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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A Dash of Death review

This is the first book in the Catering & Cocktails Mysteries by Michelle Hillen Klump who’s a former investigative reporter herself just like her main character Samantha Warren. I definitely can appreciate when an author writes what they know about. And I’d never heard of drink bitters, so I learned a little something new by reading this. It’ll be interesting to see how the new catering and cocktails business goes in the next book.

#crookedlanebooks

My Goodreads review:

A Dash of DeathA Dash of Death by Michelle Hillen Klump
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really different hobby, soon to be a job for a main character, at least that I’ve read. It seemed interesting, although I gotta admit I’m not really interested in drink mixing and tended to skip those details, but she definitely had a lucrative thing going for her. I enjoyed her two besties characters more than I did Samantha’s at first. Maybe she’ll grow on me more in the next book, but it just seemed weird to me that she’d go crying to her ex every time something went wrong. Now I just love David and really hope they’ll end up together. He’s got his head screwed on right, lol. I started liking Sam’s character a little more after a point in the book. I won’t give that away, but you’ll know when you read it!

I’d guessed who the killer was, but I wasn’t totally sure why. The showdown was pretty exciting and ended in injuries for Samantha, but I was proud of her for her bravery. There was some good news about a new business partnership at the end, and I was happy to see that maybe Samantha and David might get a chance together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases February 8, 2022.

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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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Up to No Gouda review

This is the first book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries, a brand new series by Linda Reilly who also wrote the Deep Fried Mysteries and Cat Lady Mysteries. I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read of those series as well, but I absolutely devoured (yes, grilled cheese pun intended!) this book! I just loved Carly’s little work family! And sweet Havarti was a great addition! (Hint: he’s on the book covers!)

I just had to share what I found on Goodreads! The second book is scheduled to come out July 26, 2022, and the cover’s completely adorable! It’s called No Parm No Foul, so just tap or click that link and check it out.

#PoisonedPenPress

My Goodreads review:

Up to No Gouda (Grilled Cheese Mysteries #1)Up to No Gouda by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this book even more than I first thought I would. I wasn’t sure how a restaurant in a cozy could be that interesting with only grilled cheese, but this was a fun surprise. I’m not one to experiment with grilled cheese. Kinda a plain American singles and if I wanna be adventurous, a sprinkle of cheddar inside. But I loved the names of Carly’s different creations, and that Grant was just a genius in the kitchen! Carly, Grant and Suzanne had a great dynamic in the restaurant…that is, until poor Suzanne was nearly charged with murder.

There were some side mysteries that did tie in with the main one, and it was pretty cool how Carly managed to sniff it out. I’d suspected someone randomly for my own reasons and was surprised when I was right. But there was another whole layer to things done and people caught for said things. I got a kick out of that crazy guy Don, the reporter and how Carly had babysat him once. The Dennis the Menace of the twenty-first century? lol. But he seemed like an okay guy now.

You know how awesome some books are, and you just want more after the showdown and perp or perps were caught? And in some books you get it and some you don’t. This book was incredibly generous (thanks to its amazing author) in providing just that perfect wrap-up ending. I really loved and appreciated how every single dangling thread was explained so thoroughly. One of my favorite characters was Becca, a homeless veteran. I have a special place in my heart for veterans (LOTS of them in our family!) and was so happy with her good ending! This is a book that if I had time, I could easily read it again! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. Don’t miss this book when it comes out January 25, 2022!

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A Fatal Family Feast review

Hey there, Happy 2022 and thanks for reading my blog in 2021. I’m excited to write more ARC reviews for 2022 starting with the sixth book in the Farm-to-Fork Mysteries by one of my favorite cozy authors, Lynn Cahoon. This series quickly became a favorite of mine because just like with her other series, there’s a great sense of family and togetherness. Family is first, and it doesn’t matter if you’re related or not. The theme is that good friends who work and are friends can be family as well. This book is out today and published by #KensingtonPublishing.

My Goodreads review:

A Fatal Family Feast (Farm-to-Fork Mystery, #6)A Fatal Family Feast by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Weddings and murder definitely don’t mix, especially when the murder affects the bride’s family without being a member of said family. Angie was determined her bestie was going to have the best wedding day ever, so she quickly got on the case. Once she had a suspect, she didn’t let go this time. It was really more about how the perp was caught as opposed to whodunit which after piecing things together did seem obvious. I liked the game of cat and mouse that was set in between all the regular activities Felicia and Angie had to get in before the wedding.

The showdown was really good, and the book’s ending was even better! I hadn’t seen any of that coming, so there was definitely some happy eye leakage going on while I read. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

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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Christmas Dessert Murder review

This is actually a compilation of Book 20 and Book 23. I’m not sure why it was given a number like a new book, but fear not, Hannah fans. Joanne Fluke has brand new book 29 Caramel Pecan Roll Murder coming out later in February. I was actually excited for a new Christmas mystery and gotta admit I jumped on the ARC before I completely read about it, lol. ::face palm:: Good lesson huh?

But hey, this is still Hannah, Christmas and yummy dessert and food recipes. And don’t forget Delores! She always cracks me up and provides the crazy banter needed whether she’s talking to her kids or her sweetie/hubby Doc. These were really neither my favorite books but not my least favorite ones either.

My Goodreads review:

Christmas Dessert Murder (Hannah Swenson #28)Christmas Dessert Murder by Joanne Fluke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First of all, I’m not sure why this is numbered as a regular new book, because it’s not new. I’ts simply a compilation of two previous Christmas themed books, Christmas Caramel Murder #20 that was published in 2016 and Christmas Cake Murder #23, published in 2018. The thing both had in common was that they were both written as flashbacks. Luckily, we do get a brand new Hannah coming in February, but maybe since the tradition has always been to have a Christmas themed book, that could be why this one was put together. (I honestly didn’t notice it myself until after I’d already committed to it.)

I can’t say either of these books were my favorite mysteries in this series, but you’re still going to drool over the amazing-sounding recipes inside along with all our favorite characters. Lake Eden at Christmas always does seem very magical, but in this small town, murder doesn’t take a vacation. If you haven’t read either #23 or #20 and are collecting them all to read, this seems like it’d save a little over buying the books separately.

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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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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The Enemy You Gnocchi review

This is the third book in the Italian Chef series by Catherine Bruns who also wrote the Cindy York Mysteries. Catherine also writes the Cookies & Chance series and some of the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries, both of which are published by Gemma Halliday Publishing.

The Italian Chef series is published by @Poisoned Pen, and I have to send kudos to the artist of this latest book cover. It’s my favorite cover so far, and I really hope this style continues. It just embraces the cozy mystery theme so much better! And Christmas cozy mystery book covers with cute pets on them are my weakness, lol. Looking very forward to the next book!

I found the picture of the cat in a Google search and couldn’t help thinking this is probably what Luigi would love to do with Tessa’s presents!

My Goodreads review:

The Enemy You Gnocchi (Italian Chef Mysteries Book 3)The Enemy You Gnocchi by Catherine Bruns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was Christmastime in Harvest Park with a lights festival going on along with all the festive trimmings, but Tessa had a murder to contend with when the creepiest guy in town was offed at the lights festival. Did he have mob ties…or was it one of his string of exes?

I was happy I’d recently read the second book, so I was totally ready for this one and super pleased with the ending. Sometimes I was ready to headslap Tessa for not wanting to let herself fall for Justin in a more-than-friendship way, but I figured she’d finally come around because I know she’s got an awesome author 😉 There were quite a few suspects, and the whodunit was definitely a surprise for me. It was an exciting showdown that led to a quick brawl in the snow before Tessa got the upper hand.

Tessa did have an epiphany along the way which led to an even better story ending. I’m so eager now to read the next book, but I’m thinking we’ll probably have to wait at least a year since this series hasn’t been releasing more than that. These are some good characters who’ve become friends, and they’re definitely worth the wait.

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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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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