Cat got your cozy

Fool's Moon (Tarot Cats Mystery)

By Diane A.S. Stuckart
Published by Midnight Ink

If you are a Midnight Louie fan then you will LOVE the Tarot Card cats! Ophelia has a special gift and it's not just her 9 lives. Boxed up with her brother and left for dead after their owner mysteriously dies in her swimming pool the two are separated and end up in two separate havens. Ophelia goes home with Ruby, a young student and tarot card reader while Brandon takes up with a pawn shop owner. The two cats are reunited with the help of a mystical Koi fish and Ruby's loving pit bull, Zuki. Now the three furry friends are on the trail of a killer as they help their human not only read the cards but to also get a read on the situation. Told from the both the furry and not furry point of view, very fun to read and looking forward to future episodes with Ruby and the furry gang.

Pawsitively Poisonous

By Melissa Erin Jackson

Published by Ringtail Press

This book was pawsitively wonderful! Such a bitter sweet tail of love, loss, and a little bit of magic. Okay more than a little and Amber only uses it for good, she is a Blackwell after all. I a tell that her working relationship with the Sheriff is going to take some time to work itself out and I sincerely hope that we see more of Reporter Declan. Great character development all the way through and I adored all of the cat-chy names for both streets and establishments. Cannot wait for the next one to learn more about Amber, the mysterious fire that claimed her parents, and Quirky Whisker.

Blood of Ra YA series

The Daughter of Ra (Blood of Ra Book 2)
By M. Sasinowski
Published by Kingsmill Press

Let me start by saying that I am doing everything I can to not let a spoiler slip through as I write this review! This is the 2nd installment in this very exciting and fast paced YA storyline. Meet Alyssa Morgan seemingly normal 16 year old girl, she prefers comfort over fashion, has a phone at arms length at all times, and has warm feelings for a certain Brit named Paul. See completely normal, except for the little fact that she has hybrid blood and is a direct descendant of the Egyptian god Horus. We find Alyssa plagued by dreams so real they could be memories, dreams filled with death and destruction, love and loss. During her waking hours she is fast on the trail of possible answers to what evil the Society is currently concocting only to find out that there are still more players in this dangerous game. This is truly a roller coaster ride that had me on the edge of my Kindle, sucking in my breath, and audibly expressing my emotions right along with Alyssa. The only downside to this book is that now I have to wait...patiently...for the next installment.

The Heir of Ra (Blood of Ra Book 1)
By M. Sasinowski
Published by Kingsmill Press

Excellent YA adventure novel and hopefully the first of at least 3. Alyssa is an  incredible character with strength and wit plus her love of family. Definitely full of action and adventure spanning several locations. The story teases with a little potential romance that I would love to see grow as the storyline continues. Reminded me heroines from the Lunar Chronicles another well written YA series. This should definitely be on everyone's "wish-to-read" list!

This unbiased review was given in exchange for the opportunity to read The Heir of Ra as provided by NetGalley.

Feed the Need to Read and Eat

These unbiased reviews are given in exchange for early access granted by NetGalley  and various publishers.

Sifting Through Clues (Cookbook Nook Mystery  #8)

By Daryl Wood Gerber

Published by Beyond  the  Page

A progressive dinner sounds like a wonderful idea, until you include a side of murder with your dessert. This story was as sweet and savory as the recipes layered tgrought the chapters. With a variety of characters and the possibility of Pepper being the prime suspect, Jenna was sure to get involved to help clear her friend. There are several suspects and some very interesting  mythological symbolism, not to mention the excellent food descriptions. Food, friends, and foul play plus an expectant baby makes this an excellent and delectable mystery.

Souffle of Suspicion
by Daryl Wood Gerber
published by Crooked Lane Books
July 20, 2019

What could be better than Crush Week in Napa? Well a sweet treat festival and crush week topped off with a nice French bistro and a highly suspect cast of characters. Mimi Rousseau, former executive Chef and  now owner/operator of Bistro Rousseau and Maison Rousseau. The event is taking place on the grounds of the Maison with Chef Camille's sister in charge, at least until she is found dead in the Chef's kitchen. Was it a jealous sister, a jealous role model, a jealous husband, the jealous former event owner? Things are heating up for Mimi's kitchen as her staff try to hold down the fort while Mimi searches for a way to keep her mourning Chef from being suspect #1 when there is a whole menu of people to choose from. In addition to Mimi's fierce loyalty to her friends, the sweet sparks that are happening between her and Nash, there are amazing recipes at the end of the book that I cannot wait to make and share or make and eat while reading my next great cozy.

 

Crepe Expectations (A Pancake House Mystery)

by Sarah Fox

published by Lyrical Press/ Kensington Publishing

May 28, 2019

Marlie and the crew of the Flipside Pancake House are back and this time the mayhem and murder surround a local armature chef cooking contest. Cooking contestant sabotage isn't the only conundrum in this latest mystery. The remains of a local girl who was thought to have taken off for bright lights of a big city after high school graduation are found in the woods behind Brett's latest landscape job. A cold case warms up as graduates of Chloe's high school class are under suspicion because not everyone liked popular Demetra regular mean girl to Chloe . Marlie can't seem to help finding dead bodies and doing good which one of the reasons I so like her character. She has a heart of gold and wants to help everyone, even lost little kitties. As with the other Flipside mysteries there are great recipes and I can't wait to try out the Boston Cream Crepes!

Murder From Scratch (A Sally Solari Mystery)
by Leslie Karst
published by Crooked Lane Publishing
April 19, 2019

Meet Sally Solari, line cook/restaurateur and crime solver. So you know what that means! RECIPES with awesome Italian food at the end of the book, yet another reason to really sink one's teeth into this story. Sally's crime solver expertise is completely happenstance as she works to help her blind cousin, Evelyn, prove that her Mom couldn't have possible ended her own life when she had so much to live for. A cast of characters to choose from for a possible murderer, was it the ex-boss, the ex-partner, the ex-husband, or the ex-coworker? Evelyn might not be able to see but she can clearly tell that something is wrong and things are not as they should be.  Sally needs to keep her wits about her when cooking and sleuthing because asking the wrong questions can get her burned.

One Potato, Two Potato, Dead (Farm to Fork Mystery)

by Lynn Cahoon

published by Lyrical Press/ Kensington Publishing

March 19, 2019

Rule #1 in a newish relationship, you do not skip town without letting your girlfriend know. Rule #2 you do not leave town, inform your Aunt and Uncle, who are not sharing information as to why with said girlfriend. Angie may have her hands full with the restaurant she and her gal pal Felicia co-own but not so much that she won't find time to help keep her protégé Hope from being the victim of a "wrong place, wrong time, with the wrong person" sort of problem. Hope's culinary school instructor seems nice enough although Angie's boyfriend Ian sure did seem to have his hackles up upon meeting him or was he merely reintroduced to someone he used to know? The same someone who ends up dead. Hope is the easy suspect because her prints are on a wine glass found in the house of the very naked instructor. The same instructor who was having an affair with a married woman and then there is the possibility that there were dangerous people looking for him. The guy has a small digital footprint and so many unanswered questions. Very good book, excellent character development and an overall great read! Looking forward to trying out the Idaho potato pie sans sausage almost as much as the next installment and antics of the zoo.

Weddings, Sweet Treats, and a Cozy Little Murder or Two

Death of a Wedding Cake Baker
by Lee Hollis
Published by Kensington Books

Family can be the worst when planning a wedding. Imagine having a cousin you really don't like and not only having to invite them but also having to enlist them to bake your wedding cake. Then to  top it off, baker Lisa is refusing to make Liddy's cake the way she wants claiming it is too boring, who wants a boring vanilla cake. Turns out that borrowing can be deadly as Lisa is found poisoned by a vanilla wedding cake. Weddings are stressful enough without murder so it is an on again off again so Hayley does what she can as a good friend to get to the bottom of the murder and help Liddy to make it to the church on time. There are some great twist and turns to this story and an ending that I would have never guessed!

Batter Off Dead ( A Southern Cake Baker Mystery)

By Maymee Bell

Published by Crooked Lane

Sophia Cummings owner and head baker of For Goodness Cakes did not expect to be back in her small, Southern, hometown but now she is back from the big Apple and ready to provide an excellent spread for the local library with its very necessary fundraiser taking place at the Grape Valley Winery. Of course every good southern girl needs a good and proper southern Mama who expected her baby girl to go to college and get a MRS. degree then settle down to raise a family and join the local gardening club. Nope not happening for the fiercely independent Sophia. She and her best friend, Charlotte Harrington, have purchased the former Ford's Bakery (the bakery they grew up with ) and are working very hard to be successful, not unlike the Grape Valley Winery.  Winery landlord Ray Peel is said to be giving a HUGE endowment to the library which will also cover the cost of Sophia's catering, that is until Sophia stumbles over the very rich and very dead Ray Peel. Turns out he isn't as affable as Sophia and others had been lead to believe and she has got to get to the bottom of this mystery or risk losing her business. Each character adds a little something to the mix and there is the touch of romance between Sophia and Sheriff Carter that is almost paramount to any good cozy.  This is an excellent read and best of all....seven (7) that's right seven recipes for truly tasty treats at the end of the book!

 

Deadly Vows (Briton Bay Mystery Book 2)

by Jody Holford

Published by Lyrical Press

The wedding of the century (at least that is what the Mother of the Bride thinks) is taking place in Molly Owens' front yard or rather at her boyfriend's Mom's B&B. Molly resides in the cottage just out back and will have a front row seat to all the goings on. Including the friction from a newly discovered Chef who may or may not have been poisoned (by someone other than herself). Several possible suspects and Molly's investigative skills are put the test as she tries to help the bride clear her groom's name without all the drama of her mama. Molly is great character and one doesn't need to  have read Book 1 to be able to catch up with the different character nuances or just how much Molly cares for her new beau Sam who is as taken by her as she is by him.

 

No Good Tea Goes Unpunished

by Bree Baker
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark (find it on Amazon)

My first Seaside Café book and I can't wait for the next! Not only does it involve my favorite type of drink (tea in any form except may Chai) but the savory recipes and of course all that makes a cozy great! Everly is the perfect character, with a little spunk and a whole lot of personality to go with her shy insecurities. I don't understand how anyone who let her get away and broke her heart could possibly think that they should get a second chance. This is one country song that isn't going to be played in reverse, not when the handsome Detective Hale is around. Oh and of course Everly is ever busy working to improve her home/business, help her friend Amanda stock the little libraries (I LOVE when an author uses their story to inform), and help her bee keeping Aunts in spite of the bee phobia. Yet she still makes time to brew herself a little bit of trouble by asking questions and looking for the killer. Nicely written Ms. Baker, I had completely forgotten about one character until it was almost too late! Everly is a great heroine and I look forward to trying those recipes and seeing how her life and adventures progress!

As always, my honestly written reviews are provided in exchange for complimentary pre-published copies provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

Something Borrowed Something Mewed

by Bethany Blake

Published by Kensington Books

Daphne is back at, and this time she is ruining her sister’s wedding by finding the event planner dead the day of the ceremony. At least that is what her mother Maude Templeton says. Between you and me the planner needed to go for a variety of reasons , one being the fact that she is a swindler and other is because no one should look like the Statue of Liberty as a bridesmaid. Poor Daphne, she can’t help it if she happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or is she in the wrong place at the right time? Having a PhD in philosophy I am sure she could wax poetic about it with her trusty sidekick, the brilliant basset Socrates. Daphne certainly has enough on her plate, trying to be the best bride’s maid possible, best pet sitter possible (yes she is fostering yet another victim’s fur baby), best new business shop owner for Flour Power, and last but not least, best girlfriend. That’s right, Daphne and detective Jonathan Black are officially a couple, unfortunately there are a couple of states separating them while he works remotely for San Diego’s NCIS. This one had me on the edge of my seat all the way around. You will never guess who the guilty party is, and I’m certainly not going to spoil the surprise.  Love, love, love this latest installment! As always, my honestly written reviews are provided in exchange for complimentary pre-published copies provided by the publisher and NetGalley.