Murder Can Frost Your Doughnut by Rose Pressey

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder Can Frost Your Doughnut” the 4th instalment in the "Haunted Craft Fair" Mystery series by Rose Pressey. I am a huge fan of Rose Pressey and this series.  It can be read as a standalone but I think it should be read in order. 

The ghost of an Elvis impersonator has got psychic painter Celeste Cabot all shook up...

Celeste has pulled up in her pink Shasta trailer, aka mobile art studio, to the Sevier County Fair in the mountains of eastern Tennessee to sell her paintings. A highlight of the fair promises to be the celebrity impersonation contest. But the low point is when Celeste and her floppy-eared white Chihuahua Van (short for Van Gogh) find an Elvis impersonator in his trailer doing a great impression of a corpse, clutching a doughnut in his hand.

Seeking a vision to solve the crime, Celeste paints her own Elvis portrait—and suddenly the ghost of the Elvis impersonator appears. They say fools rush in, but with the help of this spirit, Celeste sets out to find the real killer among all the fake celebrities. It’s now or never, because there won’t be time to tell the killer: “Don’t be cruel.”

The protagonist Celeste is a likeable, entertaining fun main character, with quirky supporting characters her family, her BFF Sammie and her faithful companion Van the Chihuahua.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep you engrossed till the end.  The love triangle I’m hoping will come to an end in the next book.. 

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.

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 by the Bookend By Laura Gail Black

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder by the Bookend" the 2nd instalment in the "An Antique Bookshop” Mystery series by Laura Gail Black. I thought this was a great follow up to book one!  OMG! I loved it even more than the first book. This is one of my favourite series

Antiquarian bookseller Jenna Quinn sleuths again when a pair of glass bookends puts an end to a librarian's life, in this second installment of Laura Gail Black's cozy series.

The quaint warehouse district of Hokes Folly, NC, is hopping despite the drizzly November chill. The occasion? The mountain town's beloved antiquarian bookstore, Twice Upon a Time, is throwing a bash for its grand reopening. But bookseller Jenna Quinn's peace of mind is shattered when the local library's Director of Antique Books turns up dead in the parking lot--his head bashed in by a glittering pair of vintage glass bookends.

As they examine the murder scene, Jenna and her police detective boyfriend happen upon the only witness--the victim's dog, who flees the scene leaving a trail of bloody footprints behind. If only dogs could speak, Jenna might be able to make quick work of the murder case and get back to stocking her bookcases.

Alas, finding the killer won't be so easy, even though this is not Jenna's first murder investigation--indeed, she inherited Twice Upon a Time from her slain uncle. The suspect list is voluminous--the late librarian had not-so-friendly run-ins with numerous guests--but suspicion eventually centers on three unsavory individuals who left the party shortly before the victim did.

Now, Jenna must edit her inventory of suspects from three names to one, before the bloodthirsty bookend-wielder becomes the author of Jenna's demise.

I really loved this story, there was a dog named Eddie, romance and murder.  What’s not to like!   I read almost in one sitting but finally succumbed to sleep with only a few chapters left.  

The mystery moved at a good pace, was interesting and I thought well plotted. I loved the characters living in Hokes Folly especially Jenna’s BFF Rita. I did suspect whodunnit fairly early but was never 100% sure. Overall I found it to be a very entertaining read.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I’m looking forward to book three to find out what Jenna does next.

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,

Moons, Magic, and Mystery: An Anthology of Paranormal Cozy Mystery Shorts

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “ Moons, Magic and Mystery: A Paranormal Anthology” by 16 amazing authors.  Some authors are new to me and others are old friends.  What a great read to get ready for Halloween! A terrific collection of varying stories involving Witches, psychics, and supernatural sidekicks..

A harvest moon. A hidden clue. What’s an amateur sleuth to do? 

Witches, psychics, and supernatural sidekicks. 16 magical mysteries await! 

Solve cryptic cases, unravel celestial clues, and investigate lunar legends in this exciting collection of paranormal cozy mystery short stories from your favorite witchy authors. 

If you’re looking for page-turning mysteries to keep you entertained this Hallow’s Eve, your search is over! 

This enchanting anthology includes 800+ pages of humorous magical mystery from: 

Amorette Anderson, Sam Cheever, Molly Fitz, Nikki Haverstock, Jane Hinchey, Erin Johnson, Shéa MacLeod, Wendy Meadows, Nova Nelson, Summer Prescott, Rebecca Regnier, Trixie Silvertale, Lily Webb, Kirsten Weiss, JA Whiting, and Morgan Vale. 

Can these amateur sleuths crack the cases or will the tides take a deadly turn?

Lost Cases and Hallowed Places by Trixie Silvertale

A remote cabin. A hidden chest. Will this psychic sleuth find treasure or tragedy? Mitzy Moon thinks exploring the wooded island will be fun, but a trapped spirit has other plans. If she and her alchemist mentor can’t solve the mystery of the missing witch, the consequences will be deadly!

This is only the second book I have read starring Mitzy Moon but I plan on reading more in the series after this. 

Dead on a Blue Moon by Lily Webb

The magical residents of Starfall Valley live according to the stars. But when a once-in-a-lifetime Blue Moon illuminates new clues in an unsolved murder, it’s up to psychic witch Selena Smith to follow the light. Can her prophetic powers solve the case, or is she reaching for the moon?

I am a huge fan of this series and love the protagonist Selena!  I was super excited to read this short by Lily Webb as it’s been a few months since I visited Starfall Valley.  The story was entertaining, full of twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Once in a Brew Moon by Erin Johnson

It’s All Hallows Eve, and the fortune-telling festivities abound at a magical party near charming Bath, England. Only no one predicted that the coven leader would be poisoned! Now, new witch, Minnie Marsh, and her vampire bestie, Gus, must catch the killer before Gus’s secret gets out.

I hadn’t read any of the books previously but I really enjoyed this short story about Minnie Wells the newbie witch set in Bath, England.  I’m intrigued by her Vampire BFF, and can’t wait to read "The Magical Tea Room Mysteries" series by Erin Johnson.  

Doom and Moon by by Nova Nelson

A night shift at Eastwind’s 24-hour diner turns chilling for Nora Ashcroft when her psychic landlady arrives with shocking news: someone is about to be murdered there. To trap the murderer inside, they must lock all the doors... and wait. Who will die, and who is the killer?

This is the second short story I have read of the Eastwind’s magical mysteries once again I was pleasantly surprised by this story and plan to read the series. 

A Moon for Manifesting by Amorette Anderson

In the quirky magical village of Covenstead, manifesting and moons go together like candy and trick-or-treaters. New witch Grace Littleton doesn’t know much about lunar magic, but it’s high time to learn! A local is missing, and it’s up to Grace to follow the celestial clues…

Lunar Croakies by Sam Cheever

Moon Madness has hit Croakies like an out-of-control freight train. My demon dog is howling at the moon. Somebody ate one of my neighbors. And things are falling apart up and down Arcane Avenue. Buckle up lunar lovers. Things are about to get bumpy.

All in Vein by Jane Hinchey

She’s an ex-assassin. He’s ex-military. Together they are Clean Scene Inc, where blood splatter matters, and these vamps, along with their adorable vampire kitty, Fang, are on the case.

The Sigil Detective by Kirsten Weiss

Metaphysical detective Riga was never all powerful, but she was once a lot more magical than she is now. Now, she’s back to basics… and trapped in a faux-Viking village. But will brains and the basics of magic be enough to bring a murderer to justice?

Luna the Magickless Fluff by Molly Fitz

If you’ve never been to a magical cat wedding, then you are definitely missing out! But with so many supernatural creatures gathered in one small space, there’s bound to be a kerfuffle or two. Luckily, Gracie Springs, resident human, wedding planner, and familiar extraordinaire, is on the case. (NOTE: This standalone short fits between Merlin Fights a Ghost and Merlin Kills a Zombie.)

Murder in the Moonlight by J A Whiting

Peggy, Jennifer, and Nadine are middle-aged women with “special” skills. Nicknamed the “Murder Posse,” they’re members of their town’s murder mystery book club. While working to set up the annual Halloween celebration, something unexpected happens. Will they figure out who the killer is before he or she comes for them?

Drac’s Back by Summer Prescott

A notorious vampire mends his bloodthirsty ways, settles into a relatively normal life in small-town Iowa, and discovers a delightful gal. But when a body is discovered, suspicious glances are quickly cast his way. Can he solve the crime and get the girl, or will he meet his fiery end?

Totally in Moon by Wendy Meadows

Thea has a gift, but her bubble of tranquility is soon dashed when death comes calling. Thrust into investigating a mysterious death, working with her cat, Pebbles, she learns a date with destiny doesn’t always arrive when you’re ready.

Crystals, Cauldrons, and Crime by Shéa MacLeod

Edwina Gale started every morning for twenty years with a maple bacon donut. Until the day the donut maker disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving Edwina sans donut and with mystery on her hands. Supernatural citizens are disappearing during the full moon and it’s her job to find out why.

Jinx Are On Me by Rebecca Regnier

In Widow’s Bay, an empty nest coven of witches keep supernatural forces in balance. But lately, a series of seemingly random, and potentially dangerous accidents are turning Widow’s Bay upside down. Midlife witch, and local reporter, Marzie Nowak, teams up with her best witchy friends to try to uncover what’s turned their cozy town into chaos.

The Case of the Magic Moon by Nikki Haverstock

Ella’s invited along for a Magic Moon girls’ weekend. She doesn't know anyone at the snowed-in mansion, except her sidekick and her black cat familiar, which makes it tricky to be a sleuth when a group spat escalates into unexpected murder.

I would recommend this Halloween Anthology to all my friends that enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries.  I am looking forward to the next one that comes out!

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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