So Many Books, So Little Time...

Hey everyone! 

So, I've taken some time for me this summer, for learning new things, lots of hockey (yes in the summer!) and other things.  I've been reading, though not as much as I normally have. I got as close as being 3 books behind schedule for my 100 books read that I challenged myself on Goodreads, and currently I am sitting at 5 books behind schedule though I do have 2 that I am almost finished!  I always have a couple of books on the go and read them depending on the mood that I am feeling.  

I've been getting ready and creating things for the Christmas craft shows this fall, and we've got tables in 3 of them so that is where some of my free time has been going.  It makes me want to read cozy mysteries about knitting and crocheting!  

I've got a backlog of reviews that I have to get done, and really will just need to take a day and punch them all out and get them posted properly.  My *plan* is to have most of them finished up by Friday.  Let's see how that goes, I also have to start getting some pickles made and other canning projects.  I really should make another blog for all the other things that I get involved in.... maybe someday soon :) 

Hope you are all enjoying what is left of the summer! 

Review: Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery Book 1) by Vicki Delany

Now Available: 

In Canada

In US

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Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany is the first book in A Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series.  First off, what a wonderful cover! I don't always speak about the covers of books when I am writing a review, but... I just had to mention it.  There's something about it that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I love Christmas, and even though I'm reading this in August, it's put me in the Christmas spirit! 

Merry Wilkinson had lived her dream with a great job in the big city. But she's since moved back home to Rudolph, New York aka "Christmastown"  where she is the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures, a wonderful store filled with beautiful creations made by local artisans.  It's Christmastime all year round in Rudolph, and we find ourselves at the semi-annual Christmas parade (Because they have it every 6 months, can't forget about Christmas in July!) and the tractor that is supposed to pull Merry's float has been sabotaged! And she was a favourite to win the best float prize this year.   When she stumbles across a body in the park, her best friend, Vicky, is implicated in the murder and it's up to Merry to figure out who the real murderer is and if all these strange happenings around town are related or just a string of coincidences.... Can Merry discover the truth before the Grinch steals Christmas from Christmastown? 

What a great start to a series! The characters are likable, fun and quirky.  I was able to picture myself transported to Christmastown, wandering through Merry's shop with the beautiful glass ornaments, handmade train sets and beautiful jewelry.  They mystery was fun to try to solve, there is no shortage of suspects and I was left guessing right to the end.. and still got it wrong!  Filled with lots of laugh out loud moments, I didn't want to put this book down and would have finished it all in one day had I not started it so late in the day.

This is definitely going to be a series I will be following and I am very much looking forward to the next installment! 

Review: All-Butter Shortdead (Prequel. Oxford Tearoom Mystery Book 0) by H.Y. Hanna

Now Available!

*Free for a limited time!!* 

In Canada

In US

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All-Butter Short Dead is the story of how Gemma comes back to Oxford and sets up her lovely new business, The Little Stables Tearoom.  There is also, of course, murder afoot! Gemma is the prime suspect when the mysterious stranger that she sat next to and befriended on her plane ride home is murdered. It's now up to her to clear her name and find out who the real killer is! 

Whether you read this prequel before you actually start the series, in the middle of it, or after you've finished the current installment it truly does not matter.  It can be read as a standalone book and won't ruin anything in the series.

I was really excited when I received this book! I'm already a huge fan of the series (as you know!) and this peek into how everything came about was just my cup of tea. It was fun reading the history of how things actually started, and some insight into how her relationship with "The Old Biddies" started, and of her first meeting of good old Muesli :) 

As with Hanna's other books in the series, there are lots of great laugh out loud moments and I did not want the story to end.  It's a great little story to tide me over until the next book is released, which I am looking forward to immensely! 

*This book was being offered by H.Y. Hanna free at the time of posting. I don't know how long it is going to be free so head on over and download it and get started!*

Review: Grilled For Murder (Country Store Mysteries #2) by Maddie Day

Now Available:

In Canada

In US

In UK 

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  

Grilled For Murder by Maddie Day is the 2nd book in the Country Store Mystery Series. In the small town of South Lick, Indiana, Robbie Jordan has turned a run down store into a wonderful, successful restaurant in which she also sells retro cookware called Pans n Pancakes.  She's stayed open late to cater a welcome home party for Erica, but the next morning when Erica turns up dead... in the STORE!... it's up to Robbie to figure out who hated Erica enough to commit the crime, and there is no shortage of suspects! 

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery it really has everything that a good cozy should!  There are some really great characters, a wonderful small town setting and a great mystery that will just keep you guessing! I loved the local dialect, I admit it did take a bit of getting used to, but that's part of what makes the characters unique.  I wanted to read it as quick as I could, but at the same time I wanted to slow down. I wanted to know what happened, but just didn't want the story to end.  

I liked this book so much that I went online right as I finished it, and purchased the first book in the series "Flipped For Murder"  If you are a cozy mystery fan, I definitely recommend this series, you won't be disappointed!