Audio Review: A Merry Montgomery Christmas by Samatha Chase
A Merry Montgomery Christmas
Samatha Chase
Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
The Montgomery Brothers Series, Book 10
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2023
When the entire Montgomery family comes together, it makes for a holiday to remember.
But it’s more than just the tree, decorations, and gifts that have everyone talking. With so many people crammed under one roof, there’s bound to be some drama. Between last-minute business crises, talks of retirement, a new relationship, a sprinkle of marital problems, lots of snow, and a surprise baby, this has all the makings of a blue Christmas. They’ll need more than one Christmas miracle to get everything back on track, and hopefully Santa–or William Montgomery–will come to the rescue.
One thing’s for sure, it’s a Christmas they’ll be talking about for years to come.
4.5 Stars
William Montgomery has waived his matchmaking ways through his entire family. And this holiday season he wants nothing more than his entire family all together. That being a big feet with a Montgomery’s now numbering over 50 but somehow they managed to get them all under one roof.
Oh, I absolutely loved this audiobook. I will admit I have not read all of the Montgomery brothers books. I was able to follow along pretty quickly after realizing who was who. I loved the snippets of each couples individual stories as they were on their way to meet the family for vacation. For those that have read the stories previously it’s a nice little snippet of life to catch up. There is no doubt that the Macgomery family is very close, loyal, and willing to do anything for their family. So many different families within one giant family. It’s actually a very unique read. William is very proud of how big his family is. He is definitely all about family and making sure everyone is on their way to happiness. He even gets to play that match making hand at this Christmas get together.
Review: Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott
Murder in a Cup
Lauren Elliott
A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery Series, Book 2
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 28, 2023
As an eclectic tea shop owner descended from an Irish witch, intuitive Shay Myers has been living her most authentic life since moving home to California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula. Yet not even her heightened senses can predict how to run a business—or catch a killer . . .
Self-taught “seer” Shay has much to learn as autumn hits the quaint coastal town of Bray Harbor. Since attempting the art of blending herbs at her popular shop, Crystals & CuriosiTeas, she’s set on growing ingredients in the mysterious greenhouse on the second floor—if only she can separate the medicinal plants from the deadly ones. Her new skills are put to the test when she meets pub owner and ex-detective Liam Madigan’s Gran. A psychic from Ireland known for interpreting tea leaves and people, Gran encourages Shay to build upon her natural talents and hold her own group reading . . .
Despite Shay’s reservations about putting herself in the spotlight, the evening goes off without a hitch. At least, until she does a reading and a customer goes from chatty to dead in a flash, poisoned after sipping a toxic substance recently grown in the greenhouse. Worse, Shay’s assistant is suspected of intentionally serving the lethal brew and committing cold-blooded murder. Now, aided only by Liam and her dog Spirit, Shay must exonerate her employee and save the future of Crystals & CuriosiTeas. But when clues start lining up like leaves in a teacup, she’ll need to understand the signs right in front of her to catch the manipulative murderer before it’s too late . . .
4 Stars
Murder in a Cup has just what you need to keep you guessing all the while thoroughly enjoying the story.
Shay is the owner of a quaint little tea shop by the name of Crystals & CuriositiTEAS. In Bray Harbor, CA. She inherited the shop along with a little cottage from a mother she did not know. Come to find out she has quite the family history that she was unaware of. Shay is a searer and is still learning who and what she is.
Murder in a Cup is almost two stories in one. Shay’s teenage assistant comes under the thumb of the law when her father returns to town, trying to take her back with him. And we get another dealing with Shay’s background, and who she is. The story is made up of fantastic characters.
Although this is a cozy mystery, there are some complex parts to the story that I thoroughly enjoyed. The book was at a good pace, and Devon kept me guessing.. This series 2 books in is starting off with a bang and our wonderful Author, I feel as set up quite the series just within these first two books. The more we learn of Shay the more interested and invested I get.
Review: Bulletproof Barista by Cleo Coyle
Bulletproof Barista
Cleo Coyle
Coffeehouse Mystery Series, Book 20
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 14, 2023 by Berkley
The Village Blend Coffeehouse has become the filming location for a smash hit streaming program. Not only does the historic location get to become a star of the show the Village Blend crew get to spend some time on screen showing off not only their coffee, but personal skills as well. Just as filming begins all kinds of weird accidents and incidents start to begin. The people of show business have their way of keeping things quiet, however are amazing coffee master Claire Cosi uses more than her Java skills to get to the bottom of this caffeinated mystery.
Coffee and I go hand-in-hand. Just like books and I go hand-in-hand. I have been reading the coffeehouse mystery series for well over a decade. I am happy to say that Bulletproof Barista is as exciting as the first book I discovered in this series. Claire Cosi is confident and amazing. She has truly honed in her craft. She cares deeply about the coffee she serves, and the people that work for her. She is such a People person. She can’t help but to be involved with those around her. She also is not gonna let someone dictate how things will go once something happens to those she cares about. ShowBusiness is not gonna keep her quiet, and I loved her unique way of finding a way around to keep being able to nose around to find out what happened. Bulletproof Barista is a fun and thoroughly entertaining read. We get to see all of our favorite characters from Madame, all of the coffeehouse crew, and the men in Claire’s life that keep it interesting. Reading a coffeehouse mystery book is like visiting with old friends. Bullet proof barista is spot on as to what I have come to love of the series.
Review: The Stand-In by Kristen Proby
The Stand-In
Kristen Proby
Single in Seattle Series, Book 5
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes The Stand-In, the newest novel in her beloved Single in Seattle series, featuring Drew Montgomery!
I don’t like my new boss. Not at all.
London Ambrose is a spoiled billionaire’s daughter. And now she’s the new co-owner of the Seattle football team, but that doesn’t mean that she knows diddly squat about football.
There’s nothing I hate more than having someone micromanaging me, shadowing my every move, and giving me their two cents on Every. Little. Thing. as I coach MY defensive line.
I don’t care about new team jerseys and branding or answering her million and one questions about how I do my job. But, I can’t help but come to her defense when an old flame shows up and starts harassing her. I’m a Montgomery. We don’t let anyone mess with women.
Now, I’m suddenly in a fake relationship, pretending to date the gorgeous billionaire and learning so many surprising things about this captivating woman that I just can’t seem to stay away from her.
When the lines between our fake relationship and real relationship blur, and my initial distaste for her turns into desire, I find myself coaching the most important game of my life – do I let my guard down or do I let London Ambrose walk away forever?
The Stand-In gives all the feels. Kristin Proby pens a wonderful story that can’t help, but to make your heart feel all kinds of things.
London Ambrose is many things. Successful entrepreneur, a fantastic mother, an amazing businesswoman and now part owner of an NFL football team. London is definitely one of those women that you cannot judge by your cover. She’s an amazingly smart woman who is kind and caring beyond what the average person would know. Drew is the coach for Seattle’s football team. Drew had to change his dream of being in the NFL to coaching for the NFL. Too many concussions within his playing years in high school made him go from a playing role to a teaching and coaching role. Drew is genuinely a good man and is deeply loyal to those he cares about.
The Stand-In is a truly romantic read. London and Drew don’t understand each other on the surface. Being in the same place at the same time, when something goes against what tDrew feels and believes he steps up and does what any Montgomery man would do. Drew and London share a slow burn that builds up so beautifully. Being a single mom, London and Caleb are a package deal. That is something that true does not take lightly. We don’t just see one relationship develop within the pages of this heartwarming story, we see several develop in such a beautiful and natural way. It is very well-known that I am not a fan of sports in any way. While the story may have elements of sports, it’s truly focused on the romance, relationship and family that star within its pages.The Stand-In is one of those stories that will make you feel good in all the ways of romance should make you feel good.
Review: Christmas in Cape May by Jennifer Probst
Christmas in Cape May
Jennifer Probst
Sunshine Sisters Series Book 3.5
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 7, 2023
1001 Dark Nights
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst comes a new story in her Sunshine Sisters series…
Devon Pratt loves many things in life. The beauty of flowers. The yin and yang of energy. The power of positivity in people. And everything to do with the Christmas season.
As a floral shop owner in the beach town of Cape May, she looks forward to decorating both the town and running the annual holiday party to benefit the local animal shelter. Too bad the new owner of her favorite venue is more like the Grinch than Santa. Working with him will be a challenge, but she’s too full of seasonal cheer to let him annoy her, right?
Jameson Franklin hates many things in life. Crowds. Fake cheer. Ostentatious décor. And especially Christmas. The season is full of things he’d rather avoid, but since taking over the popular restaurant Vintage temporarily for his cousin as a favor, he’s trying to play nice with the locals. Too bad the florist is insisting on overrunning his sacred space with blooms, dogs, and an endless positive persistence that pushes all of his buttons. But when too many heated confrontations lead to heated encounters, he begins to wonder what it would be like to love not only Christmas, but Devon Pratt.
Let the festivities begin.
4 Stars
Devon Pratt loves life. She sees the good in many things and gets joy from simple things like flowers and animals. Christmas time is truly her favorite time of year and it brings her a tremendous amount of joy. She enjoys decorating the town and loves running the annual holiday party to benefit the local animal shelter. Just weeks before the event someone steps in at the restaurant where the event is to be held and tries to change all of her plans last minute. She shows just what holiday cheer can bring out in a person.
Jameson Franklin is easily annoyed by many things in life. Less than tasteful, decor, and crowds get to him, but what really raises the fur on his haggles is Christmas time. Taking over his cousin’s restaurant during the Christmas season is not his ideal thing, but he will try to play nice with the locals. Jamison make some changes to the restaurant that he thinks will help his cousins bottom line however, he has definitely gotten under one particular florist’s skin.
Christmas in Cape May was a fun and sweet holiday short Reid. Devon and Jamieson seem to be the opposite of each other. However, through some heated conversations in close proximity, they realize they have a bit more in common than they knew. Someone over filled with holiday cheer, and another one who wants nothing to do with it. Their banter is absolutely fantastic. I love that they are constantly fighting their chemistry until they can no longer fight their feeling and it just explodes. Jennifer Probst gives her readers a fun and heartwarming Christmas story to get our holiday season started.
Release Day: Christmas in Cape May by Jennifer Probst
She’s a beach town flower shop owner who loves Christmas. He’s the hot new restaurant owner with a grumpy Grinch heart.
Christmas in Cape May, an all-new steamy Sunshine Sisters novella from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst, is available now!
Devon Pratt loves many things in life. The beauty of flowers. The yin and yang of energy. The power of positivity in people. And everything to do with the Christmas season.
As a floral shop owner in the beach town of Cape May, she looks forward to decorating both the town and running the annual holiday party to benefit the local animal shelter. Too bad the new owner of her favorite venue is more like the Grinch than Santa. Working with him will be a challenge, but she’s too full of seasonal cheer to let him annoy her, right?
Jameson Franklin hates many things in life. Crowds. Fake cheer. Ostentatious décor. And especially Christmas. The season is full of things he’d rather avoid, but since taking over the popular restaurant Vintage temporarily for his cousin as a favor, he’s trying to play nice with the locals. Too bad the florist is insisting on overrunning his sacred space with blooms, dogs, and an endless positive persistence that pushes all of his buttons. But when too many heated confrontations lead to heated encounters, he begins to wonder what it would be like to love not only Christmas, but Devon Pratt.
Let the festivities begin.
**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.**
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Keep reading for a look inside Christmas in Cape May!
She took a few steps in and jabbed her finger in the air. “You wouldn’t know how to handle a day at my shop, restaurant boy. And cancelling on a charity two weeks before the event is bad business in whatever way you want to look at it. I refuse to let you ruin this town’s tradition because you want to line your pocket with a few extra bucks. I don’t care what I have to do. You will honor the agreement and hold the gala here or I will make you sorely regret it.” The words shot and floated through the room like post-gunfire. A slight trembling shook her body from the depth of her emotions, and she dully noted it had been a long time since any individual—male or female—brought out her full ire. Devon braced herself for the fight of the century. “Restaurant boy?” The droll amusement only notched her temper higher. “I mean it. I will help you do this but you have a responsibility to keep your damn word.” The man had the audacity to lean back in his chair with ease and regard her under lashes that were too thick for a male. “And if I don’t?” Devon realized she’d make a bigger impression if she was like him. Cold-hearted, methodical, and ruthless. “I know people.” Interest piqued in those storm cloud eyes. “Mob?” “No. Legal people. Wouldn’t it be a shame to try and make productive changes and have to deal with customer complaints regarding the food? Or sanitary conditions?” She clucked her tongue. “Mac just got his liquor license. I bet you’d make a pretty penny selling your fancy Manhattan cocktails here. Wouldn’t it be a shame if something happened to that liquor license?” “You really like dogs, don’t you?” She narrowed her gaze and tried to figure him out. He was so damn…perplexing. Devon expected anger, or some other type of boorish behavior. Instead, he acted like he was royalty who refused to show weakness or emotion. Unfortunately, it only made her want to stir him up a bit to see where his limits were. “Dogs are the bomb. They deserve a little happiness before being returned to their cages without a family for Christmas.” And then something amazing happened. He laughed. Sure, it was a chuckle, and not a full-blown chest laugh, but the sound ruffled her nerve endings and made her want to remember it so she could replay the scene later in her head. “Okay, flower girl. I’ll give you what you want because I have limited time to deal with your threats but I have no time to structure this event. I’ll serve local beer and wine. I’ll offer up a limited menu based on my choices. That’s it. You do everything else and there will be no interference with the lunch crowd. The event begins at six pm, and I serve till 4pm. That means, no early drop-offs or distractions for my staff.” She opened her mouth to say something but he kept going. “And if I need anything, I plan to call you and only you. The moment you don’t respond, I’m calling the whole thing off, and you can blame the dogs’ broken hearts on your inability to follow through. Understood?” “Flower girl?” He grinned and her stomach did another weird flip. Something about those lips distracted her. “Tit for tat. Now, I need to get back to work.” This time, he turned around and began tapping at his keyboard. She’d already been dismissed. Head spinning, unable to come up with a proper retaliation, Devon left, wondering if she’d won the battle only to have lost the war. Because dealing with that man for the next two weeks was going to be hell on Earth.
For More Information about Jennifer Probst, visit her website: https://jenniferprobst.com/
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Review: Muder Uncorked by Maddie Day
Murder Uncorked
Maddie Day
Cece Barton Mystery Series, Book 1
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 24, 2023
Raise a glass to Cece Barton, a widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, who suddenly finds herself at the center of a murder investigation in this sparkling new mystery series from Agatha Award–winning and national bestselling author Maddie Day.
As the manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar in Colinas, Cecelia “Cece” Barton’s first Alexander Valley harvest is a whirlwind of activity. Her twin sister, Allie Halstead, who owns a nearby Victorian bed & breakfast, is accustomed to the hustle and bustle of peak tourist season. But Cece barely has a moment to enjoy her new home in between worrying about her estranged college-age daughter, juggling her responsibilities at the bar, and navigating the sticky politics of the local wine association. Just when it seems things can’t grow any more intense, Colinas is rocked by a murder within the wine community . . . and Cece is identified as a possible suspect!
With her reputation and her livelihood on the line—and the Sonoma County deputy sheriff breathing down her neck—Cece has no choice but to open up her own murder investigation. Tensions are already high in the valley, as a massive wildfire creeps toward Colinas, threatening homes, vineyards, and the vital tourist trade. And now, with a murderer on the loose, and Cece’s sleuthing exposing the valley’s bitterest old rivalries and secret new alliances, Colinas feels ready to pop! But with Allie’s help, Cece is determined to catch the killer and clear her name before everything she’s worked so hard for goes up in flames.
3.5 Stars
Maddie Day takes her readers to beautiful wine country California in Murder Uncorked. The debut novel in the Cece Barton mystery Series.
Cece is a widowed single mom who is trying to start a new chapter of her life. She is the manager of Vino y Vida. She’s trying to settle into a new town learning to deal with the hustle and bustle of tourist season and trying to understand the politics of the local wine Association. Just as she begins to navigate the waters of all this newness, she finds herself being a prime suspect of a murder within the wine community.
Murder Uncorked is a wonderful introduction to the series. I very much enjoyed this week. Not only did we get a good mystery that was well written and kept you guessing. We also get the story of a woman trying to restart her life. The wine bar she manages is in the same little town as her twin sister, who runs a bed-and-breakfast. Her sister is a suspect as well. I love how they stick together and take on the job of amateur sluice to clear their own names. Cece does not have the best relationship with her daughter, and we get to see how that truly affects her and how much she wants that change. As I said, this is a great introduction to what I think it’s going to be not just a good mystery series, but the story of a woman who had changes later in life and is trying to make a new life with them.
Review: Snow Place for Murder by Diane Kelly
Snow Place for Murder
Diane Kelly
Moutain Lodge Mystery Series, Book 3
International resort developer Nigel Goodwin has traveled all the way from London, England to Misty Murphy’s little corner of North Carolina and bought out the Mountaintop Lodge for the week prior to Christmas. Their intention? To pitch an exclusive new resort concept to wealthy American investors.
But locals are at odds over the idea, and when a group comes to the lodge to express their worries to Mr. Goodwin and the potential investors, a blizzard hits Beech Mountain. Like the weather outside, things quickly get frosty, and Misty has to call local police to intervene. Handyman Rocky Crowder plows the lodge’s drive and, in an attempt to regain a jovial holiday atmosphere, smooths the snow pile into a makeshift sledding hill for the guests to enjoy.
Misty’s boys have finished their exams and are “home” from college for the winter break, planning to spend most of their time snowboarding at the ski resort. While taking a few runs down Rocky’s sledding hill, they discover a funny-looking, nose-shaped rock. Only it’s not a rock. It’s the frozen nose of Nigel Goodwin, who’s found dead and buried under the mound of snow.
Who put the developer on ice and why?
Audio Review: Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew
Murder by the Seashore
Samara Yew
California Bookshop Mystery Series, Book 1
October 17, 2023 by Crooked Lane
256 pages, Hardcover
Perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Ellery Adams, Scarlett Gardner’s dream was to open a bookshop in Southern California, but it soon becomes a nightmare when she finds the dead body of a customer—and becomes the prime suspect.
Southern California is where dreams come true—or so Scarlett Gardner thought. When she came out and opened the Palm Trees and Page Turners bookshop, she thought her boyfriend and business partner would be part of the story. When he leaves her for a better job, Scarlett finds herself struggling to keep her new business afloat. That’s not the only thing she has to worry about—she discovers something underneath the pier by her bookstore that she didn’t outline for her life’s story: the dead body of a book-buying customer.
After Scarlett gives a statement to the police, she thinks her life can go back to business as usual. But when a lawyer, representing someone named Lorelai Knight, tells her that Scarlett now stands to inherit a small fortune, Scarlett is left with more questions than answers. Before she can think about any of it, the police bring her in for questioning; the body she found was Lorelai Knight. And the evidence they have against Scarlett doesn’t look good—not only does she have a motive because of her inheritance, but a bottle of the same poison found in Lorelai’s system was discovered near the bookshop. Business is booming as Scarlett returns to the bookshop, but for all the wrong reasons – they want to question the last known suspect of the murder.
Who could really be behind all of this? And why frame Scarlett? To clear her name, she’s going to have get creative—and hope she can remain one page ahead of the killer.
4 Stars
Scarlett Gardner is trying to make her dreams come true. Opening her beach book shop Palm Trees and Page Turner is the beginning of a good thing. Until her boyfriend/business partner decides to leave for a better job. Then to top things off, Scarlet finds a dead body under the pier not far from her Bookshop, making her a suspect in the murder. Then to mix things up just a little bit, a lawyer shows up wanting to speak to Scarlet about an inheritance from a person she has never heard of. Scarlet is filled with lots of questions and not finding too many answers. Deciding to do a little investigating of her own, Scarlet has to clear her name, and that of the book shop.
Murder by the seashore, is a fantastic opening book for this new series. Scarlett Gardner is an interesting main character. She has some complexities to her, has dreams and desires. She wants to fulfill and has a very good heart. She has a solid character any Author has written her in a way that she will be able to grow through future installments. I thought we were going to see the beginning of a love interest in the first book but I guess we’re not quite there yet. As for the mystery, I found it very enjoyable. Author Samara Yew does a wonderful job at keeping the reader guessing as to whether they have actually figured it out or not. From the setting to the characters to the storyline, I found this a very enjoyable, cozy mystery.
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.
Coffee Books Life 