Monthly Archives: February 2020
Review: In Cold Chamomile By Joy Avon
In Cold Chamomile
Joy Avon
A Tea and Read Mystery, Book 3
Just in time for the holidays, In Cold Chamomile is sure to be a cupid’s arrow aimed straight for your bookshelf.
Tea party organizer Callie Aspen learns that Cupid’s arrows can be deadly when a Valentine’s Day soiree ends in murder.
Callie Aspen can’t think of a more appropriate place to spend Valentine’s Day than her adopted hometown of Heart’s Harbor, Maine. When she’s not helping out at Book Tea, her great-aunt Iphy’s vintage tearoom, Callie’s adorning Haywood Hall with hearts and roses for the big Valentine’s event, where townspeople will fall in love with sweet treats, heartwarming music, and delightful books. But tension is brewing: The librarian argues with the expert who is on hand to appraise precious volumes. And Iphy is shocked to recognize the baritone who’s slated to sing at the event as an old acquaintance–one she’d hoped she’d never meet again. And then, when a dead body is discovered, the stirring spoon of suspicion points at the many people who had reasons to want the victim dead.
When Iphy’s old acquaintance draws the attention of Deputy Ace Falk, Callie finds herself in a spot. Ace, as usual, doesn’t want Callie involved, but how can she ignore Iphy’s anguish over the fate of a man she cares for more than she will admit? Bringing the killer to justice may endanger Callie’s budding relationship with Ace–and, quite possibly, her own life.
Callie and the Book Tea crew may think they have this case in the bag, but un-kettling truths are yet to be decanted.
3.5 Stars
Valentine’s Day brings more than hearts and roses when Callie finds herself steeping in a murder happens during a booktastic charity even.
Callie Aspen is unique in a few ways. She’s got a knack for getting things out of people yet you can tell there are times she feels guilty for digging in deeper than she should. Even drives her cop of a boyfriend batty with her sleuth thing. I personally just think he’s jealous because Callie is good at what she does. I liked how Callie would cut the conversation and excuse herself when she knew she was crossing the line yet hightailed it out of there before she did. In Cold Chamomile brings many changes in her life, along with a murder Callie can’t helped to be wrapped up in.
In Cold Chamomile is a Multi layered cozy mystery with a romance or two added in. Well develop characters with a vast array of personalities, charm and quarks that make them more relatable and fun. Joy Avon twisted and turned the plot, keeping readers guessing. While I had an idea of who, the why caught me by surprise. Callie and Iphy are a force, whether it be good or bad, these women will make you laugh. In Cold Chamomile is my first read of the A Tea and Read Mystery series and I felt like I was walking into a friend’s house for tea and entertainment. The characters definitely drive the story while the layered plot keeps pages flying.
Review: Sated in Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan
Sated in Ink
Carrie Ann Ryan
Montgomery Ink: Bolder, Book 2
The Montgomery Ink saga continues in a seductive romance where a runaway bride and two best friends might just take the chance of a lifetime.
Ethan Montgomery thought he had his life figured out until the moment he and his best friend met a woman in a wedding dress drinking wine out of a paper bag. He might work too many hours and always seems to put his family and friends first. Still, when he finally opens up to Holland and Lincoln, he may just get everything he’s ever wanted.
Holland Yeaton made a horrible mistake, and running out on her wedding seemed like the only thing to do at the time. Taking the next step of her life on her own won’t be easy, but now she has two sexy and bearded strangers to help her figure out exactly what she desires.
Lincoln McClard has loved his best friend for as long as he can remember. Only he’s never dared to do anything about it. Instead, he puts all of his sexual frustration into his art. As soon as he meets Holland, he realizes exactly why he waited for Ethan and what has been missing all along.
However, it’s not only the three of them in this tangled and steamy relationship. And if they aren’t careful, it won’t only be their feelings that get hurt…and broken.
4 Stars
Sated in emotions
Carrie Ann Ryan continues her emotional and hot Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series with Sated in Ink. Ethan Montgomery’s life changed forever that ordinary day he and his best friend Lincoln McClard went for a run. Sitting on a park bench, in a wedding dress with a bottle in hand and eyes the showed to the deepest layers of her soul, Ethan and Lincoln both knew things would never be the same. Holland was at her lowest of lows with two beautiful men stumbled upon a hot mess that her life has become. With her world feeling like everything was lost Holland learned what the heart of a Montgomery heart can do.
Hitting hard from page one, Sated in Ink is wrapped in a tangle of emotions, loss of inhibitions and a story of love. From an act of kindness that later leads to a friendship that becomes more. From first kisses Holland, Ethan and Lincoln embrace a passion that immediately forms an intimacy that is something way beyond casual. With inhibitions dropped the feelings at the forefront, Holland, Ethan and Lincoln learn there more if they allow themselves to have it.
I am pretty picky when it comes to the ménage reads that I enjoy. Carrie Ann Ryan nails the emotion, passion and compassion with Sated in Ink.
Review: Phantom Queen by Yasmine Galenorn
Phantom Queen
Yasmine Galenorn
Whisper Hollow Series, Book 3
Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living, and the lake never gives up her dead…
Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I’m Kerris Fellwater, and I’m a spirit shaman. It’s my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people-and secrets-don’t always stay buried.
Veronica, Queen of the UnLiving, is causing trouble. When I request an audience with her, she tells me something big is coming, something that even the Hounds of Cú Chulainn fear. Now, Bryan and I must enlist the help of the dead in order to keep the spirit world from unwinding and to keep the Hounds from using the approaching disaster for their own ends.
4.5 Stars
A new darkness has wandered into Whisper Hollow just as Kerris has begun to settle nicely into her role as spirit shaman. Fast paced and action packed, unlikely alliances, and dark magic grab the reader from page one. The Phantom Queen is a page turner from beginning to end.
Kerris is becoming confident within her role of spirit showman. I love that she admits that there is still much for her to learn yet she is learning new things about who she is and what she does each day. I like the little things that you see within her friendship with Peggin. Yes we have got to know these characters in previous books but I feel like now that the series is set up we are really getting to see who these characters are. I love that Kerris understands the importance of relationships. Kerris is a very sweet and caring woman yet she can be as tough as any of the creatures that she comes across if need be. I really enjoyed the little intimacies shared by Bryan and Kerris. I also enjoyed getting to know the townspeople. They are a fun and interesting bunch that truly lend more to the story than what you think they would.
I’m so excited for Ms. Galenorn to continue the Whisper Hollow Series. The Phantom Queen was well worth the wait. Ms. Galenorn dazzles her readers with interesting characters, a good plot, great world building and a satisfying ending. Whisper Hollow is a dark and mysterious town but it also has a warmth that makes you feel like you’ve come home.
“I was given an Advance Reader Copy as a gift from author without obligation. I am providing an honest review.”
Audio Review: The Director’s Cut by Steve Higgs
The Director’s Cut
Steve Higgs
A Patricia Fisher Mystery, Book 3
She’s over fifty, overweight, and in way over her head!
It’s well known that working in movies can be cutthroat, but no one expected that to be taken literally.
It’s party time on board the Aurelia! On the LA to Hawaii leg, a Hollywood film crew are shooting scenes for a new action movie and Barbie has been given a bit-part role. It’s all great fun and Patricia isn’t surprised when her cute, blonde friend attracts the attention of the handsome A-lister male lead.
But when he is found murdered in the upper deck pool and the killer leaves a message saying Barbie is next, it falls to Patricia to work out who the killer is.
With her trusted butler, Jermaine, good friend, Barbie, and lame-duck Shane Sussmann, an odd-looking film extra she befriended, Patricia will have plenty of help as she unravels the truth. The prime suspect has an ironclad alibi though and there is definitely something going on with the film’s beautiful female lead.
Will there be more bodies? Will the new deputy captain be of assistance this time? Will Jermaine be able to serve tea at four o’clock?
It’s going to take more than luck to solve this one. Can she survive The Director’s Cut?
4 Stars
A cutthroat, conniving, hiding in the shadows kind of mystery filled with humor and entertainment.
Director’s Cut is the third installment of the Patricia Fisher mysteries. On this leg, from Los Angeles to Hawaii, a film crew hops on board bringing excitement and murder. Patty along with her faithful butler, Jermaine and her best friend on the ship Barbie, get caught up in a hot mess of Hollywood proportions.
Patty is such a wonderful character. Starting life over on an around the world cruise is definitely the way to do it. Patty is observant, resourceful and willing to bend the rules just a little bit. I love how she has befriended her Butler, Jermaine and allows him to dote on her even though she doesn’t feel she deserves it and Barbie. Her exercise obsessed friend, who lends a hand in many of the humorous parts of this novel. The characters are as lively as they are lovely. There’s lots of personality flowing right alongside the mystery of The Director’s Cut.
Director’s Cut is a fast paced, ever twisting plot, fun cozy read. The turns will keep readers guessing themselves throughout the entire read. Patty is smart and lively even if she jumps the gun from time to time. She may not be a professional when it comes to solving crime, however she does quite a good job at figuring it out. From the interaction to the characters down to the who done it, The Director’s Cut Will keep you fully entertained. I had the pleasure of enjoying the Director’s Cut as an audiobook. Narrator Katherine Anderson is amazing. She brings Patty to life with flair and charisma. Ms. Anderson’s performance earned an extra star on my review of this title.
Review: Dying to Cruise by Dawn Brookes
Dying to Cruise
Dawn Brookes
A Rachel Prince Mystery, Book 4
A ruthless killer intent on revenge. Can Rachel get to the bottom of an intriguing mystery before it’s too late?.
Rachel Prince is drawn to investigate when the body of the leader of a Bucket List tour party is discovered in the library on the first day of her Antipodean cruise. Can this seemingly harmless group of elderly people have a killer among them?
Rachel thinks she is living the dream. Taking a cruise around Australia and New Zealand as a guest lecturer and meeting up again with her best friend, cruise ship nurse, Sarah. The scene is set for the holiday of a lifetime!
Difficulties abound for everyone when an interim chief of security causes countless problems and appears to take an intense dislike of Sarah. Not trusting the new chief to get to the bottom of the murder, Rachel investigates on her own, soon discovering that the dead woman from the Bucket List tour party had been receiving anonymous threatening emails. To make matters infinitely worse, Rachel’s ex turns up on board, and things start to go horribly wrong.
The cruise ship sleuth needs to work fast to find out if one of the gentle elders on the bucket list tour is a murderer while avoiding her ex like the plague.
4 Stars
Rachel is back at sea for another adventure that could only happen to her in Dying to Cruise.
Rachel is aboard the Coral Queen to teach a self defense class and for some fun and relaxation but she has once again found herself in the mindless of a murder. When Florence, travel director for the Bucket List group, dies suddenly, Rachel finds herself in the thick of it again. With Rachel’s charming nature and humorous cast of friends weave readers with their witty banter and smile worthy antics through the twist and turns of Dying to Cruise.
I have enjoyed every story in the Rachel Prince Mysteries Series thus far. Dying to Cruise is a fantastic addition to this fun and entertaining series. Rachel is a top notch character with a lot of drive and will. I love how she has developed over the course of the series. Ms. Brooke balances the humor and suspense nicely giving read a fun. It makes you think read. Dying to Cruise is a quick paced, keep you guessing, laugh out loud cozy read. Narrator Alex Lee truly brings these amazing characters to life. Giving that extra that makes a good story great.
Review: Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn
Shadow Silence
Yasmine Galenorn
Whisper Hollow Series, Book 2
Publisher: Nightqueen Enterprises LLC; 2 edition (January 20, 2020)
Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living, and the lake never gives up her dead…
Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I’m Kerris Fellwater, and I’m a spirit shaman. It’s my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people-and secrets-don’t always stay buried.
My best friend Peggin finds herself under a curse after she is almost taken by the Lady of the Lake. As Bryan-my guardian and mate-and I work to break the hex, we stumble over a dark and violent mystery from the past. One the Hounds of Cú Chulainn will do anything to stop us from bringing to light.
4 Stars
Shadow Silence is an outstanding experience in paranormal romance. Yasmine Galenorn masterfully builds worlds that you can’t help but to get lost in.
The second installment of the Whisper Hollow Series continues to entrance readers into a place where anything could be and is lurking. Ms. Galenorn paints a vivid picture of the danger and magic that lay within Kerris path. I love that Kerris learns as she goes. She’s become so much stronger within a book. She takes her roll on fully and gives herself to her fate. Kerris’ friends are her family and the bonds are deep with her chosen few. Loyal and more powerful than she realizes, Kerris becomes more interesting with each book.
Shadow Silence finds Peggin at the fingertips of danger known as the lady of the lake. Shadow spirits all over town and dark magic at play. Kerris learns that sometimes you just have to wait for things to happen before you can do anything about it. The main plot arc continues to thicken, the suspense builds and not everyone is whom they seem to be. And I can see many things that could happen just from the events of Shadow Silence.
Ms. Galenorn would building and attention to detail is like none other. Shadow Silence, like most of Ms. Galenorn’s work, is based in mythology, legend and lore with her unique twist that gives the reader a new or different perspective. Shadow Silence is quick moving, dark magical, adventure.
Coffee Books Life 