Caught and Collared review

This is the fourth book in the Lowcountry Dog Walker series by Jackie Layton, a series I recently rediscovered after seeing and getting this ARC on NetGalley. I already had the first book and knew I’d be able to binge through the first three before reading this. In fact, now that I’ve read all four, I strongly suggest reading from the beginning. The series is more like a serial story that has characters, relationships and even a new dog or two in each story that all build on each other. Sometimes a person or dogs are just randomly mentioned, but it’s really cool to be able to think back and know you’ve already met those or read about them. And some of the people you might not’ve thought would be important when you met them turn out to be pretty important to a book’s storyline.

I just love the series so much that if I had time and not a gazillion other books on my WTR, it’d be one of those series I could easily reread. I hope the author keeps on writing in it as I feel some of the main characters and side characters still have lots of great stories to tell!

I found a picture of a beagle that made me think of poor sweet Peanut in the story who lost his human but eventually gained a new dad to love and take care of him.

My Goodreads review:

Caught and Collared A Low County Dog Walker Mystery #4Caught and Collared A Low County Dog Walker Mystery #4 by Jackie Layton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love how the character and their relationships have built in this series. It’s definitely a series I’d recommend starting from the beginning. Leroy, for example actually became a pretty important character in this book, but a couple books ago, he was just that guy out there fishing. Same for Jeremiah and Frank, two veterans that I’ve liked since I met them. And Ike’s another veteran and a sweetheart, but you really need to get his backstory before reading this book, if you want full enjoyment. The series is more like a serial story without cliffhangers, if that makes any sense.

Marc and Andi have such an awesome relationship that isn’t too mooshy or unbelievable. They’ve learned mutual trust and I thought it was sweet how they had some plans for gifting that included her siblings. Andi’s whole posse of friends and family are so amazing with how they help each other out in the community. And again, it’s told in a believable way and not bigger than life and not outrageously flaunting how good they are. It’s just normal nice people doing everyday nice things for each other expecting nothing in return except the love and friendship they all enjoy.

This was one crazy mystery that had everyone puzzled until Andi’s research led her to something big. It all built up to an exciting showdown where both Marc and Andi along with two very cool veteran characters managed to survive a killer.

If Heyward Beach with its characters and places was real, I’d visit in a heartbeat and rent part of the renovated old kitchen building–or maybe I’d wanna stay on the beach. Now I’m so eager for the next book. I’d gotten and read this book as an ARC but liked it so much, I went ahead and bought the Kindle file. I just want the author to keep writing this series!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Easter Bonnet Murder review

This is the twenty-eighth book (can you believe it’s been that long?) in the long-running Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier. Lucy’s sure come a long way from Zoe not even existing yet in the first book to this one where she’s headed off to Portland for her own apartment and first career job. Good old Miss Tilley gave a little scare in this book though as you’ll find out when you read it.

#kensingtonpublishing

My Goodreads review:

Easter Bonnet Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #28)Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was lots more enjoyable than a few of the more recent Lucy Stone mysteries. With Miss Tilley having a big role in it, it seemed like the old sleuthing Lucy rather than some of the newer, more politically-driven mysteries. I like plain old regular mysteries the best, and Lucy definitely had one on her hands with the missing person at the retirement center and dealing with her very upset daughter. Lucy hun, you need to hang your PI shingle out once and for all! Ooo that’d be a great retirement career for Lucy down the road.

That Miss Tilley always cracks me up! I was thinking she’d realistically have to be over a hundred seeing how long ago this series started, and in those first books I’m pretty sure she was described at least in her eighties if not close to ninety. However old she might be, she’s sharp as ever and nothing gets past her. Lucy had Miss T and Miss T’s new friend Howard helping snoop out some things at the facility, but she eventually realized it might get too dangerous once she realized something more serious than double billing was going on.

The showdown was great! I loved seeing those seniors in action against a perp who’d taken out one of their own. There were a few side things going on at the retirement center that I’m sure “off camera” got taken care of since they were unfortunately the unsavory things sometimes heard about at retirement homes. Another side story that was kinda cute was Zoe hunting for the perfect apartment for her move to Portland. Everything ended nicely, and Lucy got one heckuva story out of what she’d uncovered.

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

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Bear a Wee Grudge review

This is the fifth book in the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear series by Meg Macy. It quickly became one of my favorite series. I mean, who doesn’t love an adorable teddy bear, right? I’m not sure I’d want to be in on the making and sewing of said teddy bears, but I’d sign up for testing them for cuddling!

There was such a sweet surprise toward the end of the book, and now I can’t wait to read the next!

My Goodreads review:

Bear a Wee Grudge (Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery, #5)Bear a Wee Grudge by Meg Macy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No festival in Silver Hollow would be complete without the seemingly-requisite murder. (At least it was of someone mean and nasty!) But the worrisome part was the detestable detective Hunter zoning in on Sasha’s dad as his only suspect. Call in the reinforcements, Sasha’s back on the case!

This was really a wild and confusing case with any number of people who’d have wanted to kill the dead guy. The man’s widow was a real piece of work! At least the detective that Sasha knew from a previous case, Mason was around this time and available to relay information to. She really didn’t have to deal with Hunter much. The showdown was super exciting, and a couple of people had a good hand in helping.

Toward the end, there was the sweetest surprise, and now I absolutely can’t wait to read the next book!

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

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Murder at the Lobstah Shack review

This is the third book in the Cozy Capers Book Group series by another fave author, Maddie Day aka Edith Maxwell. As Maddie, she also writes the long-running Country Store series featuring Robbie Jordan, one of my favorite main characters. This series is really growing on me, and I love the setting having since I’ve never been to Cape Cod but would love to go someday. I can’t really say more about Lobstah Shack without giving away something, so I’ll just leave you to read my GR review below. Eagerly waiting for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

Murder at the Lobstah Shack (A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery 3)Murder at the Lobstah Shack by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fun series that keeps getting better. I love that Mac and Tim were getting closer and even Mac’s wrapped her brain around marriage and a family much better than she would’ve in the first book. Mac’s pet parrot Belle cracks me up with how she imitates everyone and picks up catch phrases. She’s definitely a different type of pet for a main character, lol. I enjoyed it whenever Mac would interact with her sweet little niece Cokey. Just reading how she is with Cokey, I have no doubts that Mac’s gonna make a really awesome mom someday.

The mystery was a tough one, and I really thought it was cool how the author put in a little nudge to a friend author of hers, Barb Ross who writes the Maine Clambake series. Yes, I read acknowledgements, lol. As with this author’s Country Store series, I always think I have the perp right, but boom! I’m wrong…and loving it! I’m eager to see what’s happening next in the series!

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

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Claret and Present Danger review

This is the fourth book in the Literary Pub series by another fave author of mine, Sarah Fox. She also writes the Pancake House Mysteries which I love. I enjoy the play on book titles she’s been using for the Literary Pub Mysteries along with the awesome characters who feel like old friends now. I can’t wait for the next Literary Pub book to come out and only wish it didn’t have to be a whole year!

My Goodreads review:

Claret and Present Danger (Literary Pub Mystery #4)Claret and Present Danger by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great to visit Shady Creek, VT in the summer during the Renaissance Faire. While working on clearing her employee of the latest murder, Sadie and Grayson got even closer. I loved that he gets her and her need to be nosy, but he’s still sweet and protective while giving her space. I love how things had developed between them by the end of the book! And they both had enough employees now that they could take off for little bits of time together without feeling too guilty about it.

I had a feeling I knew whodunit when the book was fairly close to being done, but I didn’t really have the why. The showdown was exciting with an even better takedown. I only wish these books came out more than once a year, because now I’m excited to read the next book. I know Sadie’s mom is planning a visit. All I can say is she’d better like Grayson as much as everyone else does, lol.

This book releases next Tuesday, November 30. I really think this one was the best so far. All the characters now seem like old friends to me even though I’m sure we’ll continue learning new stuff about them throughout the series.

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

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder review

This is the third book in the Catering Hall by Maria DiRico who’s better known as Ellen Byron who wrote the Cajun Country series that just ended. I’m absolutely loving this new series and hope it runs as long as Cajun did! It’s fun, hilarious and all about close family ties, well sometimes that includes Family too. 😉 This Christmas installment was really awesome. I’ll just let my Goodreads review do the talking!

My Goodreads review:

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder (A Catering Hall Mystery Book 3)It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Maria DiRico
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my favorite of the series yet! It doesn’t hurt that it’s set at my fave time of year, but it’s got everything I’ve been loving about this series and then some. There were plenty of funny scenes, and the scene at the spa when Mia and Cammie went, let’s just say part of that made me laugh out loud. Ever since the first book, the voice of Nanny Fran Fine became Mia’s voice, and now I can’t read it without picturing her, lol. And Cammie makes me think of her friend Val. It seemed like they did a lot more together in this book which added to the fun and hilarity. Cammie and her ex, Det. Pete crack me up!

There was plenty of great action too, and I couldn’t help thinking Mia was lucky to have friends like the Boldano family. I got such a kick out of her enjoying having the perks of Jamie dating Madison, a fashion influencer whose help at a party the banquet hall held made a sixteen-year-old girl very happy. I just love everything about the whole storyline even if it veers off the mystery momentarily because it’s either funny or just an awesome family/friend or banquet hall party moment.

I wasn’t sure about the whodunit, so I just followed along with Mia. The showdown was exciting though! And with the magical Christmas Eve that Mia got, I’m so eager now to read the next book!

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

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Deck the Donuts review

This is the sixth book in the Deputy Donut series that I’ve literally devoured (no donut pun intended, honest!) since the series beginning. It’s written by Ginger Bolton also known as Janet Bolin, author of the older Threadville series. I’ve come to think of this little family of characters as close friends by now, and I’m always eager to see what they’re up to. Christmas in Fallingbrook just seemed magical and just what you’d expect a cozy mystery Christmas to be like. And speaking of magical Christmas, isn’t that just the most awesome book cover? Little Dep is always so cute on these covers!

Oh and on September 23 on her Facebook page, the author announced that @Kensington Publishing signed her for two more Deputy Donut books, seven and eight! Yippeeeeee!!! I dug on FB till I found that info on her page again because I wanted to be completely sure I’d read it right!

My Goodreads review:

Deck the Donuts (A Deputy Donut Mystery Book 6)Deck the Donuts by Ginger Bolton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an awesome and festive Christmas mystery! I could easily picture the village square with the ice sculptures (minus the dead body, of course!) This was one tough mystery to even think about picking whodunit, so I just read and enjoyed. The person I was a little worried about being the perp wasn’t, so I was happy about that, lol. I really loved that Ivan the big dog that belonged to the DCI detective and her sons got to be a hero in the showdown. And boy, what an exciting showdown that was! I could picture it playing out as a TV mystery movie.

The whole thing could’ve been a Christmas mystery movie though with Brent having that awesome ski chalet. I got a kick out of the two older ladies in Emily’s neighborhood who remained nameless, like guardian angels in the background. Emily knew the one lady as pruning shears lady, and the other was referred to as snow angel since she helped the bus tour guide staying with Emily.

I was incredbily happy with the ending of this book! All I could think of was wow, it’s about time! I can’t wait for the next book!

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

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Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas review

This is book #2.5 of the Kitchen Witch series by Lynn Cahoon who also writes the Tourist Trap Mysteries, Farm-to-Fork Mysteries and Cat Latimer Mysteries, all of which are among my favorite cozy mystery series. I really enjoy the novella idea to sort of tide us over between main books, and since Christmas is my fave season, I was definitely eager to read this and not disappointed at all!

My Goodreads review:

Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas (Kitchen Witch Mysteries, #2.5)Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a sweet Christmas story and mystery! Mia’s ghost friend Dorothy needed her help, and with a deadline attached to it, being the good friend she is to everyone, Mia squeezed time in between her Christmas party/open house and tons of delivery orders. Dorothy might’ve been just a ghost, but she’d always been pretty nice to Mia-and we know our girl can’t resist a puzzle, right?

Lots of secrets came to light, but a happy ending was enjoyed by Dorothy and someone else who was very deserving of a merry Christmas. I had slightly suspected the perp, but it was great how Trent and Mia sleuthed it out together. I love these novellas in between the main stories of the Kitchen Witch series. (The author also does it with some of her other series). Even though we aren’t seeing a full-size Christmas mystery, the author packed it with festive fun, and I never felt like anything was missing. Can’t wait for the next book whether it’s regular or another novella. I’m really loving these characters!

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

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Mistletoe Cake Murder review

This is the sixth book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe by Lena Gregory who also writes the Bay Island Psychic series. Both of these are two of my very favorite series, and right now I’m caught up in both of them just waiting for more fun adventures to come along. I can’t believe it’s been six books since I first read about Gia and her bestie Savannah helping her get used to life in Florida after living in NYC.

This is the first Christmas that Gia’s acctually counting as having in Florida since she’s feeling way more at home with tons of great friends who are probably better to her than some family would be. Gia does still get creeped out by the thought of creatures in her woods near her house–can’t say I blame her for that at all because we both share an intense dislike of snakes, bugs and stuff like that as well as that eww factor! (We’re in good company though, think of Indy Jones!) Oh, I found a picture that made me think of  inside Trevor’s mansion and how he’d have decorated.

My Goodreads review:

Mistletoe Cake Murder (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, #6)Mistletoe Cake Murder by Lena Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my favorite book in the series yet! The mystery leading up to Savannah and Leo’s wedding was a good one and if anything, it kept Savannah busy instead of worrying about details which their awesome friend Trevor had covered anyway. I’m with Gia, I hope we see wedding bells between him and Zoe sometime soon! He’s one of my favorite characters and needs a happily ever after.

I kind of had a feeling all along of whodunit, but falling for the red herrings was still fun and seeing Gia and Savannah in sleuthing action’s always worth it. The showdown was great and featured our two fave couples.

I loved how nearly the whole town was gathered in Trevor’s magical setting for Savannah and Leo’s wedding. All our favorites were there like Earl and his family, Cole and Cybil as well as Willow and her mom Skyla. Trevor had gone all out, and with the author’s gift of just the right amount of description, it was so easy to picture this amazing Christmas Eve wedding. Get a tissue ready, because the ending is sweet, funny and absolutely perfect!

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

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Digging Up Trouble review

This is the first in a brand new series by a new-to-me author named Kitt Crowe who has a great sense of humor in her writing, right up my alley! At least we don’t have to wait a whole year for a book because the next is scheduled for June of 2022, and I’ve been approved by #CrookedLane Publishing to read it. I loved some of the TV and pop culture references these friends tossed around along with their crazy and fun banter.

My Goodreads review:

Digging Up Trouble (A Sweet Fiction Bookshop Mystery Book 1)Digging Up Trouble by Kitt Crowe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this author’s wicked and fun sense of humor! It comes out in the form of her main character Lexi of course, and that girl cracked me up so many times! I loved it when she got together with besties Cat, Teri and two members of their bookclub for sleuthing. Stefanie was such a hoot, and her bestie Alison was a quiet but super knowledgeable lady having been an librarian before she retired. I liked that the run-ins Lexi had with Det. Berg were never to the point where he actually yelled or got overly angry. I thought the man was really pretty darn patient with Lexi and her snooping, lol.

There were so many possible suspects and just as I thought one person did it, I changed my mind. Lots of great red herrings and boy, what a showdown! Cookie, Lexi’s adorable dog (with klepto tendancies) ended up being a hero–I always love when the pet saves the day! There was a good twist I’d definitely not guessed although I wasn’t terribly surprised by something else. I did like this so much I requested the next book as an ARC that comes out June of 2022. Now that the book club has one case under their belt, I’m eager to see what they do with another.

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

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