Review: Ghostly Paws (Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery #1) by Leighann Dobbs

Title: Ghostly Paws (Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery #1)
Author: Leighann Dobbs
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Length: Novel
Release Date: March 12, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 1

Middle age can be murder ...


At least that’s how it seems to former crime journalist, Wilhelmina Chance, whose near-fatal accident has given her a strange side effect ... she sees ghosts.

After a messy divorce sends her fleeing back to her hometown of Mystic Notch, nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Willa finds herself haunted by the tenacious ghost of the town librarian who insists Willa solve her murder.

Luckily, she has lots of help, including a quirky cast of small-town characters, the cat she’s inherited from her grandmother, and her best friend, Pepper, who claims her herbal teas can work magic.

But just when Willa thinks she’s discovered who the killer is, she finds out that things are not what they seem in Mystic Notch, and the case takes a strange turn that has Willa adding even some of her long-time friends to her suspect list.

Can Willa find the real killer in time to keep the magical balance in Mystic Notch on the side of good, or will evil prevail?

This was a really great cozy mystery.  The main character, Willa, is an ex-crime journalist that has returned home to run her grandmother's book store.  She has a hard time keeping her nose out of investigations and likes to know what's going on.  When she finds the local librarian dead - it doesn't look like an accident and the librarian's ghost confirms it.  Knowing the ghost won't give her any peace until the murderer is found, she dives right in.

Now Mystic Notch is a special place, with some very special people and animals.  The cats in particular are a special variety.  They help keep evil from taking over the town and were a really great addition to the story.  Pandora helps out whenever she can and I loved her personality.  The mystery seemed to be a simple one at first, especially with some inside information from the ghost.

The mystery takes some interesting turns though and Willa finds she may be the next target.  She needs to work with Officer Handsome and her sister, the Sheriff, to figure out what's going on.  I was surprised several times at the turn of events the story took - and that's always a great thing in a mystery.  The only downfall was right at the very beginning.  The writing style took me a bit to get used to - at times it seemed almost like the author was taking down to me.  Once I got used to it, it didn't bother me at all.  It was just not what I was expecting going right into it.

Other Reviews of Ghostly Paws:

Laurie's Review

Book Links:

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Nobles

Cozy Mystery review of Premeditated Peppermint (Amish Candy Shop Mystery #3) by Amanda Flower

Title: Premeditated Peppermint (Amish Candy Shop Mystery #3) 

Author: Amanda Flower 

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length: Novel

Rating: 4

Reviewed by Laurie 

Someone’s sweet on revenge . . .

Christmas is Bailey King’s favorite time of year. For her first Yuletide in Harvest, Ohio, the former big-city chocolatier is recreating a cherished holiday treat: peppermint combined with molten white chocolate. But her sugar high plummets when her former boyfriend walks into the candy shop she now runs with her Amish grandmother. New York celebrity chef Eric Sharp and his TV crew have arrived to film an authentic Amish Christmas. Bailey’s not about to let her beloved town—and Swissmen Sweets—be turned into a sound bite. Unfortunately, she gets more publicity than she bargained for when Eric’s executive producer is found strangled to death—and Eric’s the prime suspect.

With Bailey’s sheriff deputy boyfriend out to prove Eric’s guilt, her bad-boy ex tries to sweet-talk her into helping him clear his name . . . and rekindle their romance to boost ratings for his show. Now, between a surplus of suspects and a victim who wasn’t who she seemed, Bailey’s edging dangerously close to a killer who isn’t looking to bring joy to the world—or to Bailey—this deadly Noel . . .

Amish Candy Shop Mystery has become one of my absolute favorite cozy mystery series I love the characters and settings.

Amanda Flower is a very talented author. You don’t find many authors that can create different worlds and different characters in different series. Most of the time when you read different series by the same author you’ll read either the same likeness of characters or somehow the storyline will feel like you’ve read it before. This is one reason I love reading books by Amanda Flower because you don’t feel like you read the same book or characters before.

So far, this story is my favorite book in the series, the twist and turns in this mystery had me coming back for more until I was done and shocked as to who done it. Bailey relationship picks up more as she and Aiden get close, but with Bailey’s new job offer we are left with a lot of questions as what is going to happen next, which leaves me with I can’t wait for the next installment. 

Cozy Mystery review of Claws for Celebration (Cat Lady Mysteries #3) by Linda Reilly

Title: Cozy Mystery review of Claws for Celebration (Cat Lady Mysteries #3)  

Author: Linda Reilly

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length: Novel

Reviewed by Laurie  

Rating 5 

Feline deadly this Christmas . . .

Whisker Jog, New Hampshire, celebrates all things Christmas, and few things are more beloved than the town’s annual holiday cookie competition. Lara Caphart, who runs the High Cliff Shelter for Cats with her Aunt Fran, is waiting for the green light for a brand-new category: pet-friendly cookies. But when the woman filling in as a last-minute judge dies after sampling someone’s Santa-themed treat, Lara’s recipe for healthy cat snacks will have to be put on the back burner.

The victim, Gladys Plouffe, was the town’s roundly despised former home economics teacher. The chief suspect is the mother of Lara’s best friend, who was hellbent on walking away with the bake-off’s cash prize. Cryptic clues from beyond the grave only deepen the mystery, pointing to a cat with striking blue eyes—a cat who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lara’s mysterious Ragdoll. As Lara begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse, not even her significant other may be able to stop a perfectly clawful killer from getting away with the purr-fect crime . . . 

Linda Reily creates great characters and edge of your seat mysteries that will keep you coming back for more. I totally love this series and hope it never ends.

Caws for Celebration, is my favorite so far, in the series. I enjoyed the twist of the cookie contest and I really enjoyed how the mystery began, who would have ever thought a library book would be the start of an awesome mystery.

If you love cozy mysteries this series is a must try. 

Cozy Mystery review: Unbridled Murder (A Carson Stables Mystery #3) by Leigh Hearon

Title: Unbridled Murder (A Carson Stables Mystery #3)  
Author: Leigh Hearon 
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Lenght: Novel
Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Laurie 

After horse trainer and rancher Annie Carson visits a feedlot in eastern Washington, she is determined to save as many horses from slaughter as possible before hightailing it back home--until she discovers the sleazy owner seemingly trampled in his corral. With the fate of the feedlot herd in her hands, Annie must navigate unfamiliar territory while trying to track down a killer and solve an increasingly tangled mystery. But unfortunately for Annie, returning to the Olympic Peninsula alive will be trickier than she ever imagined.

Growing up with horses I have a deep love for them and follow several rescues that go out and payees to keep these amazing creatures from not only becoming food, but also to save them from heartless abuse. So, when I noticed this book on NetGalley I jumped on it.

The story offers great characters, story development, description of the settings and some huge surprises along the way. I really liked Annie’s voice and how she related to the entanglement she was placed in and look forward to reading more of Annie’s adventures. For you romance readers out there, you’ll love Annie’s boyfriend Marcus, which is very prominent in the story.  

The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because of repetitious and a few slow parts, but it wasn’t a lot of either one.

I recommend this to not only cozy mystery lovers out there, but also to romance lovers that love mysteries and horse. This is a totally standalone book, I never felt like I was missing much at all. 

Cozy Mystery review: Dead as a Door Knocker (House-Flipper Mystery #1) by Diane Kelly

Title: Dead as a Door Knocker (House-Flipper Mystery #1) 

Author: Diane Kelly 

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Source: Netgalley

Length: Novel

Reviewed by: Laurie

Rating: 

The first in a brand-new cozy series from Diane Kelly set in Nashville—where the real estate market is to die for.

WILL THIS KILLER DEAL LEAD TO A DEAD END?
Meet Whitney Whitaker. A hopeless romantic when it comes to real estate, she knows what it takes to find—and flip—the home of one’s dreams. A fixer-upper is like catnip to Whitney: she can’t resist the challenge of turning an eyesore into a priceless work of art. So when one of her clients decides to liquidate a crumbling property, Whitney seizes the opportunity to purchase it for a song. But soon a curious incident of the cat in the night-time leads to a change in tune. . .

Sawdust is the name of Whitney’s cat—of course. Whitney’s passion for gut-renovation may be a mystery to him but one thing Sawdust knows for sure is this: Dead bodies don’t belong in flower beds. So why is there one in this new, albeit old, house? Now it’s up to Whitney, along with the help of hot-and-cold Nashville Police Detective Collin Flynn, to find the truth about what happened before the mortgage property forecloses and Whitney loses her investment. . .and maybe her own life.

Living 20 minutes east of Nashville, I had to try this series, and while it had a slow beginning for me, it did not disappoint very solid mystery.

This is the first mystery I read where you have to wait for a few chapters before the murder happens and I think this is why I felt it being slow, but during that time you get to know more about the characters so while I did enjoy it I was still waiting and waiting for the murder to happen. LOL

Things I really enjoyed, Sawdust personal chapters and yes, the cat has his own mini-chapters so cute, the story settings, characters and since I was never able to guess who done it, I will be on needles waiting for the next murder to happen in Nashville so I can see Whitney in action again. 

Cozy mystery review of Death and Daisies (A Magic Garden Mystery #2) by Amanda Flower

Title: Death and Daisies (A Magic Garden Mystery #2) 

Author: Amanda Flower

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Length: Novel

Source: NetGalley

Reviewed by: Laurie

Rating: 4  

Florist Fiona Knox left behind her gloomy life for a magical garden in Scotland, but a murder on her shop’s opening day spells doom.

Fiona Knox thought she was pulling her life back together when she inherited her godfather’s cottage in Duncreigan, Scotland—complete with a magical walled garden. But the erstwhile Tennessee flower shop owner promptly found herself puddle boot-deep in danger when she found a dead body among the glimmering blossoms. One police investigation later (made a trifle less unpleasant by the presence of handsome Chief Inspector Neil Craig), and Fiona’s life is getting back on a steady, though bewitched, track. Her sister Isla has just moved in with her, and the grand opening of her new spellbound venture, the Climbing Rose Flower Shop in Aberdeenshire, is imminent.

But dark, ensorcelled clouds are gathering to douse Fiona’s newly sunny outlook. First, imperious parish minister Quaid MacCullen makes it undeniably clear that he would be happy to send Fiona back to Tennessee. Then, a horrific lightning storm, rife with terribly omen, threatens to tear apart the elderly cottage and sends Fi and Isla cowering under their beds. The storm passes, but then, Fi is called away from the Climbing Rose’s opening soiree when Kipling, the tiny village’s weak-kneed volunteer police chief, finds a dead body on the beach.

The body proves difficult to identify, but Kipling is certain it’s that of the parish minister. Which makes Fiona, MacCullen’s new nemesis, a suspect. And what’s worse, Isla has seemed bewitched as of late…did she do something unspeakable to protect her sister? The last thing Fiona wanted to do was play detective again. But now, the rosy future she’d envisioned is going to seed, and if she and Craig can’t clear her name, her idyllic life will wilt away in Death and Daisies, national bestselling author Amanda Flower’s second enchanting Magic Garden mystery.

I enjoy the mystery sounding the minister’s death and Fi’s sister being added in the story brought a good hominess to Fi and I enjoyed her continued love interest with the chief inspector, they seem so great together, but I missed the whimsical elements that were in the first book surrounding the garden. You do get a few clues about the mystery of garden in this instilment but the garden was not center of the mystery as it is in the first book.

All, in all, the story is very entertaining I just missed reading and learning more about the garden and the magic it holds in the town and I look forward to the next installment.

Cozy mystery review of Toxic Toffee (Amish Candy Shop Mystery #4) by Amanda Flower

Toxic Toffee (Amish Candy Shop Mystery #4) 

Author: Amanda Flower

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Source: NetGalley

Length: Novel

Reviewed by: Laurie

Rating: 5 

A sweet tooth for murder . . .  
 
Bailey King’s in New York wrapping up a six-week shoot on her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, when she gets a call from her Ohio town’s resident busybody. With Easter around the corner, Bailey’s been recruited to create a giant toffee bunny for the weeklong springtime festival that will also feature live white rabbits. But back home in Harvest, death becomes the main attraction when Stephen Raber keels over from an apparent heart attack—with Bailey and Raber’s pet bunny as witnesses.
. 
Except it wasn’t Raber’s heart that suddenly gave out—a lethal dose of lily of the valley was mixed into a tasty piece of toffee. Who’d want to poison a jovial rabbit farmer who reminded Bailey of an Amish Santa Claus? To solve the murder, she and her sheriff deputy boyfriend Aiden must uncover a twenty-year-old secret. She’ll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep a healthy distance from toxic people, including one venomous killer . . . 

I always look forward to reading one of Amanda Flower's books, she is an amazing storyteller, you can open up one of her books and your daily problems fad away as you become one of her characters.

Bailey is one of my favorite characters, not only does she get to play with candy at her grandma's candy shop, but she also has an amazing community of fun and crazy people and animals to be around so, your never bored with the village and the people. Oh, and I cannot forget about her hot cop boyfriend Aiden ;)

I love how Amanda can toss enough clues throughout the story to keep me guessing and at the end, I am surprised that none of my suspects is the one who did it. 

The added rabbit in this story was a very nice touch, I am always pleased when an author can write about a different kind of pet instead of the same cat or dog, not that I love dogs and cats but as you keep reading about the same old pets it gets kind of old. 

One of my favorite cozy mystery series and I highly recommend you bump it on top of your reading list.

Cozy mystery review of A Literal Mess (Allie Cobb Mystery #1) by J.C. Kenney

Title: A Literal Mess (Allie Cobb Mystery #1)  

Author: J.C. Kenney 

Source: Netgalley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length: Novel 

Rating: 3

Reviewed by: Laurie 

The first book in a new series featuring Allie Cobb brings the New York literary agent back to her Hoosier home town where a mysterious death keeps everyone on spoiler alert . . .

Allie Cobb left home for the literary circles of Manhattan to make her name out from under the shadow of her legendary father. Now his death brings her and her rescue cat Ursula back to the southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek, population: 3,216. But a tragic new chapter hits the presses when the body of her father’s hard-drinking, #1 bestselling client is found under the historic town bridge. The local police suspect foul play and their prime candidate for murder is the author’s daughter—Allie’s longtime friend.

Determined to clear her beastie, Allie goes into fact-checking amateur detective mode while trying to ignore the usual rumormongers. Those with means, motive, and opportunity include the vic's ex-wife, his rejected girlfriend, the mayor, and a rival agent trying to mooch clients. With a rugged genealogist distracting her and the imminent Fall Festival about to send tourists descending on their once-peaceful hamlet, Allie needs to stay alive long enough to get a read on a killer ready to close the book on a new victim: Allie . . .

I really liked the storyline, the setting and I loved the clues the author places for you along the story, what I didn’t like was Allie character seemed to be a bit stuck up from time to time and there are times when she goes to questions suspects that he is a bit out of sorts with them. Allie is also instructed to a bit of romance so you get a bit of romantic dialog too, which was great for the first book in the series. If you have never given thought about what goes on behind the scenes of writing a book this story will take you into some of the things that take place during writing. 

I recommend this book for any cozy mystery lover that wants a light read. 

Book review of Apple Cider Slaying (A Cider Shop Mystery #1) by Julie Anne Lindsey

Title: Apple Cider Slaying (A Cider Shop Mystery #1) 

Author: Julie Anne Lindsey 

Source: Netgalley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length: Novel

Rating: 4

Apples are at the core of the family business run by Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe. But this year's crop is unseasonably ripe with murder . . .

ONE ROTTEN APPLE

Blossom Valley, West Virginia, is home to Smythe Orchards, Winnie and her Granny's beloved twenty-five-acre farm and family business. But any way you slice it, it's struggling. That's why they're trying to drum up business with the "First Annual Christmas at the Orchard," a good old-fashioned holiday festival with enough delicious draw to satisfy apple-picking locals and cider-loving tourists alike--until the whole endeavor takes a sour turn when the body of Nadine Cooper, Granny's long-time, grudge-holding nemesis, is found lodged in the apple press. Now, with Granny the number one suspect, Winnie is hard-pressed to prove her innocence before the real killer delivers another murder . . .

Great winter setting that will get any cozy mystery lover ready for the holidays.

Winnie is smart and is determined to save her granny orchard at any cost. I really enjoyed reading this page-turner that offers readers, danger, whimsical setting, and fun-loving characters and some love interest for Winnie. I really loved the vision Winnie has for the future for the Orchard and she goes over and beyond to try to bring her vision to life as she constantly has to battle solving the murder and the threat that is on her own life.

I recommend Apple Cider Slaying to any cozy mystery reader. 

Cozy Mystery review of Death on the Menu (Key West Food Critic Mystery #8) by Lucy Burdette

Title: Death on the Menu (Key West Food Critic Mystery #8)

Autor: Lucy Burdette

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Source: NetGalley

Length: Novel

Reviewed by: Laurie

Rating: 4 

When a killer strikes just before flan time, beloved food critic Hayley Snow is forced to sniff out the killer before someone else bites the dust.

Hayley Snow, fiery food critic for Key Zest magazine, has just landed a ticket to one of the most prestigious events in Key West: a high-brow three-day conference at the Harry Truman Little White House. Even though she’ll be working the event helping her mother’s fledgling catering business, there’s plenty of spicy gossip to go around. But just before her mother’s decadent flan is put to the test, Key West’s most prized possession, Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal for The Old Man and the Sea, is discovered stolen from its case. 

Unsavory suspicions point to Gabriel, a family friend and one of the new busboys working the event, who mysteriously goes missing moments later. Anxious to clear his name, Gabriel’s family enlists Hayley to help find him, but right as they begin their search, his body is found stabbed to death in the storeroom. 

Hayley has no shortage of suspects to interrogate and very little time before the killer adds another victim to the menu in national bestselling author Lucy Burdette’s delectable eighth Key West Food Critic mystery, Death on the Menu

I requested this one off of Netgally out of a whim and I am glad I did, I really enjoyed the story.

Let me start off saying I have never read anything from this author and this should also tell you I have never read any other books in the series so I was amazed that I never really felt as if I needed to start with the previous books. I do love hitting standalone in series.

 I enjoyed the characters, mystery, and the bit of politics that was added into the mix.  The author puts your imagination to work as you about a treasured Cuban award come up missing during the event. The author also gives you quite a few Cuban recipes in the back of the book for you to try.

I recommend this one to anyone that likes a good Cuba/US relations mystery.

Cozy Mystery review of Tail of the Dragon (Zodiac Mystery #3) by Connie di Marco

Title: Tail of the Dragon (Zodiac Mystery #3)
Author: Connie di Marco
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Length: Novel
Reviewed by: Laurie 
Rating:5

San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti never thought murder would be part of her practice, but when her former boss and current client asks for help she agrees to go undercover at his law firm. Three people have received death threats and the only common denominator between them is a case long settled--the infamous Bank of San Francisco fire. Julia’s astrological expertise provides clues but no one wants to listen. Before she can solve the mystery, two people are dead and her own life is in danger. Julia must unmask the killer before he, or she, takes another life.

One of the best cozy mysteries I have read this year! I thought for sure I knew who, but little did I know what author Connie di Marco had tossed into the mix. Needless to say, I was shocked and screaming holy cow, I never saw twist one coming.

This is my first book by this author and I am so glad I tried it. I love how the author brings the location and Julia to life as you read. Kudos on the research the author did to bring Julia’s first job as an astrologer, I love getting to know what the characters do day by day.

You can’t ask for anything better when you enjoy the characters, mystery and that you didn’t have to read the first books in the series in order to keep up. 

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, all the expressions above are my own opinion.

Cozy Mystery Review of Southern Discomfort (A Southern B&B Mystery #1) by Caroline Fardig

Title: Southern Discomfort (A Southern B&B Mystery #1)  

Author: Caroline Fardig

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Cozy mystery 

Lenght: Novel

Reviewed: by Laurie

Rating: 5 

Southern hospitality meets deadly deception in the start of a charming new mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Java Jive novels.

Quinn Bellandini loves her life in Savannah, Georgia, where she runs her grandfather’s B&B with her sister, Delilah. From baking fresh scones and serving up grits every morning to ensuring the guests see the best of their historic city, Quinn can’t imagine doing anything else—even if it means dealing with nuisances like the occasional malfunctioning commode. But when Quinn drops by the local restaurant owned by her friend Drew Green, and stumbles upon a murder, her whole world comes crashing down.

Drew’s brother was always a little surly, but Quinn can’t imagine that someone disliked the prickly chef enough to kill him. The police, on the other hand, don’t believe that Quinn was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Before her guests can even digest the next morning’s gourmet breakfast, Quinn learns that she and Drew are suspects.

Drew thinks they should do some investigating of their own. Quinn is pretty sure she’s better suited to playing hostess than amateur sleuth. But with Delilah as her cynical sidekick, Quinn starts looking for the real killer—before she gets put away faster than you can say “sugar.” 

Caroline Fardig, has made my favorite authors list with her upcoming release of Southern Discomfort.

You get an engaging mystery with elements of paranormal and romance and a surprising twist at the end, I was totally enthralled thought the story. The author really digs deep and shows you colorful fun love characters that you are rooting for way before the end and the story and the story setting is just fabulous.

I really enjoyed this story because this Quinn is not your typical mystery sleuth, she is thirsted into helping her close friend and herself from being convicted of murder.  She first has to get up the courage and then she has to figure out what she has to do to in order to find the real killer since the cops are only looking surface deep in the investigation. 

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Review Ghostly Paws by Leighann Dobbs

Title: Ghostly Paws (A Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery #1)
Author: Leighann Dobbs 
Source: Amazon purchase
Genre: Cozy Mystery with paranormal elements
Reviewed by Laurie 
Rating: 5
Sexual: 1

Middle age can be murder ...

At least that’s how it seems to former crime journalist, Wilhelmina Chance, whose near-fatal accident has given her a strange side effect ... she sees ghosts.

After a messy divorce sends her fleeing back to her hometown of Mystic Notch, nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Willa finds herself haunted by the tenacious ghost of the town librarian who insists Willa solve her murder.

Luckily, she has lots of help, including a quirky cast of small-town characters, the cat she’s inherited from her grandmother, and her best friend, Pepper, who claims her herbal teas can work magic.

But just when Willa thinks she’s discovered who the killer is, she finds out that things are not what they seem in Mystic Notch, and the case takes a strange turn that has Willa adding even some of her long-time friends to her suspect list.

Can Willa find the real killer in time to keep the magical balance in Mystic Notch on the side of good, or will evil prevail?

Dear Leighann Dobbs

I bought your book Ghostly Paws and I wanted to tell you how much I loved it. As a reviewer I tend to try to make a point to readers in hopes to get their attention and this time I want to point out to readers that authors loves it when fans drops a few lines to tell them how much they loved their book. So, this note and somewhat quick review (Oh yeah, I still have to do a quick review for them. LOL) will seem a bit odd, so please over look that tiny reviewing part.

I am friends with author Mary Kennedy and she posted this book on her Facebook. Me being a cat, mystery, and paranormal lover I just had to buy it and I have to say I loved it so much I read it in no time. I fell in love with the setting, story and the mystery. You did great job writing the middle age character Wilhelmina and the whole paranormal aspects of the story with the added with all of the cats that is still in progress. I have to admit this was the first time I have ever read a book with a POV from a cat and I loved it. I especially loved the name of the cat Pandora, but again I could be partial to that name because one of my cats name is Pandora ;) Anyhoo, back to the story, oh yeah, I can’t forget about mentioning the sheriff Striker, Oh my, he is a hot one and I hope we continue to read more about him and Willa together in the next installment.

I really enjoyed the mystery and the way Willa was always in the way trying to help solve the murder. I also enjoyed how you added the feral cats, I hope this little message will encourage some to help the feral cat population in their area. I myself trapped 5 feral cats this year and took them to get them fixed. I cat wait to see how you grow this cat colony and how they are going to help with the paranormal elements in the story. As a paranormal readers I have always felt cats just go hand and had with a good paranormal book.  

So, I guess I can quit with all of this mushy love stuff and ask one important question, WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK COMING OUT??? Yes, I want it now LOL.

If you’re a cat, mystery, paranormal and a touch of romance lover please mark this book to read. It’s on my highly recommend list. I also hope this crazy note/review will inspire you to write to the authors and tell them how much you loved their book. 

Best regards,

Laurie 

Cozy Mystery review of Runaway Murder (A Carson Stables Mystery #4) by Leigh Hearon

Title: Runaway Murder (A Carson Stables Mystery #4) 
Author: Leigh Hearon 
Source: NetGalley 
Genre: Cozy Mystery 
Length: Novel
Reviewed by Laurie 
Rating: 3




Breaking free from her mounting responsibilities on the Olympic Peninsula, Carson Stables owner Annie Carson reluctantly swaps muddy jeans for breaches to attend a dressage event in Southern California. But after settling into elegant digs at a historic mansion, she finds herself surrounded by palace intrigue, backbiting riders, and cold-blooded murder. As Annie makes heads or tails of clues scattered around the show ring, she must figure out which of her new acquaintances is a killer—before the crazed culprit takes the reins . . 

As much as I love the other books in A Carson Stable Mystery series this one fell short for me.

Leigh Hearon was very thorough with the terms and how a dressage event is handled, but between the dressage terms and numerous characters, I felt the mystery feel to the background, that along with Annie’s complicated relationship with Marcus. Annie is also different in this book,, she is not open minded nor does she seem as friendly as she did before. Needless to say, I just didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others.

Cozy mystery review of Shelved Under Murder (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #2) by Victoria Gilbert

Title: Shelved Under Murder (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #2) 

Author: Victoria Gilbert

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length: Novel

Reviewed by: Laurie 

Rating: 5 

Autumn leaves aren’t the only things falling in the historic Virginia village of Taylorsford—so are some cherished memories, and a few bodies.

October in Taylorsford, Virginia means it’s leaf peeping season, with bright colorful foliage and a delightful fresh crew of tourists attending the annual Heritage Festival which celebrates local history and arts and crafts. Library director Amy Webber, though, is slightly dreading having to spend two days running a yard sale fundraiser for her library. But during these preparations, when she and her assistant Sunny stumble across a dead body, Amy finds a real reason to be worried.

The body belonged to a renowned artist who was murdered with her own pallet knife. A search of the artist’s studio uncovers a cache of forged paintings, and when the sheriff’s chief deputy Brad Tucker realizes Amy is skilled in art history research, she’s recruited to aid the investigation. It doesn’t seem to be an easy task, but when the state’s art expert uncovers a possible connection between Amy’s deceased uncle and the murder case, Amy must champion her Aunt Lydia to clear her late husband’s name.

That’s when another killing shakes the quiet town, and danger sweeps in like an autumn wind. Now, with her swoon-inducing neighbor Richard Muir, Amy must scour their resources to once again close the books on murder. 

This is my first book by Victoria Gilbert and I have to say I enjoyed her writing style; she kept me guessing the whole time as she brought the mystery to life in my head as I read the story. I will be back for more of her stories.

Shelved Under Murder is the second book in Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library Mysteries, I missed the first book, but the author kept up with past going on so I didn’t feel like I messed anything.

I enjoyed the characters and the story was great, the author did a great job tying the art forgery with Amy’s family, even though it’s in the blurb you just don’t expect what how it all ties together and how much loss is entwined with the whole case.

 I recommend this series to any cozy mystery lover out there.

Book review of Lava Cake and Lies Nova Walsh

 When life turns up the heat, Ginny Malone is ready to whip up a new beginning...

High-powered criminal attorney Ginny Malone never expected to swap her designer suits for flour-dusted aprons, but a twist of fate sends her fleeing to the quaint coastal town of Moonstone Bay, California. With her spirited—and mischievous—cat Shortcake by her side, Ginny sets her sights on starting a bakery on the boardwalk, armed only with her grandmother's secret recipes and a dash of determination.

But Ginny's dream of sweet success crumbles when a dead body is discovered during renovations, and her gruff yet oh-so-intriguing landlord, P.I. Vince Rinaldi, becomes the prime suspect. The ovens are cold, the drywall is crumbling, and now danger is lurking behind every display case.

With the help of her hammer-wielding new BFF Lois, a sprinkle of legal know-how, and a heaping spoonful of wit, Ginny sets out to fix more than just ovens and drywall. As she digs into the case, the quirky townsfolk begin to look less neighborly and more suspect—and Vince might need as much rescuing as her broken heater.

Between perfecting her luscious lava cakes and untangling lies, Ginny must race to clear Vince's name before her fresh start becomes a recipe for disaster. Can she serve up justice and save a budding romance before the real killer strikes again?

Lava Cake and Lies is a charming and witty cozy mystery filled with heartwarming friendships, banter-filled clean romance, cat antics, and recipes you'll be dying to try. Perfect for fans of Ellie Alexander and Joanne Fluke, this book is a culinary cozy mystery that promises to be a real treat.

This copy I read is an ARC copy, meaning an author still has time to take care of some imperfections, such as grammar and other problems so, my take on this will be for what I read before the book is finalized and published.

I enjoyed the storyline and setting and the characters grew on me quickly. Were there some issues that I hoped got fixed before publication? Sure, but I don't want to share them in a review to cause spoilers, I can say they didn't bother me to the point I wanted to quit reading the book I enjoyed it so much that I looked forward to continue reading it when I came home from work. I'm looking forward to the next book to see what kind of trouble Ginny and Vince get into.

If you're looking for a quick cozy mystery read with fun characters and a mystery that will have you guessing who did it, please give this book a try.