Double or Muffin by Victoria Hamilton

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Double or Muffin" the 7th instalment in the "A Merry Muffin" Mystery series by Victoria Hamilton. 

In the new Merry Muffin Mystery, baker Merry Wynter must solve a disturbing crime among opera singers before the culprit decides it’s curtains for her . . .

When a reality TV show for aspiring opera singers descends on Wynter Castle, Merry’s got her hands full catering to the endless demands of the distinguished judges and ambitious contestants. Then mysterious rumors about the cast and crew begin to surface, suggesting that some of their performances may be filled with false notes. When a dogged reporter with an eye for scandal who’s been covering the competition is attacked and left for dead, Merry’s determined to discover who orchestrated the heinous deed.

Her long list of suspects is filled with eccentric personalities, including a promiscuous tenor known for making unwanted overtures, a pampered young prodigy and her meddlesome mother, and a quiet up-and-comer whose shadowy uncle may have ties to the underworld. As the musical contest and Merry’s investigation near their finale, she’ll have to act fast to keep a conniving contestant from plotting out her final act . . .

I really enjoyed catching up with Merry and the rest of her friends at Wynter Castle.  This time an Opera Reality Show was filming in the castle, oh my what a bunch of characters they were. 

The Protagonist Merry Wynter is a strong, and independent and I especially love her cat Becket who is feisty, and loving all at the same time.

I practically read in one sitting as I was so drawn into what was happening. There were enough twists to keep me intrigued and wanting to know how it ends. 

I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with warm, diverse characters and a small town atmosphere.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Beyond the Page 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.

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Murder in an Irish Bookshop by Carlene OConnnor

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder in an Irish Bookshop " the 7th instalment in the "Irish Village" Mystery series by Carlene O’Connor.  This is one of my many favourite cozy series! 

In Carlene O'Connor's seventh installment of her USA Today bestselling Irish Village Mystery series, the grand opening of a new bookstore in Kilbane becomes the closing chapter of an author's life--and a whodunit that tests even Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan's deductive reasoning...

"A mélange of clues from classic mysteries plus plenty of Irish charm produce an enjoyable read."--Kirkus Reviews Join a bestselling author and travel to County Cork in Ireland to solve a bookish mystery full of twists in a cozy whodunit perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly, Kate Carlisle, and Laura Childs! 

Between training the new town garda and trying to set a wedding date with her fiancé, Macdara Flannery, Siobhán O'Sullivan is feeling a bit overwhelmed. She's looking forward to visiting the new bookshop and curling up with an exciting novel--only to discover the shelves contain nothing but Literature with a capital L. The owner not only refuses to stock romances, mysteries, and science fiction, but won't even let customers enter his store unless they can quote James Joyce or Sean Hennessey. Despite the owner deliberately limiting his clientele, he's hosting a reading and autographing event featuring up and coming Irish writers who will be taking up residency in Kilbane for a month. Among them is indie author Deirdre Walsh, who spends more time complaining about the unfairness of the publishing industry and megastar bestsellers instead of her own creative works, causing a heated debate among the writers. She seems to have a particular distaste for the novels of Nessa Lamb. Then Deirdre's body is found the next day in the back of the store--with pages torn from Nessa's books stuffed in her mouth. Now, Siobhán must uncover which of Kilbane's literary guests took Deirdre's criticisms so personally they'd engage in foul play . . .

I loved this story, and I will definitely be adding it to my paperback collection.  I always love visiting the village of Kilbane in County Cork. I like the interaction between the O'Sullivan Six, as it portrays a loving family dynamic, Siobhán is worrying about turning 29 as well as setting a wedding date when a murder occurs at the new bookshop.

The mystery is super interesting and well plotted, and loaded with red herrings.  I loved the characters which are well developed, plus the introduction of a few new characters to the village who are extremely quirky.  I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. 

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy loving friends.

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.

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Death in Sandpiper Bay by Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing Death in Sandpiper Bay the 1st instalment in the “A Riley Harper Mystery” by Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton.  What a great start to a new series!  

DEATH IN SANDPIPER BAY-- A Riley Harper Mystery is Book One in this exciting new series. Written by USA Today and NY Times bestselling authors, Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton who have teamed up again to bring you more mysteries to enjoy!

Sixteen months ago, Police Officer Riley Harper and her partner were on surveillance in downtown Phoenix. The suspect rushed from his apartment building, hands raised, when her partner fired and shot the man in the chest. It was a bad kill and she'd had to testify against her former brother-in-arms. Labeled a snitch, Riley has been bombarded by the police, the media, and her former friends. Her reputation is in tatters and her career in Phoenix over. On leave since then, she's only had one job offer…from a place called Sandpiper Bay, a remote island off the coast of Maine. Riley expects an uncomplicated life for her mother, and her daughter, who moved with her. Nothing more dangerous than settling feuds among the fishermen. She is dead wrong.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this mystery and getting to know Riley, her daughter Kyra, and her mum Susan.  I love the setting of Sandpiper Bay a small island off the coast of Maine and the locals all seem like a great bunch of side characters.  I can’t wait to learn more about each of them over the course of the series.  Only problem with reading in one day is the long wait till book 2 releases!

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, with lots of red herrings to keep you guessing. In fact I was second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book 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.

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Death Bee Comes Her by Nancy Coco

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Death Bee Comes Her” the 1st instalment in the "Oregon Honeycomb" Mystery series by Nancy Coco. What can I say other than I think Nancy has another hit series on her hands!  I will definitely be preordering book 2 A MATTER OF HIVE AND DEATH.

Nancy Coco, author of the popular Candy-Coated Mystery series, brings the Pacific Northwest's rainy coast to life with her new Oregon Honeycomb Mystery series starring Wren Johnson and her Havana Brown cat, Everett. Wren owns a specialty shop in the tourist town of Oceanview, where it's all things honey from taffy to body scrub until the murder of a victim clutching one of Wren's homemade beeswax lip balms makes things sticky...

A BALMY WAY TO GO

With her Let It Bee honey boutique buzzing along nicely, life is as sweet as nectar for Wren Johnson--until she takes a morning walk along the Pacific beach with her Havana Brown cat, Everett, and stumbles upon the body of Agnes Snow, the cranky queen of the local craft fairs, stiff as driftwood. More unfortunate? Clutched in the victim's fist is a label from Wren's homemade beeswax-and-honey lip balm. Which makes Officer Jim Hampton focus his dreamy-blue Paul Newman eyes on Wren as suspect number one.

With fabulous feline support from Everett, Wren must comb the town for clues and clear her name before someone else gets stung.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest in Vancouver, the Oregon Coast is a favourite place for me to visit so was nice to be able to picture the setting.   I really enjoyed this story, and loved that it features a cat named Everett.   Plus the bonus of honey recipes at the end of each chapter was a nice addition.  I can see this becoming a new favourite just like her Fudge series.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters of Wren, Porsche, and Aunt Eloise .
I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.   I think there could be a possible romance blooming too.

I highly 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.

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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Murder with a View by Diane Kelly

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing Murder With a View the 3rd instalment in the House Flipper Mysteries series by Diane Kelly. This is first book I have read in the series, and it can be read as a standalone. I have since purchased the previous ones so I can be all caught up in time for book 4 when they flip an abandoned church.

A DREAM PROPERTY

Carpenter Whitney Whitaker, her cousin Buck, and guard-cat Sawdust just scored a hot property near downtown Nashville in a tax sale. While the Music City Motor Court might not be much to look at now, the two plan to transform the motel’s twelve units into six one-bedroom condominiums with popular mid-century styling. But surprises await when Whitney discovers a squatter living in Room 9 and her cat Sawdust uncovers a body in the bed next door.

A LIVING NIGHTMARE

The murder victim is none other than Beckett Morgan, an up-and-coming country-western singing sensation who’s taken Nashville by storm with his number-one hit “Party in the Pasture.” Beckett’s left a long trail of broken promises and broken hearts, and the list of suspects seems endless. So does the line of female fans intent on halting the flip and turning the construction site into a shrine for the deceased star. If Whitney and Buck don’t help Detective Collin Flynn nail the killer, they’ll never be able to clear out the star-obsessed groupies, complete the remodel, and recoup their investment. But just who silenced the singer and why?

I liked Whitney and her cat Sawdust, it would give you both their thoughts from chapter to chapter which was kind of neat. I also enjoyed the setting of Nashville, Tennessee. Being avid watcher of house flipping shows I rather enjoyed it being the theme of this series. 

The mystery is interesting and had lots of twists which kept me guessing. I had no idea who the killer was till Whitney did. 

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from St.Martin Press 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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Finding Love at Mermaid Terrace by Kate Forster

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Finding Love at Mermaid Terrace" by Kate Forster.  What can I say other than I loved it and read in one day.  Who doesn’t want to escape to a small Cornish village by the sea...

Love comes when you least expect it...

Tressa Buckland likes her quiet life in Port Lowdy, with its cobbled streets and colourful terraced houses overlooking the sea. Her job at the local paper allows her to pursue her art in her free time, with no one but her tabby cat Ginger Pickles to mind her in Mermaid Terrace. But then the owner of the paper is called away on an emergency, and it's up to Tressa to run the paper for six months. Her first task: find a new part-time journalist.

Dan Byrne is the angriest man in Ireland – or so the readers of his very successful column, 'Dan takes on the world', think. But after a story goes south and he loses his job in Dublin, Dan has no choice but to start afresh. When an opportunity comes up in sleepy Cornwall, Dan and his Golden Retriever Ritchie set off for a new adventure.

For Tressa, Dan's arrival to Port Lowdy changes everything. Tressa tries not to look too deeply at her own life, but Dan sees a story to uncover in absolutely everyone – even her. The two of them couldn't be more different... yet, if they can find a way to work together, they may just breathe new life and joy into this sleepy seaside village.

Finding Love at Mermaid Terrace is a heartwarming new village romance about the power of love and kindness, from the bestselling author of Starting Over at Acorn Cottage.

The setting of a tiny village called Port Lowdy sounded breathtaking, I could picture it especially as I have visited small villages along the Cornish coast.  It had everything you could want in a story love, regret, laughter, sadness, forgiveness, friendships and families as well as a cat named Ginger Pickles and Ritchie the dog.

I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional. There were multiple sub-plots to keep you engaged and interested in the outcome. I must admit I choked up and even shed a in a  few spots always a sign of a good story that touches your heart.

I will definitely read other books by this author.

I highly recommend this author.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Aria 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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Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Ink and Shadows " the 5th instalment in the "The Secret, Book & Scone Society" Mystery series by Ellery Adams. This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read in order to get the full background.

Ellery Adams, the author of multiple New York Times bestselling mystery series and a perennial B&N bestseller, offers the fourth in a beguiling cozy mystery series featuring librarian-turned-bookseller Nora Pennington with a penchant for bibliotherapy and a sideline in solving crime. While people visit Miracle Springs for healing treatments, it's Nora who helps them find peace by prescribing the perfect book along with a fresh-baked scone. After all, sometimes the key to happiness, friendship--or solving a murder--can simply be found within the pages of the right book...

"Entertaining...packed with mystery, romance, and sisterhood." --Kirkus Reviews New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams is back with the latest in her acclaimed Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. Local bookstore owner Nora Pennington is back on the case in Miracle Springs, North Carolina when an accidental death turns out to be something much more sinister... 

Nora Pennington is known for her window displays, and as Halloween approaches, she decides to showcase fictional heroines like Roald Dahl's Matilda and Madeline Miller's Circe. A family-values group disapproves of the magical themes, though, and wastes no time launching a modern-day witch hunt. Suddenly, former friends and customers are targeting not only Nora and Miracle Books, but a new shopkeeper, Celeste, who's been selling CBD oil products. Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are doing their best to put an end to the strife--but then someone puts an end to a life. Though the death is declared an accident, the ruling can't explain the old book page covered with strange symbols and disturbing drawings left under Nora's doormat, a postcard from an anonymous stalker, or multiple cases of vandalism. The only hope is that Nora can be a heroine herself and lead the Secret, Book, and Scone Society in a successful investigation--before more bodies turn up and the secrets from Celeste's past come back to haunt them all . . .

I really enjoy this series, I like how each of the four women have their own unique quality that they bring to the table as well as how they are right there to help each other out as well as a new comer to their community. As a fellow chronic pain suffer I also like how Ms. Adams portrays Sheldon with respect and dignity.

The setting of Miracle Springs sounds beautiful and I would love to visit somewhere like it on vacation and wander into a bookstore like Nora’s. Who wouldn’t want to sit look at all the books, just relax in the peaceful atmosphere.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, with two murders to solve. I liked that herbalism, and other natural remedies took part in the story, I also found the symbolism of the statue empowering as Cecilia says broken things are still beautiful.

I highly recommend this series to all my mystery loving friends.

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.

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The Lake House by Christie Barlow

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Lake House " the 5th instalment in the Love Heart Lane series by Christie Barlow.  What can I say other than I loved it and read in one day.  I’m adding author to my favourites list and I have purchased the previous books in the series.  Who doesn’t want to escape to a small village in Scotland...

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what 

There’s a newcomer to the village of Heartcross and she’s never been more in need of a friend.

As the new manager of local bistro, The Lake House, Ella is ready to start afresh ––and that could mean there’s love on the horizon in the form of the gorgeous Roman, the local water taxi driver. Every day Roman is there to ferry Ella to the restaurant on the other side of the lake and every night he makes sure she gets home safe. But Roman has secrets of his own…

Can the Love Heart Lane community offer Ella a chance of a new life? Or will the ghosts of her past catch up with her?

The setting of  a tiny village called Heartcross and its healing powers on your heart, self worth and just a feeling of community is heart warming especially today. 

I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional. There were multiple sub-plots to keep you engaged and interested in the outcome. It's the story of a woman who finds herself while picking up the pieces after her parents,, friendship and love. 

I will definitely read other books by this author.

I highly recommend this author and series.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from One More Chapter 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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Dead on Arrival by Lily Webb

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Dead on Arrival" the 3rd instalment in Lily Webb's new Paranormal Cozy Mystery series. It’s become one of my favourite paranormal cozies and a great way to escape for a few hours! 

Not everything comes up roses...

Psychic innkeeper Selena is excited about giving the grounds of Kindred Spirits Inn a much-needed revamp — until her new gardener comes down with symptoms of vampirism. The only problem? He shows no signs of a vampire bite.

Unable to explain the Transylvanian transformation, Selena decides to uproot the truth — and what she discovers about the gardener's life and work delivers a sudden rush of blood to her head.

But Selena may have bitten off more than she can chew because the culprit who nipped her nurseryman in the bud will do anything to guard their secrets.

Will Selena's supernatural senses unearth the attacker's identity? Or will they sow the seeds of her demise?

Dead On Arrival is the third book in the Visions and Victims series of paranormal cozy mysteries. If fatal flora, vindictive villagers, and supernatural shenanigans get your wand waving, then you’re sure to fall under the spell of this new spinoff series that expands Lily Webb's magical universe.

I loved this instalment, Selena and Thorn (her suitor) are in the right place at the right time and find themselves trying to figure out how Oliver was infected by vampirism.  I’m liking the new additions to the Kindred Spirit family, and how each will play an intricate part in future stories. 

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep you engrossed till the end.

Overall this was a great paranormal cozy and I can’t wait till  March 2021 to read book 4 Dead and Dusted!

I highly recommend this series to all my friends.

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

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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A Cat on the Case by Clea Simon

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “A Cat on the Case” the 3rd book in the “A Witch Cats of Cambridge Mystery” by Clea Simon. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading in order. I really enjoy this series and was super happy when I saw it pop up on NetGalley. 

When a panicked stranger shows up at Charm and Cherish, Becca Colwin feels compelled to help. But when that stranger then disappears, leaving behind her heirloom violin the aspiring witch detective is drawn further into a web of deceit and intrigue complicated by a history that only Becca’s three magical cats truly understand.

I enjoyed the setting of Cambridge , along with Becca’s BFF Maddy who is still trying to keep her out of trouble. Another side character I really love is Elizabeth and I hope in future books we learn more about her. The story is told from the cats perspective and I enjoyed that.

There is a secondary story going on throughout the books, that of how the cats came to be guardians as little Clara the calico doesn’t know but also always a message as well.

Clara the calico was the center of the story as she stays with Becca whenever she left the flat to protect her and I always love when a furbaby is center stage in a book. I had a huge smile on my face by the time I finished this book! 

The mystery was well written with plenty of twists and turns and had a steady pace, even had a few surprises. I suspected but didn’t fully figure out whodunit until it was revealed at the end.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal mysteries and cats.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Polis 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.

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A Pairing to Die For by Kate Lansing

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Pairing to Die For”  by Kate Lansing the second instalment in the  “Colorado Wine Mystery” series. 

A young winemaker is over a barrel when her new boyfriend is accused of murder in this delightful cozy mystery.

It's fall in Boulder, Colorado, and the leaves aren't the only things changing. Parker Valentine, owner of Vino Valentine, is finally settling in to her winery and her new relationship with Reid Wallace, a local chef. But their delicate pairing is endangered when Reid's estranged family comes into town to celebrate the opening of his new restaurant.

Reid and his family are immediately at loggerheads, given their often acidic temperaments, but Parker still wants to make a good first impression. However, her efforts might be in vain when Reid's sous chef is found dead in the alley behind the restaurant, and Reid is implicated in the murder. In order to save Reid, Parker will have to find the real killer, even if the truth is difficult to swallow. 

Recipes included.

I struggled sometimes with all the wine references, being a non drinker but over all I enjoy this series.  I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in a few days. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. 

I loved the characters which are well developed, especially Parker she makes a good protagonist.  The secondary characters Sage, Liam, even her mum were likeable as well.  I can’t wait to see what happens next with Parker and Reid.

 I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkeley 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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