Tag: amazing friends

Picking Up the Pieces review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Jigsaw Puzzle Mysteries by J.B. Abbott, a pen name for the writing team of Brian Tracey and Jeff Ayers. It appears from the GR bio page to be the team’s first cozy mystery effort and I think they really nailed it! I hope they’ve got a second book in the works because I’ll definitely be reading it.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane

My Goodreads review:

Picking Up the Pieces: A Jigsaw Puzzle MysteryPicking Up the Pieces: A Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery by J.B. Abbott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katie’s friends all cracked me up! They were the most loyal group of people and all so fun and different, from Mildred who was ninety to Hannah who was still in high school. But they made up the puzzle crew who did puzzle testing for the company Katie worked for. And when there was a murder, they sleuthed together like they’d been amateur sleuths all their lives. Everyone’s particular talents came in handy too.

I felt that Katie was being unnecessarily harsh on Connor at times when he was being sweet and supportive. Then when the entire story of their breakup revealed something else, I really thought she owed him an apology. But once the showdown was over and the perp was caught, it seemed like there might be some hope for the two, even if they just start over as friends at least. And you can always tell who’s worth keeping around when the cat approves! 😉

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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A Body at the Book Fair review

Tari Hann

This is the sixth and final book in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander, best known for her Bakeshop Mysteries. Although I really liked her Sloane Kraus Mysteries too and the Pacific Northwest Mysteries she wrote as Kate Dyer-Seeley. Word around her newsletter says she’ll be reviving that series soon! You can find her social links and her website links on her Goodreads page shown above. 

Back to the Secret Bookcase series, while it’s ending with book six, it’ll be continuing as Novel Detectives Mysteries and I’m super excited to read that. I highly recommend reading Secret Bookcase Mysteries in order to get the whole experience of how the characters changed and developed. I’m so glad these amazing characters get to continue on! 

#NetGalley #EllieAlexander #StormPublishing #SecretBookcaseMysteries

My Goodreads review:

A Body at the Book Fair (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #6)A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve absolutely loved these characters and was so sad at first that this was scheduled to be the last book in the series. But doing a little Nancy Drew digging of my own especially after reading what Annie and Fletcher’s plans were, I asked the author (replying to one of her newsletters) telling her how much I enjoyed the series and guessing/hoping there’d be a spin-off. Which she graciously told me I was right, then the most recent newsletter confirmed the new series was with our fave characters with a new series name. And I can’t wait to dig into it!

Annie had a book convention to go to, but she and her friends had an ulterior motive of that final step it was gonna take to bring justice to her friend Scarlet after ten long years. Justice was totally sweet in an epic showdown with the killer. I loved the side coffee tasing trip that Pri and Liam did. She’s come a long way from being so snarky to him to actually being a good pal now, and I’m sure Annie’s glad she’s got her bestie’s approval of her man. Pri was a hoot after having all that caffeine though as she rambled on and on, a little comic relief during the murder investigation and leading up to the showdown. I’m so glad that instead of goodbye, we just have to tell these characters ‘see ya real soon!”

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

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Fudge and Marriage review

Tari Hann

This is the thirteenth full-length novel in the Candy-Coated series by Nancy CoCo and it’s been a fave series of mine that I’ve followed from the beginning. I even got to go to Mackinac Island seven years ago and took the latest at that time book in the series with me to read there, it was too cool. I loved the Island Bookstore and got to see the library that was part of the scenes in this book. I can’t wait to go back someday!

Technically, Amazon’s calling the book of previously released Christmas novellas book 13 and labeling this as #14. Goodreads has the book of novellas as #12.5 so whichever numbering floats your boat, there you go, lol.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #NancyCoCo

My Goodreads review:

Fudge and Marriage (Candy-Coated, #13)Fudge and Marriage by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Allie’s mom and relatives showed up too early for Allie and Rex’s wedding, I was ready to have a word with the woman myself, lol. But Jenn as bestie and wedding planner went to bat for Allie more than once, and I was proud of Allie herself for finally standing up to the ridiculousness her mom insisted on with some things.

And of course it wouldn’t be our Allie without her getting involved in a murder investigation. I’ve been to the Mackinac Library and thought it was really cool that some of the scenes were in there—such an awesome place! Unfortunately outside was where the murder scene ended up and this time I hadn’t guessed whodunit at all.

Allie and Rex are always gonna always remember their wedding day, that’s for sure! What a crazy showdown and Allie had a cool sleuthing buddy in the form of the only non-uppity aunt she had. I’d love to see Aunt Ginny visit again sometime, she was pretty awesome. Thanks to her good island friends and sweet Rex, Allie and he got their happily ever after as planned. I didn’t want this book to end but as always, the excerpt of the next book at the end kinda serves as a little bridge to make the Mackinac magic last just a little longer. I 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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A Side Dish of Death review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop mysteries by T.C. (Toni) LoTempio and it’s another series I’ve enjoyed from the very beginning. I love how Shell’s former co-star, Gary, of their spy series has stayed around and now he’s dating her bestie, Olivia. And the murder taking place at an event that featured a murder mystery and dinner was just too fun.

Shell and Gary always make for great sleuths, who knows, maybe the TV show gave the two some practice they never thought they’d use in real life, lol! He’s a hoot and totally reminds me of Richard Castle from TV–he likes to cook and sleuth plus he’s crazy fun.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

A Side Dish of Death (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries Book 5)A Side Dish of Death by T. C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love Gary’s character! He always cracks me up. Luckily he’s dating Shell’s bestie and only doing sleuthing with Shell now instead of how he originally hoped they could be together. Shell’s super happy with her detective boyfriend who’s come to appreciate her and Gary’s help even if it’s just being a runner for something. This was the summertime version of characters stranded in a place with a storm raging outside, technically a hurricane. Purrday and Princess Fuzzypants were their usual good kitty helpers and found clues and even got to help when it was needed most. The showdown was a crazy one and led to the following day being spent with food and friends while Shell, Josh and Gary filled in everyone on the excitement. Can’t wait for the next book! This is one of my fave series.

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

View all my reviews