Foul Play on Words (A Mystery Writer's Mystery #2)

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing Foul Play on Words (A Mystery Writer's Mystery #2) by Becky Clark.

 Between a kidnapping, a double booking, and a crew of hapless volunteers, Charlee worries the writing conference will go to the dogs.

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to speak at a Portland writers' conference organized by her friend Viv Lundquist. When Viv picks her up at the airport, she frantically tells Charlee that her daughter Hanna has been kidnapped.

Charlee takes over the conference preparation so Viv can search for her daughter, but the situation gets tense when the hotel double-books the event with a dog show. Despite this, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending?

Foul Play on Words by Becky Clark is the 2nd book in the "Mystery Writers Mystery series",

Charlee Russo is a mystery writer, who has agreed to speak at a Portland writers' conference to help her friend Viv. When Viv is late picking her up at the airport, that should have been her first clue something wasn't right.  Despite it all, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending?  Not only is this book funny, it has a great mystery too!

I found this book to be a fun, quick read, with a well developed plot and characters.
I recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends. 

I enjoyed this book so much that i purchased the first book right away.

I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me via NetGalley  and Midnight Ink Publishing. All of the above opinions are my own.

My Rating

Readers say Becky Clark's books are “fast and thoroughly entertaining” with  “witty humor and tight writing” and “humor laced with engaging characters” so you should “grab a cocktail and enjoy the ride.” They also say “Warning: You will laugh out loud. I’m not kidding,” and “If you like Janet Evanovich, you will like Becky Clark.”

A highly functioning chocoholic, Becky is the seventh of eight kids, which explains both her insatiable need for attention and her atrocious table manners. She likes to read funny books so it felt natural to write them, too.


She surrounds herself with quirky people and pets who end up as characters in her books. Her stout-hearted dog Nala keeps her safe from menacing squirrels, autumn leaves, and grazing deer, but not plastic bags or worms. Those things are terrifying.

Follow Becky on:

BookBub:      https://www.bookbub.com/authors/becky-clark 
Amazon:        https://www.amazon.com/Becky-Clark/e/B004NQO14I
Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4730815.Becky_Clark
Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/BeckyClarkAuthor
Website:          https://beckyclarkbooks.com/ 


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Hugs,

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New TV series ...

Hello my friends,

It has honestly been a week where I don't want to do anything besides being outside or sleeping!
I hope you are all enjoying the first days of Spring!  We have been having some warm weather this past week which was lovely as it melted most of the snow.  Lindi likes the warmer weather as I walk her more often.

As many of you know besides reading cozy mysteries I am also a tv addict.  There are a couple new shows that I am enjoying, one is The Coroner (Canadian show) , Whiskey Cavalier and now I just seen an ad for The Fix which I am PVRing.   Are there any new tv series that you are enjoying?

Coroner is a one-hour drama about Jenny Cooper, a coroner who investigates unexplained or sudden deaths in the city of Toronto. Fierce and quick-witted, Jenny is a newly-widowed single mother with secrets of her own to unearth. Starring Serinda Swan and Roger Cross

Whiskey Cavalier  This is a comedy-drama that is centred around an FBI agent, Will Chase. Together with his new partner, CIA operative Francesca Trowbridge, they join a team of spies that save the world while also discovering love and friendship along the way.

The Fix An L.A. prosecutor moves to Oregon after losing a high-profile murder case, but when the killer strikes again, she returns to seek justice under her own terms. Starring Robin Tunney (The Mentalist), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Merrin Dungey. Created by Marcia Clarke - OJ inspired drama?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

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Designs On Murder: A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery by Gayle Leeson

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am discussing a new series by Gayle Leeson, Designs On Murder: A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery!  I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Print Length: 212 pages

Publisher: Grace Abraham Publishing (March 26 2019)

What if you discovered your lively new friend wasn't really...alive?

Amanda Tucker is excited about opening her fashion design studio in Shops On Main, a charming old building in historic Abingdon, Virginia. She didn't realize a ghost came with the property! But soon Maxine "Max" Englebright, a young woman who died in 1930, isn't the only dead person at the retail complex. Mark Tinsley, a web designer with a know-it-all attitude who also rented space at Shops On Main, is shot in his office.

Amanda is afraid that one of her new "friends" and fellow small business owners is his killer, and Max is encouraging her to solve Mark's murder a la Nancy Drew. Easy for Max to want to investigate--the ghostly fashionista can't end up the killer's next victim!

This was the first time I had read one of Gayle's books and I thoroughly enjoyed it "A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery" series is off to a great start. This series also has a nice hint of the paranormal with the ghost of Max. This book had me hooked from the beginning and I finished in a couple nights.

The mystery was well written and carries through the entire story. There were a couple of twists and turns that I didn't see coming but I did guess the killer halfway through. The author brought all the characters to life for me and I really love a book that makes me feel like I can see everything in my minds eye. I enjoyed the relationship between Amanda and her Grandpa Dave and even the blossoming romance between Amanda and Jason.

I cannot wait to read the next book in this charming series, and I highly recommend this series to all my cozy mystery loving friends.

My Rating

 I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

Gayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. who also writes as Amanda Lee. As Gayle Trent, she writes the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. As Amanda Lee, she writes the Embroidery Mystery series. Going forward she will only write under the name of Gayle Leeson. She lives in Virginia near Abingdon with her family and "Angus" a Great Pyrenees.

Website:      https://www.gayleleeson.com/
Twitter:       https://twitter.com/GayleTrent
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/GayleLeeson/
You-tube:    https://www.youtube.com/user/gaylewriter
Pinterest:     https://www.pinterest.ca/gayleleeson/
Amazon:     https://www.amazon.com/Gayle-Leeson/

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I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

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Colour Therapy!

Good morning my crafty peeps!

I had fun this last week, stamping, coloring, fussy cutting, and creating with some of my wonderful new stamps.  I even brought out one of my adult colouring books to play with while watching my tv shows.

Today I am showing a few stamped Elephants I made on Thursday using my copics.  A friend suggested that I colour a bunch of different things and collect in a container that way when I need a card for the Book group I can just put one together.

And a page from my House Mouse colouring book where I use ordinary crayons, hope you like it.  

I really should be working on my bullet journal, I just seem to look at it and say maybe tomorrow lol, story of my life. Time will tell if it is something for me, I have a beautiful pages designed in my head, just need to get them on paper.

Would love to hear how you like to colour?

Hugs,  

The Loch Ness Papers (A Scottish Bookshop Mystery Book 4)

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Loch Ness Papers" by Paige Shelton.  I have read a few in this series but dont think I have read "Lost Books and Old Bones" (A Scottish Bookshop Mystery Book 3). 

I’ve always been fascinated by myths of other countries and loved the way the Loch Ness Monster (Nessie) is central to this tale.  Where I grew up in Canada, we had our own version called the "Ogopogo" which is a lake monster reported to live in Okanagan Lake, in British Columbia.

Print Length: 320 pages

Publisher: Minotaur Books (April 2 2019)

Bookseller Delaney Nichols befriends a Loch Ness monster enthusiast; when he stands accused of murder she'll do whatever it takes to learn who the killer is—and whether Nessie herself is really lurking in the Scottish waters.

Delaney Nichols is delighted with her life in Edinburgh, working at The Cracked Spine—a shop that specializes in hard-to-find books and artifacts. With a job she loves, and her fast approaching marriage to devastatingly handsome Scottish pub-owner Tom Shannon, Delaney's life could be straight out of a fairy tale—at least it would be, if the pastor meant to perform the wedding ceremony hadn't recently passed away. Outside the church where Delaney is searching for another reverend, she stumbles across Norval Fraser: an elderly man obsessed with the Loch Ness monster. Always attracted to the interesting and unusual, Delaney befriends Norval. But when his nephew is found dead, the police decide Norval's obsession has moved from monsters to murder.

With a wedding to plan, her family arriving soon from Kansas, and the arrival of an over-the-top Texan with a wildly valuable book, Delaney's plate is full to bursting, but she can't abandon her new friend. Determined to help Norval, she sets out to learn the truth. The Loch Ness buries its secrets deeply, but Delaney is determined to dig them up—whether Nessie likes it or not.

The Loch Ness Papers is the 4th book in the Scottish Book Shop Mystery series. Once again I was transported to Edinburgh, Scotland and Loch Ness.  The story is full of quirky characters, a beautiful setting, and an interesting plot. I liked how the author used Scottish dialects/slang throughout and while reading I heard it in my mind the voices of the different characters. There are several possible murderers, and kept me guessing for quite a while. 

Overall, I found it to be a delightful read that made me long to visit the mountains of Scotland and Loch Ness. I highly recommend this to my fellow mystery lovers.

My Rating

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

PAIGE SHELTON author of the Farmers' Market, Country Cooking School, Dangerous Type, Scottish Bookshop, and Alaska Wild mysteries. 

She had a nomadic childhood as her father's job as a football coach took the family to seven different towns before she was even twelve years old. After college at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, she moved to Salt Lake City where she thought she'd only stay a couple years, but she fell in love with the mountains and a great guy who became her husband. After many decades in Utah, she and her family recently moved to Arizona.

Website:    https://www.paigeshelton.com/#!
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorpaigeshelton/

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I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

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Nancy Drew Book 2: The Hidden Staircase

Hello my friends,

Nancy Drew and The Hidden Staircase hit the big screen on March 15th in the United States.  I have been looking to see when I can go here in Canada.

Have you read the classic book that inspired the movie?

Published: May 01, 1930 

 Length: 192 Pages 

 Middle Grade (8-12)

The Nancy Drew Series written under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene was first published in 1930, the stories have sold over 70 million copies and become a cherished part of our cultural landscape.

The teenage sleuth has been a noted inspiration for generations of women, including Sonia Sotomayor, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Hillary Clinton. Nancy Drew is still a force, nearly a century after her creation.

As I scrolled through the books on Penguin Random House, memories came flooding back of reading the books and receiving them from my dad as a reward for being good.

As a child I loved Nancy Drew and would read the books over again well into my 20's.  I regret giving my collection away when I moved in my 30's.

I am so excited to go see the new Nancy Drew movie!
Are you going to go see it?  or have you seen it..

Check out the official Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase trailer starring Sophia Lillis!
Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow mystery lovers.

Hugs,

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5 Benefits of diffusing your Essential Oils

Using essential oils in a diffuser is an enjoyable and effective way to experience aromatherapy in your home. Through air diffusion, a few drops of essential oil can deliver therapeutic aromatherapy throughout one or more rooms while clearing the air and creating a pleasantly fragrant environment.

There are many different types of diffusers to choose from, from lamp rings to candle burners to water vapor diffusion. Since heat can cause essential oils to evaporate and degrade quickly, cold air diffusion is typically preferred over heat diffusion to obtain full therapeutic effects. Single essential oils can be chosen for a desired effect, or several oils can be used in the diffuser together to create a custom aroma with multiple therapeutic benefits.

My new found desire for freshening my home is using Oil in a diffuser, over a year ago i received one for Christmas and did not use much but over the last year I have grown to love using essential oils rather than candles or chemical based air fresheners,  Below are some of the benefits of using a diffuser:

Diffusers disperse essential oils as a fine vapor throughout the air so they can be absorbed gently into the body through the respiratory system. The aroma can prompt the nervous system to transmit signals to the limbic system in the brain – the same part of the brain that houses emotion and memory. The brain may respond by initiating various physiological functions, such as a release of hormones, relief from pain, or a positive boost in mood. 

Restful sleep is your goal, try diffusing relaxing lavender, Roman chamomile, spikenard, neroli, mandarin or sweet marjoram in the bedroom for 15 minutes before bedtime. Some diffusers are equipped with automatic settings that can turn off the diffuser after 20 minutes or can deliver short bursts of diffusion at intervals throughout the night.

Colds and flu, try diffusing thyme, eucalyptus, rosemary, manuka or ravintsara. Cinnamon and clove are excellent for prevention, and smell lovely with a bit of orange added. Lemongrass, tea tree, eucalyptus, oregano and juniper are specific for air purification, and can also help to clear the air of the smell of mildew.

Mental clarity is supported by peppermint, basil, lemon or rosemary. These are great choices to diffuse while studying or working on a project.

Uplifting mood enhancement, clary sage paired with any citrus can work wonders. For stress relief, add geranium and lavender. To promote some romance, try jasmine, ylang ylang, rose, sandalwood or patchouli. Don’t worry -- nervousness can be soothed with neroli, frankincense, petitgrain, chamomile or melissa.

Holiday ambiance can be created by diffusing pine, spruce or fir with a bit of spice like nutmeg and cinnamon. Peppermint and spearmint create a refreshing aroma while frankincense and orange promote relaxing contemplation.

No matter what your desired effect may be, and with minimal effort, essential oil diffusion has endless possibilities for supporting health and wellbeing.

Hugs,

"The Hidden Corpse" by Debra Sennefelder.

Hello my cozy friends,

Todays book review is "The Hidden Corpse" by Debra Sennefelder.

Print Length: 304 pages

Publisher: Kensington (March 26 2019)

Former reality TV baking show contestant and recent divorcée 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!

I loved this second book in Debra Sennefelder's  "A Food Blogger Mystery" series.  There is humor, drama, romance and an absolutely expert mystery offering so many twists and turns that I was completely surprised by the ending.  I really did not want this book to end, and can't wait for more!
I highly recommend it and after finishing this book, I immediately went online to order the first book. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Hope in this series and I look forward to reading the next book ...

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

My Rating

Debra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie and Billy.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America.

She can be reached at Debra@DebraSennefelder.com

Website

http://debrasennefelder.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/DebSennefelder

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

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Brilliant Burnout by Nisha Jackson

Hello my friends,

Today I am reviewing a book called "Brilliant Burnout"  by Nisha Jackson.  I am glad I requested a copy of this book and have ordered a paper copy for myself to have on hand.

Brilliant Burnout by Nisha Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a must read for all women whether pre-menopause or perimenopause!
The book outlines the reasons for the epidemic of exhaustion and offers a multifaceted approach to counteract these issues. I found it easy to read, understand and appreciate but it is NOT information you will get from your doctor or Gynecologist.

I am in the perimenopause stage (exhausted, mentally and physically) and wish I had read something like this years ago.

As another reviewer states this book would be good for someone who needs concrete steps to deal with the physical and mental effects of burnout, and wants a book that is basically brass-tacks.

I received a copy from NetGalley and River Grove Books in exchange for an honest review. but my opinion is my own

View all my reviews

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Good News! It's Easter!

Hello my friends,

Today I am reviewing Good News! It's Easter! by Glenys Nellist a board book I bought for my 2yr old niece Sofia.


  Good News! It's Easter! by Glenys Nellist
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I bought this for my niece who is 2 and she loved it!
Wonderful words and illustrations that speak to the “new beginnings” around us each spring—flowers, bunnies, trees and the best “beginning” of all—Jesus’s resurrection. Beautiful way to explain the wonder of Easter to a young child. This would be a perfect Easter basket book!

I received an electronic ARC of the book from Net Galley and ordered a Board Book version. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

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A Bidder End (Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Book 7)

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing Bidder End by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs.  In the world of antiques and collectibles, it helps to have a sharp eye for quality, a good ear for gossip, and a nose for murder.

Length: 151 pages
Publisher: Beyond the Page (March 6 2019)
Genre: Cozy Mystery

When a retired Hollywood A-lister decides to auction off part of his enviable collection of antiques, reporter Molly Appleby is thrilled to be covering the event for Collector’s Weekly, and she’s certain it will secure the reputation of the dealer handling it, a friend of hers. But soon after the final gavel comes down, the actor’s secretary vanishes and the antiques dealer is found dead, apparently having taken his own life. Molly’s not sold on the coroner’s verdict of suicide, though, and she can’t help but start digging for clues to what she suspects is foul play.

As she begins to delve into the private life of her friend and his connections with the actor’s staff, Molly slowly discovers that the dealer was far more unscrupulous than she ever imagined and that nearly everyone who knew him had a motive for murder. And when another body turns up and the devious killer begins leaving mysterious clues to taunt Molly and the police, Molly finds herself facing a cunning culprit who wants to see her going, going, gone . . .

I wasn't sure if I had read any of the other books in the series but a few chapters in the main characters were familiar and I realized I had read the first one. I plan on going back and rereading it and the other five.

When a retired Hollywood A-lister decides to auction off part of his enviable collection of antiques, reporter Molly Appleby is thrilled to be covering the event for Collector’s Weekly, and she’s certain it will secure the reputation of the dealer handling it, a friend of hers. But soon after the final gavel comes down, the actor’s secretary vanishes and the antiques dealer is found dead, apparently having taken his own life. Molly’s not sold on the coroner’s verdict of suicide, though, and she can’t help but start digging for clues to what she suspects is foul play.  

The protagonist Molly finds herself facing a cunning culprit who wants to see her going, going, gone . . . 

I really loved the characters in this series! There are plenty of red herrings with a few twists and turns thrown in, to keep me interested. The story is well thought out with believable characters, interesting situations and good dialogue. 

I recommend this cozy mystery to all my friends and lovers of this genre.

I received a copy from Beyond the Page and NetGalley, but my opinion is my own

USA Today and New York Times bestseller author, Ellery Adams, has written over thirty novels and can’t imagine spending a day away from the keyboard. Ms. Adams, a Native New Yorker, has had a lifelong love affair with stories, food, rescue animals, and large bodies of water. When not working on her next novel, she bakes, gardens, drinks vats of coffee, spoils her three cats, and snacks on black licorice. She lives with her husband and two children (aka the Trolls) in North Carolina.

Current Series: Secret, Book, & Scone Society (Kensington) Book Retreat Mysteries (Kensington) Books By the Bay Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries ((Berkley Prime Crime), Molly Appleby Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries (Beyond the Page), and Hope Street Mysteries (Beyond the Page).      

For more information, please visit www.elleryadamsmysteries.com 

Follow on:

Twitter:   ElleryAdams
Amazon:       https://www.amazon.com/Ellery-Adams 
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/ElleryAdamsAuthor
Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/ellery.adams 
Website:   www.elleryadamsmysteries.com 
  
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