Category Archives: Review
Audio Review: Sugar Plum Poisoned by Jenn McKinlay
Sugar Plum Poisoned
Jenn McKinlay
Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series, Book 15
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Expected publication October 10, 2023 by Berkley
Narrated by Susan Boyce
It’s Christmastime, and this holiday season, things are heating up for the bakers at Fairy Tale Cupcakes, in the newest Cupcake Bakery Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay.
When up-and-coming singing sensation Shelby Vaughn arrives in town for two weeks of concert dates, she hires her old friend Angie and the rest of the bakery crew to supply cupcakes for the VIP guest lounge every night.
After overhearing Shelby in a heated argument with her manager, Mel is concerned, but she and the crew decide to make the best of their time working with the star. Just as the bakers fall into the rhythm of the job, Shelby’s manager is found dead, clutching a bit of fabric from a Santa suit and a cupcake. With the bakery crew and Shelby’s backup dancers all dressed in similar Santa costumes, it’s impossible to say who is the killer. When all suspicions lead back to Shelby, Mel and Angie stand up for their friend, determined to prove her innocence before she’s frosted for a crime she didn’t commit.
4 Stars
It’s Christmas time! Fairy Tale cupcakes is on deck to provide the delectable treats for the VIP guests of up-and-coming, singer and friend of Angie, Shelby Vaughn’s two week Christmas showcase in Scottsdale. It’s the busiest time of the year and spirits are bright. Well, until Shelby‘s manager is found dead with a fairytale cupcake in his hand. Mel and Angie have their hands full with the ongoing catering of Shelby shows, Mel hosting Christmas dinner for a small army, and now they are tangled up in a murder once again. Mel and Angie, not only want to clear the bakeries name because they know there was nothing wrong with their cupcakes. They’re out to clear Shelby’s name from this murder as well.
Sugar Plum Poisoned was a fun and entertaining weed. I love the combination of Mel and Angie. Their friendship is solid, extremely strong, and it’s to the point that they are basically family. And have been for a very long time. Angie is that person that will go to bed for the people she cares about. Mel is a little more stand back and think it through. They are truly a perfect team. Sugar Plum Poisoned shows us that Angie has definitely rubbed off on Mel after all these years. Although I figured out who the culprit of this caper was fairly early on, I very much enjoyed the story. Marty and Oz are always a trip whenever they are on the page. Seeing the brothers up to their antics is always a good laugh. They also help solve a murder and give a good friend a Christmas that she truly needed.
Narrator Susan boys did an amazing job with this book. She beautifully distinguish each character and truly brought the story to life.
Review: Shadow Magic by Donna Grant
Shadow Magic
Donna Grant
Sisters of Magic Series, Book 1
Release: October 10, 2023
Serena is a witch, cursed and forever alone. She accepts her future. Until she meets Drogan. With Drogan a passion deep and unyielding awakens inside her. She is willing to sacrifice herself for his love, but can he put his past to rest and embrace the future?
Serena of Hawthorne is a witch, whose gift is to be able to see the future. Her people carry a curse that will inevitably wipe out everything of her people. Serena is well aware of the curse, but yet has lived her life in a way that has kept her lonely but yet safe. Serena has a vision of evil approaching their land. Being under the protection of the Lord of the land, Serena has his ear and his trust. Serena will do everything in her power to save the lives of her Lord, his lady and their daughter.
Drogan is the Lord of Wollfglynn. He is a loyal friend and a fierce warrior. Drogan fought for over 10 years and has quite many horrors and sins from his past that constantly plague his present day. Drogan arrives at Hawthorne, to celebrate the birth of his very dear friend’s child, and in the process learns that there is a great evil following them. A darkness that makes them all fear for their lives. And a woman that has enchanted him on every level.
Shadow Magic is medieval England with a paranormal twist. Drogan and Serena were magical. From their initial meeting, their attraction was evident. From working together to develop a plan, to becoming very fond of one another, to both of them willing to put their lives on the line to help people they cared about. Not only were they fighting the evil that followed them. They were fighting the things that plagued themselves. Donna Grant never fails to deliver a story that you can fall in love with. She gives you worlds oh, you want to get lost in. The sisters of Magic series gives us a unique view on witches, and I’m looking forward to discovering more of this magical series.
Review: Salems Song by Kristen Proby
Salems Song
Kristen Proby
The Curse of the Blood Moon Series, Book 3
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 3, 2023
Torn apart by tragedy, Lorelei has kept Xander at arm’s length, focusing on her career and gifts, rather than rekindling their love. But now that she’s back in Salem, she can’t avoid him and finds herself slowly softening toward the man she’s loved all of her life. However, the witch hunter they’ve been fighting still hasn’t been vanquished. Between that and breaking the curse of the Blood Moon, now is not the best time for her to give the sexy Xander another try.
Despite Lora pushing him away, Xander has never stopped loving her. But now that the stakes are higher with evil threatening them more than ever, he is done giving her time and space. With the curse that Jonas put into place long ago creating havoc with the innocent residents of Salem, the core six, their coven, and the witches from Hallows End need to work together to overcome true wickedness.
Will Xander and Lora find themselves once again amidst these stormy seas and their recent separation? Or will evil reign, throwing the core six, Salem and Hallows End into unimaginable peril?
5 Stars
Lorelei and Xander have known forever that they are destined to be with one another. Their magic called to each other, was intensified by each other. Something hurt them both greatly, and has faltered the foundation of what they should be. The Curse of the Blood Moon is hanging over their heads, and something evil just keeps coming at them. Threatening everyone, they know, and love. Lorelei and Xander have to work together along with their friends and cousins to see this through and erase this curse. Danger is around every corner pushing Lorelei and Xander into close proximity. It’s like their souls are calling to one another, but they have to heal that hurt to able to move forward.
Salems Song is the perfect read to begin the spooky time of year. The conclusion of The Curse of the Blood Moon Series was magical. We get an amazing story that is filled with family, love and hope. A story that is dangerous, daring and magical. I love that was broken and found a way to heal. Kristin Proby truly created something magical not only with this story, but with this series. These relationships are soul deep, and you are able to feel that while reading. She creates strong characters that know how to build one another up but can count on one another in their times of need.
There is an epilogue at the end of Salem Song that was amazingly beautiful and had me crying rivers of happy tears. Kristin was able to beautifully show what life, love, friendship, family, and tradition should look like.
Review: Warrior’s Hope by Rebecca Zanetti
Warrior’s Hope
Rebecca Zanetti
Dark Protectors Series, Book 16
257 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 3, 2023
An explosive love triangle comes to its passionate conclusion and decides the fate of battling nations in award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti’s Dark Protectors . . .
As the only female vampire ever born, and the heir to two powerful immortal families, Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood has always felt the weight of fate and destiny. Now her heart is torn between two men and two different futures. It’s a choice between duty and love, peace and war, with the fate of everyone she loves hanging in the balance.
As the leader of the Kurjan nation, Drake has always known that mating Hope is the best path to avoiding war. He’s counting on her to know the same. . . . Paxton has been Hope’s best friend and protector since they were children. He would kill and die for her without a second thought. In fact, he’s always known that would be his path . . .
With deadly factions at her heels, Hope must decide whom to trust and where her loyalty lies—before the choice is taken away from her . . .
5 Stars
Hope has always known she’s been destined to bring peace. She knows it will be a choice that not everyone will agree with, but knows it will be right to bring about peace. Hope it’s unique in many ways. Not only is she the only female vampire. She is also a component known as the lock. A critical piece of the puzzle to destroying their greatest evil.
The time to make choices upon her, Hope is seeing things in a very different light as many secrets are starting to become known. Forever brave and always willing. Hope will do whatever it takes for peace.
It is no secret that I am a Rebecca Zanetti fan. You will find many reviews of her books on this blog. Her imagination, world building, and honestly just the way she rides have provided me many many hours of entertainment over the years. It could be paranormal or contemporary, and Rebecca Zanetti knows how to catch and keep your attention. The Dark Protectors series spans over 25 stories, including four novels and novelas. This could be read as a standalone novel. However, I would highly recommend reading at least a few of the other books in the series. This is one I have been highly anticipating.
Warrior’s Hope is one of those books that has been building up for many years and was everything the book needed to be and more. Spectacular in so many ways. Rebecca Zanetti concludes this particular.arc of the series with a vivid bang. We have page turning actio and suspense. A romance triangle that finally comes to ahead. Secrets revealed and tough choices are made. Warrior’s Hope had many layers and revealed many things that I’m sure I’m not the only one who was happy to discover. The book had me captivated from beginning to end. I read the book in one sitting, truly getting lost for an entire day.
Warrior’s Hope is in my top five read of the year.
Review: Bad Luck Vampire by Lynsay Sands
Bad Luck Vampire
Lynsay Sands
Argeneau Series, Book 36
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Expected publication September 26, 2023
New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands returns in this latest chapter of the Argeneau series with an immortal who is having a bit of bad luck while trying to woo his life mate… Alasdair MacKenzie has never once considered himself unlucky in all the centuries he’s been an immortal rogue enforcer. Not until he meets Sophie. Finding the beautiful, smart, and funny woman who is his life mate is great luck, actually. But meeting her at a wedding full of Argeneaus, not to mention his own busybody uncles determined to “help him claim his woman,” is bad luck. And the fact that Sophie is someone else’s date? Well that’s just the next level of unlucky. From the way her gaze travels over his body like a caress to the electric zing whenever they innocently touch…he wants her for all eternity! He’ll keep his hands off Sophie until her date is over. After that all bets are off and he’ll pull out all the stops to win her. Great plan—until he gets hit by a car. And then he’s poisoned. Is his luck that bad, or is someone out to stop this immortal from claiming Sophie as his life mate?
3.5 Stars
There’s nothing like being on a bad date, except when that bad date goes really bad. Just when Sophie thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse. It takes a change for the good, with two handsome strangers coming to her rescue. If the night couldn’t get any more odd, one of those beautiful strangers, invites her to a wedding, to which she agrees to go. Little did Sophie know that going to a simple wedding would truly change her life.
For someone who’s been alive for centuries, he’s never considered himself unlucky until the night of the wedding. Alistair was just dealt a great deal of luck in finding his life made. Then at a moment’s notice, it becomes the most unlucky night he’s ever had. Alastair has waited for centuries to find his life mate and she’s at this wedding with someone else and a family member no less. Then add in his crazy and fun Scottish uncles, determined to help him get the girl. He’s feeling pretty unlucky at the moment.
From the moment Sophie and Alastair looked at each other they were drawn to one another. Alastair knew she was the one for him, but yet she didn’t understand how she could be so drawn to another man when she was literally there with someone else. I really enjoyed the way they met the way they felt the attraction and the way they came together. Bad Lucky Vampire was a fun and entertaining read. Sophie and Alastair have a slow burn that happens kind of fast. I love the way they talk to each other. Their romance is sweet and sensual.
When I first started reading romance books, approximately 14 years ago or so Lynsay Sands’
Vampire, Interrupted was one of the first paranormal romances. I picked up, and I’m happy to say, after a decade or more of reading I am still reading the lovely Lynsay Sands but this series has gone on to over 35 books. I was just as entertained with Bad Luck Vampire as I was many years ago when I picked up Vampire Interrupted.
Review: Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany
Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas
Vicki Delany
A Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series, Book 6
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 19, 2023
It’s beginning to look a lot like murder in the sixth installment of this charming cozy mystery series, perfect for fans of Donna Andrews and Jacqueline Frost.
It’s the beginning of December in Rudolph, New York, America’s Christmas Town, and business is brisk at Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a gift and décor shop owned by Merry Wilkinson. The local amateur dramatic society is intensely preparing a special musical production of A Christmas Carol. But it’s not a happy set, as rivalries between cast and crew threaten the production.
Tensions come to a head when a member of the group is found dead shortly after a shopping excursion to Mrs. Claus’s Treasures. Was someone looking to cut out the competition? Everyone in the cast and crew is a potential suspect, including Aline, Merry’s mother, and Merry’s shop assistant Jackie O’Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role.
It could be curtains for Christmas—and for Merry—unless the killer can be ferreted out of the wings.
3.5 Stars
Rudolph, New York is the most Christmasy town there ever was. A town that is truly centered around everything Christmas. Merry Wilkinson is the owner of Mrs. Claus’s treasures, a cute little gift and decor shop in America’s Christmas town. It’s the beginning of December, and the town is gearing up for their annual amateur trauma society play. This year it’s a Christmas Carol, but what should be a cheerful time becomes tense as rivalries begin amongst the cast and crew of the production. Tensions come to the forefront when one of the cast members is found dead While shopping. Just so happens she dies in Merry’s shop. Everyone in the cast and crew is a suspect, and even Merry. She is determined to get to the bottom of this before all the Christmas cheer is sucked out of this town.
This is my first forte into the year round Christmas mystery series. The concept of this is really cute and the mystery is engaging and intriguing. . We have some quite colorful characters in this cozy Little Christmas town. They add flair and charisma to the story, which I truly enjoyed. Vicki Delany is an imaginative and creative author. She continuously comes up with new ways to keep us thinking, and turning the pages.
Audio Review: Start Us Up by Lexi Blake
Start Us Up
Lexi Blake
Park Avenue Promise Book 1
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published: August 8, 2023 by Blue Box Press
Three young women make a pact in high school—
to always be friends and to one day make it big in Manhattan.
She’s a high-tech boss who lost it all…
Ivy Jensen was the darling of the tech world, right up until her company fell apart completely after she trusted the wrong person. Her reputation in tatters, she finds herself back in the tiny apartment she grew up in, living with her mom. When a group of angel investors offer her a meeting, she knows she has to come up with the new big idea or her career is over.
He’s an up and coming coder…
Heath Marino has always been fascinated with writing code. He’s worked on a dozen games and apps and is considered one of the industry’s more eccentric talents. But now he’s back in New York to spend time with his grandmother. She was known as one of the city’s greatest matchmakers, and he wants to know why. Surely there’s some kind of code in his grandmother’s methods, and he’s going to find them.
When Ivy meets Heath it’s instant attraction, but she’s got a career to get back to and he just might be her on-ramp. It could be a perfect partnership or absolute heartbreak.
4.5 Stars
This is one of those books that I picked up because I love who wrote it. I’m not big on the New York Life nor do I know anything about the tech world. But I know that Lexi Blake knows how to write a story that I don’t want to put down. With that being said Start Us Up was truly a one stop couldn’t put it down, all in one read for me.
Ivy Jensen climbed to the top of the tech world very quickly. She was motivated and wanted more than what she grew up with. Just when she thought she had it made, her company fell apart after trusting the wrong people. She’s got a second chance and now she knows she needs a big idea to make a new step to save her career.
Heath Marino has always been fascinated with code. He’s used his talents to make games and applications that have caused him to be a big talent. He’s back in New York to spend time with his grandmother. A well-known matchmaker, and he’s trying to figure out the science of his grandmothers’ methods.
What was supposed to be a secret set up became a business partnership into something much greater. Ivy and Heath worked so well together. He is calm and mellow with a very nurturing nature. Where Ivy is the go get them, she’s going to find a way to make it happen type of person. The two of them together was just amazing. They have a traction in chemistry, but there’s always something that makes it hard to say yes to love. As they build this company, they realize there is more feelings than just business between the two of them. As the layers start to peel away, we learn just why these two are perfect for each other. But yet this would not be a LexiBlake book, if we did not have a little bit of suspense, and a good dash of humor thrown in.
This was a fantastic start to the series, and I can’t wait to see what Miss Blake has in store for her Park Avenue Promise series.
Review: Cherry Lane by Kristen Proby
Cherry Lane
Kristen Proby
Huckleberry Bay Series, Book 3.5
1001 Dark Nights
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 22, 2023
Sometimes, love is waiting in the most unexpected of places.
Zeke Cross is a big city guy who finds himself living in the smallest town on the face of the earth, running an auto repair shop with his best friend. Not just running, but owning. He’s not used to sleepy little towns. He craves noise, excitement, and people. And yet, he’s grown to love the town of Huckleberry Bay, and the people who have welcomed him into the fold. Almost everyone has been kind and accepting of the outsider.
Everyone except Cherry Dubois.
Cherry is a small town girl, and she misses the sleepy community from her childhood. Now, her home is overrun by move-ins, who seem hell-bent on bringing big city ideals to her little town, and ruining what she’s always had. Her neighbor, Zeke, is the most annoying of all, with his loud music and arrogant attitude. How is she supposed to think when he’s around? Sure, he’s handsome, but that almost makes it worse.
Then Cherry needs Zeke’s help, and she finds out that the big city guy isn’t all that bad, especially when he has his hands on her and makes her forget all the reasons why she doesn’t like him. But at the end of the day, will she be able to trust this man to stay for good, or will her worst fears come true?
** Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do. **
4 Stars
What an amazing short story. I love the town of Huckleberry Bay, and all the wonderful people who called at home. Cherry Lane is a quick read with all the feels.
Zeke has been a big city guy for all of his life. Now living in the small quiet town of Huckleberry, Bay, life is really slow down for him. He misses the noise and action of the city but yet he’s beginning to realize that this is his new home.
Cherry is a small town girl. She loves the cozy community in which she has grown up in. Until a city guy moved in next-door bringing his city ideas. Disrupting her peace with loud music and his fast paced way.
These two have so much chemistry. It is flowing out of them. Jerry and Zeke are amazing together. Their back-and-forth banter is humorous and entertaining. They obviously have an attraction for one another, but both being the stubborn people that they are, don’t see it until they do. Sherry kept herself extremely guarded. Zeke found away through her walls, and with a little bit of work, they found their way to one another. These two will have you laughing and make your heart very warm. A very sweet happily ever after.
Review: You Can Die by Rebecca Zanetti
You Can Die
Rebecca Zanetti
Laurel Snow Series, Book 3
Men are dying in the Pacific Northwest, their bodies found near churches, charities, and counseling centers–each with valentine candy hearts shoved down their throats. They’re good men with families and community ties–or so they seem until Laurel Snow and her team begin to investigate. Then the case takes a shockingly personal turn when the father she’s never met, a former pastor, turns up among the dead.
Now, besides solving her father’s murder, Laurel is on the hunt to discover the truth of his past. Complicating things is Laurel’s troubled half-sister, Abigail, a brilliant sociopath determined to prove that they’ve both inherited their father’s malignant narcissism.
Assisting Laurel is Washington Fish and Wildlife Captain Huck Rivers, a dangerous loner whose reliance on gut instinct puts him at odds with Laurel’s coolly analytic approach. But the choice may be moot when the killer hones in on Huck’s own dark secrets–putting him and Laurel squarely in the crosshairs.
4.5 Stars
Rebecca Zanetti can do it all, from romance to paranormal to psychological thrillers. She knows how to grab your attention and keep you going through the last page. You Can Die is one of those books that you don’t want to put down until you’re finished.
Laurel Snow is truly a unique heroine. She is definitely not one of those people that you judge by hair cover. From her beautiful looks to her brilliant mind, what you perceive about her will truly be different from the way she really is. I love seeing how she’s grown through the course of the three books. If you’ve been following the series, you will see subtle changes in Laurel that were not at the beginning of the series and complement her so well. She is a unique personality with a unique way of thinking and seeing things so it’s so nice to see her grow into something even more than what she is.
No for the story. This one keeps taking us on a ride. A new killer is on the loose, the case is hitting too close to home for Laurel’s actual liking and her psychopath half sister is always a half a step beside her. This is a twisty story that is well-pasted with a pretty intricate plot. The suspense builds through the story and just when you think you have something figured out, you realize something else crazy happens all over again. We have a truly suspenseful story that keeps giving us twists and turns. We have a beautiful romance blooming and some family drama that sooner or later is going to come to ahead.
You Can Die is a swirling edge of your seat read that I truly could not put down from beginning to end. I look forward to see what the next chapter for Laurel is.
Review: Witch Upon a Star by
Witch Upon a Star
Angela M. Sanders
Witch Way Librarian Mysteries Series, Book 4
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 23, 2023
Big things are happening in small-town Wilfred, Oregon! The retreat center is open for its first workshop, the local caf� is done remodeling, and librarian and witch-in-training Josie Way is hosting her sister–and a few suspicions about the new killer on the loose . . .
Josie is eager to show off Wilfred’s delights to her visiting sister, Jean–even though Josie must conceal her magic from her. In any case, Jean is excited to attend Cookie Masterson’s trademark “Ready-Set-Go!” workshop on becoming a life coach. Then there’s the grand reopening of Darla’s Caf�, where the doors are thrown open to reveal . . . a dead man, stabbed in the back. That was definitely not on the revamped menu…
Even more worrisome, the sheriff receives a report of a fresh corpse at the retreat center. Maybe murder isn’t so uncommon in Wilfred anymore, but two unfamiliar bodies within an hour certainly is! Josie’s willing to let law enforcement take the lead–after all, she’s gotten into some trouble from the hints the library’s spellbound books keep feeding her about the patrons. But when her sister receives the killer’s chilling calling card, she’ll use everything within her otherworldly powers to divine just who in town has homicide as his new slogan . . .
3.5 Stars
Witch Upon a Star is a fun and entertaining read. It was much more than I expected it to be.
Josie is a librarian and a witch in training. I love how much her powers are intertwined with books. To be able to touch a book and know if they can give you the knowledge you need within seconds. That’s a pretty nifty ability to have. The books give her a lot of advise, whether she wants it or not. In Witch Upon a Star Josie has tasked with showing her sister Jean around her, cozy little town while she’s there for a retreat, so to speak. And then to keep her safe from a killer on the loose all while keeping her witchy secrets, a secret.
A self-help promoter is doing one of their seminars and Josie‘s little town and Jean, her little sister is all about this opportunity. Although it does not look to be the best opportunity, and when murder comes hand-in-hand with what’s going on around this seminar, has Josie on full alert. Josie is trying to keep her sister safe while twist interns thrown at her within this mystery, keep her on her toes. During the course of this novel, Josie is able to build bonds with her sister and help solve a murder. I enjoyed Witch Upon a Star. It is a unique subject collaboration for a cozy mystery. I love the fact that her powers are connected through books, and that makes it even more exciting.
I look forward to going back and seeing how the series started. And to see wants to become for this witchy librarian.
Coffee Books Life 