Review: All Murders Final! by Sarah Winston

**Updated... Now Available!!** 

Publication Date: April 26, 2016

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Wow what a fantastic read! Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. I am so glad that I was approved for this one!! It's been a while since I've put down a cozy mystery and just went, wow!  

All Murders Final! is the 3rd installment of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery Series.  Sarah, with her love of garage sales, has decided to start up an online 'virtual garage sale' site.  She sells her own items, assists her clients with sales for a commission, and allows others to post their items and business promotions as well.  What she didn't bargain on, was the online drama and craziness that sometimes accompanies such ventures! Or murder! 

After arranging to meet someone to purchase one of their sale items, Sarah finds the woman dead in her driveway. And it's not just any woman, she's Margaret More, pillar in the community! When she's sent a picture of herself standing in front of the dead woman in her car on the photo sharing app, PopIt, she realizes... she's not alone, there's someone else here! 

Sherry Harris grabs you from the very first line in the book. And right then and there you're hooked and drawn into the story.  The characters are very well developed, and there is no shortage of suspects. This book has it all... murder, possible stalker, online threats, drama of online sales sites, a love triangle (just enough, not so much that you're beat over the head with it) even a smattering of the mob and lots of twists and turns! Even when I thought I had it figured out.... wrong! Another twist to throw me for a loop. I love when I can't guess the 'whodunnit' until the very end.  Definitely a must read for all you cozy mystery lovers! 

Review: An Unfamiliar Murder by Jane Isaac

This is the first of Jane Isaac's books that I have read, but I can tell you that it definitely will not be the last! 

Anna arrives home after work, and to her surprise finds the body of stranger in her apartment.  Of course she becomes the first suspect, but her alibi checks out. Then new evidence brings her back to the forefront of the investigation.  Leading the investigation is DCI Helen Lavery. It is her first murder investigation and she is determined to bring the guilty party to justice.  I won't include any spoilers, you'll need to read it for yourself to find out what happens. You will NOT be disappointed! 

I was drawn right into the story, and found myself not wanting to put this book down.  It was very well written, and the mystery to who the murderer really is, is not easily deduced which is a definite plus for me. I can't wait to read more about DCI Helen Lavery! She is balancing work and family life, and all of the craziness that goes along with it. It will be interesting to see if there is more written about her family life and how she copes with everything.  

Special thank you to TBC (THE Book Club) and Jane Isaac for giving me the change to receive this book for an honest review. 

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! 

Review: To Keep A Secret by Brenda Chapman

This is another novel by Brenda Chapman about PI Anna Sweet.

Anna's partner, Jada Price is missing and it's up to her and the new hire at the company, Nick Roma to find her.  When Jada is found (hiding out with her teenage brother, Henry) Anna is in the middle of a new mystery, the murder of teenager Mandy Blair and a secret internet dating site.   Anna needs to work pretty quickly. Henry's life depends on it.

Once again Brenda Chapman does a great job of developing characters in a relatively short amount of time.  We revisit some repeat characters like Anna and her father and sister, Jimmy who was first Anna's fiance and ended up married to her sister, and get to learn more about Jada who Anna teamed up with at the end of "My Sister's Keeper"  and the mysterious newly hired Nick.

I was able to figure out one part of the story relatively early but then there was an unexpected twist that made everything more exciting.  Chapman has a style of writing that just kept me interested and wanting to read the story faster to find out what was going to happen.  Another really great, quick read, 2 big thumbs up!

Review: Snow Way Out by Christine Husom

I really like this new series by Christine Husom.  Her characters are very believable and it's easy to get wrapped up in this great story. I ended up reading it all within a day because I just didn't want to put it down!

Main character Cami Brooks returns home to take over her adoptive parent's snow globe shop. It's an easy decision for Cami to come home and help her parents with her mother going through chemotherapy sessions, and a scandal which she was involved in involving a Senator in Washington (never mind that she was falsely accused!) Her friend Pinky who runs the coffee shop adjoining her store decide to put on a snow globe making class. Drama follows Cami around because after the class was completed, there was a ruckus between some of the students and teacher (you'll have to read to find out!) After everyone leaves and Cami stays behind in the shop to get a bit of work finished up before leaving, she comes across a snow globe that she'd never seen before.  After locking up, she walks home in the park (alone... Cami what were you thinking?) and stumbles across a dead body. The scene was exactly the same as the one in the snow globe she'd found!

There are lots of great twists to the story line and the characters are very quirky and likable.  I have to admit I was able to figure out a few things early on, like all the whispering between Pinky, Erin and Mark.  I can't wait for the next installment of this series and wonder how long it will take before Clint and Cami end up together.  I think this series could go a long way, it's got great potential!

Author Giveaway! Ends 8/5/15 at Midnight!

Would you like a chance to win an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the first book in a brand new cozy mystery series? Author Kay Finch is generously giving one away! All you need to do is click on the picture below to be taken to Finch's Facebook page. Share the post on Facebook and she will be drawing 1 random winner to be announced on Thursday Morning (8/6/15)

Good luck!! 

Review: Tear Drop by Joanne Clancy

Kindle Edition, 501 pages

Expected publication: August 27th 2015

I received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley in exchange for my impartial review of this book.

5 Stars! This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning.  Former detective Elizabeth Ireland was the lead detective in the case against serial killer Ross Campbell, AKA Tear Drop over 10 years ago, when he disappeared off the grid.  Fast forward to the present, when a letter which is delivered to high profile reporter Brendan Mahon, signifying that Campbell is back.  When the murders begin, Ireland assists with the case, but she knows the letter wasn't written by Campbell.  She can't say how she knows, she just does.  But can she convince the others that it isn't Campbell and find the real killer? She is right, isn't she, it couldn't possibly be Campbell...

The plot of this story is excellent, truly well thought out.  I was pulled into the story and really couldn't put it down.  There were twists and turns along the way that kept me guessing and I found myself really analyzing the story, looking for clues while I was trying to solve the mystery along with Ireland.  Full of suspense and surprises, this book will not disappoint.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about murder, mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.
This is the first time I've read anything by this author but I can assure you this will not be the last!

Review: If It Bleeds by Linda Richards

When reading the summary of the book on the back cover, I was immediately drawn in and thought  this sounds like it's going to be a pretty intense book.  But I should have realized, being part of the 'Rapid Reads' series, that there really wasn't enough time for all of the intensity that the story had the potential to be.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good plot line with some interesting characters that the main character, Nicole Charles, interacts with.  Some things did really stand out for me while reading it though, how for her gossip column she had to make sure to get enough 'boob shots' because you know, that's what the readers want.  Or the fact that when she submitted her story to the editor, Mike, about the murder that both she and crime reporter Brent Hartigan were covering, that she received no recognition for the pictures that were printed, that Hartigan literally took her opening to the story and claimed it for his own.  Mike, when confronted, backed Hartigan's decisions on the story.  Later in the story, Nicole comes upon a big break in gaining information... she breaks into the murdered artist's studio. Did the police not find out the deceased had a studio, would they have not found this information? Was Nicole not worried about being charged with breaking and entering?
There were a lot of little things like this that just didn't hold true for me, but overall it was still a decent story. Perhaps some of the seemingly useless information that was spoken about in the book will be referred to in future novellas about this character.

It took me less than 2 hours to read this novella, recommend for a quick read when you're just looking for a quick moving  mystery to occupy your mind.

The Whirlwind Continues

So I seem to be on a huge reading kick, which really is wonderful since I am more than 20 books behind on my goal to read 100 books this year. Yesterday we went for a nice long drive and I brought along the latest book to capture my attention called "Button Holed"
I know the saying is "Don't judge a book by it's cover" but I actually do. I can usually tell by the title of the book along with the cover design if it's a book that I am going to enjoy or not. Don't get me wrong, I will still read the descriptions of the books and read the first page or so to see if it grabs me, but a clever title and an interesting cover design will get me every time. Especially with a cozy mystery. They are the cutest!
ANYWAY... the story is about Jo, an expert button collector and the murder that happens in her shop. The beginning pages captured me right away and I was hooked. As it turns out, I got an email from my library that I had a book requested and it was there waiting for me and it was one of the next books in the series. So on the drive (I was the passenger NOT the driver don't worry!) I finished "Button Holed" and even started the other book that I had with me.

I seriously need to update my goodreads page with reviews and such, and I will be creating a new shelf for 'what I've got on loan from the library' to keep track. I think I currently have 14 books out!

Happy reading!

Currently Reading: A Deal To Die For

And I am back on track now!
My library card is renewed and I went on a borrowing spree from the library. My current book on the go is titled "A Deal To Die For" by Josie Belle, the 2nd in her series of "The Good Buy Girls"

I completely enjoyed her first in the series called "50% Off Murder" and I am excited to start the next book. Her characters are so likable and like me, love to get a good bargain and clip coupons. They are somewhat of kindred spirits for me, though my shopping sprees are for less 'fancy' clothing items.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries then this is definitely an author that you should give a try. Her books aren't boring and the story moves along well. There is a good mix of comedy along the way and I found myself wondering what was going to happen to these ladies next.

I am 28 books behind on my reading goal for this year, so I hope that my short attention span will let me catch up a bit each month. I've borrowed about a dozen books or so from the library so... here's hoping I don't have to renew! ;)

Until the next update, happy reading!

A Delayed Update

I've been quite sick for a bit and haven't really been able to update anything. So I've been on a huge reading spree, I've read at least 6 books since my last update here and have 3 more on the go. I am also battling a short attention span, I am having great difficulty getting into longer books. Which I need to break free of, there are so many books that I want to read...

I've been captured by another new author that I have tried reading, her name is Elizabeth Lynn Casey and she writes "The Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries"  (She also writes under the name Laura Bradford which I will also have to investigate) I have already read her first book titled "Sew Deadly" and have jumped into "Death Threads" and if it is as enjoyable as the first, I will be a very happy reader. I do like that the author includes the directions to sew the project that the main character is working on in her sewing circle. If this series sounds like it might tweak your interest and you would like to read more about the author, her blog can be found by clicking ~~HERE~~

I have updated my goodreads read/currently reading shelf and will update everything else shortly. I need to get back into this book and see what is going on next. And I still have to pick out my classic read for this month.
And I have 2 library books due back this week and have been so involved in my other series I have neglected to read them. So.. back to my reading corner to snuggle up with a mug of hot chicken soup, a nice blanket and my books.

Happy Reading!

Finished Reading: Fatally Frosted by Jessica Beck

Earlier today i finished reading Fatally Frosted by Jessica Beck. I really enjoyed this book and I will be writing a proper review once my Mom finishes this as well. She decided to read this story as well and we would talk about it, however I read a bit faster than she does so I will wait until then. I will say however that I enjoyed this book a lot more than I did the first installment. I meant to read for just a half hour today, and I just couldn't put it down. Recommend reading this one for sure to all of you that like these light, comedic and slightly romantic mystery stories. If you are someone looking for an intense whodunnit with lots of dark eerie chapters..then this is definitely not for you!

Time to hit the next one, titled Sinister Sprinkles

Enjoy!

Currently Reading: Fatally Frosted by Jessica Beck

I'm currently reading this 2nd installment in the Donut Shop Mystery Series.
Again the main character finds herself with a murder investigation. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but this second book I am finding much more interesting than the first. Perhaps it is that the characters are now established as are their stories, but the story seems to flow much better in this book. With this read, I picked up the book and before I knew it I was halfway through in no time! I am still enjoying the recipes in between chapters, it's a cute idea and I've found some I would actually love to try! I will do a proper review once I am finished the entire book. For now, I am going to look for books to read that are out of my normal scope. 2014 will be filled with new authors, new books and new challenges.
What are you reading today?