Speak With Confection, Book Four

Matilda and Eleanor have entered Gigi the Wild Goat in a goat show.  While Gigi is busy making a meal of the Show Judge’s beard, someone discovers a dead body.  The owner of the multiple times grand champion of the show has been murdered.  Matilda and Eleanor seem to be Stirling’s only suspects; and Damon has been taken off the case!

Well of course Jane and the ladies have to investigate!

An entertaining tale as we spend a few hours in the company of Hartzler’s amusing characters.  Unlikely scenarios abound as these intrepid sleuths concoct their suspect list based on motive and opportunity.  The Amish Cupcake Mysteries never disappoint and volume four is no exception.  A good fun read I enthusiastically recommend!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.   I was not required to write a review.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own. ]

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Confection is Good for the Soul, Book Three

Five of five stars given

Rebecca has been accused of stealing an original recipe by a cookbook author.  Except the Amish Spice cupcake is one that Rebecca has been selling in her shop for years.

Since she threatened Rebecca to stop selling the cupcake or she would “reveal” something about Rebecca at her book launch, Jane and her roommates go under cover.  But  the only thing unveiled at the cookbook launch is a dead body.  Of the author! 

And Jane is once again the reluctant associate of Matilda & Eleanor Investigations!

What ensues is another frenzied round of visits, questions, and yummy Amish food being shared.  I love these characters and the way they always seem able to embroil Jane in their cloak and dagger shenanigans! 

Hartzler has once again penned a humorous adventure, complete with disguises and stake outs.  A great addition to this series, I’m am looking forward to reading the next entry!  I happily recommend this series!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.   I was not required to write a review.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own. ]

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Previous Confections, Book Two

Four of five stars given

Jane and the ladies are pressed into service again!  And this time it’s a most unlikely character they’re trying to prove innocent;  Jane’s ex husband Ted.  Because his 20-something new wife begs them to help.

How it all comes about, and how Jane, Matilda, and Eleanor stumble their way to the real killer is another entertaining tale.  Get your sleuthing tools out and test your theories against these somewhat reluctant sleuths.  How do you stack up?   I was far off!  But I did enjoy Book Two in this charming series.

[I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review of the book.   The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

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True Confections, Book One

Four of five stars given

“We’re getting a divorce and that’s final.
“I’m going to marry my mistress. We’re going to have a baby.
“I’d like to give you some money, but I won’t be able to . . . And I need the house. “

And so Jane’s thirty year marriage was ended.   In an expensive French restaurant.   On the day of her fiftieth birthday.

Once the dust has settled, Jane has returned to the Amish community where she was born.  Although not Amish – having left the community after her Rumspringa without being baptised – she rents part of the apartment above her sister’s bakery, and spends her days baking for their customers.

Until the local bad guy drops dead in the bake shop.  When it seems that she and / or her sister might be in police sights as the culprits, Jane and her two elderly roommates set to the task of finding the real killer.  The amateur sleuths take a few false steps and u-turns along the road to their inadvertent discovery, but that’s what makes this an interesting tale; imbued with humour and imagination.  A quick read, that I really enjoyed.

[I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review of the book.   The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Witch Dust, Volume One

Five of five stars given

“MY MOTHER HAD A LUMPILY-packed Louis Vuitton carpet bag clamped under one arm, a stout black cat struggling under the other and a brown envelope, gripped damply between her front teeth. She appeared, without warning, in the middle of the living room. I hated it when she did that.

“She had to spit out the envelope before she spoke, “I’ve just killed your Father,” she said. Martin, emerging from the kitchen with two mugs of coffee and a box of chocolates was, not unreasonably, startled to see her. He jumped violently and a jet of hot liquid scalded his wrist, before splashing dark brown across the cream sofa. The chocolates went flying, the cat jerked free and hit the ground running, my Mother sank soulfully into an armchair and Martin started sneezing – allergic to cats!”

Messik’s voice is engaging as she opens this series with a daughter’s eye view of growing up in the shadow of famous illusionists.  I could tell right from page one that this would be an entertaining, even hilarious read.  I was not disappointed.

On the heels of her mother’s revelation, Sandra learns a few tidbits about her family that in all her thirty years she hadn’t known.  She actually has family.  Her mother, now in her living room, has decided to pay them a long overdue visit.  With Sandra driving, of course! The adventure – and mayhem – in store really couldn’t have been imagined!

A quick turn of phrase, peppered with devilish humour becomes evident early on.  Lots of quirky characters that keep you in stitches – and a bit wary – as Sandra discovers all sorts of family history that no one had troubled to mention before.  Most of which she’s not sure she even wants to know, let alone deal with!

This is a rollicking tale with frequent doses of well planned mischief and magic peppered throughout.  I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure and am looking forward to catching up with these ladies again soon.  Strongly recommend for fans of paranormal and humour alike!

[Many thanks to Voracious Readers and the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.  I was not required to write a review.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

A life lived forward can be a really irritating thing. So Nina thought, at any rate.

When the branch of the library where Nina is employed is shut down, Nina finds that there isn’t much call for librarians in this new social media age.   In her search for reinvention, she remembers her dream – a book shop of her own.   Following her adventures as she adjusts her expectations to make it happen, you are pulled into her story.  

Colgan’s characters quickly become your friends and before long you are just as invested in their lives as Nina becomes.   Watch the adventure unfold as Nina moves to a new town and painstakingly makes her dream a reality.   You won’t be able to put it down!

I heartily recommend this great read!

[I received a copy of this book from the author, for an honest review of the book.   The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

[originally posted 9th September, 2019]

Book One, Finn’s Finds Cozy Mysteries

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First in a new series by a new-to-me author, Finn-agled is the perfect volume to get me hooked.   Introducing Finn – who is a truly likeable character, her bald Bassett Garfunkel,  and her family, the author draws you into Finn’s circle of friends effortlessly.   You really like them, you want to keep getting to know them, and you are immediately drawn in to her hunt for the facts.   The introduction of a long lost high school crush doesn’t hurt the story line either

If there’s a part that I didn’t like, it’s the fact that her so-called bestie Zara, literally discounts and poo-poos everything Finn tells her, waving them off as her overactive imagination.   Detective or not, a bestie shouldn’t do that.   Maybe the lesson is learned after Book One!

A thoroughly enjoyable read, cannot wait for Book Two!

[original review written 23rd July, 2019]

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading this book honestly feels like you’re sitting over coffee with Michelle and she’s telling you her story. No punches pulled, no prettifying things that might not go over well. This is truly her story in her words, as only she can tell it.

If you come into this expecting salacious “belowstairs” gossip, you’ll be disappointed. This book is truly an entry into knowing and understanding the woman who had captured the hearts of a world to become easily one of that world’s most influential people.

I loved her before I started reading. I love her even more now. The only thing I didn’t like was when it ended. I had so hoped that she had somehow found a magical way to keep writing the book so that we continued to watch this powerhouse leave her mark.

[original review written 21st July, 2019]

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Powerful

“Did they wager she was too weak to pay the price they had named? She was a woman, after all. In their world – freakishly similar to the Garnet Gap crowd, by the way – she needed to be guided onto the right path. By someone with a penis and not a vagina.

Were they seeking to embarrass her? Maybe. Did it matter?”

I want to start out by saying that Toni’s Smile is not a genre I generally read, not even close. Second that by saying that not having read Stilwell’s work before, I did a little research and had a set idea in my mind of what to expect from his writing. So wrong!

But in the best way.

Let me get something else out of the way, I love Toni Madison. I love her finally rediscovered spunk. But I also love her foibles. Her sense of right and good and her dedication to doing what it takes. Her deep seated fear of maybe discovering they’re right and she’s not quite “good enough”.

It’s that fear that propels her to be acquiescent when she takes The Oath. Play it the way it would have / should have been, had fate not stepped in. For almost three years. And then we watch fascinated as Toni comes into her own. Step by painful step.

Stilwell has an interesting style. Using a mix of reminiscences and dream sequence, he without warning drops you into the present day, then takes you back. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that at first; but came to embrace it as integral to getting the whole of Toni’s story into your heart.

And it will get there. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it. I’ll be keeping an eye on his future work.

[I received a free copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own honest opinion.]

[original review 10th August, 2019]

Four of five stars

I virtually met Pete Fourwinds in a writers and readers group we both belong to. When he in passing mentioned this book, it intrigued me. I – of course – went immediately to Amazon and picked it up. You should too!

In His Sister’s Footsteps is a story of loss, grief, and sadness. But it’s a story of triumph too. And that’s important because though our lives can be hit with loss at any moment, there is also healing to be had.

Have tissues at the ready – you’ll need them both for tears of sadness, and tears of joy – but don’t let that deter you. Read this. It’s a quick, totally engrossing read that I highly recommend!

Witch in Time, Book Six

Five of five stars given

Val and Michael are off to a wedding. He’s best man – back in time to 1960 – and Val is meant to be his “plus one”.

Turns out the wedding has more than a couple of problems. It’s a good thing Val and Michael are part of the party. Jim’s an old friend of Michael’s and has asked him to be the best man. Val was invited along as his plus one, but turns out there’s another role in store. Going back in time can have its hazards.

This quirky adventure filled with zany characters is a super natural minefield but Val is determined to figure out what’s happening.

A quick read, with a few red herrings, this one is a lot of fun!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not required to write a review. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Maggie Needs an Alibi, Book One

Five of five stars given

Maggie Kelly is a writer.  Of mysteries.  Her muses are Aerosmith, Smarties, and cigarettes . . . not necessarily in that order.   Alexandre Blake, Viscount Saint Just is an “amateur sleuth, hero extraordinaire, world class lover”.  With a sidekick, the adorable Sterling Balder.  “Miss Kelly, couldn’t you have figmented me just a tad thinner?”

They are the main characters in her NYT best selling series.  And they also happen to be – in the flesh – in Maggie’s Manhattan apartment.

Be prepared to laugh yourself silly as you meander through the exploits of the Viscount and his good friend Sterling as they Maggie

The story itself is engrossing and enjoyable . . . and plausible . . . sort of.  The characters uniquely endearing – even the obnoxious victim.  By about the middle of the book you’ll find yourself giggling regularly.  Two thirds of the way in, those giggles become loud guffaws.  And all the while that you’re being so well entertained, the crime is being solved.

I had an inkling who the perpetrator was, but what fun to watch Saint Just in action!

Five of five stars given

At the announcement that her daughter and son-in-law will soon be transferring to Japan for work, Maggie is thrust into reminiscences of the early years of her marriage.  The time they picked up and moved to Puerto Rico for Mike’s job.

Warner does an excellent job of highlighting both the trials and successes of such a move.  Realistic characters with real human feelings.  Life is not all goodness and light; the trajectory of Maggie and her family’s settling in to a different culture, language, and indeed even lifestyle rings true. 

An engrossing read that will have you cheering them on; Vocabulary of Light gives you a glimpse at what uprooting a family can be like.

Highly recommend!