Review: Muffins And Mourning Tea (Oxford Tearoom Mystery Series Book 5) by H.Y. Hanna

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Muffins and Mourning Tea is the 5th book in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries.  H.Y. Hanna once again brings us a truly wonderful cozy mystery. Each book in the series is better and better, for me anyway! I seriously can't get enough! 

When we pick up where we left off with Gemma, she's now moved into her own quaint little cottage, enjoying her freedom and privacy. But of course, Gemma's mom, being who she is, has decided that she needs some plants to liven up the place ... and so starts the hilarity! 

Unfortunately for Gemma, she's again dragged into a murder investigation when she inadvertently on the scene where an Oxford Student is killed during the early morning May Day Celebrations.  Her employee Dora's friend Miriam, asks her to look into it. After all, she's looked into all the previous murders recently hasn't she? So, along with The Old Biddies, Gemma sets out to solve the case, even though her boyfriend CID Devlin O'Connor insists she has to stop interfering in investigations.  

There are some absolutely incredible laugh out loud moments in this book, especially with The Old Biddies and the Krav Maga class they take part in! I think this is one of my favourite scenes in the series. We can't forget dear sweet Muesli, she's also got some antics up her kitty sleeves, and I hope to see more of her actions as a therapy cat. On the flip side, there is quite a bit of tension building up between Gemma and Devlin... and while it hasn't been completely resolved by the end of the book, I am hoping it is soon into the next one! 

Again, as with the other books in the series, there are lots of red herrings and just when I thought I knew whodunnit, there was another twist. This makes for a very enjoyable book, I love trying to figure out who the murderer is and was wrong yet again! 

I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the series, and am hoping in the next one there will be more interaction between Cassie and Seth.  There is a great potential story there and I can't wait to see how that all unfolds.  If you're looking for a great cozy series, look no further. The Oxford Tearoom Mystery Series fits the bill and I highly recommend it! 

I received an ARC for an unbiased and honest review.

I Finally Caught Up!

It's been a busy couple of weeks! Between getting some things organized, getting some crafts done for a few craft fairs, watching hockey tryouts (not mine! haha) and other day to day boring things... I finally did it, I am actually 4 books ahead of my Goodreads Challenge to read 100 books this year! From being behind to getting ahead.. well I'm pretty excited! I've read some pretty great books, and a few not so great, but that comes with the territory. The good thing is, that means I have some great reviews to post! 

So in the coming days, watch for reviews of books by some great authors, including H.Y. Hanna's "Muffins and Mourning Tea",  Mark Edwards' "The Devil's Work", M.A. Comley and Tara Lyons "The Caller" just to name a few! 

And now that summer is officially over and done with (boooo!) it's time to get back to the grindstone and get back down to a regular schedule.  So, I'm off to get more reading done, and get some more reviews ready to go.  

Happy reading! 

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

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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: Till Death Do Us Tart by H.Y. Hanna (Oxford Tearoom Mystery Book 4)

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**Missed my reviews for the previous books in this series? You can find them by clicking each link: Book 1, Book 2, Book 3**

Till Death Do Us Tart is the latest in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries Series by H.Y. Hanna. The "Old Biddies" are at it again and take it upon themselves to investigate the latest murder. Only, is it murder? They have decided that it is, and have involved Gemma's mother in the case! But, the victim's own doctor was on the scene of the 'crime' and ruled that the death was due to natural causes. But now, Gemma has been convinced, and of course our favourite Tearoom owner can't let someone get away with a crime unpunished! Can she convince Devlin to change his mind and begin an official investigation, all while dealing with some strange happenings in her very own 

tearoom kitchen (Was that an explosion?!?) 

and looking for a new place to live?

From the very first book, this has become one of my favourite cozy mystery series and I look forward to each and every one! H.Y. Hanna's characters are fun and quirky, and I really love how the book flows, filled with just enough suspense, crazy antics (I just love those old biddies!) and laugh out loud moments. The interaction between Gemma and her mother, I think is perfectly written, I can just imagine the frustration Gemma feels, even though she knows her mother has her best interests at heart. I was able to figure out the culprit a bit easier this time than in some of the previous books, but it's well done and there are lots of clues that lead you this way and that. It was a fun journey figuring out ohh I WAS right! and oh THAT'S how it happened! There are some great new characters introduced along with our old favourites and I am hoping to see a few of them possibly in future installments of the series. (I won't say who I mean, since it may be a partial spoiler really. If they are in future stories, they couldn't be involved in the crime... or, could they?) The romance isn't overpowering or 'in your face' either which is enjoyable. I like Gemma and Devlin's relationship, it's realistic and circumstances what they are, I like how it's playing out. Oh and I can't wait to see if Seth finally confesses his feelings to Cassie or if she is going to figure it out all on her own! There are lots of ways that story line can go, I enjoy both of these characters and hope they make many more appearances in the future.

I would love to visit Gemma's tearoom, and with the inclusion of some recipes I (and other readers) am able to taste some of the delicious treats they serve. While reading the stories (all of them, not just this one) I can picture everything.. the scenery, the buildings, beauty of the gardens.. I just love the writing style and completely appreciate the talent of an author who can pull you into the story.

The Oxford Tearoom Series is everything that a cozy lover wants! They are all 'can't put it down!' books that you are sorry when they are done.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great cozy mystery! Grab a cuppa and enjoy :) If you've not read any of the books in the series, I suggest you grab the first one and get started, you will not be sorry!

**Thank you to H.Y. Hanna for sending me an ARC for my honest and unbiased review**

Review: Two Down, Bun To Go by H.Y. Hanna

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(If you missed my reviews of the previous 2 books in the series, you can find them HERE and HERE)

If you are looking for a fantastic cozy mystery series to read, look no further! 

Two Down, Bun To Go is the third installment of the Oxford Tearoom Mystery Series by H.Y. Hanna.  

Right from the start, you are drawn into the book with Hanna's excellent story telling, well rounded characters and laugh out loud moments.  

Gemma gets a strange late night phone call from her friend, Seth... begging, pleading with her to help him.  Of course she has to help Seth, they've been friends forever!  As it turns out, Seth ends up being arrested for murder (but.. he could never commit murder... or... could he??) and who ends up being assigned to the case, none other than  CID Devlin O'Connor!  Gemma begins looking for clues to the real murderer (no matter what Devlin says!) and of course the "Old Biddies" are there to lend a helping hand.  Gemma has her hands full, with Museli getting into mischief, trying to find a new baking chef for the tearoom, trying to solve a murder mystery all while trying to figure out her love life since she's caught between two wonderful men.  

This series just gets better and better with each book. As usual, I was completely drawn in to the story and loved revisiting some of my favourite characters.  I really do love the "Old Biddies" and can picture them holding court in Gemma's tearoom.  The relationship between Gemma and her mother is hilarious as ever and doesn't disappoint.  As for the mystery, I wasn't able to piece together the whodunnit until quite late in the book, and there isn't a shortage of suspects or twists to keep you wondering. There were some moments where I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen, it got pretty intense!  During the entire book, I was wanting to read faster to see what was going to happen, all the while wanting to read slower because I didn't want it to end. Another fabulous book!  

I recommend this to anyone who loves a good cozy mystery, you will not be disappointed! I look forward to the next installment in the series. 

Thank you to H.Y. Hanna for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  

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!! 

Have you ever?

Have you ever wanted to be a writer? As someone who loves to read... I've often wondered what it would be like to be an author, able to tell wonderful stories with quirky characters, solving mysteries and getting themselves out of trouble. I think it would be fun, the whole process with coming up with the plot, developing each character and weaving their fates together...  Someday maybe I will travel down that road, but for now I am lucky enough to be able to read some amazing stories by some very talented authors, and to be able to review their wonderful stories.

I was surprised and honoured the other day to find out that one of my reviews of a recent book that I've read by H.Y. Hanna called "A Scone To Die For" (Oxford Tearoom Mysteries, Book 1) was sent out in her newsletter along with excerpts of her book. I was reading her newsletter (of course I'd subscribed to it while I was reading her book, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss any of her new works!) when I came to the part where she had posted a couple of reviews of her book I thought "whoa wait, I wrote that!"   I'd reviewed her book on my blog as well as on the website Goodreads.  It's so exciting to know that the author of a book that you've really enjoyed has read what you've written about it, enough to share it with others!

I think that it's important that if you like a book that you are reading, that you write about it and let the author know how much you are enjoying it. I'm sure they will appreciate it!  Feedback is important to an author, to let them know the good and the bad.  Be tactful, and be kind with your feedback. It's okay to say you don't like something, it's all in how you say it. Just remember, authors are people too!  

And now it's time on this blustery snow day to get some more reading done... My TBR (to-be-read) pile is huge and I've got a mountain of pages to read, new stories to find with and characters to fall in love with.  What are you reading today?

Review: A Scone To Die For (An Oxford Tearoom Mystery) by H.Y. Hanna

Publish Date: January 22, 2016

I absolutely loved this book! 

This is one of, if not THE, best cozy mysteries I have read. The descriptions of places and people are fantastic. As I read the story I could picture being there, sitting in the tearoom, or in the University.  The characters are developed really well. The relationships are explored and explained... characters aren't popping in for the sake of needing a character. (I love the descriptions of the exasperation that Gemma has with her mom and always forgetting her ipad password, it's bang on!) 

The mystery is well played out, and kept my mind going the entire time. It wasn't obvious until it was revealed (to me anyway) and I like that in a book.  And that little kitty, Muesli.... awww  I didn't want to put this book down!

I can't wait to read the next book in this series! 

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.. and I'm so glad I was!