Strike Out 4 Murder review

This is the eleventh book in the Sophie Kimball Mysteries by husband and wife team J.C. Eaton aka Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp. They always do such a great job of entertaining with this series and others they’ve written, and this book definitely didn’t disappoint! Enjoy it now because it’s available today!

My Goodreads review:

Strike Out 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery #11)Strike Out 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh, this series is constantly so much fun! I’m always laughing as I read the hilarious antics of Phee’s mom and her friends…and who could forget their sidekicks, the pinochle guys? And little Streetman’s a fave of mine, but I’m little biased because I love dachsies and dachsie mixes. My dog’s behavior’s not a whole lot different from Streetman’s, except she doesn’t bite.

Shirley got the spotlight this time around since she was the target. I just love that lady and she always cracks me up with the stuff she says. It was so sweet her friend lent her a Great Dane for protection. Once again, the case eventually was connected up nice and neat with the case that Nate and Marshall were on. The perps sure went to lotsa trouble for what they were into, but the dead guy was even into something worse. Take an afternoon and treat yourself to another fun visit to Sun City West! And Phee’s the voice of sanity there if you need a little bit of that too! 😉

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

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A Killer Unleashed review

This is the fifth book in the Lowcountry Dog Walker Mysteries by Jackie Layton. I binged through the first four last year and was so worried the fourth book was gonna be the last. I was sure happy to find out the series continues with this fifth book. Andi Grace’s got such an awesome doggie daycare and dog services business and we always get a new dog to love and usually rehome in each book. Can’t wait until the next book!

#BeyondthePagePublishing #JackieLayton

My Goodreads review:

A Killer Unleashed (Low Country Dog Walker, #5)A Killer Unleashed by Jackie Layton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy to see this series continue that I jumped at the chance to get it on NetGalley. It was great getting back to visit with Andi Grace and all her friends. Prep for the double wedding for Andi Grace and Marc and Andi’s bestie Juliet and Juliet’s fiancé Nate (who’s Andi Grace’s brother).

This was a twisty mystery with lots of secrets so I never really had a clear idea of whodunit although I had my hopes lol. I always love all the dog activity going on and how previous characters like Marc’s pal Lincoln and Lacey Jane’s dad Ike are included. In fact, Ike’s kinda front and center when he’s all the sheriff’s got for a main suspect in this murder–even though Andi Grace pretty much knows Ike’s no killer.

The showdown was a good one and the complete explanation afterward is always the best! I really hope the series continues so Lacey Jane and David can welcome their baby. And that double wedding oughta be something else! I hope Andi involves dogs in it somehow!

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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Grilled 4 Murder review

This is the tenth book in the hilarious Sophie Kimball Mysteries series written by husband and wife team J.C. Eaton also known as Sun City West residents themselves, Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp. I felt so bad for them when I read how the inspiration for the rascally Streetman, their Streetboy, had gone to Rainbow Bridge. I’m happy he’ll live on in silly Streetman who now has a little partner in craziness! It’s always so fun to get lost in the world of Sun City West and the ever-patient Phee who has to deal with everything.

#JCEaton #BeyondthePage

My Goodreads review:

Grilled 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery, #10Grilled 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery, #10 by J.C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sun City West book club ladies and their buddies the pinochle guys were in rare form this time! There’s never a dull moment where either group is concerned, and there was plenty of hilarity to go along with it. Harriet and the ladies especially had an agenda since Paul and Herb were the top suspects in a guy’s death. The side stories that went along with it, especially little Streetman finding himself a cat friend just added to the usual craziness!

I love all these characters and think it’s pretty awesome that the couple who writes this series actually lives out there. I’ve heard them talking online about how everyday life is sometimes fair game to make it into a book, lol. I’m really crazy about Streetman, although in real life he probably wouldn’t like me that well since he doesn’t seem to like anyone except Harriet lol. Now that he had a partner in crime and mischief, there was no stopping him! The whodunit kept me guessing until the reveal. I absolutely can’t wait for the next in series. It’s always a barrel of fun!

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

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Killers of a Feather review

This is the second book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio who also wrote the Nick and Nora Mysteries and Cat Rescue Mysteries. I really enjoyed the Cat Rescue Mysteries but haven’t yet read in Nick and Nora (although I have some of them.) I’m really liking this new series which was actually rebranded and renamed from the original version of the first book. Beyond the Page Publishing is who the author’s using now for Urban Tails, and I love the book covers!

#BeyondThePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Killers of a Feather (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries Book 2)Killers of a Feather by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seemed like it was sooo long since I got to visit with Shell and friends at her shop in Connecticut, but according to my reading record, it looks like it was around a year ago. I absolutely love Aunt Tillie’s cat, Purrday that she left to Shell. It’s almost like Purrday knows Aunt Tillie probably wanted him to keep that good eye of his on Shell and keep her safe. ‘Cause he sure does a good job of that! Who’s a good boy? Purrday’s a good boy!

This was a super twisty mystery that kept me guessing the whole way. I love how Shell and Gary sleuth together. He cracks me up and reminds me of Castle from TV with his bouncy goofiness and enthusiasm for solving cases–and being ruggedly handsome helps him get info sometimes. I like that he’s dating Olivia though. I’m not sure I’d want him and Shell as a couple, but there’s definitely a different kind of chemistry with him from acting together than Shell has with Josh. She and Josh seem cute together although we don’t get to really see as much of Josh interacting with Shell as we do Gary. It was so hilarious to read his reaction when Shell’s mom came to stay for a while, but I think deep down he was loving the attention as much as her mom was!

There were some tense moments in the showdown, but thanks to a certain adorable one-eyed Persian, Shell lived to see another day. I was laughing at the very ending and now I can’t wait to see what kind of hilarity takes places in the next book! Just wish we didn’t have to wait a year!

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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Simmering with Resentment review

This is the eleventh book in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber. I’ve enjoyed all the series I’ve read by her and her pen name of Avery Aames (The Cheese Shop Mysteries). This series is probably my favorite since it’s such a long-running one and has the most books meaning the most opportunity to spend time with some favorite characters.

If you love this series like I do, then you won’t be able to resist this latest offering. Are ya ready for a wedding? Let’s go!

#BeyondthePagePublishing #DarylWoodGerber

My Goodreads review:

Simmering with Resentment (A Cookbook Nook Mystery #11)Simmering with Resentment by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this newest installment in a favorite series! When a beloved restaurant had an explosion, Jenna couldn’t help thinking it was the person who’d blown up the other restaurant where Rhett worked and wondered if they’d been targeting her and him since they were having their private dinner at the time. I just knew Rhett was gonna be okay, but I still worried a little, lol.

There were plenty of suspects to consider, and Jenna had a whole bridal expo to do sleuthing in. Along with being a bride herself and wanting to enjoy part of the expo, Jenna had an agenda despite Cinnamon’s usual warnings. I thought Cinnamon was especially nicer to her in this book. I know they’ve become friends, but probably since things were aimed at Jenna and her sweetie, Cinnamon felt a little more protective/sisterly of her.

It was like I knew but I didn’t know whodunit and that’ll make sense once anyone reads it. The showdown was exciting but not drawn out too long to make readers overly nervous lol. And the ending was just perfect!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. I usually end up buying the book eventually since I do love this series.

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Saddled Up 4 Murder review

This is the ninth book in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series by J.C. Eaton aka husband and wife team of Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp. I love that they actually live in Sun City West, AZ and know firsthand what it’s like to live there from the weather to the neighbors and tourists.

I’ve learned more about them from being in a Facebook cozy mystery group they’re part of, but you can read their bio in the link above. I’ve read a couple books in their Wine Trail Mysteries series and really like those characters too.

#BeyondthePage

My Goodreads review:

Saddled Up 4 Murder (A Sophie Kimball Mystery, #9)Saddled Up 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always end up laughing when I read a book in this series. Between the book club ladies and that little scamp Streetman, I’m always giggling at something! I can just picture Phee running around like she’s putting out fires first with the ladies, then her mom, and having to deal with Streetman’s just the icing on the cake, well for comedy reasons, not for Phee’s sanity, lol.

I wasn’t sure how horse thefts and the murder at hand connected, but I was pretty sure I was gonna find out because these authors are great at tying up loose ends and making things connect just right. I loved how Streetman got to play a pretty important part in one section of the takedown. He’s such a stinker but it’s good he’s like that sometimes! I hadn’t guessed the killer either. Ann and Jim are always good for a great surprise.

I know the series switched publishers, but I’m so happy the covers remained fairly the same. While the art looks a touch different, it’s still captured the cuteness and rascally-ness of Streetman as well as the Arizona landscape. I literally can’t wait until a future book with Phee’s wedding, but I’m really more eager to see what Streetman does. I’m sure his picture on the cover’s going to be awesome since Harriet’s already got his outfit planned. If it was ever possible to feel like a second fiddle at your own wedding, I have a feeling Phee’s gonna feel like that, lol. But it’ll be such fun!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

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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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