Secrets Ever Green The Everlight Series, Book One by Sara Knightly

Hello my friends, 

Today I am reviewing “Secrets Ever Green by Sara Knightly.  I loved this book and totally added it to my favourite series list!

Buy here

The secrets were buried… until clues began to bloom.

Ivy Rune’s only goal is to pass her final exam and become an Arborist like her late father, even though she fears she’ll never be able to uphold his legacy. Just before her big test, Ivy discovers her father’s secrets… and they had nothing to do with the quiet life he led.

Suddenly, clues unspool from wood carvings and old journals, leading Ivy to the outskirts of town and straight to the Count’s forbidden castle. When Ivy uncovers a hidden world of magic, she and her best friend are unexpectedly altered. As they explore their new powers, Ivy realizes she is capable of much more than the simple life her father left for her.

Now Ivy must decide between inheriting her father’s Arborist trade or continuing to uncover the mystery he kept hidden. But uprooting the past might erase her father’s legacy and change the course of Ivy’s life forever.

Secrets Ever Green is the first book in The Everlight series. 

🌱 Found Family
🌱 Found magic
🌱 Mystery 

*Ending: To-be-continued with book two, Castle Ever Dark.

I must start off by saying I have just started reading fantasy YA books again after years of only mysteries.  I read this story today and couldn’t put it down as I wanted to know what would happen to Ivy and I anxiously wait for book two Castle Ever Dark! 

It was a coming of age story, about friendship, and the unknown of becoming an adult, with a little mystery and magic thrown in. I could feel and relate to Ivy's fears as they were portrayed in such a realistic way. 

Highly recommend this debut fantasy novel to all my book loving friends, I know I will be adding Sara Knightly to my favorite author list.

I requested and received an advance readers copy from 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,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Blackhouse by Carole Johnstone

The Blackhouse by Carole Johnstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A richly atmospheric thriller set on an isolated Scottish island where nothing is as it seems and shocking twists lie around every corner.

A remote village. A deadly secret. An outsider who knows the truth.

Told in two timelines, 1994 and the present, Maggie and Robert piece together the real story of what happened to Andrew MacNeil.

I found it atmospheric, suspenseful and I just had to know the answers and what happens. I read almost in one sitting. I absolutely loved Maggie's character development throughout the story. I liked all of the shocking points and twists in the story. The ending... I totally did not expect it.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers or gothic spooky reads. I immediately went out and bought Mirrorland and can’t wait to read it.

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,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid by Traci Wilton

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid" the 9th instalment in the Salem B&B Mystery series by Traci Wilton.  This is my favourite one so far, I just loved it!

Buy here 

B&B owner Charlene Morris expects Salem’s first annual mermaid parade will make quite a splash, until a high-profile murder threatens to sink the whole event . . .

Charlene and her handsome spectral friend, Dr. Jack Strathmore, are thrilled that their Salem, Massachusetts, B&B is overflowing with mermaids in advance of the town’s newest attraction—a mermaid parade! Retired Hollywood actress Trinity Powers has even agreed to appear on the lead float to commemorate her breakout role as the eponymous mermaid in the blockbuster cult classic, Sirena. The parade also features Trinity’s rival, an up-and-coming ingénue, who stars in the film’s recent (and somewhat controversial) reboot. Though their rabid fan clubs seem ready to tear each other—and the festivities—apart, the vying actresses are keeping it cool, for now . . .

But when Charlene discovers a mermaid murdered, she realizes a killer is out to steal the show. With the help of Jack and Detective Sam Holden, Charlene plunges into the case, determined to stop a killer from striking again . . .

I love visiting Salem and Charlene’s B&B with its resident ghost Jack and her B&B family.  I love all the characters Charlene, Jack, Minnie, Sam and Avery.

The mystery was interesting, well plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the very end.  There was sub mysteries to figure out as well, especially surrounding Trinity.  I definitely was surprised by the ending and can’t wait for book 10 to see what happens next with Jack and Sam!!!

 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.

Hugs,

The Bookshop by the Loch by Julie Shackman

Hello my friends,

Today I am reviewing The Bookshop by the Loch by Julie Shackman the 6th instalment in the Scottish Escape series. What can I say other than I loved it and read in one day. 

Buy here 

The brand new Scottish spring escape from bestselling author, Julie Shackman

Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends. So when she hears that it’s going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help.

Lexie’s plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified, the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her.

Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after…

The setting of a tiny town called Bracken Way in the Scottish Highlands sounded enchanting and the Bookstore (one of my favorite places too), I could picture myself spending an afternoon walking along the Loch or up to the castle. 

As with the other books in this series, it had everything you could want in a story love, loss, regret, laughter, sadness, forgiveness, friendships and families.

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 Harper Collins UK, 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, 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Five Furry Familiars by Lynn Cahoon

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Five Furry Familiars" the 5th instalment in the "Kitchen Witch" Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon which releases February 20, 2024

Pre-order here 

In the latest enchanting mystery from the New York Times bestselling author, Mia Malone is working as a catering director at a ski lodge, but when her roommate’s ex checks in, everything starts going downhill . . .

To keep her cooking school and catering business, Mia’s Morsels, afloat, Mia’s handed off oversight to her boyfriend Trent’s mother while she focuses on earning a steady paycheck. Too bad her mean-spirited boss at the lodge keeps the misery flowing as steadily as the money. At least her roommate, Christina, is still dedicated to Mia’s Morsels—though she’s also distracted, thanks to her clingy mother’s constant demands. And the distraction only grows when Christina’s old flame shows up in Magic Springs, Idaho, in his Escalade, claiming out of the blue to be her fiancé.

The arrival of some homeless kittens, as well as Trent’s new familiar, a cute little Maltese, brings more chaos—as well as a strange spiritual energy that seems to emanate from the animals. But before Mia can figure out what kind of paranormal pets she has on her hands, she finds herself with a murder to solve—when a dead body is found in the lodge rental of Christina’s suddenly attentive ex . . .

I love visiting Magic Springs, Idaho and catching up with Mia, Grans, Christina and Abigail.  I love the sense of caring and encouragement that the main characters have for each other and the community.  This is something I enjoy in all the authors series.  I loved the inclusion of the homeless kittens, as well as Trent’s new familiar, a cute little Maltese Cerby. 

I found the mystery very interesting as well as entertaining, full of twists and turns that kept me guessing till the very end. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Mia and Mia’s Morsels in book 6.

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.

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

Hugs,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A Pie to Die For by Gretchen Rue

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “A Pie to Die For” by Gretchen Rue the 1st instalment in the "A Lucky Pie Mystery" series.  I enjoyed this book and added Gretchen to my must read authors list!

Buy here

For fans of Sofie Kelly and Joanne Fluke, it’s the end of the tourist season in Split Pine– but a murder at the Lucky Pie Diner stirs up trouble for the sleepy town in this series debut.

Este March runs the family-owned Lucky Pie Diner on Split Pine Island in Northern Michigan. The pies at Lucky Pie aren’t just good, they’re magical, with a family recipe that grants certain customers their greatest hopes and dreams when they eat the pie. The remote island is closed to outsiders over the winter months, but on the last day of the season, the unpopular new produce vendor, Jeff, turns up dead on his boat, and Split Pine Island’s peace goes up in smoke.

Tom Cunningham, the local sheriff, casts suspicion onto Este, who may have been the last person to see Jeff alive. Not to mention several people witnessed her getting into an argument with the rude vendor in some of his final hours. Este decides to clear her name and her diner’s reputation by launching her own investigation, which means she must turn suspicion on her friends and neighbors, because only a local could have murdered the victim.

As Este investigates, she uncovers a deeper web of secrets, finding that many of the locals had reason to either frame her, or kill the victim. The clock is ticking to figure out the killer, and the clues in the case are flakier than an apple pie. Este will have to uncover the killer before her future crumbles.

My rating 3.5 stars

I liked the setting of an island called Split Pine in the upper peninsula Michigan. I liked the character of Este and she has a good core group of friends as well as a possible romance in the works.

I think it was a good debut to the series as it set us up for future instalments where the luck in the pies might be more involved in the story.  But I found that some things seemed repetitive with respect to telling us about how the lucky pies work and some of the pie baking.  

Overall it was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until it was revealed. 

Plus all the descriptions of all the pies had me wanting a hot cup of tea and a slice of Este’s Apple Carmel pie  (luckily there are recipes in the the back of the book)

I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy 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,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Murder at an Irish Chipper by Carlene O'Connor

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “ Murder at an Irish Chipper” the 10th instalment in the "Irish Village" Mystery series by Carlene O’Connor.  This is one of my many favourite cozy series and I loved this story!

A belated honeymoon turns into a busman’s holiday when gardas Siobhán and Macdara Flannery find themselves investigating a dead body found in a fish and chips shop . . .

Siobhán’s brother Eoin’s new family restaurant, The O’Sullivan Six, is so close to opening—but waiting on the necessary permits plus the heat of July in the village of Kilbane in County Cork is driving everyone a bit mad. Macdara Flannery comes to the rescue with a plan—take a holiday by the sea and stuff themselves with fish and chips to support the struggling business of the aptly named Mrs. Chipper.

But when they arrive, a crowd is gathered in front of the closed shop: a local fisherman with a fresh cod delivery, a food critic, Mrs. Chipper’s ex-husband who’s opening a competing fish and chips shop directly across the street, and a repairman to fix the vent for the deep fryer. With Siobhán and Macdara as witnesses, a local handyman gets the locked door open, only to find the proprietor lying dead and covered in flour at the base of a ladder, its rungs coated in slippery fat. Clearly this was not an accidental tragedy . . .

Even as the local garda take over the murder investigation, Siobhán and Macdara can’t help themselves from placing their long-delayed honeymoon on hold—at least until they can help apprehend an elusive killer.

I always love visiting the village of Kilbane in County Cork and the O'Sullivan Six but this time we head to the seaside village of Lahinch.  I love the characters which are well developed.   I also like where the series is heading …

The mystery is super interesting and well plotted, and loaded with red herrings.   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.

Hugs,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A Cover for Murder by Sue Minix

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Cover for Murder by Sue Minix the 4th instalment in the "A Bookstore Mystery" series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 5!

Buy here 

She loved writing the perfect murder mystery, but she never wanted to be written into one . . . 

Just as Jen gets to work on her next book, the owner of the town’s rival bookstore is found murdered and suspicions turn to Jen. Time is ticking for Jen to both clear her name and write her new book before the store closes forever.

But what will strike Jen first? Inspiration…or the killer?

Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lauren Elliott and Ellery Adams, this is an absolutely gripping new bookish cozy crime series that will have you hooked from the very first page.

I really enjoyed visiting Riddleton again and Ravenous Reads Bookstore.  The main cast of characters Charlie, Lacey, Eric, and I love Savannah the German shepherd and all her antics. Jen is trying to figure out how to save the bookstore, write 2 more books in a year along with proving she’s not a killer! 

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I did guess whodunnit but that did not distract from the story.  

I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends!

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Harper Collins/Avon 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,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A Killer Romance by Maggie Blackburn

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Killer Romance " the 3rd instalment in the A Beach Reads Mystery series by Maggie Blackburn.

Buy here

Love and murder are in the air this Valentine’s day in Maggie Blackburn’s third Beach Reads mystery, perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Miranda James.

When Beach Reads bookshop hosts a Valentine’s Day event, “Romance by the Sea,” bookseller Summer Merriweather has no idea that the guest author is under investigation for her own husband’s murder. When that same author is found dead at the local bed and breakfast, nobody assumes it’s natural causes–there were plenty of people who wanted her dead.

As Summer searches for the truth about the author’s stranger-than-fiction life, Summer finds suspicious indications of shady behavior in the author’s belongings. But the casual sleuthing is quickly derailed when Summer’s friend Glads gets hauled in for the murder, and they launch a full-blown investigation to clear her name.

As Summer and company pick through the scant clues to solve the case, they may find more treachery and heartbreak than they bargained for.

The mystery is interesting and I loved the characters of Agatha, Piper, Mia, Glads and who can forget Mr. Darcy.

It was a quick easy read and I am looking forward to the next instalment (if there is one) as I’m anxious to see what happens with Summer and Cash. 

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Murder Checks Out by Victoria Gilbert

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “ Murder Checks Out” by Victoria Gilbert the 8th instalment in the "Blue Ridge Library Mystery" series. I really enjoyed it.

Buy here 

It’s not all snowflakes and sugarplums when murder crashes Taylorsford’s first Winterfest in the eighth installment of the Blue Ridge Library series, perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Ellery Adams.

Returning to her role as an amateur detective is the last thing library director Amy Muir wants. She’s already buried under an avalanche of responsibilities, including sharing the directorship of the local public library, parenting her holiday-obsessed five-year-old twins, and helping her choreographer husband, Richard, present The Nutcracker as part of the town’s festivities. With her frosty mother-in-law, Fiona, visiting for the holidays, Amy definitely has enough on her Christmas cookie plate.

But when the chair of the festival committee is found as dead as Dickens's proverbial doornail at the town’s ice rink, Amy is determined to uncover the real perpetrator to protect her brother-in-law, Ethan Payne, who was placed at the scene. The clock is ticking down as Sheriff Brad Tucker is equally sure that Ethan is guilty.

It's beginning to look a lot like the murderer hasn’t wrapped up his killing spree, and now, it might just be “lights out” on the holiday festivities—and on Amy’s life.

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

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I loved the friendship between Amy and her bff Sunny as well as the new relationship building between Amy and Fiona.. 

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

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane 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, 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

To Conjure a Killer by Clea Simon

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “To Conjure a Killer” the 4th 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. 

Buy here 

It’s kitten season in Cambridge, and the results can be murder.

Becca Colwin is coming home from her job at Charm and Cherish when she sees a tortoiseshell kitten run down an alley - leading to a dead body.

As a connection between Becca and that corpse is confirmed, Becca comes under suspicion — and is dragged into a cyberware scandal, thanks to her cheating ex, Jeff. The unfaithful computer geek and his high-power investor were working on stealth software designed to record and transmit personal data – a new form of spyware that would be of interest to everyone from the police and security agencies to cybercriminals. And when Jeff’s former friends and colleagues approach her, Becca finds the police aren’t the only ones watching her.

Meanwhile, Becca is sheltering the little tortie, who seems to have some powers of her own, much to the dismay of her three resident cats. These powers may help Becca discern friend from foe, solve the murder, and clear her name - with the help of her mystical feline friends.

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.

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!  And we can’t forget the tortoiseshell kitten…

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.

Hugs,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin