A Murder Yule Regret by Winnie Archer Great Escapes Tour Review

 December 1 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

 

About the book  

Freelance photographer and Yeast of Eden bakery assistant Ivy Culpepper has just scored the job of a lifetime shooting the Dickensian dress-up X-mas party thrown by It Girl film actress Eliza Fox . . . until an unwanted guest appears.

A holiday costume party in the sleepy coastal town of Santa Sofia could be just the boost Ivy needs for her fledgling photography business. At the party, Ivy enters a Victorian fantasy come to life, all courtesy of the fabulous Ms. Fox. Ivy gets to play shutterbug while hanging with Scrooge, Marley, the Cratchits, and more classic Dickens characters. But what begins as the best of times turns out to be the very worst for one of the party guests—a tabloid journalist with more enemies than Ebenezer himself.

When the man’s body is found sprawled across the jagged rocks below the house, the fingers begin pointing at Eliza. Meanwhile, Ivy gets roped into helping prove the starlet’s innocence. Her festive photos are now official evidence—and the Ghosts of Christmas Present could mean the party for Eliza is over, once and for all.

 

And I thought 

One of the best from this series! 

It might just be the holiday be theme.  

Prob the Dickens party theme for sure! 

Author Winnie Archer never disappoints with this series! 

With each one I am enamoured with the series cast.   

Filled with a bit of fantasy and nostalgia the costumed characters provide a few suspects, details,clues and evidence to be  unraveled. 

I loved the cover.  Watch out for those holiday cookies!  Does the Santa Skull hold a clue? 

A Murder Yule Regret  gave this readers hours of pleasant page turning.  

I love this series. 

I received it a complimentary copy. 

My review be will appear on Amazon and Good my Reads. 

Buy the book 

Visit the tour 

Click Here

Mailbox Monday featuring Author Debra Parmley

 

 

Every day we are alive is a beautiful day.” – Debra Parmley  

Visit Debra's website for book news  Click 

Visit the fun travel blog.  

Click Here

Killer Words by V. M. Burns Great Escapes Book Tour Review

 November 30 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

About the book 

Bookstore owner and mystery writer Samantha Washington comes to the aid of the cop who once arrested her own grandmother . . .

Sam and Nana Jo are back in sleepy North Harbor, Michigan, where Sam is eagerly awaiting the publication of her first book. In search of more immediate excitement, Nana Jo hits the casino with her fellow Shady Acres Retirement Village gal pals—but they get more than they bargained for when they witness Detective Bradley Pitt decking mayoral candidate John Cloverton.

As Sam well knows, mystery novels are full of brilliant detectives, genius sleuths, and hero cops. Detective Bradley Pitt—aka “Stinky Pitt”—is another story. In the past, the dull-witted detective has mistakenly accused members of Sam’s family for crimes they didn’t commit. Now, it’s his turn: when Cloverton turns up dead, he’s arrested. With his predilection for polyester, Pitt has been wanted by the fashion police for years, but Nana Jo knows her former elementary school math student would never commit murder—it doesn’t add up. Somebody’s framed the flatfoot to take a fall, and Sam and Nana Jo must step in to restore the reputation and good name of Detective Pitt.

And I thought 

Another fun  cozy from V.M. Burns. 

It was delightful to be back across the one with Sam and the girls. 

Seeing the in their hometown and stomping grounds was fun after meeting them on their trip to England. 

I enjoyed it he tour of their hometown of  North Harbor and visiting Sam's book shop. 

Nana Jo and cronies were hilarious and I enjoyed their retirement village!  

I enjoyed this read and I have a good size list of the previous titleson my Wish List now. 

I received a complimentary copy.

My review will be post on Amazon and Good Reads. 

Visit the tour 

Thanksgiving Day Greetings From A Few Friends

 Hello and Welcome to a special 

Thanksgiving Day post featuring a few friends . . .  

I followed a few around to see what they were up to today . . . 

Even though our fried Cheryl Wright doesn't celebrate the day in her neck of the woods she stopped to say Hello . . .

“We have enough food to go around. Join us!”

Greetings from Australia!

Wishing everyone a wonderful and love-filled Thanksgiving. 

Where you can find me: 

Amazon Click Here

BookBub Click Here

FB Author Group Click Here

Newsletter Click Here

Website Click Here

Our friend Alison Henderson shared a special parade . . . 

Greetings from Carmel, California!  

Visit Alison's website

Click Here

Find Alison on Facebook 

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Jocie McKade sends special greetings from Dust Bunny Farm 

Visit Jocie and learn about all her books. Click Here

Follow Jocie on Amazon

Meet up on Facebook click here

Birgit Stubblefield share's puppies first Thanksgiving photo shoot 

Click Here

Amy Pershing invited us to her festive table! 

We're just in time check her newest Release too! 

Order An Eggnog to Die For Here

Order A Side of Murder Here 

Website Click Here

 On Facebook Click Here

Follow amypershingauthor on Instagram

Sign up for News from the Cape Cod Foodie!

 

Thanks everyone for making our day special. 

I think I'll go see if I can find us some dessert! 

All At Once by Lindsay Harrel My Review

 

About the book  

Description

She loved him once—and he broke her heart.

Letting herself fall again would just be foolish.

When Gabrielle and Tyler are paired together as leaders for a weeklong kids summer camp, they interact for the first time in a decade—and she realizes the immature boy who left so long ago has become a man.

A very muscular, all-too-handsome man who still has the ability to make her swoon.

But no matter how much chemistry between them, the problem remains—Tyler lives three thousand miles away in New York City, where he runs a nonprofit he’s passionate about. Meanwhile, Gabrielle’s heart is rooted in their small hometown of Walker Beach, California, where she takes care of the only family she’s got left.

It seems the only answer is to buckle down, ignore the sparks between them—and simply survive the week. If only they could get their traitorous hearts on board …

You’ll love this clean beach romance, because everyone adores a story of high school sweethearts who get a second chance at love.

This was originally written as a 25,000-word prequel novella for the Walker Beach Romance series. The other books in the series are longer. Since all books in the series can stand alone, you can choose to skip this book if shorter books are not your cup of tea. But if you love a complete love story that you can read in under 2 hours, this will be right up your alley.

***

Read all the books in the Walker Beach Series, a clean and sweet collection about people finding love in a small town. Books can stand alone but are best read in order.

1. All at Once

2. All of You, Always

3. All Because of You

4. All I’ve Waited For

5. All You Need Is Love

And I thought 

A fun Sweet read.  This one was short.  But sometimes that is  A-o.k.

when you have a little time and want a good read.  

All At Once  was my introduction to the author.  I am glad to find a new author that brings a nice romance that anyone could read. 

MaMa and Jazzy Grandma would enjoy.  Even a teenager would turn the pages. 

The story moved quickly.  

The characters were nice and developed well.   

I liked Tyler and Gabrielle I was glad they were able to find each other again and work out their jobs to be able to finally have a future as a couple. 

There was a nice 2nd it with Gabrielle sisters and her son.  

I hope to see them again.   

I really liked the cover but I felt like the boat on the beach didn't really play into the story. 

I have already purchased book 2 

All at Once 

My review will appear on Amazon and Good Reads. 

The series 

   Available on Amazon

Click Here

New Releases

 

Matt Jackson never expected being a police officer would give him wings… and an angel!

When bombs went off while on duty, he’s thrown well over ten feet in the air, waking to the most wonderful dream a man could wish for! His nurse was a curvy bombshell with an incredible smile and a personality that matched his own. Even his K-9 dog, Barbie, adores the gorgeous nurse smuggling in homemade doggie treats.

Alice Chadwick was a just an ordinary girl. A nurse, fur-baby momma, and wannabe chef, her schedule gives her little time to find that someone special. When the gorgeous officer flirts as she’s taking his vitals, she isn’t sure what to make of him. He’s got a snarky sense of humor, making her laugh more during her twelve-hour shift than she had in years. Perhaps Officer Jackson bumped his head a little harder than anyone thought, or was he was a brutal tease toying with her heart?

For every quip, every joke, Alice had a witty comeback that left him yearning for more—even after she refused to go out with him. When fate intervenes and it’s up to Matt to rescue his damsel-in-distress, will his luscious lady love realize that maybe he’s not such a bad guy after all?


*** Step into the world of Disaster City Search and Rescue, where officers, firefighters, military, and medics, train and work alongside each other with the dogs they love, to do the most dangerous job of all — help lost and injured victims find their way home.  

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Christmas Candy Corpse

by Rosemarie Ross

Christmas has come early to the beautiful Poconos resort that’s the setting for the American Baking Battle’s holiday special, where chef Courtney Archer is on hand to sample festive fare—and lift the lid off a killer . . .

 

Six ambitious bakers are competing for glory and a grand prize, showcasing their most delicious candies, cookies, and desserts. Courtney detects some on-set grinchiness from her coworkers, especially judge Shannon Collins, but she’s hoping the sweet treats will restore everyone’s festive spirits. That Christmas wish swiftly fizzles when assistant director Kinzy Hummel is found strangled—with an apron from Shannon’s new product line . . .

 

Shannon insists she’s innocent. Meanwhile, Kinzy had been under pressure from a disgruntled attorney to settle her late grandfather’s estate. But could that be a motive for murder? The show must go on even as Courtney sifts through competitors and crew for likely suspects. But unless she can quickly get to the truth, there’ll be another helping of homicide amid the pinwheel cookies and fruitcakes . . . 

Available on Amazon

Click Here

Police Navidad by Becky Clark 

The only thing Charlee Russo wants for Christmas are some silent nights so she can work on her mystery manuscript. Instead, she gets snowballed into writing and directing a Christmas play as a fundraiser for an elementary school to be held at the local senior center. But when the actor playing Santa drops dead at rehearsal, Charlee must deck the halls with thoughts of murder.

Available on Amazon

Click Here

A Secret Never Told by Shelley Noble (Historical)

Philomena Amesbury, expatriate Countess of Dunbridge, is bored. Coney Island in the sweltering summer of 1908 offers no shortage of diversions for a young woman of means, but sea bathing, horse racing, and even amusement parks can’t hold a candle to uncovering dastardly plots and chasing villains. Lady Dunbridge hadn’t had a big challenge in months.

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Murder in Second Position 

by Lori Robbins (Traditional)

Ballerina Leah Siderova belongs onstage. Not in an interrogation room at Manhattan’s Twentieth Precinct. And yet, for the second time in less than a year, that’s where she has a starring role. It wasn’t her fault someone killed the autocratic new director of the American Ballet Company. And it wasn’t her job to find the killer. 

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

My Review Seven Deadly Sequins by Julie Ann Lindsey

   

About the book 

Bonnie & Clyde are at it again!

When the death of a local baker threatens to shred the fabric of their lovely town, this dynamic sleuthing duo bolts into action. The results will leave you in stitches.

It’s summertime in beautiful Bliss, Georgia, and while second chance dress shop owner, Bonnie Balfour, would prefer to spend her time redesigning gowns for the upcoming Founder’s Day parade, her grandma, Gigi, is too hot under the collar to concentrate. It seems Gigi’s former friend is using her recipe to sell cobbler at the local festivities, and she’s claiming Gigi’s treat as her own!

Things go from uncomfortable to downright ugly when Gigi confronts her friend publicly about the unseamly pattern of behavior, only to later find the woman dead! With Gigi’s prints on the murder weapon, and dozens of material witnesses to their earlier scrap, Gigi cuts straight to the top of Sheriff Wright’s suspect list.

Now, Bonnie and her kitty companion, Clyde, must don their sleuthing hats once more.

To mend Gigi’s reputation and deliver justice for the victim, Bonnie must lace together a string of clues about what really happened that night. Will she wind up on the killer’s cutting board in the process?

And I thought  

I was super excited to be offered the chance to return to Bliss! 

Author Julie Ann Lindsey is keeping readers busy by churning out this wonderful series!  

I would call this one a true series because the books and storylines all progress through the series.   

I have enjoyed each book.  Don't be afraid to hop in here.  You'll easily come up to speed as you meet Bonnie Balfour and her cat Clyde.  He has sticky paws.  He likes to pilfer objects.   Clyde adopted Bonnie in the beginning of the series and he is her constant companion and protector.  He even helps the hunky and handsome police chief save Bonnie and her GiGi when they are about to be kidnapped.  

I love this series!  

The characters are fun.  The plots are interesting.  

I am looking forward to more in this series! 

I received a complimentary copy. 

My review will be posted on Amazon and Good Reads.

Buy the book 

Available on Amazon

Click Here

Murder In New Orleans by Denise Jaden My Review

 

About the book 

This humorous, contemporary travel mystery was originally published as Murder of a Po’ Boy in the When the Cat’s Away Anthology

A food tour in New Orleans where murder is on the menu…

When Mallory Beck wins a food tour experience in New Orleans, she invites teenage Amber, her foodie BFF, to join her on a road trip of French and creole cuisine. Mallory’s cat-sitter cancels at the last minute, and presumptuous, cheeky Hunch helps himself to shotgun in Mallory’s Prius. A good thing, too, because when a know-it-all food tour participant turns up dead and wrapped in Mardi Gras beads, they’ll need Hunch’s keen nose to sniff out any foul play.

Surrounded by tight-lipped locals and voodoo theories, Mallory and her team of sleuths have their work cut out for them to clear Amber’s name from suspicion and get to the bottom of what happened to the Po’ Boy who didn’t make it through to the last stop on the food tour.

You'll love the strong friendships and the cranky crime-solving cat who thinks he's a dog in this new whodunit. Order Murder in New Orleans now!

And I thought  

A fun and charming read!  

I quickly turned the pages and finished in one afternoon/evening. 

These are the kind of reads I especially like.  Ones that capture me on page one and keep  my interest till the end.  

And then some . . . 

. . . It ended to soon!  

I could have spent a few more hours in NOLA with Mallory, Amber and Hunch. 

These three just weave their way into your heart.  Kind of like the cat that weaves thru your leg. 

I loved Mallory and Amber's team work in investigating. 

I enjoyed the plot and the Who Dun It.  And the murder method was surprising. 

The earlier titles are on my Wish List. 

My review will appear on Amazon and Good Reads. 

Buy the book   

Available on Amazon 

Here

Christmas Books

 

 

Welcome back to my Christmas  Book party.  Today I am sharing  a couple of favorite  authors and a few new to me. 

Check out these fun reads!

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Available on Amazon 

Click Here  

Available on Amazon  

Click Here 

Available on Amazon  

Click Here

A Honeybun & Coffee by Sam Cheever My Review

 

About the book 

It was a Good Samaritan thing gone horribly wrong.

She heard two men talking about killing some poor guy named Alastair. She only wanted to warn him--to save his life--but she soon found herself embroiled in his mess.

He might be drop dead gorgeous. She might be forming a real attachment to his dog. But is any man worth this?

Running for her life with a truly delicious hero, the help of his seven equally yummy brothers and one adorable dachshund named Jaws?

Okay, maybe he is worth it.

Grab your copy now and embark on a laugh out loud adventure with a family you can’t wait to get to know, and a story you won’t be able to put down!

And I thought . . .  

Intro to my review

Where have I been? 

I read alot of Cozy Mysteries.  I read every Romantic Suspense I can get my hands on!  

And I have never met Author Sam Cheever till now!  

And what a great place to start . . .

At the beginning of a great series. 

I honestly did not know what to expect.  I was looking for Romantic Suspense and Honeybun & Coffee was the closest I found in my Kindle library. 

The bad part was I started reading at 6:00 p.m.  I always read a few chapters before dinner.  

Dinner was late. Bedtime was late. 

And breakfast didn't get started till I turned the last page!  

My 5 star ⭐ Review 

I have to begin with this is the best book I have read this year!  

I like a fast paced read.  I like a page-turner.  A book that I can't put down. 

That doesn't happen often. But yesterday it did. 

From page 1 the action started. 

There was no lengthy description of characters.  They just jumped off the page as the Suspense unfolded. 

There was a huge cast.  Since the male lead Alastair had 7 brothers. Mom and dad entered into the mix.  Then there were the bad guys.  Several of them.  A few cops. 

And the sweet female lead character Angie the Coffee Shop owner that ends up running for life when she decides to help Alastair.  

Angie's sister and the Coffee Shop employees make appearances as well.

Although I didn't need a cast of characters to keep up it would have been nice just to read the authors description of each. 

A Honeybun & Coffee is the best book I have read this year.  Because I just couldn't put it down. 

The plot was intriguing.  

The characters were loveable.   

There were scenes that were kind of silly.  There were scenes that had me on the edge of my set.  There were sweet scenes.  And funny scenes.   

I  am happy to say that I have found a new series and a new Author to spend my reading time with.  

I have already added book 2 to my Kindle library and the remaining series is on my wish list. 

I received a complimentary copy when the Author offered a promotion. 

My review will appear on Amazon and Good Reads. 

Buy the book 

Available on Amazon

Click Here

New Releases that Caught My Eye

 

Doggone Deadly 

by Deborah Blake (Cozy)

When the woman running the big regional dog show calls out sick, dog groomer Suz Holden is asked to take over. But it’s too much for her to handle by herself— considering the president of the kennel club, Olivia Weiner, criticizes her at every turn—so she calls in her best friend, Kari Stuart, for help. A long, stressful day goes from bad to worse when a local breeder is found dead, and the murder weapon seems to incriminate Suz.

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Mrs. Jeffries and the Midwinter Murders 

by Emily Brightwell (Cozy)

Harriet Andover had no intention of dying young like her silly siblings had. She intended to outlive them and outdo them as she always had. But Harriet discovers that the best intentions can lead to murder when she is strangled inside her mansion with a house full of holiday guests.

Available on Amazon

Click Here

 You Can't Candle The Truth

by Sarah E. Burr (Cozy) *new series*

Welcome to Crucible, a small town with a storied history. Founded by five prestigious families, Crucible has been tucked away in upstate New York for centuries under the protection of a shield enchantment cast by Jedidiah Glenmyre, Hazel’s revered ancestor. The enchanted barrier is meant to protect Crucible from anything bad ever happening to the town. No crime, no awful weather, no natural disasters. . .a haven from the greater world.  

Available on Amazon

Click Here

 

Cherry Lime Havoc 

by Leena Clover (Cozy)

Dolphin Bay is celebrating Founder’s Day with great pomp and show. Anna’s cherry lime cupcakes impress the patron of the year, a retired doctor who has generously sponsored the local food bank. The next morning, the whole town reels in shock at the news of his death.

Available on Amazon

Click Here

Styled For Murder 

 by Nancy J. Cohen (Cozy)

When hairstylist and savvy sleuth, Marla Vail, gets a frantic call from her mother that there’s a dead body in her shower, Marla realizes this wasn’t part of the home renovation plans. The victim turns out to be the project manager, who had an untrustworthy reputation in town. Disgruntled customers, unpaid suppliers, and the design company’s staff are among the suspects. Which one of them wanted the foreman to pipe down about their shady dealings?    

Available on Amazon

Click Here

The Inn at Holiday Bay...

Poison in the Pudding 

by Kathi Daley (Cozy)

Abby joins Colt as he investigates the death of a local man who died after eating pudding dosed with poison during a community dinner. Was the man targeted or was the poison in the pudding a random act set into motion by a madman intent on murder? Meanwhile, Thanksgiving is only a few days away and several guests who’ve visited the inn in the past return to spend the holiday with Abby, Georgia, and the rest of the Inn at Holiday Bay family. 

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

But Knot for Me by Betty Hechtman (Cozy)

When a charismatic life coach and his devoted followers descend on Vista Del Mar, Casey Feldstein and the yarn retreat group she’s hosting literally get pushed aside, out of sight and out of mind of the struggling participants seeking enlightenment. But Casey can’t help overhearing the rancorous argument between two members of the guru’s staff, and when one of them turns up dead after ingesting poisonous mushrooms, Casey finds herself tangled up in a murder investigation while the self-help group looks on helplessly.

Available on Amazon

Click Here

 

The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy (Cozy)

Margery and Clementine are enjoying a peaceful middle-age together in the small, idyllic town of Dewstow, and eagerly awaiting retirement from their work on the front line serving meals to the students at Summerview secondary school. Their calm life is shattered when their kitchen manager is found dead in the school’s walk-in freezer. The police are adamant that it’s an open-and-shut case of accidental death. Margery and Clementine are convinced there’s something far more nefarious going on, and they take it upon themselves to investigate.   

Available on Amazon

Click Here

Beating the Wrap by Julie Anne Lindsey (Cozy)

Thanksgiving is right around the corner in historic Bliss, Georgia, and Bonnie is trimming display tables at Bless Her Heart, especially for the occasion. A Gift of Gratitude display, beside the front door of her second chance dress shop, encourages shoppers to leave messages of good tidings for neighbors and friends. Unfortunately, someone has left a cornucopia of complaints instead. And they’re all about Bonnie!

Available on Amazon 

Click Here 

Santa, Sunrises & Suspicions 

By Tonya Kappes

Around here we say BLESS HER HEART and sometimes it's just not in a good way.

Take Neva Hudson for instance, bless her heart, she's the town gossip, not to mention someone who likes to toot her own horn.

Two toots too many 'cause bless her heart, someone has strangled Neva and left her for dead in of all places...the church's Christmas play.

Trust me when I say there's no shortage of suspects since her tongue lashed a few too many lies about people.

More importantly, my dear friend Dottie Swaggert has been on the tall tale end of Neva's lies and she's got the most motive. Thank goodness me, Mae West, and our group of friends, the Laundry Club Ladies have traded our Christmas play elf hats into sleuthing caps because Santa's bringing Dottie a big ole present of FREEDOM when we find the real killer.

’Tis the season for murder in the small town of Normal, Kentucky. When the town gossip is found strangled to death in a church, there’s no shortage of suspects. 

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Flo and Maude Save a Santa 

by Sarah Osborne (Cozy)

Octogenarians Flo and Maude, with younger sidekick Kate, are asked once more to prevent a murder before it happens. A Santa in Maine has been threatened. His Santa suit has been viciously ripped to shreds. Is the perpetrator done with mischief or are they intent on destroying more than just a costume? It’s ODPA to the rescue. Flo will get the white Christmas she craves—along with a heavy dose of adventure in the rural coastal town of Menescotta. 

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Mystery Writers’ Cookbook – The Secret Ingredient (Cookbook)

What’s cozier than a cup of tea, a warm fire, and drooling over the mouth-watering food featured in your favorite mystery novels? Some of today’s most exciting mystery writers invite you to take a behind the scenes peek into their characters’ kitchens where, among the stashed poisons, the sharpened knives, and the recipes for murder, the secret ingredients for their killer recipes are all spelled out.

Available on Amazon 

Click Here