Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing these ARCs in exchange for honest reviews.
By Lynn Cahoon
Published by Kensington Books
Release date: January 29, 2021
This book has all the ingredients of a great cozy, a little paranormal, a little romance, a strong main character with super supportive friends/family and best of all its a culinary cozy! I read this story in one day, it was so good that I just could not put it down and have already downloaded the one before it so that I can start at the beginning. Not that you need to know how Mia ended up in Magic Springs or what trouble she became mixed up in shortly after she arrived. Mia is a different type of witch, a kitchen witch. I instantly think of those little stuffed dolls that were popular in the early 80s and have the sudden desire to get one and name it Mia. Mia's familiar/kitchen doll is named Gloria and I am absolutely mesmerized by the character development that went on to show the relationship between Mia and Gloria. I like how Mia makes mental lists to keep herself on track, or to at least try and keep herself on track. She is definitely wavering when it come to Trent Majors, and who could blame her after the last guy, he who shall not be named/Isaac. Magic Springs is definitely a magical place and I am eager to read the next book as well as trying out new recipes.
By Nancy Coco
Published by: Kensington Books
Release date: January 26, 2021
A Havana Brown, Halloweentown week, and homicide, plus an an ecologically forward thinking shop owner who is as busy as the bees she advocates for. Wren Johnson has been so busy getting her Let it Bee business up and running that she hasn't had time for much else outside of the daily walk that she and her harnessed cat, go on each day by the beach. A very likeable main character with a supportive couple of side characters and the fact that there are recipes laced throughout the book makes this a honey of a story. The mystery itself had very few red herrings but lots of page turning action and poor was stung when it came to a little romance (there is definite potential just not sure which guy). Not sure what will develop in the next book but I am looking forward to a possible frenemy subplot and maybe a little groveling by a certain male character. I look forward to making some tasty cookies helpful home remedies.
By: Alexis Morgan
Published by : Kensington Books
Release date: January 26, 2021
Abby McCree is dealing with more than just a murder, this time she is also having to deal with her MOM. Amazing scene writing, made me feel like I was in the room with Abby as she tried her best to maintain her cool while also trying to be a supportive sleuth. I was almost surprised that the book didn't catch on fire between the sparks of contention from the McCree women or the sparks of romance between Abby and Trip. I will also admit that at one point in the store I sucked in my breath and thought "OH NO," when Abby and Trip had a big disagreement. Gist of the story is that Abby is still relatively new to town but she has decided that Snowberry Creek is going to be her town, her home, and her future, and her Mom needs to deal with it. At the same time, Phoebe McCree has decided that she likes spending time with the new BBQ man of mystery, Owen even if it means spending time with him in jail because he is a person of interest. Abby can't let her Mom down or the a variety of other people even though she may be putting her new and fragile relationship with Trip on the line. He hates it when she is in trouble or danger. Great story, great character development that can stand on it's own without needing to have read the three books that came before. Oh, but you will want to read them just to see how it all started.
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By Ellery Adams
Published by: Kensington Books
Release date: January 26, 2021
The words Ink and Shadows are the perfect description for this Secret, Book, and Scone Society mystery. Ink for the tattoos and ink for the books, shadows from the past and shadows in the present. A strong story featuring a strong group of friends who show that they will not be intimidated by the shadowy thoughts of the Women of Lasting Values as Nora and Sheldon create a jaw dropping window display featuring powerful women, fierce females as Sheldon calls them. This story shows the power of community when used for good as the Society shows to young Bren, and her mother, Celeste as well as the power of community used to intimated as we learn from Celeste's past and the WOLV of the present. We get a nice glimpse into Nora's past with the introduction of an old friend who would make a wonderful addition to the crew on occasion. Nora has a lot to deal within addition to the murder and standing up to the unreasonable prejudice against her window display, the pleading in Jed's voice is heart wrenching. Great story about support, the support you give and the support you receive.
By VM Burns
Published by Kensington Books
Release date: January 26, 2021
Sam and the gang go on holiday to a British B&B that incorporates a mystery centered tour. that inadvertently contributes a murder mystery as well. One would need to be on their game to have a CLUE on how to begin to solve this conundrum. Sam, aspiring writer and mystery bookstore owner must up her game. The Yanks will need to rely on their various skills as they go from room to room, suspect to suspect, and all while still enjoying their tour, good thing they each have their own skills that pair perfectly with their personality. Oh and Sam still manages to find time to work on her historical novel, which one of the reasons they are in England to begin with.
By: Sophie Ryan
Published by: Berkley
Release date: January 26, 2021
While Elvis may be a star at the Atlantic Coast Cat Show it is and the combined super sleuthing of Sarah, Rose, and Mr. P that really takes first place. Who would have thought that a cat show would be the place of so much drama? Ah, but drama there is, from mischief to murder. A well thought out plot with multiple mysteries and I was so wrapped up in the story that I, unlike Elvis, forgot to eat my tuna fish salad lunch thank goodness I was inspired to recreate Mac's lasagna rolls. I would never have guessed that you could start a fire with potato chips. In addition to this new information, each character offers much to the story, although I was wondering who Rose and Charlotte thought that should be matching Nick up with since the only other eligible character was Jess, since she wasn't really dating Sarah's brother Liam. In addition to the sleuthing aspect, I was intrigued by the Second Chance store and the wonderful repurposing ideas that Mac, Avery, Charlotte, and came up with. I might just need to find myself some tea cups and zebra plants for a fairy garden.
By: Dorothy St. James
Published by Berkley
Release date: January 19, 2021
This Southern set cozy is part murder mystery and part rescue mission, rescuing the library books that are about to end up in the landfill so the town can have a bookless library. Would you think that Trudell Becket, yes she is Beckets' girl (everyone seems to know her Dad), is a mild mannered librarian? I think not! Tru is an amazing and multifaceted character who is passionate about the the books, her friends, Dewey the formerly homeless cat, and her freedom, since she obviously did not kill the city manager. There is more than one mystery to this story and a few well crafted red herrings, plus a possible love interest. That is, if Tru, can let go the hurts and wrongs of the past.
By Fiona Leitch
Published by
Release date: January 15, 2021
She left the Met to quell her daughter's Daisy's fears, she moved back to her home town because she needed distance from her ex who was more of a donor than a Dad, and she started a catering business because cooking calmed her. She didn't expect to have to help get an old friend off the suspect list, temporarily take care of a white fluffball (like that was really going to be temporary after her daughter met the pup), or be aggravated and enticed by DCI Withers. Jodie (Nosey) Parker is an ace detective even if she isn't walking the London beat anymore, and you have have to respect her quick wit, dogged determination, and loyalty to family and friends. My first, but not my last Nosey Parker mystery.
By: Vicki Delany
Published by
Release date: January 12, 2021
A pup, peonies, and partners make for a curious mystery in this latest Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery. The last thing that Gemma Doyle expected to do was take a case for $10 from a little girl, or to give temporary lodgings to her new "client." There is a lot more than flowery sentiment going on in the Garden Club where tempers flair, something definitely smells and it is not just the fertilizer. Is this a case of ivy envy or could there be a more nefarious explanation? Gemma and Jayne are hot on the trial of clues even if Detective/boyfriend Ashburton does not agree. One thing that I have noticed in this series is that as they go on, Gemma becomes just a little bit more sentimental and like a slightly overbaked macaron, her hard shell is cracking just a bit. Oh but Jayne's macarons would never be overbaked and I absolutely love the idea of tea with raspberry macarons and mini coconut cupcakes!
Written by Sarah Fox
Published by Lyrical Press
Release date: January 12, 2021
They went to the mountains for a little quiet time and what they found was a body in a snowbank. Marley, who is known for being unable to leave a mystery alone, and husband Brett plan a snowy mountain getaway at Holly Lodge only to have to cut their trip short when one of the owners is found dead, murdered. Back in Wildwood Cover and trying to get ready for Christmas with not one but four trees to decorate, Marley has plenty on her plate, and not just the yummy gingerbread muffins or cinnamon pancakes either (recipes included). From disappearing ornaments to red headed ghost sightings and a slew of questions to be asked, Marley is definitely up to figuring out the who done its in this one. A story with some great characters and the plot build up was like a snowball rolling down the hill, gaining speed and getting bigger until the finish and the big reveal. I was right about the murderer but not the motive.
Pawsitively Betrayed (A Witch of Edgehill Mystery)By: Melissa Erin JacksonPublished by Ringtail PressRelease Date: January 10, 2021
The last book in the series and the best one yet. Little mouse, Amber, has the weight of the world on her shoulders and a very supportive cast of characters have got her back. All Amber wants to do is make her enchanted toys, enjoy her family and friends, and fall asleep watching Vamp World with her boyfriend Jack. She deserves to be able to do all those things but the Penhallows and their cursed magic will not rest until they get her family grimoires and change the past to over-write the present. The Penhallows are on the move as they go for broke or rather as they try to break Amber. Amber is the perfect cozy character, she thinks of others before herself and questions her abilities which are really quite amazing. You get a nice prologue at the start of each story which helps to lay the groundwork for the new story but you will really want to start with the first book because she grows so much as a character. There are laughs, tears, family, friends, rivals, frenemies, cats (of course) and fate of Edgehill and maybe even magic itself.. It has been a wonderful journey and while I would love for this story to continue it does have the loose ends tied up very nicely.
Killer Comfort Food ( A Farm-to-Fork Mystery)By Lynn CahoonPublished by:Release date: January 5, 2021The weather is cold and the outlook on saving the farm from rezoning is bleak. That won't stop Angie Turner, part owner at the County Seat restaurant, from getting things accomplished including a little sleuthing. An array of characters make their way into this latest Farm to Fork Mystery from a missing daughter, ladies who yoga (instead of the ladies who lunch), land developers, an unidentified murder victim, and a shifty ex-husband. The County Seat family gets busy not only with food prep and dinner service but also with helping Nancy, one of the cooks to protect her family. She isn't the only one who seems to need protecting, as Ian does his best body guard impression and sticks to Angie like gum on a shoe to keep her safe. Funny thing is she still manages to find trouble, but at least she keeps everyone apprised of her sleuthing. This series definitely shows illustrates that sometimes the family you choose is the best family of all. There isn't much that this crowd won't do for each other and I like the subtle faith references, not something you see much these days in most fiction. I also appreciate the various food dishes that are mentioned and look forward to making the Quick Cookies recipe found at the conclusion of the story!
