Fortune Teller Tabby - Birthday Card

Hello my crafty friends,

Today I am showing you a birthday card I made using Lawn Fawn’s Fortune Teller Tabby stamp set.  My friends birthday is on Halloween, so I thought this would be a cute card to make for her, especially as I tried to make the cat look like hers.

Hope you like it!

Here is a video showing different things you can do with this stamps set.

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I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow Crafter’s.

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Review: The Monster Who Didn't Know Halloween

The Monster Who Didn't Know Halloween by Edymar Ablan Pacheco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Monster Who Didn't Know Halloween by Edymar Ablan Pacheco was such a cute and fun book. My niece and nephew would love this book. Just loved this story!

There was once a monster who thought himself brave
For he lived all alone, in a big mountain cave.
He feared not the dark. Nor a bug. Nor thirteen!
But our dear monster did not know Halloween.

Monster is a happy fellow who takes pride in being brave. But even the bravest ones can get a chill when facing the unknown… and Monster has never experienced Halloween before! Find out what happens when he sees for the first time in his life funny pumpkins and people going around dressed as ghosts and other spooky costumes.

Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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A Very Mummy Holiday by Lynn Cahoon

Hello my cozy friends,

“A Very Mummy Holiday” is the 9.5 book ”A Tourist Trap Mystery” series by Lynn Cahoon is a quick and enjoyable read.  I love this series and was super happy to get an Advanced Readers Copy.

Protagonist Jill, her dog Emma, and Greg along with a couple friends decide to rent a cabin in an Oregon beach town for their Thanksgiving holiday. While in town, one of the group discovers a skeleton buried in the sand dune.

I was pulled in from the very beginning and didn’t stop till the end.  The mystery was well plotted and moved along at an even pace. There are only a few suspects for the murder and almost from the beginning you realize the person who people suspect of the murder is not the right person. Jill’s empathy shows throughout the story and you can’t help empathizing with Caleb and his situation too.

I highly recommend this novella to all my cozy friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Lyrical Underground and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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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Dogs Don't Lie by Lisa Shay

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Dogs Don't Lie" by Lisa Shay is the 1st book in "A Kallie Collins Cozy Mystery" series.  This is a new to me author, but I am glad I read the book as the series has a lot of potential.

 On call at Crater Emergency Animal Hospital, I, Doctor Kallie Collins, receive a curious request from the sheriff’s department. I’m to meet with a detective at a small ranch outside of town.

You see, there’s this dog with a bone he’s not willing to part with.

On scene, the dog tells me the bone is human. Actually, he shows me the location of the body, complete with a human skull, through an animal-communication technique I learned a couple years ago. Now I have to explain how this works to the detective, convincing him I’m not the murderer.

Who knew a simple farm visit would put me in the middle of a murder investigation? Well, I did kinda jump into this mess. I had to. I know what happened. The two four-legged witnesses to the murder told me.

And I’m the only one listening.

I have always wished I knew what Lindi was thinking, (I think all furbaby mums wish they could) well the protagonist Kallie in this book has that ability.

I loved the setting of Medford, in southern Oregon with its forests it brought back memories of visiting Oregon as a child. I always like a small town setting where almost everyone knows one another.  I enjoyed Kallie's relationship with her best friends, Grace and Sam, and the chemistry between Ben and Kallie.  (could there be romance in the future)

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in one sitting.  It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises.

I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.

I requested and received a copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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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Stamped Out - A Mail Carrier Mystery by Tonya Kappes

Hello my cozy friends,

“Stamped Out” by Tonya Kappes is the first book in her all new “A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery” series starring Bernadette Butler and her cat Rowena.

Print Length: 253 pages

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Everyone in Sugar Creek Gap has tried to fix up widow and beloved mail carrier, Bernadette Davis on several dates. They say she has to be lonely.

What they don’t know is how Bernadette’s life is filled ... with everyone’s hidden secrets and obsessions. After all, she does deliver their mail and hears all the dirty laundry southern folks love to sweep secrets under the rug.

While on her route, Bernadette finds one of her clients dead and suspects foul play even though the local police aren’t convinced.

Bernadette discovers she’s got a penchant for discovering clues that just might help STAMP OUT a killer who is on the loose.

Once again Tonya has woven a picture of small town Kentucky with its southern charm, quirky characters and a dash of humour. Welcome to Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky y’all!

The story moved at a steady pace with a few red herrings and a few twists to keep you guessing. I was completely surprised by the ending, totally not what I expected. I am super excited to read book two “Addressed For Murder” out on December 31, 2019.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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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The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack

Hello my cozy friends,

The Candy Cane Caper is the 14th book in the Culinary Mystery series by Josi S. Kilpack. However, I had not read any previous books and I was able to follow along.

Sadie is overwhelmed with checking things off her to-do list before her family arrives for Christmas. Yet, when her friend’s priceless, family-legacy Christmas ornaments go missing, Sadie is on the case.

I liked Sadie as she is quirky, and being a retired P.I. she does stick her nose in where it doesn’t belong, but it’s always done with good intentions.  I liked how the story stressed the importance of family, friendship, and not judging others by appearance.

I really enjoyed how this Cozy was about the missing ornaments rather than murder and I loved learning about the ornaments history. (I use to collect ornaments as a teenager)

There are several suspects as family, friends, and nursing home staff are included in the suspect list.  I didn’t guess the thief until the very end.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher and Netgalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own

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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Murder in First Edition by Lauren Elliott

Hello my cozy friends,

First off can I just say wow! Murder in First Edition by Lauren Elliot the third instalment in the series is even better than the last, now the long wait till book four...

I don’t know how I missed posting this review on my blog back in August, but somehow I did... 

Addie Greyborne is preparing for the holidays at her bookstore in seaside New England—but a winter storm is coming, in more ways than one . . .

Addie’s getting into the spirit for the upcoming Charity Auction—especially since she’s got an 1843 copy of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol to donate. Her mood darkens, though, when a visitor from the past appears—Jonathan Hemingway, the father of her late fiancé. His presence stirs up sad memories for Addie, but also has her fuming when Jonathan, true to his womanizing ways, runs off for a lunchtime liaison with Teresa Lang, who’s in charge of the auction.  Soon after, Addie heads to Teresa’s office at the hospital—and finds the poor woman’s dead body. What she doesn’t find is her valuable first edition. What sort of Scrooge would steal from sick children and commit murder in the process? As a Nor’easter bears down and a mystery emerges about Jonathan’s past, Addie must find out if she can appraise people’s motives and characters as well as she can appraise rare books . . .

I love the main set of characters, Addie, Selena, Paige and not to mention Marc and Simon (the men vying for Addie's affections). We had some new characters in this instalment but they helped round out Addie's support system/family and make everything feel so real. Did I mention I'm team Marc...

As for the mystery it was full of twists, turns and plenty of red herrings which made this a story I did not want to put down nor end ... it was like when you finish watching a movie and want to know what happens next to the heroine or people in the story however mundane that might be. Ms Elliott has made me invested in the lives of these characters and Greyborne Harbor.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Cozy mysteries.

I would like to thank the author and Kensington Books for the Advance Readers Copy I requested and received. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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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Marry Christmas Murder by Stephanie Blackmoore

Hello my cozy friends,

Marry Christmas Murder by Stephanie Blackmoore is book five in the Wedding Planner Mystery series. I have read one other book previously and this can be read as a stand alone but you will want to read in order.

Print Length: 304 pages

Publisher: Kensington Books (Sept. 24 2019)

Olivia’s dreaming of a white Christmas—as in a white wedding gown and all the trimmings. But that’s not the only event that’s keeping everyone busy. Olivia’s family are in real estate development, and they’re sponsoring Paws and Poinsettias—a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. Meanwhile, Mallory’s mom wants to use her daughter’s connection to snag a job staging homes for the company . . . and the current stager is not filled with holiday cheer at the news that she might be replaced.

When the endangered employee downs some antifreeze-spiked punch at a party, Mallory has a murder to solve—among other mysteries including a missing cat, a toy-drive heist, and a baby found in a manger thirty years earlier . . .

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish, there was so much happening holidays, parties weddings and a little murder.  I liked how it was all woven together so neatly that nothing seemed out of place. We got to know the characters their feelings , relationships and care about the outcome.  Amongst all this there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing on the identity of the killer.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series and book 6 when it comes out.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

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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A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Cup of Holiday Fear " the 10th installment in the "Bakeshop Mystery" series by Ellie Alexander . I believed I had not read any of the previous books but the place, names etc. were familiar so I may have read one. I did not have any trouble following along so, yes it can be read as a standalone. I do recommend reading them in order, this way you really get to know  the characters.

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (Sept. 24 2019)

I had no trouble envisioning Ashland all decked out with holiday lights, snow falling, and carollers singing. Jules and the rest of the characters were well developed, I liked how the story was character driven with a mystery, I like these kind of series as you become invested in the characters and what’s happening around them. I enjoyed the holiday atmosphere that the author created and how Jules and her mum included everyone who had no Christmas plans in theirs.

I did suspect the killer pretty quick, but there were plenty of suspects to choose from as Cami was a pretty rotten person. There were some twists and turns just enough to keep you guessing. Don’t get me started on the descriptions of all the desserts, drinks and food , I think I gained 10lbs just thinking about them. I like that recipes are included in back of the book too, yes in some spots the detailed descriptions on Jules making a dessert became a bit much but then I’m not a foodie, but those that are will love it.

I highly recommend this book and series to all my cozy friends especially the ones that love to bake!

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

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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Home to Roost Friendship Card

Hello my friends,

Today's card was made the Stampin’ Up! Home to Roost stamp set, Tin Tile embossing folder, and Copics which made for a beautiful farmhouse style simple card for a friend.

Instructions:

• Start with a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card base of Very Vanilla card stock. 
• 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Very Vanilla card stock through a die-cutting and embossing machine inside the Tin Tile 3D Embossing Folder.  Adhere to card with adhesive.
• Die cut out the torn look rectangle with a die-cutting and embossing machine.
• Stamp the Rooster from the Stampin' Up! Home to Roost stamp set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Very Vanilla card stock.  Mask off the Rooster then stamp the tall grass.
• Colour Rooster with your Alchol markers in whichever colours you like.
• Ink edges with coordinating ink or in my case with Tea Stain Distress ink. Adhere to card-base with dimensionals. 
• I stamped sentiment in black and punched out with small oval punch and adhered with dimensional. 
• I finished it off with some pearl drops.

Hope you like it

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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Tin Tile Thankful Fall Card

Hello my friends,

The maple leaf from the Stampin’ Up! Cheerful Seasons bundle, Tin Tile embossing folder, and fall inspired coloured inks make for a beautiful earthy simple card.

Instructions:

• Start with a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card base of Very Vanilla card stock. (I had leftover handmade paper-retired)
• 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Very Vanilla card stock through a die-cutting and embossing machine inside the Tin Tile 3D Embossing Folder.  Adhere to card with adhesive.
• Stamp the maple leaf solid with Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie or Curry ink onto Crumb Cake or Very Vanilla card stock. Then stamp over top with maple leaf outline stamp in black ink.
• Crop the maple leaf with a die-cutting and embossing machine using the coordinating die Cheerful Seasons. 
• Ink edges with coordinating ink or in my case with Tea Stain Distress ink. Adhere to card-base with dimensionals. From an old misc. die I cut out some leaves in Always Artichoke and adhered behind the maple leafs.
• I stamped sentiment in black and die cut with one of my ragged edge dies and adhered with dimensional. 
• I finished it off with a bow out of twine and some pearl drops.

Hope you like it 

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

Hugs,

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Three Widows and a Corpse by Debra Sennefelder

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Three Widows and a Corpse " by Debra Sennefelder.   I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Kensington Books (Nov. 1 2019)
Genre: Cozy Mystery

I loved "Three Widows and a Corpse" the third book in Debra Sennefelder's "A Food Blogger Mystery" series. Visiting Jefferson, Connecticut has become a pleasure, I love the description of the town and surroundings I can picture it in my mind what it must look like there in the fall as the trees turn colour and the air becomes crisp and less humid.

This time Hope is helping out with the town’s annual scavenger hunt as well as an assignment with Cooking Now! magazine. During the Scavenger Hunt, as Hope races with her team to check off the next item, she discovers a grisly surprise—the body of shady real estate developer Lionel Whitcomb, shot in a parking lot. To make things worse his wife Elaine is there competing in the hunt and sees the body, but as she screams two other women on the scene cry out that their husband is dead!

I love Hope as she is real and I have become invested in her and what is happening around her. I like her family and friends, Claire, Jane, Drew and of course Ethan (Police Chief boyfriend) and the dynamics between them all. Don't get me started on her dog Bigelow, Poppy the chicken and now the addition of Princess the cat!

There was drama, romance and a little bit of humor thrown in with the mystery. I did suspect the killer early on but there were lots of twists and turns I started second guessing myself. I liked how there were your normal mixture of nasty, suspicious people but how some just turned out to be misunderstood.

I also liked the behind the scenes look at her food blogging and magazine assignment, shows me that blogging is a full time job and then some. I also enjoy all the food recipes.

I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to see what’s next for Hope in this series and I look forward to reading the next book ...

My Rating

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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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Autumn Alibi by Jennifer David Hesse

Hello my cozy friends,

"Autumn Alibi" is the 6th book in the "Wiccan Wheel Mystery" Series by Jennifer David Hesse. I own the first 3 books in the series but haven't got around to reading them, with that said I was able to read this as a stand alone.  

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Kensington (Sept. 24 2019)

Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

After a hectic year, Edindale, Illinois, attorney Keli Milanni is ready to welcome autumn by counting her many blessings. But a case of murder could cause her to fall behind . . .

Keli is hoping that Mabon, the Wiccan Autumn Equinox, will bring balance back into her life. But it’s death that comes calling when she’s asked to consult on an estate case. Recently passed, Elaine Turnbull left everything, including her valuable art and antiques collection, to her granddaughter, Lana. But Lana has been missing for years, ever since a tragedy tore her family apart. Also missing may be Elaine’s most recent will. Then there’s the not-so-small detail that Elaine’s death by natural causes may not have been so natural after all . . .

With the help of her boyfriend Wes, who knew Lana in high school, Keli starts digging into Elaine’s past—and her journals. Soon she discovers that everyone, from Elaine’s caretaker to her curator, had a motive for murder—along with a seemingly rock-solid alibi. Between missing people, missing documents, a string of vandalism against her friends, and the sense she’s being stalked, Keli is feeling a disturbing chill. Now not even her Wiccan protection rituals may save her from a killer with a cold heart that’s far from grateful . . .

I really enjoyed this story protagonist Keli is a likable, intelligent woman who is an attorney and also Wiccan.  All of the characters in the book are well developed and interesting.

The story was well paced, and I found I couldn’t put the book down. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep me wanting to find out what will happen next. The description of Mabon the Wiccan Autumn Equinix was great and I learnt something new which is always a bonus.

I look forward to reading the next installment in this series

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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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