Murder in a Scottish Garden By Traci Hall

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder in a Scottish Garden” the 2nd instalment in the Scottish Shire Mystery series by Traci Hall.  What a great sequel to book one! 

In the charming Scottish shire of Nairn,sweater shop owner Paislee Shaw must root out a garden variety killer. . .

Paislee’s custom sweater and yarn business, Cashmere Crush, is the sole support for not only the single mum and her ten-year-old son Brody, but also her eccentric Gramps and Wallace, their black Scottish terrier.So when her landlord, Shawn Marcus, serves her an eviction notice and then pulls a disappearing act, she’ll go to any lengths to find the man and reason with him.

Shawn is heir to the Leery Estate, which Brody’s class will be visiting on a field trip. So Paislee volunteers to chaperone in the hopes of tracking down Shawn and killing two birds with one stone. Unfortunately, the only one killed is a man Paislee sees falling out of the hedges after being shot. It’s not her missing landlord, but Lady Leery’s nephew, Charles Thomson. Gruff DI Mack Zeffer is on the case, but Paislee also has a stake in flushing out the shooter. With suspects sprouting up like weeds, Paislee may need to hedge her bets until she can determine who is trying to lead her down the garden path . . .

I loved finding out more about the Leery estate and especially the life Lady Shannon has lead . Also that Paisley, her son Brody and grandpa were still together.  Lydia always has Paislee’s back and who wouldn’t want a BFF like that.  I find the characters to be wonderful,  full of Scottish pride and small village life.  

The mystery is interesting, well plotted, full of lots of twists and kept me guessing on whodunnit right to the reveal.

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

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

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

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

Hugs,

Finding Home by Kate Field

Hello my friends,

Today I am reviewing "Finding Home" by Kate Field was a joy to read, what can I say other than I loved it and read in one day. 

She might not have much in this world, but it cost nothing to be kind…

Meet Miranda Brown: you can call her Mim. She’s jobless, homeless and living in her car… but with a history like hers she knows she has a huge amount to be grateful for.

Meet Beatrice and William Howard: Bill and Bea to you. The heads of the Howard family and owners of Venhallow Hall, a sprawling seaside Devonshire estate… stranded in a layby five hours from home the night before their niece’s wedding.

When fate brings the trio together, Mim doesn’t think twice before offering to drive the affable older couple home. It’s not like she has anywhere else to be. But as the car pulls into the picturesque village of Littlemead, Mim has no idea how her life is about to change…

An uplifting story of found family and true love perfect for fans of Fern Britton and Veronica Henry.

The setting of a Devonshire village sounded breathtaking, I could picture it especially as I have visited small villages along the Devon coast.  It had everything you could want in a story friendship, love, family and how important it is to be kind and helpful to those in need.

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 will definitely read other books by this author.

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.

Hugs, 

The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit by Krista Davis

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit ” the 14th instalment in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis.

New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis delights with the 14th in her enormously popular and completely charming Domestic Diva Mystery series, as entertaining maven Sophie Winston must cut to the core of another murder investigation when members of an international tour group begin dropping like flies all over Old Town, Virginia...

With Old Town's DIY Home Decorating Festival in full swing, Sophie's swamped, juggling a bumper crop of artisans, antique dealers, and decorators for the busy street fair. Still, when her best friend Nina suddenly needs a ride from the airport, Sophie is happy to help...until she sees Nina disembarking in a state of disarray. It's obvious the trip to Portugal soured somewhere along the way. But after one of Nina's traveling companions turns up murdered the following day, Sophie knows something is truly rotten...

Though the crime scene is staged to look like an accident, Sophie isn't fooled and peels off to conduct her own investigation. Her only clue is a strange image the victim scratched into the soil before dying. Could it point to a cryptic killer in Old Town? A bitter travel adversary? Or a cursed artifact smuggled back from the trip? As the mystery grows, so does the body count, and if Sophie doesn't pluck the murderer soon, her best friend may be the next to fall...

I really enjoy this series and must read the earlier books and get caught up. Even though I haven't read all the earlier books I was able to follow along, so this can be read as a stand alone book.

I really like Sophie, she is relatable, interesting and I love her relationship with her ex Mars as well as several other residents of Old Town. I liked how the characters were there for each other, no matter what was happening. 

The mystery itself was interesting, full of twists, red herrings which completely drew me into the story and I didn’t want to put the book down. 

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

My rating 

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

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

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

Hugs,

Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Deadly Ever After” the 8th instalment in the "Lighthouse Library" Mystery series by Eva Gates.

Librarian Lucy's wedding is at stake when a murder interrupts her engagement celebrations. To make it down the aisle, she'll have to find the killer to save the date in the 8th book in the Lighthouse Library mysteries. 

They're getting married! Lucy Richardson and Connor McNeil have announced their engagement. Their friends throw a party for the couple at Coquina Beach, close to Lucy's beloved Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. 

As they're packing up the presents and the (few) leftovers from Josie's Cozy Bakery, who should arrive, but Richard Eric Lewiston III, Lucy's former almost-fiancé and his overbearing mother Evangeline. Push comes to love when Evangeline makes no secret of why she's here: to get Lucy and Ricky back together. 

Lucy isn't temped in the least, and Ricky is nothing but embarrassed at his mother's desperate ploy. Before returning to Boston Evangeline throws a dinner party at Jake's Seafood Bar for a reluctant Lucy and her family. Lucy hopes to get the dinner over with and see Evangeline and Ricky returning to Boson. But when a body is found at the restaurant's kitchen door, Lucy is again forced to unwillingly put on her detective's hat and do what she can to save her family and her engagement. Meanwhile, the classic novel reading club is reading The Hound of the Baskervilles, and open war breaks out in the Lighthouse Library when Lucy agrees to temporarily take care of a dog named Fluffy, but Charles the library cat has other ideas.

This is the 3rd book I have read in the series but I had no trouble following along. I really enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to catch up on the series.  I have several books in my TBR pile. In fact I am now a huge fan girl for Vicki Delany/Eva Gates and bought a a lot of paperbacks in her other series too.

The setting of the Bodie Island Lighthouse library in the Outer Banks of N.C. is a dream location that my friends all know is my dream location to live if I ever moved to the States. I could picture it in my mind from the descriptions which really helps make it come to life in your mind.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. Lucy, her mum, and her adorable cat Charles and Fluffy the dog set out to solve the crime.  I enjoyed seeing Lucy with her mum too and hope her parents come to visit again. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.   I enjoyed the sub-story with Evangeline as well as Charlene too.

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

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

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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Independent Bones By Carolyn Haines

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing  "Independent Bones" by Carolyn Haines the 23rd instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series.

Carolyn Haines's Independent Bones is the next novel in the series that Kirkus Reviews characterizes as “Stephanie Plum meets the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” featuring sassy Southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney.

When Dr. Alala Diakos, a visiting professor of Greek literature, comes to teach at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, it doesn't take long for controversy to follow. With her fervent feminist ideals and revolutionary leanings, she quickly earns the admiration of many—and the ire of others. During a speech in the park, in which Alala tries to organize the women of Zinnia to demand equal pay, the crowd gets unruly, with men heckling the professor. And when PI Sarah Booth Delaney finds a sniper rifle and scope in the bushes, she begins to worry that there are more than fighting words at stake.

Sarah Booth calls her boyfriend, Sheriff Coleman Peters, who offers the protection of the Zinnia police department, but Alala rejects him, saying she has no use for the law or men. And when a notorious domestic abuser is found dead the next day, suspicions turn to Alala herself, who was overheard bragging that she would take him down. Tensions deepen when connections are drawn between Alala and two similar, previous deaths.

But Sarah Booth doesn't want to believe Alala is a murderer, and when the professor shows up at Sarah Booth’s doorstep, asking her to find the real criminal, Sarah Booth embarks on a case stretching across the Delta. Yet Alala remains at the center of it all, and Sarah Booth can’t help but wonder if the killer has been with her all along...

I enjoyed visiting Sarah and the gang again. Sarah Booth is a strong and intelligent protagonist and all the characters are fully developed. I  love that it was about Woman’s Rights, I always learn so much from Carolyn’s books.  

The relationship between Tinkie and Sarah is so special and one I would like myself.  There’s such a sense of friendship and community in these stories. The inclusion of her haint (Dahlia House's ghost Jetty) always brings a chuckle as i can imagine what Sarah looks like talking to herself, also love how the animals are included the solving of the mysteries.  

There were plenty of twists and turns and lots of suspects to choose from to keep you intrigued.  I found this book to be a real page-turner, suspenseful, read that had me second guessing up till the end. 

 
I highly recommend this book and series to all my cozy mystery friends. 

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

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

Hugs,

Cover Reveal - Burden of Proof by Julie Anne Lindsey

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I’m excited to talk about Burden of Proof the first in Julie Anne Lindsey’s “Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries” series coming September 15, 2021!  I am so happy Julie is taking the plunge into self publishing so that her imagination can soar, I loved her Kitty Couture Cozy series and I have a feeling I will love this new series even more!

 Let’s have a look at the book cover and read the blurb to go with it.

An amateur sleuth named Bonnie and her kitty companion Clyde, with names like those, what could possibly go wrong?

Life hasn't sparkled too brightly for Bonnie Balfour over the past few years, but a heart-breaking divorce has brought her back to her small rural hometown of Bliss, Georgia, and things are starting to shape up.

The proud new owner of Bless Her Heart—a second chance dress shop and boutique on the town square—Bonnie thinks thirty-eight might not be too late for a fresh start in life after all.

Until a grouchy old widow turns up dead in a pile of donations meant for Bonnie’s shop, and the town’s new detective pins her to the top of his suspect list!

To save her shop, dream and reputation, Bonnie must coordinate clues and stitch together the truth about her innocence, but the unreasonably handsome detective and prying eyes of the local gossip mill are fast fraying her nerves.

When a series of anonymous attacks begin to hem her in, Bonnie fears the real killer is fixing to make her his next victim. Can this amateur sleuth measure up?

Preorder link 

I hope you love it as much as I do! Be sure to tell me and Julie what you think.  

Now tell me, are you eager to know more about Bliss, Georgia and Bonnie?  Snippets are coming your way soon on Julie Anne’s Facebook  or on her Website 

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 Trail of Lies by Kylie Logan

Hello my friends,

Today I am reviewing “A Trail of Lies” by Kylie Logan the 3rd instalment in the "A Jazz Ramsey Mystery“ series. I really enjoy this series and am collecting in hardcover. 

A Trail of Lies is the third in the Jazz Ramsey mystery series from national bestselling author Kylie Logan.

Jazz Ramsey is just getting used to the idea that her on-again-off-again beau, Nick, might actually be a permanent fixture, when she gets an alarming call in the middle of the night from his mother, Kim: there’s a dead man in her backyard. Kim has a long history of drinking and a vivid imagination, so when Jazz’s human remains detection dog, Wally, finds no evidence of a body, Jazz thinks she can breathe easy.

But when the body of a middle-aged man, Dan Mansfield, is discovered in a nearby park, and a photo of Nick and his mom is found in his pocket, Jazz has to admit that something isn’t adding up. Kim claims not to know who Dan is, but the cops find out soon enough: he’s a recently paroled convict who served thirty years for murder. And when Jazz traces his crime back to a bar fight with an antiques dealer, she ends up with more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, no one wants her poking around—not Nick’s mom, nor the Motorcycle-riding ex-con she connects to Dan, nor Nick himself, who seems worried about Jazz’s safety, but also about what she might find. But Jazz has never been one to take no for an answer, and she won’t give up now—even if it means risking her own life.

The books can be read as a stand-alone with no problem but I do think it’s better to read in order.  I found myself engrossed in this story right away and reading it in almost one sitting.  I find the writing style to flow easily making it for a quick read.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters of Jazz and Nick which are well developed. This time we learn more about Nick, his mum and what her life was like.  You couldn’t help but feel for the situation they were both in, trying to help Kim. 

I was surprised by who the bad guy was, although it did cross my mind once but only fleetingly.  There were plenty of red herrings to keep us off the scent.

Kylie Logan is definitely an author I will be following in the future and I can’t wait for book 4 to come out.

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

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Minotaur 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 mystery lovers.

Hugs,

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Peaches and Schemes by Anna Gerard

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Peaches and Schemes" the 3rd instalment in the "Georgia B&B Mystery" series by Anna Gerard.  I love visiting Cymbeline, Georgia and Nina Fleet’s B&B.

In Anna Gerard's third delightful Georgia B&B mystery, Nina Fleet learns that despite the satin, lace, and buttercream trappings, weddings often prove to be anything but sweet...

Nina Fleet might be new to the innkeeping business, but she's savvy enough to know that Cymbeline's tourists aren't enough to keep her fledgling bed and breakfast going. And so, Nina decides to tap into the destination wedding market by taking a booth at the Veils and Vanities Bridal Expo. The twice-yearly event is sponsored by the town's two wedding pros: Virgie Hamilton, the sixtysomething owner of Virgie's Formals, and Roxanna Quarry, a Gen X event planner and Nina's new friend. But everything goes wrong during the expo's fashion show, when Roxanna comes tumbling out of an oversized prop wedding cake, strangled to death by her own scarf. Virgie is arrested for the crime, thanks to Nina's statement to the police about having overheard the woman accusing her partner of embezzlement. Meanwhile, the situation grows tense with her sometimes nemesis and current tenant, the dashing out-of-work actor Harry Westcott. Harry is concentrating on plugging his most recent side hustle ...but he's not too busy to break the news to Nina that her ex-husband is engaged to be married again. Certain that Virgie's only offense is a bad temper, Nina decides to do her own investigating. First, however, she and Harry retrieve Roxanna's now ownerless dog, planning to foster him until a new home can be found. But local gossip soon convinces Nina that others beside Virgie might have had reason to murder Roxanna. As Nina gets close to the truth, she's putting her own life at danger. And when Virgie vanishes after being bailed out of jail by an unknown benefactor, Nina fears that if she can't find the dress shop owner in time, tying the knot will take on a whole new meaning for them both.

I always like a small southern town setting where almost everyone knows one another.  Makes for fun and often quirky characters.  This go around we start off at a Bridal Fair and Nina is trying to get wedding bookings for the B&B but it doesn’t go off without a hitch ...Murder 

The Protagonist Nina and her furbaby named Matilda, "Mattie", the Australian shepherd dog are super likeable.  I love Harry too and hope there might be romance in their future.  We get to meet a lovely guy named Gustover who I hope visits again.

The story was well paced,  I found I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know who the killer was. I’m looking forward to a book 4 in the future and find out where things go between Nina and Harry.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane 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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Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “ Murder in the Cookbook Nook” by Ellery Adams the 7th instalment in the "Book Retreat Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series  

Virginia is for lovers--and Storyton Hall is its best vacation spot for lovers of books. The big event this summer at Jane Steward's resort is A Bookish Cook-Off. It's a blend of the literary and the culinary--but someone's headed for the mortuary...

Six chefs are preparing to compete in an outdoor tent at Storyton Hall for prizes that will boost their careers--but is there someone who can't stand the heat? It looks that way when one of the contestants is found dead in a pantry packed with two centuries' worth of cookbooks, among other treasures and rarities.

Could there be a connection to other recent events in town, like tampering with the costume of a local mascot? Jane isn't sure, but after someone serves a second course of murder, the kitchen must be closed and the killer must be found...

I found myself enjoying the story, I love the premise of a town and hotel devoted to reading. The way it’s described I feel like I’m there with them. I say this every time I love the characters in this series and how they interact with each other, the whole town is like one big family. I want to be a Cover Girl the friendship between them is special and endearing who wouldn’t want friends that really got them.

The mystery was interesting and well plotted, the idea of a cooking show filming at Storyton was good and I liked how Mrs. Hubbard played a big part in the story.  Plus I did not suspect the killer till Jane did.

I highly recommend this series 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.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

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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Dead and Dusted by Lily Webb

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Dead and Dusted" the 4th 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! 

Stashes of ashes turn trust to dust...

Psychic Selena thinks she's seen it all while working at the paranormal Kindred Spirits Inn — until a prominent guest has an allergic reaction to fairy dust. The only problem? Fairies haven't lived in Starfall Valley for centuries.

Fearing the financial fallout of her guest's affliction, Selena has no choice but to dust up the truth — and what she learns is nothing to sneeze at.

Unfortunately, Selena's guest might not be the only carried away by the fairies because the curious culprit has plenty of trouble to sprinkle around.

Can Selena's sleuthing clean up the marauder's mess? Or will she be next to bite the dust?

Dead And Dusted is the fourth book in the Visions and Victims series of paranormal cozy mysteries. If fickle fairies, dubious dust, and supernatural secrets 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 is trying to figure out what her nightmares mean but once their guests arrive she finds herself, embroiled in another murder to solve.  I always like how the author seems to weave in things that are happening in the world, such as we need to learn to live harmoniously together even though we are different. 

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 to read book 5 in May 2021!

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.

Hugs, 

Strawberry Short Dead By Chelsea Thomas

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “Strawberry Short Dead” book 13 in the ”Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery” series by Chelsea Thomas. I love spending time in Pine Grove, NY. with Miss May, Chelsea and Teeny!

Something is berry wrong in Pine Grove.

There’s nothing more summery than wandering through a local farm, picking your own berries... But what happens when a famous newspaper critic insults the farm and winds up dead in a pile of strawberries? 

Pine Grove is a welcoming town. Visitors come from all over to see friendly faces, eat great pie, and sit in rocking chairs on porches. But some visitors are snobs...

...and sometimes snobs get murdered. 

Miss May is a former lawyer and her niece, Chelsea, is the world’s most awkward karate expert. Together with their quirky friend Teeny, they’ve solved a lot of crimes. But this one feels personal. It’s close to home. And everybody knows the critic was going to write a scathing review of the farm... 

There are too many suspects. Too many people who hated the victim. Too many grudges to count. How will our girls sort out all the clues? 

Yes, this murder happened at the family farm. And yes, it interrupted one of the busiest seasons Miss May’s had in years. But somebody’s strawberry short-dead, and it’s up to our sleuths to figure out whodunit. Will our heroines crack the case? Or will this be the first killer to slip through their fingers? 

You'll love this clean cozy because everyone loves suspenseful mysteries with lots of humor.  

I really enjoyed this story, I like how Chelsea and Wayne are finally dating and can’t wait to see their journey.  Teeny is still a hoot, You never know what she will come up with or say next. 

The mystery has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. 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 can’t wait for the next instalment!

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.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

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

Hugs,