good friends and family – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

A Dark and Snowy Night review

September 22, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the sixteenth book in the Seaside Knitting Society (formerly known as Seaside Knitters when they were with another publisher) written by Sally Goldenbaum. I’ve loved every one of these that I’ve read and I’m nowhere near being caught up, but for some reason I can’t resist getting the newest ARC when it’s available. #NetGalley This group of friends is definitely a bunch of ladies I could get along well with, especially their love of awesome food and camaraderie. I’d be worse than Cass at knitting but knowing me, I’d try it, lol.

#KensingtonCozies #SallyGoldenbaum

My Goodreads review:

A Dark and Snowy Night by Sally Goldenbaum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always super enjoyable to join this group of four friends who’re basically like sisters of various ages. I love how they gather to talk about the case at hand and compare sleuthing notes while they’re knitting or talking. Their guys are pretty incredible too, and I love Cass’s description of having Ben, a retired lawyer by your side if you need to talk to the police (probably not the exact quote): “It’s like taking your favorite teddy bear to the principal’s office.”

The more I got into the book, I had a feeling I knew whodunit and was right. Toward the end with more clues coming together was when I guessed what else was going on in a couple of mixed-up people’s lives. Izzy’s a real champ at calling and getting info from people, lol.

The side story with town curmudgeon-but-brought-cookies lady Luna was really good! She was one lady you didn’t wanna cross, yet she had some incredible patience going on with new knitters or just anyone who needed her. She was one of those surprising and interesting characters that crop up in books sometimes. I wouldn’t mind her popping in again–she’s a real character!

As sideways as the showdown could’ve gone, at least it didn’t and Nell was able to calmly talk with the involved. I love how everything’s always explained over fellowship and food and the end! It’s like their supreme reward for having another killer put away. I always leave one of these books wishing I didn’t have to and with the proverbial book hangover. Don’t miss its release on September 27! When there’s not a murder in Sea Harbor, it’s pretty darn magical at Christmastime!

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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The Diva Says Cheesecake! review

May 28, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fifteenth book in the Domestic Diva Mysteries, a long-running series by one of my fave cozy authors, Krista Davis. It’s always great to visit Old Town Alexandria and hang out with Sophie and her crew of assorted faithful friends and all their pets. She’s got the best network of friends and it seems like there’s someone for any job that needs done or any problem that needs solved by talking to one (or all) of said friends. I love when they all convene at Sophie’s house and talk about the case. It’s always fun to hear their opinions and theories as to whodunit.

As always, I can’t wait till the next book and wish it was sooner than a year. But if I need my fix from this author, she’s still got two more new releases for this year with her other cozy series.

#KensingtonCozies #KristaDavis

My Goodreads review:

The Diva Says Cheesecake! by Krista Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great visiting with Sophie and her crew of friends again. I loved how she and Nina did a lot of the sleuthing together that involved dog walking, but Soph still went out on her own enough to keep her friends worried about her. Sophie’s got an amazing network of awesome friends and I love that she’s got a good relationship with her ex as well.

Sophie’s also a smart lady who only ends up in weird situations because she’s so driven to get to the truth. She’s actually the only main character in a cozy that I haven’t wanted to fix up with one of the guys because Mars, Bernie and Wolf already are there for her. She had her dating spree with Wolf and stayed friends with him too which turned out great for her.

I had my eye on someone I thought whodunit from fairly early and just kinda watched it play out trying to stick to my choice, and it ended up being right! This mystery was so good and full of twists that I could picture it as a light-hearted mystery movie. I’ve really come to like Natasha’s mom, Wanda, Charlene and Griselda who’s Wanda’s business partner. Poor ole Natasha just can’t win though, lol and she honestly without trying does provide a lot of the comedy relief. Don’t miss this fun and sometimes funny fifteenth installment of the Domestic Diva series for sale this coming Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

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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Killer Words review

November 27, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the awesome Mystery Bookshop series by V.M. Burns (aka Valerie), another of my fave authors. I’ve loved this series since the first book, and each book makes me love it even more. These are some of the funniest and best characters in the cozy mystery world. How ’bout that Irma? She’s such a hoot! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book!

PS: If you’re wondering why I used a koala image, you’ll just need to read the book!

My Goodreads review:

Killer Words by V.M. Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy, was this a good one! Poor old Stinky Pitt who was always a thorn in Nana Jo and Sam’s sides needed someone to prove he didn’t kill a guy. That was a pretty tall order as the evidence started rolling in, but the ladies were all convinced someone was pulling a frame job on their frenemy.

I really like how things were progressing between Sam and her sweetie Frank. And I just love all these regular characters! They’re like coming home to old friends. No book would be complete without the whole group going, “Irma!” when Irma was always about to say something a little raunchy, well maybe a lot sometimes, lol. The ladies all crack me up, and I think sweet Ruby Mae is related to half the state of Michigan. There was a side mystery with some internal corruption going on in either the town or police department…maybe both! I won’t spoil it and let you read for yourselves.

Everyone we love and care about in the series seemed to be in a really good place at the book’s end, but I’m hoping this isn’t really the end end, and that Sam, Nana Jo and the others are gonna return in a new book very soon! Or whenever the usual time is for releasing this series. Don’t miss this book! It releases this coming Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

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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