Wednesday, May 31, 2017


GHOSTAL LIVING
Book 3 in the Hamptons Home & Gardens Mysteries
by Kathleen Bridge


In the latest mystery from the author of Better Homes and Corpses and Hearse and Gardens, Hamptons interior designer and antiques picker Meg Barrett uncovers a veil of spooky goings-on... 

The first Sag Harbor Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair is right around the corner, and interior designer Meg Barrett has her hands full decorating rooms at the Bibliophile Bed & Breakfast for wealthy rare book collector Franklin Hollingsworth. Rumor has it Hollingsworth is in possession of an unpublished manuscript written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. When the Fitzgerald manuscript's authenticator is found dead at the bottom of a cliff, Meg suspects a killer is on the loose.

Rare books start disappearing from the B & B and Meg sees a connection between the stolen books and the deceased authenticator. With the fair looming, she finds herself caught up in catching a killer and thief before another victim is booked for death.


INCLUDES RECIPES AND DECORATING TIPS
 

MY REVIEW


Author Kathleen Bridges does it again. Fans of the Hampton Home & Garden Mysteries are going to love this third installment!

You know you’re in for a fast moving, exciting story when it starts off with a hurricane brewing! And indeed, by the end of chapter two of GHOSTAL LIVING, I already felt the energy of this tale growing, and I prepared myself to be blown away. I was!

Kicked back in my recliner with a cold soda at my side, I dived into GHOSTAL LIVING and was almost half way finished with the book when I came up for air. There was so much going on! Between the storm, a murder, and everything lead character, Meg Barrett was trying to juggle in her life, I simply had to keep reading “just one more page”.  

Speaking of Meg Barrett, she’s really someone I enjoy reading. I like that author Bridges writes Meg with a hearing impairment. While I adore most protagonists in the cozy mysteries I read, a large percentage of them tend to be too perfect.

Kathleen Bridge is such a clever writer. She knows just what it takes to pen a mystery that will keep the reader interested, and guessing. So much so, that when I finished reading GHOSTAL LIVING, I was wishing I had another book by this author to read!

Make sure to keep reading one the story is over, or you’ll miss out on great tips for repurposing vintage items, and some mouthwatering recipes! 


GHOSTAL LIVING 
is out now!


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Tuesday, May 30, 2017


Take a look at all of the great books being released today
May 30!

HARDCOVER

It’s been a hot, dry spring in Westbury, Massachusetts. As organic farmer Cam Flaherty waits for much-needed rain, storm clouds of mystery begin to gather. Once again, it’s time to put away her sun hat and put on her sleuthing cap . . .

May has been anything but merry for Cam so far. Her parents have arrived unexpectedly and her crops are in danger of withering away. But all of that’s nothing compared to the grim fate that lies in store for one of her neighbors. Nicole Kingsbury is the proud owner of the town’s new hydroponic greenhouse. She claims the process will be 100% organic, but she uses chemicals to feed her crops. To Cam’s surprise, her mother embarrasses her by organizing a series of loud public protests against Nicole’s operation.

When Nicole is found dead in a vat of hydroponic slurry—clutching another set of rosary beads—Detective Pete Pappas has a new murder to solve. Showers may be scarce this spring, but there’s no shortage of suspects, including the dead woman’s embittered ex‑husband, the Other Man whose affair ruined their marriage, and Cam’s own mother. Lucky for Cam, her father turns out to have a knack for sleuthing—not to mention dealing with chickens. Will he and Cam be able to clear Mrs. Flaherty’s name before the killer strikes again?

TRADE (Large) PAPERBACK

The Silver Bear Shop and Factory might be the cutest place around, but there’s nothing warm and fuzzy about murder . . .

As manager of the family teddy bear shop and factory, thirty-one-year-old Sasha Silverman leads a charmed life. Well, except for the part about being a single divorcée with a ticking biological clock in small-town Silver Hollow. And that’s just kid’s stuff compared to Will Taylor, the sales rep who’s set on making drastic changes to the business her parents built from scratch—with or without Sasha’s approval . . .

But before Will digs his claws in, someone pulls the stuffing out of his plan . . . and leaves his dead body inside the factory. Reeling from shock, Sasha’s hit with more bad news—police suspect her hot-tempered Uncle Ross may have murdered him. Sasha knows her uncle would never do such a thing, and she’s launching her own little investigation to expose the truth. As she tracks Will’s biggest rivals and enemies for clues, Sasha can’t get too comfy—or she’ll become the next plaything for a killer . . .

PAPERBACK

Ever since café owner Krissy Hancock settled into a relationship and—mostly—forgot about old flames, life has become surprisingly serene. Too bad her father, famed mystery writer James Hancock, had to pay an unexpected visit to Death by Coffee and brew up a batch of trouble...

While caught off-guard by her dad’s presence, Krissy never dreamed he’d become the biggest murder suspect in town. But that’s exactly what happens when James’s boorish agent—a man he allegedly fired just hours earlier—is found cold and lifeless, a still-warm vanilla latte resting by his hand...

With Pine Hills divided over her father’s innocence and a fanatical fan keen on locking the author away for safe keeping, Krissy must end the madness and identify the real criminal—even if that means meeting an ex or two along the way. But as her social life becomes increasingly chaotic, Krissy may be caught in a case that’s far too hot to handle...

PAPERBACK

Party planner Liv McKay has outdone herself this time. She’s put together an unforgettable Fourth of July celebration for the town of Dixie, Tennessee—including breathtaking fireworks and an exciting Miss Dixie Beauty Pageant. Maybe a little too exciting.

As the party is winding down, Liv’s sense of triumph fizzles when the body of town councilman Bubba Rowland is discovered on the festival grounds. And now the prime suspect in his murder is Liv’s mother’s fiancé, Earl, who had a flare-up recently with Bubba. To clear Earl’s name, Liv and her best friend Di burst into action to smoke out the real killer before another life is extinguished . . .

PAPERBACK

It’s April in New Chapel, and Abby and her husband, Marco, are off to buy shrubs for their new house. But the owner of the local landscaping company is nowhere to be found. Abby’s best friend, Nikki, meanwhile, believes she unwittingly helped a group of her hospital coworkers conspire to kill the man.

After the police get involved, Nikki becomes a suspect. Abby digs deeper for clues to save her friend only to discover bushels of folks bearing a deep-rooted hatred for the two-faced business owner. Marco attempts to help Abby with the case but soon falls critically ill. Now Abby must find the real culprit on her own before everything goes to pot…

PAPERBACK

Wedding bells are ringing at the O’Connell Organic Farm and Spa in California’s postcard-perfect Blossom Valley. The entire staff is pitching in to send one of their own down the aisle. But no one knew the nuptials could turn up so many secrets—or that marriage and murder could go hand in hand . . .
Dana Lewis is marrying Jason Forrester, a talented reporter and the love of her life. She couldn’t dream of a better venue than the farm where she works, and her friends are determined to give her the wedding of her dreams. Even her florist, Bethany Lancaster, is making sure she has just the right flowers. But Dana’s happiness wilts when she finds Bethany shot dead—and discovers her friend was a busybody with a blackmail list longer than a cathedral veil. With so many enemies, finding Bethany’s killer seems all but impossible. And when Dana herself is eyed as a suspect, she’ll have to chase down the culprit faster than she can say, “I do”—or she’ll be trading in her wedding dress for prison stripes . . 

HARDCOVER

It's early April in the small English village of Finch. Lori Shepherd's husband and sons are spending Easter break camping, and Lori is perfectly happy to be left at home with Bess, spared a week of roughing it with a curious toddler. The two attend a village events committee meeting and Lori is astonished when the elderly, soft-spoken widow Mrs. Annabelle Craven stands to make an announcement: she's decided to hold a quilting bee in the old schoolhouse. 

At the quilting bee, Lori ends up seated beside Mrs. Craven, delighted at the opportunity to learn more about her neighbor's life in the village of Old Cowerton. But dear, sweet Mrs. Craven's stories reveal a startling secret about her first husband's death. 

With Aunt Dimity's advice, Lori sets out to learn the truth about what the residents of Old Cowerton refer to as the "widow's curse"--and the deeper she digs, the more horrifying the tale becomes, until she discovers the most astounding revelation of all.

TRADE (Large) PAPERBACK

When terrified Elaine Patrick knocks on Driscoll Investigations' door and insists her house is haunted, Giulia Driscoll's first response is "we don't handle ghosts." When Elaine's housekeeper and crackpot filthy rich cousin descend on Giulia and demand she find out who's trying to steal sweet, fragile Elaine's family business out from under her, that's a different story. They want DI to provide Tarot readings, ghost hunting sessions, and even an exorcism.
Ghost hunting? There are apps for that. Tarot readings? Experts in the skill are right across the street. Exorcisms? Having a priest for a brother-in-law comes in handy. Giulia plunges into a crash course in all things supernatural, convinced everything happening to Elaine is stagecraft.
Except when it isn't. Giulia's about to discover a new dimension to sleuthing, if she can survive attempted murder long enough to see through the web of lies around her client.

eBook (Kindle, Nook, Kobo)

Mulbridge House stood, silent and decaying, deep in the woods at the heart of Oakwood, Ohio, long before the passing of Augusta Mulbridge. Yet suddenly everyone in town seems to have a stake in its fate: the greedy heirs, eager to tear it down for a tidy profit; the local preservationists, determined to maintain it as an historic site; the angry neighbors, staunchly opposed to the construction of a modern subdivision. Even Charley Carpenter is forced to admit that her beloved shop, Old Hat Vintage Fashions, could use an infusion of the estate’s treasures.

The clock is ticking. The wrecking ball is ready to swing. All that stands between Mulbridge House and oblivion is one final vote. That, and murder . . .

The trouble begins when Charley walks into auctioneer Calvin Prescott’s office to find her cherished family friend crumpled on the floor. Detective Marcus Trenault quickly connects his death to a string of increasingly violent burglaries plaguing Oakwood. But when Charley uncovers a link to a massive land swindle worth millions, not to mention a drug ring operating out of the manor’s abandoned outbuildings, that theory crumbles faster than Mulbridge House. Now Charley’s racing to catch a killer before everything falls apart.

AUDIO

Now that she's been knitting up a storm with the help of her new friends at House of Lambspun, Kelly Flynn can't imagine ever leaving Fort Connor, Colorado. But there's trouble in her adopted hometown - and not just with her new sweater project....
When Kelly volunteers to take a troop of tourists to visit Vickie Claymore's alpaca farm, she discovers Fort Connor isn't as sedate as it seems. Instead of a warm welcome, they find Vickie splayed out on her original hand-woven rug, her blood seeping into the design....
The police jump on the case, but Kelly can't resist doing a little investigation work of her own - even if it means taking a break from the sweater she's been knitting in the round. Because a murderer is lurking in Fort Connor - waiting for the right moment to strike again.

How many of these wonderful titles are you adding to your list?


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let me know what you think!

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Monday, May 29, 2017


My love for reading cozy mysteries only started about five (give or take) years ago.
In that time I have read the most amazing books/series by dozens of brilliant authors. And there are new titles coming out all the time!

But what have I missed? Well, I went searching, and found this great sounding series!

THE CANDY SHOP MYSTERIES
by Sammi Carter 
aka Jacklyn Brady aka Sherry Lewis

BOOK ONE

No visit to Paradise, Colorado, is complete without a stop at Divinity Candy Shop for a little taste of heaven. For owner Abby Shaw, it’s a sweet deal too. When her Aunt Grace passed away, Abby Shaw inherited Divinity—and with it the opportunity to leave her career as a corporate lawyer and dump her cheating husband.  Now she spends her time serving up delectable treats—and performing the occasional deductive feat…
 
Making and selling sweets eases Abby’s heartache, but having Brandon Mills sweet on her eases it even more. The owner of a men’s clothing store, he invites Abby to the local merchants’ meeting where he’ll plead his case to extend the city’s annual arts festival. And then he wants to cap off the night with a romantic dinner for two. 
 
But Brandon never shows. His store is destroyed by fire and his body discovered in the rubble—and Abby is shocked to find that few people in town mourn his death. Paradise’s business owners were threatened by Brandon’s ambitious nature—and several men felt threatened by the attention he showered on their wives. And when her brother becomes the number one suspect, Abby holds her own investigation to find out who really killed Brandon—for love or money… 

Includes Candy Recipes

BOOK TWO

There’s no use sugar-coating it—no one in Paradise can stand Savannah Horne. The former local girl is now the trophy wife of a ridiculously wealthy businessman. And she’s swept back into town just in time to enter Divinity’s Tenth Annual Confectionary Competition—and stir up trouble. But some poisoned bon-bons will guarantee that Savannah won’t make it out of Paradise alive, trapping Abby in an extremely sticky situation…

Includes Candy Recipes

BOOK THREE

Paradise’s local artists are up in arms when wealthy Felicity Asbury names herself director of the annual Arts Festival. But she soon gets her just desserts. Abby finds Felicity dead in Divinity’s parking lot—an awl lodged in her chest. And when evidence points to Abby as the suspect, she must put aside her sweets-making for sleuthing to discover who was twisted enough to do the deed.

 Includes Candy Recipes  

BOOK FOUR

When Abby Shaw witnesses a stranger gunned down on the highway, she's convinced that she's seen a murder.  The only problem is, when she returns to the scene with the police, there's no body.  Even elbow-deep in hot syrup, Abby still gets chills thinking about it, and is determined to find out the truth—yet when a body does turn up, days later, wishy-washy witnesses make things sticky. It’s not as if Abby can take her sweet time figuring it out—she’s busy running Divinity, training a new employee, and assistant-coaching her nephews’ basketball team, not to mention reconnecting with an old friend. But she discovers things aren’t always as they seem, especially when it comes to keeping deadly secrets…
 
Includes Candy Recipes

BOOK FIVE

Abby's life is sweet. She’s settling into running her candy shop, dealing with her busy-body family, and maintaining a solid-if-slow relationship with local police detective Pine Jawarski. But Abby’s smooth sailing soon turns into rocky road when a friend asks her to audition for a production with some considerably talented locals. Out of curiosity, Abby pops her head into the chaotic audition--and finds a dead star center stage. Now she needs to find the true culprit and clear her friend’s name before her newfound happiness is totally fudged…
 
Includes Candy Recipes

What do you think? Sound good to you?
Have you read the 
Candy Shop Mysteries?
If you have, I'd love to hear 
what you think!


As always, please leave a comment and 
let me know what you think!

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Sunday, May 28, 2017


JUSTICE AND JOY
Book 4 in the White Mountain Romantic Mysteries
by Jane Firebaugh


A corrupt dead lawyer who doubled as a devious lady's man... 

Clues from the killer that come wrapped in poetry... 

And a series of threats that put Olivia's life in jeopardy as she and Josh investigate the case!

When Olivia stumbles onto a fifty-year-old murder, she can’t resist investigating. But this puts both her and her loved ones in serious danger. She soon finds that some people are colder than the frigid New Hampshire winter, and that old age doesn’t change the heart of a killer.

And there’s more. Olivia McKenna and her fiancé, Josh Abrams, aren’t only busy planning their wedding and running Mountain Valley Investigations—they’re also searching for the parents of one of the two foster kids in their care who they’re hoping to adopt. Finding her parents is a high priority as well, but it could mean they’ll lose her.

As you can probably tell, there’s a lot going on in the latest installment of Jane Firebaugh’s award winning White Mountains Romantic Mysteries. You’ll find all the things readers of the earlier books have come to know and love—the romantic adventures of Olivia and Josh, their talents as detectives, the charming antics of their foster kids, and the animal madness of Molly and Sheyna, Olivia’s smart and talented rescued dog and cat.

MY REVIEW


JUSTICE AND JOY is the prefect title for this rom-cozy mystery by author Jane Firebaugh.

This is the first series I’ve read that is billed as a “romantic mystery”. Having been an avid romance reader for most of my young adult life, it was enjoyable to get to read my now favorite genre, cozy mysteries, with the romance played on a bit more than most cozy mysteries. Ms. Firebaugh really balanced it well.

The characters in JUSTICE AND JOY are wonderful. Protagonist Olivia McKeena, her fiancée Josh, their children, their pets, all the supporting characters. I enjoyed reading about all of them.

Author Firebaugh had more than one mystery in JUSTICE AND JOY. Murder, a con-artist, the search for a little girl’s family, all were intertwined to form a fast moving story that was intense and uplifting all at once.

Mack sure to check out the back of the book for to amazing vegetarian recipes!

To get the most out of this series I would suggest reading the first three books before reading JUSTICE AND JOY. However, if you do want to jump right into this book, I don’t think you’ll have much trouble coming up to speed.


JUSTICE AND JOY
is available now!


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Saturday, May 27, 2017


TITLE WAVE by Lorna Barrett
A GRAVE PREDICTION by Victoria Laurie

TITLE WAVE
Book 10 in the Booktown Mysteries
by Lorna Barrett

PAPERBACK

Tricia and Angelica leave Booktown behind for a pleasure cruise, but they’re going to need their life jackets because a murderer has also booked passage—in Lorna Barrett’s New York Times bestselling series.
 
While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in deck chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.
 
But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...

MY REVIEW

My review is based on the 2016 hardcover edition.

Another wonderful installment to the bestselling Booktown Mysteries!

I was a bit hesitant when I first started reading TITLE WAVE. I don’t normally care for books that take the main character away from their hometown. I needn’t have worried. Author Lorna Barrett transitioned her protagonist and friends perfectly. The cruise ship themed story made for a marvelous whodunit!

A tale of murder on the high seas, TITLE WAVE was a fast moving thrill ride. Chapter after chapter this story was filled with enough twists and turns to capsize a ship. With more suspects then a few, I kept second guessing myself on the killer’s identity. When the reveal came, I was taken by surprise, and even more so at how that scene ended!

Booktown Mystery fans, and new readers alike are going to be thrilled with TITLE WAVE!

Make sure not to miss the tasty recipes at the back of the book!


📗📖📘📖📗

A GRAVE PREDICTION
Book 14 in the Psychic Eye
by Victoria Laurie


When Abby is sent to Los Angeles to help train FBI officers to use their intuition, she encounters a case that only she can solve: a series of bank robberies in which the thieves made off with loads of cash but left no clues. Abby’s sixth sense leads her team to a tract of land recently cleared for development, where she gets a vision of four buried bodies. However, a site search turns up only ancient bones and pottery from an American Indian tribe, which is enough to delay construction for years. 
 
With a furious developer and dubious FBI agents on her back, Abby is losing credibility fast. But Abby’s talent rarely leads her astray, and if the bodies aren’t there yet, that means four deaths can still be stopped. She’ll just have to dig a little deeper....

MY REVIEW

My review is based on the 2016 hardcover edition.

Victoria Laurie fans will be thrilled (as always) with this new installment in the Psychic Eye Mystery series.

In reading A GRAVE PREDICTION I fully expected another para-cozy addition to author Laurie’s long running series. While it is that, I’ve noticed this series is becoming more of a series that will also pull in non-cozy fans readers, as it breaks the cozy bonds just a little.

A GRAVE PREDICTION will have even the most seasoned mystery readers guessing and struggling to find answers. There are plenty of clues, but not until the reveal did they then make sense to me. Well done. 

Both of these great titles
release in paperback on
June 6!


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let me know what you think!

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