Review: The Secret Life of Winnie Cox by Sharon Maas

First I'd like to thank TBC for giving me an ARC of this book to review for an honest review. 

This isn't normally the type of book that I read, but I jumped at the chance because I've heard some great things about this book. It is a story of forbidden love between the teenage daughter of a wealthy sugar plantation's master and a black teenager who works at the post office.  It captured me from the beginning. I won't lie, I found it difficult to read at times with the treatment of the workers... slaves in everything but name... working and living conditions, the cruelty they endured.. It's very eye opening and thought provoking, to think what it would be like to live in that world. I think it takes a great writer to be able to bring you into their story, feel what the characters feel.. and Sharon Maas does just that. 

Review: Murder Most Wholesome by Staci mcLaughlin A Blossom Valley Mystery Book 5

Publish Date: February 23rd, 2016

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 

This is the first book that I have read by Staci McLaughlin and I really enjoyed this cozy mystery.  Murder Most Wholesome is the 5th installment of A Blossom Valley Mystery Series and I had no problem reading this before any of the other books in the series.  

The book centers around our main character, Dana, who works in marketing for the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa in Blossom Valley.  Dana accompanies her friend and cook for the Farm and Spa, Zinnia,  to the local farmers market to pick up supplies and they run into Zinnia's old flame, Birch.  He's back living on the commune that he and Zinnia lived in all those years ago. (wait, there's a commune? It seems like everyone knew about this commune in the area except Dana) Birch and Zinnia haven't seen each other for 20+ years, and when he turns up murdered in her yard the next day, she is heartbroken and understandably unable to go to work. Dana, who lives off of frozen meals, takeout, and lots of other unhealthy snacks, has to step in and prepare the healthy and organic meals. Easy right? Oh, along with doing her regular marketing duties and solving the 'whodunnit'  

There are some fun, laugh out loud moments in this book and it kept me turning the pages.  I like that the main character isn't involved with someone on the local police as many of the plots of other cozies have. In fact, most of the book centers around Dana and her friends investigating, the police are just in the background. I didn't guess the identity of the murderer right away, there were lots of clues pointing to several suspects.   There are lots of fun and quirky characters and I am looking forward to going back to read the others books in this series.

Review: Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Publish Date: February 26, 2016

I was given an ARC of this book from NetGalley for an honest and unbiased review. 

I must have been living under a rock for years because this is the first book that I have read by this author. I have seen the 2 movies that have been based on previous books over the holidays and was eager to begin to read the series. When I saw this on NetGalley I was so excited to receive a copy! 

In this, the 19th book in the series, Hannah is competing in a national baking contest being broadcast on The Food Channel right before her wedding. Her sister, Michelle, is serving as her assistant and will be travelling to New York for the contest with her. When the network calls and informs her the competition will be taking place earlier than expected, she also learns of the added twist that the winner of the first part of the contest will have the show move to their home town for the remainder of the show. What a great advantage!  Hannah has to let her mother and sister look after the wedding plans since she now has to turn her full attention to her recipes and winning this contest.  She is the only home baker among a group of trained chefs.  Along the course of the show, one of the judges turns up murdered, and Hannah feels it is her duty to investigate and find out who the murderer is, since her sister was the one to find the body. I enjoyed the premise of this immensely since cooking and baking shows are also a favourite of mine, along with cozy mysteries, so this was the best of both worlds!  The story didn't have a lack of suspects, and all of the characters in Hannah's circle got involved in narrowing down her list of suspects.  I didn't guess the identity of the murderer at all, and really had no clue who it was until the author revealed it.  

The love triangle had me a bit confused to be honest. But again, this is the first book that I've read so it's understandable.  Hannah has left 2 men heartbroken, but they seem to be able to put their feelings aside throughout.  

I love when recipes are included in cozies, but it seemed like there are a LOT of recipes in this book, more than any cozy that I've read before.  But I have to say, I do want to try several of them! And I am looking forward to going back to the first book in the series 

Review: Dead In A Dumpster by B.L. Blair (A Leah Norwood Mystery Book 1)

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest and unbiased review.  

Dead in a Dumpster is the first in a new cozy series.  

It is the first book that I have read by this author 

and I was not disappointed!

Leah Norwood is the owner of Scents and Sensibility, along with her 2 best friends. When she discovers a body in the dumpster in the alley behind hers and the neighbouring shops, she immediately becomes a suspect along with several others in the community.  A second body is found, again by Leah, who has decided it is up to her to investigate these murders.  There are many twists in this mystery and there is never a shortage of suspects.  There is an interesting love triangle that is developing and it will be fun to see how it all plays out as the series continues. I look forward to the next in the series! 

Review: Tea With Milk And Murder by H.Y. Hanna An Oxford Tearoom Mystery Book 2

Tea with Milk and Murder is the second installment of the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries series, and it is every bit as good as the first one was! Gemma Rose finds herself in the middle of a mystery once again when a student at a cocktail party dies and it turns out she was poisoned.  All of our favourite characters are back including the "Old Biddies" who come to Gemma's rescue more than once.  Her mother has discovered the convenience of online shopping and Gemma never knows what is going to end up being delivered to the tea room! Muesli, our favourite kitty cat has more of a staring role in this second mystery than the first which made me very happy. The mystery itself was full of twists and turns and I kind of thought I knew 'whodunnit' but it kept me guessing. I don't want to give away any spoilers, you need to read this because honestly you won't be disappointed!  I was given an ARC of this book by the author, H.Y. Hanna for an impartial review and I am very thankful for the opportunity! I can't wait for the next in the series to be released!!