her friend Stephanie is brought in repeatedly for questioning relating to Will and his death.  Lucy is determined to figure out who killed the man and why?

I loved this story as well as the others in this series.  This one didn't disappoint.  It's great to head back to Nag's Head and see what everyone is up to and where this book is going I especially liked reading about Lucy and Connor.  They make a great pair to read about!  Can't wait to see what is next for the group.  Next in the series is:

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Review: Murder At The Fortune Teller's Table by: Janet Finsilver

Title: Murder At The Fortune Teller's Table
Author: Janet Finsilver
Publisher: Kensington
Series: A Kelly Jackson Mystery #3
Pages: 190
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Poisons, prophecies—and a peculiar past . . .

When a local woman begins searching for a couple she hasn’t seen since the 1960s, Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast manager Kelly Jackson and the crime-solving group, the “Silver Sentinels,” are quick to help out. They’re also quick to guess that they’re in over their heads after the woman is found dead beside the body of a Greek fortune teller—and a fellow Sentinel gets attackeds. As Kelly juggles work and her responsibilities at a food and wine festival in town, she and her sleuthing posse must confront a killer obsessed with old secrets . . . and solve a murder mystery more than fifty years in the making . . .

My Thoughts:

This book follows Kelly Jackson as she meets a fortune teller and her assistant Summer who wants help from the sentinels tracking down someone from her past.  The Sentinels set out on the search and find her within a day Summer and the Fortune teller is dead, and the Sentinels are carrying out her last request when Mary gets attacked by someone the Sentinels set out to find out what happened and why?  Will they figure it out or will their future lead to demise?

I love this series so full of so much between the Sentinels and people visiting the Bed and Breakfast and this one led to a story that took place in the 60's and what happened back then and those involved.  I really enjoyed visiting everyone and seeing what everyone is up to.

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Review: Murder at The Mushroom Festival by: Janet Finsilver

Title: Murder at The Mushroom Festival
Author: Janet Finsilver
Publisher: Kensington
Series: A  Kelly Jackson Mystery #4
Pages: 304
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Description:

There’s a corpse among the chanterelles!

Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast manager Kelly Jackson is hosting a cooking class during the Week of the Mushroom festival to attract guests, not drama. But soon after she finishes foraging for an edible mushroom species on sacred Native American land, a local newspaper reporter gets shot dead at the same site. With suspicions spreading like fungi in the quaint Northern Californian community over the culprit’s identity, Kelly and a savvy gang of sleuthing seniors known as the “Silver Sentinels” must uncover the truth about the secluded property before a tricky killer prepares another lethal surprise . . .

My Thoughts:

This book has Kelly Jackson whose all geared up to be hosting a cooking class on Mushrooms to go with the week of mushroom festival.  Of course not is as it seems.  Peter is determined that only humans hunt for mushrooms when the arrival of a dog and pig add to the mix the mood changes.  Kelly also learns about Redwoods being impossible to take as there are laws about the removal of Redwood trees.  With reporter Ned involved it's not long before someone winds up dead and it's up to the Silver Sentinels to determined who killed Ned the reporter and why?  Was it someone who had a grudge against Ned?  Or was it someone else he burned in a older article?  So many possibilities the sentinels definitely have their work cut out for themselves.  Will Kelly solve the murder in time or will she be capped as well?

This book had everything from missing redwood trees to people conspiring over mushrooms and finds Kelly and the sentinels in the middle of it trying to figure out who committed the crimes.  When pressure gets put on Daniel a Native American gets caught up in being a suspect Kelly is determined to find out what is going on and why.

I love this series as one of it's characters has Asperger's syndrome which is rare to see.  It's great to incorporate various things in a book.  This one definitely has it with Native American's, Asperger's, and so much more I really enjoyed it!

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Review: Who Moved My Goat Cheese? by: Lynn Cahoon

Title: Who Moved My Goat Cheese
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Farm-to-Fork Mystery #1
Pages: 182
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

"Angie Turner hopes her new farm-to-table restaurant can be a fresh start in her old hometown in rural Idaho. But when a goat dairy farmer is murdered, Angie must turn the tables on a bleating black sheep . . . With three weeks until opening night for their restaurant, the County Seat, Angie and her best friend and business partner Felicia are scrambling to line up local vendors-from the farmer's market to the goat dairy farm of Old Man Moss. Fortunately, the cantankerous Moss takes a shine to Angie, as does his kid goat Precious. So when Angie hears the bloodcurdling news of foul play at the dairy farm, she jumps in to mind the man's livestock and help solve the murder. One thing's for sure, there's no whey Angie's going to let some killer get her goat . . .

My Thoughts:

Angie Turner and her friend/business partner Felicia have moved to town and are opening a farm to fork restaurant and working with local farmers to use their crops for their menus. When after meeting with a local goat farmer the following day Angie finds out he died, and Angie feels due to  her Nonna it's her responsibility to find out what happened to Old Man Moss regardless of the cost!  Will Angie figure it out in time or will the killer get to her before she figures it out?

This was a different type of mystery it was full of adventure and mystery as Angie tries to sort through the clues along with opening her new restaurant and get to the bottom of the mystery.  This book had me hooked like all the other previous books that Ms. Calhoon writes she has such a way with story telling that I couldn't put it down until I knew who the bad guy was and watched as it was unraveled for us!

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