Jan 30, 2020

Hounds of the Basket Stitch by Anne Canadeo



Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “Hounds of the Basket Stitch” the 11th instalment in the “Black Sheep and Company Mystery” series by Anne Canadoe. I have only read one other instalment in the series but I really enjoyed this book.
 The Black Sheep Knitters come to the aid of two sisters—one a victim and one a suspect . . .
 
Maggie Messina knows that knitting is not only enjoyable, it also calms both the mind and soul. She’s happy to visit two sisters, Holly and Rose Piper, and teach them some simple stitches, while the rest of the Black Sheep knitters tag along. Dana Haeger has known the young women since they were children and is the closest thing to family the Pipers now have. Dana is especially concerned about Rose, who has been easily overwhelmed ever since a car accident many years ago. She is at her best managing the houseful of hounds that she rescues and shelters, while Holly runs the family nursery and remains devoted to Rose’s care. The lesson goes well, but the knitters are troubled about the sisters living alone in such a remote corner of Plum Harbor. 
 
Their worst fears are realized when Holly is attacked in her greenhouse and the building set ablaze. Rose is found unconscious nearby, her dogs running wild. When she wakes, her memory is blank. Holly is hospitalized and unable to offer even a clue. The Black Sheep suspect a mysterious drifter who had talked his way into a few days of wages, and just as quickly, disappeared. Or was it their estranged stepbrother, Toby, full of family grievances and eager to make a claim on the estate? Or, heaven forbid . . . was it Rose? Hovering over all these questions like an ominous shadow is a dark secret from the sisters’ past.
 
While it seems everything is unraveling, the knitters will need to keep their wits as sharp as their needles to prove Rose’s innocence and stop a killer from striking again.



I enjoyed visiting Plum Harbor and the Black Sheep knitters again, it had been awhile.  I adored the character Rose who trains therapy dogs.  I do recommend you start at the beginning of the series, only for the sheer fact of the number of characters involved in the series, it might be easier to get to know them all from the start..

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

The ladies and their friendship is really what brings this series to life. One lady even welcomes a darling fur baby into their family. (Any type of dogs or cats are right up my alley )

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from  Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.



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Jan 28, 2020

Southern Double Cross by Caroline Fardig

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Southern Double Cross" the 3rd instalment in the ”Southern B&B Mystery” series by Caroline Fardig.   I read a novella by Caroline in Year-Round Trouble Anthology and enjoyed it so thought I would give this a try. I found the story to be very entertaining and have purchased the previous books in the series.


A fundraising party goes south in a delightful cozy mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of Southern Discomfort and the Java Jive novels

Quinn Bellandini is ready to get back to running her grandfather’s B&B in Savannah, Georgia, with her sister, Delilah—but first, she has to coordinate a fundraising event at the house of local philanthropists, with the help of her boyfriend, Tucker Heyward. Everything is running smoothly until Quinn’s friend, Pepper Fox, frantically calls her with the horrifying news that the lady of the house was found dead. Pepper’s brother, who was working as a caterer, is soon charged with her murder.

Pepper knows her brother didn’t commit the crime and asks Quinn, now a veteran detective with two solved murders under her belt, to prove his innocence. Quinn can’t bear to see her friend upset and enlists Delilah and Tucker to help investigate.

The invite list quickly turns into the suspect list as tensions mount and old feuds are brought to light. Could Quinn have hired the only catering company in Georgia that throws in a murder on the side?
Even though this is the first book I have read in the series I was able to follow along easily so it can be read as a stand alone.  I really enjoyed it and practically read in one sitting and have since purchased the other books in the series.

The protagonist Quinn and her sister Delilah have a great relationship,  and I liked how they came together to help their friends brother. The side characters are well rounded and seem real as I could relate to almost all of them . The town of Savannah Georgia is somewhere I have always wanted to visit, so I found the setting interesting.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on who the murderer was right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Random House and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


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Jan 26, 2020

Shot Through the Tart By Chelsea Thomas

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “
Shot Through the Tart” book 7 in the ”Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery” series by Chelsea Thomas. I know when I pick up one of the books it will have all the vital ingredients from humour, murder, twists and ...
***Star Actor Shot Dead During Performance*** 

Everyone thought the murder was part of the play at first… but the actor never stood up to take a bow...
The killer planned the murder well. Except for one tiny detail...

Miss May and Chelsea were in the audience. Now they're hungry for justice. So they grab their wacky friend Teeny and pursue the case.

The clues the girls find are shocking. Could this murder have something to do with Chelsea’s past? Why are there mysterious junk removal guys destroying evidence all over town?

And what will happen during the second performance of the play?

As Chelsea and Miss May get closer to the truth they realize their own lives are in danger. Will they survive an attack by the killer? And will Chelsea finally get closure on her turbulent childhood?

In this story Germany plays a big part, but I have the hardest time saying the name, my mind always goes to Jeremy. As I have said before the characters are well-developed and we continue to learn a little bit more about each of them. My favourites are still Teeny (always evokes a giggle), auntie May and Chelsea.

I continue to enjoy this cozy mystery series. I find them to be entertaining and the plot moves at a steady pace that keeps you engaged.

I highly recommend this book/series. It can easily stand alone but I recommend you read the series from the beginning.


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


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Jan 24, 2020

Back on Your Feet

Hello my crafty friends ,

It’s been forever since I posted a card related post but yesterday I actually sat down to make a few cards with my friend!
Back on Your Feet from Stampin' Up is as cute as can be and the perfect set for get well wishes.

I have lots of Facebook friends who could use a little pick me up, so I want to have a supply of get well, just because type cards on hand.




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Jan 20, 2020

Much Ado about Nutmeg by Sara Fox



Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing 
Much Ado about Nutmeg” by Sarah Fox the 6th instalment in the “A Pancake House Mystery” series. This was the second book I have read in the series and I thoroughly enjoy them and have the complete series in my TBR. 

Much Ado about Nutmeg by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marley, the protagonist, is the owner of The Flip Side pancake house in Wildwood Cove, Washington. Currently she is dealing with tourist season and planning her beach wedding which is in 4 weeks time. The Golden Oldies Senior games is in town and it’s extra busy, but when a man drowns and a nasty sports reporter goes missing Marley is itchin to investigate ...

The characters are well-developed. The mystery had just enough suspects, red herrings, and twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end. I found it to be a fun fast read.

Includes pancake recipes right from The Flip Side menu!

I enjoyed this book and recommend to my friends.


I requested and received an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley and Kensington books. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

View all my reviews

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Jan 14, 2020

Year-Round Trouble Anthology

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Year-Round Trouble" (Familiar Legacy Mystery ) by these 14 amazing authors Susan Y. Tanner (editor), Carolyn Haines, Larissa Reinhart, Ritter Ames, Connie Shelton, Miranda James, Caroline Fardig, Claire Matturro, Jaden Terrell, Ava Mallory, Rebecca Barrett, Joanne Pence, Susan Boles and Pamela Sue DuMond .  I loved this book and have now purchased the previous books in the series.


Even though this is the first book I have read in the Trouble series and several authors are new to me, I was able to follow along easily. So it can be read as a stand alone.  I really enjoyed it and practically read in one sitting and have since purchased the other books in the series. I have even found some new favourite authors!

The protagonist is a lovely black cat named Trouble, aka the black cat detective.  We follow Trouble around the United States as he visits mystery locales and celebrates 14 holidays with some of our favourite biped sleuths.


The mysteries are interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters especially Trouble! As the other main characters in each story are from cozy mystery series we know and love they were well developed, quirky and fun. 

I found some stories had plenty of twists and turns which kept me guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. Each story moved at a steady pace, and they meshed together beautifully.  I was worried it might feel disjointed but was pleasantly surprised at how well it flowed. 

A few stories stood out for me:

  • Trouble in the a Treehouse by Claire Matturro 
  • All aboard for April Fools Trouble by Ritter Ames 
  • Eggspectation of Trouble by Susan Boles
  • A Motherlode of Trouble by Larissa Reinhart 
  • Midsummers Trouble by Carolyn Haines 

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends, and cat lovers.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from the authors. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Here is a photo of my precious Lucy aka Trouble, my rescue kitty.  She is about 5 months old now.

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Jan 2, 2020

Theater Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "
Theater Nights Are Murder" the 4th instalment in the "Poppy McAllister Mystery" series by Libby Klein.  I know I am in for a treat when I pick up a book by Libby Klein her humor always keeps me snickering throughout the entire story especially when the biddies get up to all sorts of antics. 

The last thing gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister needs in her life is more drama—or more murder ...


Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her orders for her gluten-free goodies, but now she has to choose between two suitors. She’s not the only one with boyfriend drama. Aunt Ginny’s long-ago high-school beau, Royce Hanson, a retired Broadway actor, has returned to Cape May, New Jersey, to star in a Senior Center staging of Mamma Mia. Leaving Aunt Ginny to wonder: What's his motivation?


Slated to open February 13th, the problem-plagued production seems to be cursed—with stolen props, sabotage, and even a death threat. But when a cast member plunges to his death from a catwalk, it soon becomes clear a murderer is waiting in the wings. Now Poppy, Aunt Ginny, and a supporting cast must take center stage to catch the killer—before it's curtains for someone else . . . 

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!

The characters are quirky, well rounded and seem real as I could relate to each of them.

I love Poppy's relationship with her Aunt Ginny, and the "Biddies" but lol I would not want to be the one to keep them from getting into mischief!  Plus we cant forget about her mischievous cat, Figuro!

I found the mystery was well written and paced with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the end. I look forward to the next installment and finding out which man, Tim or Gia, Poppy will finally give her heart too.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.


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


Libby Klein graduated Lower Cape May Regional High School sometime in the '80s. Her classes revolved mostly around the culinary sciences and theater, with the occasional nap in Chemistry. She has worked as a stay at home mom, climbing the ladder up the ranks to the coveted position of Grandma. She also dabbles in the position of Vice President of a technology company which mostly involves bossing other people around, making spreadsheets and taking out the trash. She writes from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her cat Figaro off her keyboard. Most of her hobbies revolve around eating, and travel, and eating while traveling. 

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Website:         https://libbykleinbooks.com 
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/LibbyKleinBooks


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A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber

Hello my cozy friends,  Today I am reviewing “ A Twinkle of Trouble ” by  Daryl Wood Gerber   the 5th instalment in “A Fairy Garden Mystery&...