Tag: chocolate and book shop

Nutcracker Nightmare review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Killer Chocolate Mysteries by Christina Romeril, and I’ve really enjoyed both the first book and this one. It’d probably be helpful to read the first book before reading this or at least I think it makes for the most enjoyment to already know the characters and townspeople by the time the second book rolls around. It was so easy to fall right back in love with this Christmas movie of a town, but cute as it looked there were tons of secrets to be had. Someone was willing to kill to keep their secrets–and what’s up with the mysterious blogger who seemed to know everyone’s business? Were they gonna get caught as well? You’ll need to read to find out!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #ChristinaRomeril

My Goodreads review:

Nutcracker Nightmare (Killer Chocolate, #2)Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

During a reunion event and dinner, a bunch of high school drama was still still affecting people who were definitely old enough not to act that way or care about old grudges etc. When one murder followed fairly soon by another rocked the peacefulness of the village’s Christmas season, Alex wasn’t about to listen to the sheriff and stay out.

Despite a couple scary things happening to her as well as wondering who the mysterious gossip blogger was who eerily knew things before the police informed people, and wondering what was up with Tom, Alex managed to crack the case and lived to sleuth another day thanks to a clever gift from a friend. I’m happy with how things ended between the twins and their guys and can’t wait to see what happens in next year’s 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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Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates–review

Tari Hann

This was a fun mystery and who doesn’t love chocolates? At least these weren’t the kind that can put weight on me because I definitely didn’t have any real ones hanging around when I was reading (oh darn!) lol.

My Goodreads review:
Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates (A Chocolate Covered Mystery #1)Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates by Kathy Aarons

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you never thought you could get hungry reading about a murder, think again. The descriptions of the chocolates and making them as well as some recipes will make you crave chocolate while reading this (unless for some reason you just don’t like or eat chocolate). There were lots of fun twists and suspects in this book and I’m glad our online book club chose it to read for February.

Michelle Serrano and her bestie, Erica, own the store Chocolate and Chapters. Michelle is a chocolatier and makes delectable confections while her friend runs the bookstore part of the operation. It’s almost Memorial Day weekend which means the Arts Fest and the first ever Fudge Contest are coming up soon. In the middle of all the planning fun, there’s a damper put on the festivities planning when the body of a friend and fellow small business owner turns up in Michelle’s chocolate kitchen. Since the woman was a photographer, the two amateur sleuths, Michelle and Erica start wondering if she has some photos that someone was willing to kill her to keep from showing them. Then to add to Michelle’s stress, famous star chef, Hillary Punkin, is supposed to make an appearance at their fudge contest.

Erica’s brother Bean aka Ben is a famous reporter come home for now. Since Michelle used to have a crush on him and I’m sure he had one on her too, they hit it off even though Michelle doesn’t really want to admit it. The local cop Bobby and Erica have some history as well but I hope that in the next two books maybe they can get pas their differences since later in the book they did talk about what happened before their graduation.

I loved how this little cat would just appear sometimes. Michelle called him Coco but he must have been more of a community kitty because it turned out he was called by two other names by two other local businesses.

The mystery was so good I didn’t want it to end. There were a a couple other intertwined mysteries along with the actual murder (and a second body). I had guessed different parts but didn’t have the whole picture so it was fun to read it as it all came together and made sense. The ending was exciting and justice was served up, literally. You’ll have to read it to see how the fudge contest went and also to see what Hillary thought of Chocolates and Chapters! I was sad to hear there are only two other books in the series so I will have to savor them slowly just like fine chocolates.

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