Tracy's Tidbits

Thank you to NetGalley and various Publishers for making these advanced reader copies available for review. The Book of Candlelight By Ellery Adams Published by Kensington Books This was a little edgier than my usual cozy choices. I had not read the previous book but did not feel that I was out of the loop and in fact it looked like at least one new main character was added as well as a few side characters.  I liked how it wove a forgotten history into the modern mystery. The addition of Cherokee lore as part of the story makes it stand out as well. I would absolutely LOVE to see a bookstore set up like Nora's Miracle Books complete with train car effect and with similar staff.  I have always used the world of cozy fiction to brighten my day or relax after a bit of stress, so I can see how of bibliotherapy would be a viable and remarkable talent. Nora has a great depth of character and chances are that I will search out the earlier book to get her whole back story. Sh...

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for making these books available for reading and reviewing. A Very Mummy Holiday By Lynn Cahoon Published by Lyrical Press Who would have thought that a simple preholiday vacation would turn out to be a murder mystery. Murder does not go on holiday or maybe it's just that  Jill Gardner and her crew  can't take one with out a little drama.   Jill, Greg, and a couple of friends, Kathi Corbin and Blake Jennings went to the coast for some fun and relaxation. Who doesn't like a little dune buggy joy riding. That is until a diamond ring is found with a body still attached to it.. Keep in mind this is a novella so it will be a quick ride to solve the heart wrenching mystery of what happened to the bride before the wedding. The criminal element seemed obvious but I did like the character interaction as always with this group. Be sure to give the pie recipe a chance, you will be glad you did, not only did it come out as pretty as...

These unbiased reviews are given in exchange for NetGalley and multiple publisher access Murder in the First Edition By Lauren Elliot Published by Kensington Publishing Let me start by saying that I am loving this series, BUT....Addie needs to make a choice.  I realize that making a choice means moving on and the holidays are a difficult  time, full of memories  of what was and dreams of what could have been. Her mysterious almost father in law doesn't help things with his unexpected  arrival. Of course neither does a murder compounded by the loss of a rare 1st edition Christmas Carol, by Dickens that was to be auctioned at a charity benefit for the hospital. So many loose and crazy threads in this one. Almost like there are multiple plots, multiple suspects, and multiple issues, both life threatening and heart wrenching. Addie needs the support of her friends if she is going to figure this one out, support and a little of that Christmas spirit. Not a fan o...

Thank you to NetGalley  and the various publishers who provide advanced copies for unbiased reviews. Sauvigone for Good (The Wine Trail Mysteries) By J.C. Eaton Published by Lyrical Press Norrie is desperately trying to get her latest screen play written while also running the family winery while her sister Francine, is in South America looking at bugs, with her entomologist husband. Of course this would be at the same time as the Wine Trail's Wine and Chocolate Extravaganza complete with prima donna chocolatiers, sabotage, and murder. Was it death by bonbon, a sleep aid, or suffocation? The contest is getting cutthroat and Norrie is desperate to figure out who did it since Grizzly Gary doesn't seem to be able to piece the clues together.  One doesn't have to be familiar with the characters to enjoy the story line as you can easily pick out the main characters who are quite the characters. I do think that Norrie needs to stick to the lawyer and not dwell on the ento...

The Loch Ness Papers (A Scottish Bookshop Mystery #4) By Paige Shelton Published by Minotaur Books In the midst of wedding plans in a quaint Scottish village, Delaney finds herself in the middle of a mystery as old as Loch Ness itself. While hunting for a replacement pastor to officiate her wedding to pub owner, Tom Shannon, Delaney meets local Nessie expert Norval Fraser. Norval takes a liking to Delaney and the fact that she is willing to listen to his story and look at his "work". Norval is later found dead, murdered in his flat amidst his collection of all things Nessie related. Norval swears that the beast took his Dad away but his family and former neighbors tell a different tale, a sad story of abandonment and a young boys attempt to cope with a heart breaking truth. Delaney is one smart researcher, which is what landed her the job at The Cracked Spine, taking care of all things antique especially books as she manages the "warehouse" and lo...

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity  to give an unbiased review in exchange for access to the books. Murders No Votive Confidence By Christin Brecher Published by Kensington Publishing Excellent start to a new series! I enjoy reading about small business sleuths. The New England whale oil history was interesting as well. The idea of a personal scent for a wedding is a novel idea and if I would have known I would have been sure to have my unity candle crafted by someone as talented as Stella Wright. of Wick & Flame. This story is full of twists and turns as Stella vows to get to the bottom of the mystery in order to save her fledgling business and clear family friend Bill Duffy. Who would use a wedding candle to bludgeon a man to death? Needless to say, in a town the size of Nantucket Island, word gets out fast and that word is murder by unity candle. Stella is on the trail of the killer as she eliminates suspects and manages to get a couple o...

Murder at Royale Court By G.P. Gardner Published by Lyrical Underground (Kensington Publishing) Cleo Mack has found her place as the director of Harbor Village, an active adult community in Alabama. In addition to over seeing the over haul of the facilities she is also involved in overseeing the planned activities. In the midst of renovations is the classic car symposium and guest speaker. I must say that even though I am not into cars, the historical info was interesting and the guest speaker would have most likely had me enthralled by such a wealth of knowledge. Completely unrelated is the death of an investment banker at least it seems unrelated until there is talk of shady dealings and a possible one of a kind mystery investment long lost car being to unsuspecting people. Chances are Cleo wouldn't have become involved if not for the fact that she was there when the body was discovered and her ex-husband/current boss (weird, right LOL) is a possible suspect and ...

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for making these books available for reading and reviewing. Fudge Bites By Nancy Coco Published by Kensington  Books It's  Halloween on Mackinac Island and time for the annual Zombiefest. The last thing Allie expects to find is a dead zombie. This fudge making master plus historic hotel caretaker, has plenty on her to-do list which includes deciding if she should brave the harsh winter or travel south to stay with her BFF in Chicago. Sure that this is a case of mistaken identity,  Allie works through the clues like she works through her fudge recipes. Incidentally,  those recipes are out of this world, I would suggest starting with the flourless brownies. Great story filled with suspects, secrets, sweets, and surprises.  Mulberry Mischief (A Berry Basket Mystery Book 4) By Sharon Farrow Published by Kensington Books It is Halloween in Oriole Point and the Piper, the Mayor's wife has set up an im...

Do you have patience? Can you wait 35 days if you know you are going to get a check in the mail? Rebate Key . Used in conjunction with Amazon, sellers who are eager to move their merchandize and could use some ratings will give you a discount  to buy now and hopefully review later. Start by setting up your account on Rebate Key just like you would set one up on Amazon with basic information. You aren't going to be purchasing through Rebate Key , just using it as a shopping portal that will finish up on Amazon. The only other catch to this most excellent shopping experience is that there are amount limits and time limits. Each item will have a certain number for sale per day and when the limit is reached that is it. There is the option to be "notified" when the item's time slot comes up and it is available. Items change often so be sure that if you see something you like to set up the notification and maybe even a separate alarm on your phone or calendar as...

Muffin but Trouble By Victoria Hamilton Published by Beyond the Page Merry Grace Wynter is an amazing lady. Her tenacity and level head inspires me to breathe deeply and count slowly when I would want to do otherwise. This was a very interesting story with a unique cast of characters. The best part, in my opinion, is the recipes at the end of the story that I cannot wait to test out in my kitchen.  Without giving too much of the plot away, I will say that it was developed at a nice even pace and I did not completely figure it out. So many possible suspects. I was also intrigued by the idea that this scenario could quite possibly take place in this day and age in or around any small town. Some authors use their books to make a statement about social injustices or their personal beliefs regarding politics or religion. When those ideals are very strong it can take away from the light-hearted aspect of a cozy mystery. I do not think that is the case with Muffin but Trouble. ...

Honest reviews are given in exchange for access to new stories via NetGalley and various publishers. Homicide by Horseshow By Arlene Kay Published by Lyrical Press Perri Morgan is back and this time she will need to do more than create exquisite riding harnesses for horses. Babette, Perri's socialite BFF wanted to help a horse farm but what she got was murder. Babette's personal assistant winds up dead, in her unmentionables, in Babette's bed and there is no way that Perri is going to let Babette take the fall for this. Of course, Perri isn't alone on her fact-finding mission as Wing Pruett, her hunky paramour and D.C.'s most eligible bachelor is hunting for his story. There are some viable suspects, some valuable horses, and some very funny goings on in this latest installment. I did feel that Peri should have been more confident in her relationship with Pruett after the first book. It seems as though the relationship progress that was made in the ...