Grave Words review

This is the second book in the Deadly Deadlines mysteries by Gerri Lewis which I started reading last year when the first book came out. I’ve enjoyed meeting obit writer Winter and her friends over the last two books, and I absolutely love her uncle Richard and Horace who’s a sorta surrogate uncle to her. Can’t wait to see what happens next! 

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My Goodreads review:

Grave Words (Deadly Deadlines, #2)Grave Words by Gerri Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Richard and Horace’s characters! Richard, her uncle, raised Winter and her sister, and Horace was like another uncle to her. Horace was always good for some comic relief but Carla and Winter did a pretty good job of that themselves while hiding from a possible killer at the funeral home. They never planned on a showdown with the actual killer, but to save their own lives their ingenuity kicked in plus they had a little help from a friend.

Food and friendship was enjoyed by all at the cottage while Kip filled everyone in on what they didn’t already know. I love that he and Winter are getting closer, but they both seem to have a little problem in the trust department, so maybe next time they can work that out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.


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The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg-review

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Domestic Diva Mysteries by beloved cozy mystery author Krista Davis. I love her Paws & Claws Mysteries too–fans of that series are gonna have a fun little surprise in this book.

#NetGalley #KristaDavis #DomesticDivaMysteries

My Goodreads review:

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg (A Domestic Diva Mystery, #18)The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wild and tangled bunch of secrets and family drama Sophie stumbled into when an interior designer asked her to help find who killed her business partner. It’s always fun when Sophie sleuths with her friends either all together or usually just her and Nina or Sophie, Mars and Bernie.

When another body turned up along with a surprise found at a wealthy family home, Sophie and her pals had their work cut out for them. In true Sophie style, she quite literally beat the killer in the showdown. The story ended with all the explanations and everyone having a good time sharing food and fellowship.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Bodies and Battlements review

This is the first book in a brand new series, Ravensea Castle Mysteries, released today by cozy mystery author Elizabeth Penney. I’ve always really enjoyed anything I’ve read by this author and this book definitely makes my “loved it” list. The key characters were awesome and I loved how close Nora and her sister Tamsyn were. Definitely not one to miss!

#NetGalley #ElizabethPenney #MinotaurBooks #StMartinPaperbacks

My Goodreads review:

Bodies and Battlements (The Ravensea Castle Series Book 1)Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve never met any characters by this author that I haven’t really liked in the very first pages of the book, and this book was no exception. I enjoyed all the key players from the get-go and Nora’s dad cracked me up with his stories and just blatant innocent honesty when it came to different things.

There was quite a bit more to the murder than anyone first thought then when another one happened, things started to be revealed. I loved that Nora and DI Cole were getting closer. His dog sounded so darn cute and Rolf became good buddies with her. Tamsyn seemed to’ve found herself a guy as well. The showdown was tense but quick and a satisfying ending was enjoyed by all.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Doggone Bones review

This is the 29th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I haven’t actually read this series from the entire beginning, but I did read the first two books and at least can appreciate a little of how the characters changed. I’ve been blessed enough to be able to get ARCs of the last maybe five or six books so at least I know what’s currently going on in Sarah Booth’s life, lol.

I love how dogs play such a huge part in her life, so this is one book where you get to cheer on the doggos and they win! And not to downplay Pluto, he’s a great watch cat! And that silly, wise Jitty, I just love her character and how she’s a good constant for Sarah Booth. She appears as just the person Sarah Booth needs her to. But sometimes having her just being Jitty’s what Sarah Booth needs most.

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My Goodreads review:

Doggone Bones (A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery, #29)Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had no idea that Sarah Booth’s friend Tinkie could be such a bada$$ but she was a regular hero at times in this book. The story grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go until I found out the good ending for some poor sweet doggos that were being used for fighting. And to think it all started with one little dog being taken. There was a lotta other things going on in this book as well.

Some involved definitely got their just desserts but another item left unsolved really bothered me a lot since it directly affected Sarah Booth and her friends. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book so some uncleared-up scum can be properly taken care of! 😉

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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The Spirit Moves review

This is the fourth book in the Haunted Haven Mysteries by Carol J. Perry who cozy readers know for her Witch City Mysteries. I’ve read a few in the original series but since this was a new set of characters, I started Haunted Haven when it first came out and I’ve loved every book so far. This one’s probably been my fave so far! Can’t wait to see what else Maureen and her friends get into!

#NetGalley #CarolJPerry #StMartin #MinotaurBooks

My Goodreads review:

The Spirit Moves (A Haunted Haven Mystery Book 4)The Spirit Moves by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really love those four seniors Gert, Molly, George and Sam who live at the Haven House Inn and help out there as well. They’re the most awesome people and I know Maureen wouldn’t know what to do without them. I was happy that the thing I’d been rooting for between Maureen and Ted finally happened and all during a murder investigation too.

I’m crazy about Lorna and Reggie’s ghosts—those two crack me up! Actually Reggie got more of a part in this book than he’s ever had. Mostly it’s Maureen reminding him he’s not supposed to smoke in the building, but this time he was actually advising her on the case. I was as surprised as she was to find out he was actually qualified for that when he was alive, lol. And the piano player ghost Billy Bedoggoned always knows just the tune to play and how to make it sound like it’s just another player piano song.

Maureen got into a tense showdown with the killer but she used her head and kept them talking all while finding something to use against them. Good thinking on her part and now the town could have some relief, and the inn was able to enjoy some new prosperity as well. Can’t wait to read the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Shot Through the Book– review

This is the twelfth book in the long-running Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates, better known to cozy mystery fans as Vicki Delany, author of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, Year-Round Christmas Mysteries and Tea by the Sea Mysteries, all of which quickly became fave series to me. The author has the awesome talent of creating characters you won’t forget and that you’d really wanna be friends with. It’s like coming home to old friends whenever I read another Lighthouse Library or any of the others.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany #EvaGates

My Goodreads review:

Shot Through the Book (A Lighthouse Library Mystery 12)Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I never thought I’d see the day when Louise Jane’s character actually didn’t get on my nerves. In some ways, she’s pretty helpful and fiercely loyal to Lucy and the library. I guess all it took was Lucy getting married so Louise Jane could live in the lighthouse apartment and work there.

One of the characters who’s always been on the sidelines with a few mentions actually got a bigger part in this book during the showdown that Lucy never saw coming. Someone else did a good job controlling the perp and was gonna have one crazy story to tell friends after it was over. There’d been a little side thing going on all along which I totally guessed. A few things happened toward the end of the book that really makes me eager to read the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Diamond in the Ruff review

This is the first in a brand new series called Wiggle Butt Manor Mysteries by Cindy Goyette. While she’s a newcomer to cozy mysteries, you’ll see from her Amazon bio that she knows what she’s talking about, being no stranger to law enforcement. And like main character Charlie, it’s clear the author loves dogs. I absolutely devoured/loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!

#NetGalley #LevelBestBooks #CindyGoyette

My Goodreads review:

Diamond in the Ruff: A Wiggle Butt Manor MysteryDiamond in the Ruff: A Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery by Cindy Goyette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked Charlie’s character a lot especially when I found out what all she’d gone through that led her to come help at the dog hotel. That was a fresh and different spin on a cozy main character and an eye-opening reality that some things we usually equate with older people do hit younger people if it’s a hereditary thing.

Charlie didn’t seem to let her physical limitations own her and worked on other strengths. That Aunt Jo-Jo was such a hoot! I could just picture her knocking down road cones with her wheelchair at rehab lol. When Charlie and the part-time teen employee found a body, everything seemed to go sideways. I was so sure of the whodunit and was surprised at the twist that came toward the end. What a showdown, but Charlie did a good job controlling the perp. The very ending was pretty sweet and now I can’t wait for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Level Best via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Hounding a Killer review

This is the second book in the Bailey the Bloodhound Mysteries by Kallie E. Benjamin, better known to her cozy mystery fans as Valerie Burns or V.M. Burns who writes two of my other fave series, Baker Street Mysteries and Mystery Bookshop Mysteries, respectively. Bailey had me at the get-go when I borrowed the first book from the library, but I was thrilled to get approved this time to read and review an ARC of this second book. My review below says it all, and I can’t wait for the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

Hounding a Killer (A Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery, #2)Hounding a Killer by Kallie E. Benjamin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Pris and all her friends’ characters! I really enjoyed that first book, but this one might just be even better. There was so much going on with Pris juggling a looming deadline, wanting to investigate but not let Gilbert know and being one of three adults watching over three tween-age girls, one of which was boyfriend police chief Gilbert’s own daughter. No pressure there, Pris, lol.

Bailey was at his sniffing best as he found clues and alerted when help was needed. The showdown was a good one and Pris’s pitching arm was still in great form. Everything that hadn’t been explained came out at the end as did Pris’s newest manuscript. I loved the title “The Case of the Dancing Dachshund” since I’ve got my own little dachshund who dances for food, lol. Very much hoping this series continues because I’ve definitely not read enough about Pris, Bailey and all their friends, I need more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC provided via NetGalley by Berkley Publishing, and my opinions are my own.


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Fatal Brouhaha review

This is the fifth book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan, and I’ve enjoyed each one of the series and how the characters changed and developed. One character never did change and I’m just grateful the author decided to do what she did to him. 😉  I can’t wait to read the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

Fatal Brouhaha (A Ground Rules Mystery #5)Fatal Brouhaha by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d been waiting since the get-go to see something happen to Sage and Harley’s nemesis who was such a condescending jerk. He truly deserved what the author had in store for him, thank you Ms. Duncan! But Sage had an extra interest in sleuthing this one, to keep the police off Harley’s back since she and the victim had argued publicly.

Sage faced off with yet another killer after getting the final clue from a really unlikely source, which she rightfully credited later on. Thanks to her quick thinking and some nearby security personnel, Sage lived to see her wedding day. It’ll be interesting to see what she and her pals get into next—if they don’t get into murder and mayhem on the honeymoon lol.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley and my opinions are my own.

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Booked for Revenge review

This is the second book in the Tomes & Tea Mysteries, a spin-off from the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries by Karen Rose Smith. Even if you haven’t finished Daisy’s series, you won’t be lost in this one, take it from me who’s been meaning to get back to Daisy but…there’s so many cozies I wanna read. Jazzi’s an awesome character on her own and once again didn’t disappoint.

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My Goodreads review:

Booked for Revenge (A Tomes & Tea Mystery Series Book 2)Booked for Revenge by Karen Rose Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I read the first book I swore I was gonna get back to the Daisy’s Tea Garden series and try to get that more caught up, but here’s the second Tomes & Tea and I’m still no closer. Although reading it did make me interested in continuing the original series. Jazzi’s a great character and definitely learned a lot from her mom who’d sleuthed when Jazzi was just a teenager.

I’m sure Daisy would’ve been proud of Jazzi during the showdown and what she did to the perp to get away from them. Jazzi and Oliver were cute together as well as Dawn and her new guy. Not sure who I prefer Jazzi with, but I know I don’t wanna see this going into a triangle. Not a fan of triangles at all.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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