Cozy Mystery Book Review ~ Three Shots to the Wind (Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery #3) by Sherry Harris @SHarrisAuthor #CozyMystery #Review

 

The third installment in Sherry Harris’s Agatha Award-nominated series finds former Chicago librarian Chloe Jackson loving her new life as a bartender in Florida…until a surprise visit from her Windy City ex-fiancé ends with him blown away in the Panhandle!

DEAD EXES TELL NO TALES

About the Book:

Saloon owner Chloe Jackson appears to have a secret admirer. She’s pouring drinks at the Sea Glass Saloon in Emerald Cove when an airplane flies by above the beach with a banner reading I LOVE YOU CHLOE JACKSON. She immediately rules out Rip Barnett. They are in the early stages of dating and no one has said the L word. Then a bouquet of lilacs—her favorite flower—is delivered to the bar, followed by an expensive bottle of her favorite sparkling wine. It couldn’t be…

Sure enough, her ex-fiancé from Chicago has flown down to Florida for an accountants’ convention. But is he trying to mix business with pleasure and win her back? Unfortunately he’s not in a hotel conference room, he’s floating facedown in the lake next to her house, clutching a photo of Chloe. Who murders an accountant on a business trip—it just doesn’t add up. When Rip becomes the prime suspect, Chloe is determined to find the secret murderer. But if she isn’t careful, it may be closing time and lights out for her…

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ddhQyX

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58509390-three-shots-to-the-wind

Book Details:

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098KLTMZX
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 29, 2022
Print length ‏ : ‎ 274 pages

My Review:

Three Shots to the Wind is the third book in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. I love this series and enjoy all of the time I get to spend to Chloe in Emerald Cove. Chloe is everything I need in a cozy mystery heroine. She is likable (always important), realistic, imperfect - but the perfect person for this series, a little clueless, fiercely protective, and someone I would love to be my best friend. 

The story is not, however, all grins and giggles as Chloe discovers she has a secret admirer who just happens to know some of her favorites....flowers, wine. The discovery of her ex-fiancé's body on the beach near her house has her completely rattled. Why now, after a year-and-a-half did Perry come back to woo her, and who wanted him dead?

Chloe has settled in quite nicely in Emerald Cove. She's still an outsider to most but she has a select few who consider her family. I love how she has integrated herself into the town. The emergence of Perry into her new life would have complicated things, especially since she's in a relationship, but his death is a down-right catastrophe. Chloe, unsatisfied with the speed of law enforcement, begins her own sleuthing and her discoveries are shocking.

Three Shots to the Wind is a fast-paced and engaging novel. The author is such a wonderful writer and I love her ability to instill true emotional reactions in her readers, and not just shock, awe, and humor. This book has other themes threaded through it, making the story realistic. Realism - that's where it's at for me in any book.

Three Shots to the Wind is another fantastic book in this series. I love the continued character development and introduction of an assortment of secondary characters. Chloe considers several of the characters to be suspects, giving the reader several viable murderers. Her process of elimination leads to a twist I didn't see coming. The story is original, and I was able to visualize each scene as they played out. A fantastic story, a love interest, and a capable and competent main character make this 5 stars for me. The author has another hit series on her hands!

I was provided a copy of this book to read #NetGalley

My Rating:

Cozy Mystery Review ~ Death Comes to Dogwood Manor (Missy DuBois Mystery #4) by Sandra Bretting @KensingtonBooks #LyricalPress

 

Making Southern brides beautiful is top priority for hat designer Missy DuBois, but sometimes her Louisiana studio moonlights as a crime-solving headquarters . . .

While driving to her hat shop, Crowning Glory, Missy accidentally sideswipes a car parked in front of Dogwood Manor, an antebellum mansion being converted into a high-end hotel by the much-reviled property developer Herbert Solomon. Of course, the car is his Rolls Royce. But Solomon is too busy berating his contractor and interior designer to worry about a little fender bender. When Missy returns to check out the mansion’s chapel where her latest client will be married, she finds the developer dead on his property. After an autopsy finds poison in his body, Missy’s shop is then flooded right before it’s supposed to be featured in an article about wedding-veil trends. Now before everything becomes sheer disaster, she’ll have to train her sights on finding a killer . . .

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Hwjc1H

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40798526-death-comes-to-dogwood-manor

Visit the Author's Website: https://sandrabretting.com/

ASIN: ‎ B078LRLRZB
Publisher: ‎ Lyrical Press
Publication Date: ‎ June 12, 2018
Print Length: ‎ 168 pages

My Review and Rating:

Death Comes to Dogwood Manor by Sandra Bretting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dogwood Manor has been purchased and is being converted into a luxury hotel by disliked property developer Herbert Solomon. As Missy drives by the historic mansion, she accidentally hits Herbert’s Rolls Royce, partially hidden from view. When Missy enters the construction zone to locate Herbert and inform him of the damage, he’s too busy yelling at his crew to pay attention to her.

Later, Missy runs back to Dogwood Manor to check a few details for the bride who selected this location for a wedding. Her return trip turns into a nightmare when Missy finds Herbert dead. Missy also discovers her shop, Crowning Glory, is flooded, ruining much of her showroom. Between fixing her showroom so it’s presentable for her upcoming article about veil trends and working with the bride who was supposed to get married at Dogwood Manor, Missy has to don her sleuthing cap once again and locate a killer.

The plot of Death Comes to Dogwood nicely executed and solid. I enjoyed the multiple threads involving the murder, the magazine article, disasters, and the other storylines. There are many twists, turns, and diversions along the way. She also gives the reader plenty of viable suspects that I enjoyed investigating right along with Missy. The author did a great job concealing the real suspect(s) and the reason for the murder. The vivid descriptions allow me to formulate the story in my mind as I read along.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.  

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Cozy Mystery Book Review ~ Bear a Wee Grudge (A Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery, Book 5) by Meg Macy @megmims

Bear a Wee Grudge (A Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

5th in Series

Publisher: ‎ Kensington (November 30, 2021)

Paperback: ‎ 304 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 149672917X

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1496729170 Kindle

 ASIN: ‎ B08Y69JKKM

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3HkXXQ5

Teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman must step fast to find a murderer before an upcoming Scottish festival . . . 

It’s springtime in Silver Hollow, Michigan, and Sasha is looking forward to the village’s inaugural Highland Fling weekend. Plans are underway for a Kilted 5K, athletic competitions, dancing, live music, and even a Hurl-the-Haggis contest. Meanwhile, Sasha’s staff is busy crafting custom teddy bears in kilts for the Silver Bear Shop’s vendor booth. But trouble’s brewing behind the scenes, as the obnoxious Teddy Hartman, former owner of a rival teddy bear company, sows seeds of discord about town, targeting Sasha’s family and their business. 

Things go from plaid to worse when—just a week before the festival kicks-off—the disgruntled gossip is found murdered with an ax buried in his back. Sasha’s dad is arrested, since he’s a champion ax-thrower. But she doesn’t give a dram what it looks like—Sasha knows that despite the old business rivalry with Hartman, her father is innocent. So with a spot of help from her friends, Sasha must bag the real killer before her first Fling also becomes her last. 

My Review and Rating:

Bear a Wee Grudge by Meg Macy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trouble has found its way back to Silver Hollow, Michigan in the form of Teddy and Lisa Hartman. Spreading lies, perpetuating distrust between citizens, instigating arguments, and tossing around wild accusations is Teddy's MO. Unfortunately, Sasha and her family are continuously on the receiving end of everything that spews forth from Teddy's mouth. Bear a Wee Grudge is quite intense straight out of the gate and I enjoyed every single bit of the book.

A clever who-done-it, Bear a Wee Grudge kept me entertained and engaged in the story. Meg Macy delivered a well-written story with a unique setting in a fictional small town in southeast Michigan. As a lifelong Michigander I enjoy a good story, in any genre, that is based in my state. I always love it when I recognize locations in a book because I've been there, lived there, or worked in the town/city.

I enjoyed the personalities of each character in the book. The book was descriptive well developed, allowing me to visualize the elements of the story, characters, and locations. The characters and situations were believable and the pacing of the story was steady. I enjoyed Bear a Wee Grudge, found the mystery interesting, the characters likable, and the story's pacing to be on target. I love the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series by Meg Macy and I look forward to the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.  

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#Book #Review ~ A Time to Swill (Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery #2) by Sherry Harris #CozyMystery @SHarrisAuthor @KensingtonBooks

  

Saloon owner Chloe Jackson is after a murderer with skeletons in the closet--and one on a boat.

BAD TO THE BONE

Chloe loves her new life pouring beers and mixing cocktails at the Sea Glass Saloon in the Florida Panhandle town of Emerald Cove. But on the job, the only exercise she gets is walking from one end of the bar to the other, so in the mornings she loves to run on the beach. On this morning's foggy run, she spots a sailboat washed up on a sandbar. Hearing a cry, she climbs aboard the beached vessel to investigate and finds not only a mewling kitten--but a human skeleton in the cabin.

The skeleton is tied back to Chloe's friend Ralph, whose wife disappeared on a sailboat with three other people twelve years ago. Believing his wife was lost at sea, Ralph remarried. Now he finds himself a murder suspect. Chloe is determined to find out who's been up to some skulduggery, but her sleuthing will lead her into some rough waters and some bone-chilling revelations...

ASIN : B08MBFK131
Publisher : Kensington Books
Publication date : July 27, 2021
Print length : 235 pages

Purchase from Amazon
Add to Goodreads

My Review:

The second book in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series by Sherry Harris is here!! As a lover of all things Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries, there was no way I was missing out on this new series by Sherry Harris. I was not disappointed at all. Chloe Jackson is everything I need in a cozy mystery heroine. She is likable (always important), realistic, imperfect - but the perfect person for this series, a little clueless, fiercely protective, and someone I would love to be my best friend. The story is not, however, all grins and giggles as Chloe is swept out to sea in a washed-up sailboat, she soon learns is tied back to long ago mysterious disappearance. Her dramatic rescue is only the beginning as events unfold, history is dredged up, wounds reopen, and murder accusations fly.

Chloe is starting to settle in at her new home, new place of employment, and with her new friends. She and Vivi have reached an understanding and while they aren't besties, they are getting along. Chloe has just returned to Florida after packing up her life in Chicago. Chloe's discovery on the beach leads to some harsh realities for some of the townsfolk and a reopening of almost healed wounds. For some, closure. For others, the reappearance of old accusations. For a few, both.

This story is a fast-paced and engaging novel. The author is such a wonderful writer and I love her ability to instill true emotional reactions in her readers, and not just shock, awe, and humor. This book has a theme threaded through it a lot of people have, are, or will work through at some point in their lives. Realism - that's where it's at for me in any book.

A Time to Swill is a great sophomore book in this new series. I love the continued character development and introduction of an assortment of secondary characters. Chloe considers several of the characters to be suspects, giving the reader several viable murderers. Her process of elimination leads to a twist I didn't see coming. The story is original, and I was able to visualize the entire story as each scene played out. A fantastic story, a potential love interest, and a capable and competent main character make this 5 stars for me. The author has another hit series on her hands!

I was provided a copy of this to read.

My  Rating:

#CozyMystery Book #Review ~ The Cider Shop Rules (A Cider Shop Mystery #3) by Julie Anne Lindsey @JulieALindsey @KensingtonBooks

 

Autumn in Blossom Valley means pumpkin patches are ripe and Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe's cider shop is flourishing. But with this season comes...

A FATAL HARVEST

The Fall Festival is in full swing. Civil War reenactors from three counties are partaking in Blossom Valley's tribute to John Brown. Blue Ridge Mountain foliage is in full bloom. And best of all is Jacob Potter's pumpkin farm where his hay rides, piglet races, pumpkin picking and corn maze are time-honored draws for locals and tourists alike. That's why it's such a shock when Mr. Potter is found dead, hidden under a tarp in the back of Winnie's pickup truck. This certainly betrays Potter's reputation as one of the town's most popular citizens. Fortunately, when it comes to solving a murder, no one has a patch on Winnie. Now, all eyes are on her to do it. Unfortunately, that includes those of the killer who'll do anything to keep an orchard full of secrets buried.

ASIN : B08MBD78KS
Publisher : Kensington Books (July 27, 2021)
Publication date : July 27, 2021
Language : English
File size : 1087 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 243 pages

Purchase from Amazon https://amzn.to/2QYs0J4

Add to Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55841938-the-cider-shop-rules

My Review:

A solid 5-star third book in the Cider Shop Mystery series by Julie Anne Lindsey. I love the book so much I read it twice (April 28-29, 2021 the first time and May 8, 2021 the second time) and pre-ordered the paperback.

Fall has arrived in Blossom Valley and the town decked out in autumn fun. There is a Civil War reenactment taking place, bringing all sorts of newcomers to take part in the festivities. Potter's Pumpkin Farm is bursting with families participating in the hayrides, corn maze, and picking out the perfect pumpkins. When beloved Mr. Potter's body is found in the back of Winnie's truck everyone is shocked. In front of Sheriff Colton Wise, a familiar citizen confronts Winnie with the expectation Winnie will investigate, as she's done in the past. Mr. Potter's murder isn't the only issue to crop up in Blossom Valley. Colton and Winnie still have an issue they deal with from the past, threatening their lives and possibly the lives of those around them. 

The Cider Shop Rules is a wonderful third book in the Cider Shop Mysteries. The mystery was solid, exciting, and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed the small-town setting with the main character living with her granny on an apple orchard. Winnie is a fantastic, down-to-earth heroine who wants the wedding being held at the orchard to go off without a hitch. Unfortunately, when Winnie’s ex, Hank, is noticed arguing with the groom, who is later found dead outside the reception, he becomes suspect number one. Knowing he would never arbitrarily take another person’s life, Winnie begins looking into the bride, the groom, and anyone who would want the groom dead.

I loved The Cider Shop Rules as much as I loved Pulp Friction and Apple Cider Slaying. The murder isn’t the only theme in the book, giving the book a lot of realism. The romance build-up between Winnie and the sheriff is slow and exciting and I had all the feels while I read The Cider Shop Rules. I love the chemistry and the ease in which the author is developing their potential relationship. The addition of Colton's younger brother, Blake, was everything I could have ever hope for and enjoyed his character. We were also provided excellent imagery, character development, and a great story.

The author's writing style is fluid, the pacing is perfect, and the story is so easy to read that when I reached the end, I couldn’t believe I was done already. I found myself engaged and completely captivated in the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed The Cider Shop Rules and can't wait for the next book.

I was provided an e-copy of the book to read but I also ordered the paperback for my bookshelf.

My Rating:

#Review ~ One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon @LynnCahoon ~ @KensingtonBooks Kitchen Witch Mysteries, Book 1 ~ #CozyMystery

 

In the first in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon’s Kitchen Witch series, Mia Malone is starting over in Magic Springs, Idaho—where murder is on the menu . . .

What’s a kitchen witch to do when her almost-fiancé leaves her suddenly single and unemployed? For Mia Malone, the answer’s simple: move to her grandmother’s quirky Idaho hometown, where magic is an open secret and witches and warlocks are (mostly) welcome. With a new gourmet dinner delivery business—and a touch of magic in her recipes—Mia’s hopes are high. Even when her ex’s little sister, Christina, arrives looking for a place to stay, Mia takes it in stride.

But her first catering job takes a distasteful turn when her client’s body is found, stabbed and stuffed under the head table. Mia’s shocked to learn that she’s a suspect—and even more so when she realizes she’s next on a killer’s list. With Christina, along with Mia’s meddling grandma, in the mix, she’ll have to find out which of the town’s eccentric residents has an appetite for murder…before this fresh start comes to a sticky end. . . .

ASIN: B087YNC1B6
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication date: January 26, 2021
Print length: 274 pages

Purchase from Amazon
Add to Goodreads

My Review:

One Poison Pie is the first full-length book in the Kitchen Witch Mystery series. There is an introductory novella titled Chili Cauldron Curse that introduces you to Mia and Gran. I highly recommend the novella; however, you won't be too lost by the events in One Poison Pie if you don't read it first.

Mia has made Magic Springs, Idaho her new home. Her recent building purchase, and subsequent renovation, will soon be home to Mia's new gourmet catering business. Meanwhile, she already has a client. The very first event Mia has lined up is the birthday party for a local client. After the client changes the menu the day before the party, Mia scrambles to pull everything together. As prep work begins the next morning in the Lodge where the party is taking place, the body of the client is found in the dining room. Now, Mia is a suspect who is also clearly on the killer's most wanted list.

I enjoyed One Poison Pie. The mystery was tangled up and hard to unravel. Mia may have been a suspect but there are so many other people in the town who are more viable suspects than her. Mia is surrounded by danger and she's unsure to trust, especially since the one person who should be on her side, a local police officer, doesn't seem to believe she's innocent. Police department aside, Mia tries to figure out who wanted her client dead and has their sights now set on her. Mia's ex, Isaac, also drops back into her life, adding another layer of stress to her life.

One Poison Pie is a well-written story with likable, relatable characters. There is continued character development in the book, allowing the reader to become more familiar with Mia and Grans and get to know them. The world building was creative and allowed the reader to visualize the setting. I'm excited to continue in the world created by the author and look forward to the next novel. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#CozyMystery #Review ~ Wedding Bear Blues by Meg Macy @megmims @KensingtonBooks ~ Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery, Book 4

In the fourth shamelessly adorable Teddy Bear Mystery, teddy bear shop manager and amateur sleuth Sasha Silverman vows to find out who killed the best man in a Valentine's Day wedding when a heartless, ice-pick wielding killer ruins the big day...

Always a bridesmaid, never a killer...

At the Silver Bear Shop and Factory, Sasha will be selling plenty of bride and groom teddy bears come springtime. But this Valentine's Day weekend, she'd take any of those silent, stuffed couples over the real thing. Sasha and her sister Maddie are bridesmaids at Cissy Davison's upcoming wedding in Silver Hollow. Cissy is fuming over the worst choice of best man--the jerk who broke her sister Debbie's heart--and the groom-to-be won't budge in his decision. At the rehearsal dinner you could cut the tension with a wedding cake knife.

That is, until best man Dylan is found dead, impaled with an ice pick. Although jilted Debbie is the most likely suspect--the blood on her dress doesn't help her case--the bride begs Sasha to prove her sister's innocence. If anyone's going to walk down the aisle, Sasha will first need to find the cold-hearted killer who iced Dylan...

ASIN : B086R75PC1
Publisher : Kensington Books
Publication date : December 29, 2020
Print length : 336 pages

Purchase Link: Amazon

Add to Goodreads

My Review:

Valentine's Day is coming up and the Silver Bear Shop and Factory in Michigan is quite busy. There are workshops, last minute gift purchasers, and both Sasha and her sister Maddie are in a wedding. The wedding of Cissy Davison has proven to be a lot more stressful than any event at the Silver Bear Shop and Factory. The groom's choice of best man has the bride and her sister, Debbie, incensed and all of the events leading up to Cissy's big day have been rife with tension. Things take a violent and deadly turn at the rehearsal dinner when Maddie and Sasha walk right into a murder scene. Dylan, the best man, has been killed by ice pick. As if Sasha isn't busy enough at the shop and factory, Cissy has asked her to help prove her sister's innocence, even if Debbie is the most likely suspect.

Actually, that's not true. Debbie is one of many, it seems, with an issue with Dylan. As Sasha puts her sleuthing cap on and begins her search, it appears that more than just Debbie had means, motive and opportunity. Dylan seems to have a long history of upsetting people. With everything going on at the shop and factory, additional side threads, Cissy, and the death of Dylan, Sasha has her hands full.

A clever who-done-it, Wedding Bear Blues kept me entertained and engaged in the story. Meg Macy delivered a well-written story with a unique setting in a fictional small town in southeast Michigan. As a lifelong Michigander I enjoy a good story, in any genre, that is based in my state. The author mentions places in Michigan I'm very familiar with, including Harrison. I always love it when I recognize locations in a book because I've been there, lived there, or worked in the town/city.

I enjoyed the personalities of each character introduced to us in the book. The book was descriptive well developed, allowing me to visualize the elements of the story, characters, and locations. The characters and situations were believable and the pacing of the story was steady. I enjoyed Wedding Bear Blues, found the mystery interesting, the characters likable, and the story's pacing to be on target. I love the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series by Meg Macy and I look forward to the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating:

Review ~ Absence of Alice (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery #9) by Sherry Harris #CozyMystery

 

For bargain hunter extraordinaire Sarah Winston, starting life over in Ellington, Massachusetts, has been a true trash-to-treasure success story, except when there's a run on dead bodies...

Sarah's latest client, Alice Krandle, is sure she has a fortune in antiques on her hands. She's already gotten a generous offer for the whole lot before her garage sale has even begun, but she thinks she can earn more with Sarah's expert help. The problem is that while Sarah's sorting through items from decades past, her landlady, Stella, faces a clear and present danger.

Stella's kidnapper has contacted Sarah with a set of instructions, and "Don't call the police" is at the top of the list. But they didn't say anything about Sarah's friend Harriet--who happens to be a former F.B.I. hostage negotiator...

Mass Market Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1496722539
ISBN-10 : 1496722531
Publisher : Kensington
Publish Date: December 29, 2020
Purchase Link: Amazon

My Review:

Absence of Alice is another spectacular book in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series by Sherry Harris.

Sarah and her friend Harriet are preparing an indoor garage sale for Alice Krandle, a new client. After spending hours pricing the knickknacks, artwork, and expensive figurines, Sarah wants to wind down for the day. Unfortunately, a random phone call, revelation of a kidnapping, and strict instructions has Sarah running across town. Stella, her landlady, has been kidnapped and her kidnapper is using Sarah to complete bizarre tasks in order to gain, or lose, precious time to locate Stella. At a loss for what to do or where to turn, Sarah realizes the kidnapper didn't include Harriet in his list of no-nos. Harriet is former FBI with contacts all over the place. With some strategy and hiding things from her friends, including her boyfriend Seth, maybe Sarah will be able to locate Stella before any harm comes to her - even if it means losing the trust of everyone around her. Stella's life is more valuable and Sarah hopes to find her alive. It's better to ask for forgiveness sometimes, at least Sarah hopes so.

I really enjoy the Garage Sale Mysteries by Sherry Harris. As a lover of garage sales, yard sales, flea markets, etc., a cozy setting of this nature makes me happy. Sarah is a great protagonist and has been in such a way that I feel like I know her personally. She has very realistic characteristics and the author really brings Sarah to life. I love all the secondary characters the author has created for this series, too. Seth, Pelltner, Mike “the big cheese” Titone, Stella, Awesome, and all the rest compliment this series so well. I’m glad Sarah’s love life doesn’t overpower the stories, providing a nice balance and sense of realism to her.

As I said about the rest of the books in the series, Absence of Alice is a fantastic cozy mystery full of twists, turns, distractions, and multiple storylines. There are suspenseful, humorous, and heartbreaking moments that are sure to keep the reader engaged. The author provides a few characters as the potential suspects and expertly pulls the tablecloth out from underneath them without spilling the truth. The ending was a complete shocker! The Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries are one of my favorite cozy series'. The author keeps the stories fresh and entertaining. The characters are wonderful, and I love the setting.

I read an early copy of this book and I purchased a paperback for my bookshelf.

My Review:

Review ~ A Waffle Lot of Murder (All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery, Book#4) by Lena Gregory @LenaGregory03

A Waffle Lot of Murder (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery) by Lena Gregory

 

A Waffle Lot of Murder 

All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, Book 4

Cozy Mystery 

Publisher: Lyrical Press 

Publish Date: October 6, 2020

Paperback: 208 pages 

ISBN-10 : 151611048X 

ISBN-13: 978-1516110483 

Digital ASIN : B082WR2ZHJ

Purchase Link: Amazon

For diner owner Gia Morelli, her seasonal fall menu calls for two main ingredients—maple syrup and murder . . .

While the first hints of autumn grace Boggy Creek, Florida, Gia misses the colorful harvest traditions she left behind in New York. On a scramble to make new fall memories—and promote her irresistible pumpkin spice waffles—things take a dark turn when she gets roped into the Haunted Town Festival, a spooky celebration held on deserted farmlands. The desolate area conjures plenty of eerie vibes at night, but Gia and her best friend, Savannah, are nearly frightened to death upon the discovery of the event organizer’s body buried in the nearby woods. More alarming, the local rumor mill says the woman’s shady dealings may have egged someone into sending her to an early grave. 

Now, there’s no shortage of creepy clues to feast on as Gia and her pals try to stop a killer with a very scary appetite . . .

Includes recipes from the All-Day Breakfast Café!

My Review:

Fall is coming to Boggy Creek, Florida but you wouldn't know it by the weather or foliage. Gia is still getting used to fall in the Florida where trees don't change colors and the weather stays warm. One thing that does ring in the changing of the seasons is the Haunted Town Festival and Gia has been invited to participate this year. To view their "house" and the general layout of the festival, she and bestie, Savannah make plans to meet the festival organizer on-site in the deserted plot of farmland complete with a spooky woods. Gia and Savannah weren't planning to locate an abandoned cell phone or find the body of the organizer. Now, Gia and Savannah and the rest of her crew go on a hunt to find out if the rumors about the deceased are true and if so, if her endeavors were worth killing over.

A Waffle Lot of Murder is another great book in the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series. The book is perfectly paced - not too fast and not too slow. I was pulled in from the very beginning and engaged in the plot. The character development continues as we learn more about the characters, old and new, without being bogged down with useless filler. The story was fun, exciting, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. I had a wonderful time trying to figure out just what happened and who was responsible. The continued world building is great, and I was able to visualize the story.

Gia came from New York one person and has since evolved into another as she gets used to the differences in Florida. Gia is a very strong character and I enjoy the books about her world. I love that the author does not, at any time, write her as weak or unstable. She's just had a very rough past that she thought she would escape by moving away from her former life and completely starting over. Samantha and Hunt are stability characters for Gia. Savannah is a wonderful best friend and Hunt proves to be another person who has Gia's back. I'd like to see their romance expand a bit since they don't seem to spend a lot of time together.

As in previous books, Gia does some questionable things in A Waffle Lot of Murder that made me shake my head. Her shenanigans don’t detract from the story, though. The characters are all likeable, the setting in Florida is nice, and the assortment of suspects kept me on my toes. The chemistry between Gia and Hunt is sweet and believable. I prefer a little bit of soft romance in my cozy mysteries. I really enjoy the author's writing style and devour every book she publishes. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

ARC Review of Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon @KensingtonBooks ~ Kitchen Witch Mysteries, Book #.5 - Out on August 25, 2020

Book Details:

Print Length: 100 pages

Publisher: Kensington Books

Publication Date: August 25, 2020

ASIN: B0851PV6HQ

Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/3iUsFDG

About the Book:

When Mia Malone’s grandmother asks her to take a week away from her restaurant job and come to Magic Springs, Idaho, she’s happy to oblige. Like Mia, Grans has witchcraft running through her veins, and life with her is never boring. Plus, the cause is a good one—helping Grans get the local food bank up and running again. But there’s an unappetizing surprise in store. While Mia is knee-deep in boxes of donated produce, she encounters the body of Dorian Alexander.

Dorian was a warlock, leader of the local coven. He was also her Grans’ new beau. There’s no potion that’ll make this trouble disappear. But if Mia wants to keep her Grans—now a prime suspect—from serving a spell in prison, she’ll have to unearth the real killer fast. . . .

My Review:

Chili Cauldron Curse is the prequel to Lynn Cahoon's Kitchen Witch Mystery series. The story provides a great introduction to Mia Malone and her Grans. Only in town temporarily to help her Grans fix up the Magic Springs food bank, Mia's life is actually in Boise, Idaho. She and her boyfriend just bought a house together and she's anxious to get back and continue the remodel. Mia's plans are derailed a bit though with the discovery of dead body among the food donations. 

The story is well-written with likable, relatable characters. There is enough character development in the is novella to allow the reader to really obtain a grasp of who Mia and Grans are and get to know them. The world building was creative and allowed the reader to visualize the setting. I'm excited to see the new world created by the author and can't wait for the first full-length book in the series. If the prequel is any indication, this series is going to be spectacular!

I was provided a copy of this prequel to read.

My Rating: