Review: Christmas Cocoa Murder

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review coming after the readathon.

I enjoyed this book so much! There are three stories in the book. The first story, Christmas Cocoa Murder, is set in Ireland. The words aren’t spelled incorrectly. I had no trouble with reading it but I grew up hearing, and using, most of the words. I thought the plot was original and entertaining. I love the nutcracker event. Their is a tasty cocoa recipe at the end of this book.
The second story, Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse was written by an author I enjoy, (the other two were new for me). I adore that a puppy named Cocoa was a part of this story. I quickly became engrossed in the mystery. There were also recipes after this story, including an interesting one for oatmeal, (which I happen to love so I can’t wait to try this recipe).
The third story, Death by Hot Cocoa, takes place at an Escape Room event. I was so excited to see that. I want to try one of those, but without a body. The mystery was fun.
I was looking forward to this book, and happily, it was everything I hoped it would be. Every story engaged me. I had an excellent time reading it. I recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers especially those who enjoy a Christmas theme.
I won a signed copy of an arc of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. No review was required. Thank you Goodreads, Kensington Publishers and Maddie Day for the giveaway.

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Review: Hummus and Homicide

Hummus and Homicide by Tina Kashian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the first book in one of my favorite series. I totally went at this series backward. But aside from knowing that one of the suspects was in the clear, (they show up in other books), you can read this out of order. I love the characters and the setting in this series. The mystery in this one was well done. I didn’t see it coming. There are three tasty recipes included. One, of course, was for non-deadly, delicious hummus.

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Review: Mrs. Morris and the Ghost

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well I was led astray. I was wrong, wrong and wrong on who did it. So, of course, I love this book! Actually, I really enjoyed much more than the mystery. Charlene Morris lost her husband and decides to make a big change in her life. She moves to Salem and opens a B&B, which turns out to be haunted. Personally I would see that as a cool thing, especially there. The Ghost was not a witch though and he needs help. This is the extra whip cream and sprinkles on the mystery. Charlene has a lot of personal growth that she needs to go through. Happily the author decided to use that in the story. So we get much more than just a mystery. I stayed up reading this even though I’m doing a readathon later today, (it is 3:40am where I live). I really wanted to finish it. I’m happy I did because I was not disappointed with the ending. Sure, I would love to say why I enjoyed it but if I did, would you need to read the book? Would you want to? Not if I tell you everything. The last thing I want to say, for those who enjoy old movies like I do, I was reminded of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, (in the way the book made me feel as the movie did). Check this book out!

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Review: The Perfect Son

The Perfect Son by Lauren North
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will be brief because I want to talk about this book which makes it too easy to write spoilers. I actually finished a few days ago but was afraid to write the review.
Tess has lost her husband in a plane crash a few months before the story starts. When the book opens Tess is in the hospital and is sure of four things:
1. She is in the hospital
2. She has been stabbed
3. Her husband is alive
5. Her son is missing
The pain of losing a loved one is almost unbearable. Grief is overwhelming. The fight to muddle through can be too much. The author did an excellent job portraying this. I felt Tess’s pain on every page. I could imagine having conversations in my head with my husband if I was going through that. I would, I think, fight to keep his voice alive there.
This story is haunting as much as it is a thriller. It is a book I would recommend.

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Review: A Tale of Mer-der

A Tale of Mer-der by Morgana Best
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a lot of fun for me to read. With witches, vampires, shifters and mermaids it is very much a paranormal cozy mystery. I wasn’t certain what to expect. The cover enticed me, (I think it may have been changed), though the witch on it gave it the illusion of possibly being for younger people. When I began reading I saw that it wasn’t juvenile. The story was a good one. I didn’t know who it was until right before the reveal. I think this was mostly because I was having such a good time with the story, I forgot to look for the killer. I really enjoyed Misty, Aunty June, Cordelia and even Skinny. I love the idea of working for a paranormal magazine. I think it’s a fresh idea that has loads of promising stories in it. I am definitely going to read more in this series. If you like paranormal cozy mysteries with humor thrown in, this is a book for you.

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Review: Ghosts are People Too A Chantilly Adair Psychic Medium Cozy Mystery

Ghosts are People Too A Chantilly Adair Psychic Medium Cozy Mystery by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If I were asked what I enjoy most about this series and book, I would have to say, the real feel of it. I love Chantilly. She tries her best to be a good friend, a good mom, just a good person who sees ghosts. I like how the author is giving her time to learn and adjust to the care of the lost souls. In this book, Chantilly is still adjusting to her people skills with the dead. The hospital scene first overwhelmed me, then, with the appearance of Emma, just broke my heart while lifting it with hope.
Chantilly’s friend Gen comes for a visit and winds up a widow. The story was a an entertaining mystery. We have our friends from book one back again, still funny, caring and ready to help. Jack is back and things are strained with another murder to solve. I love how the relationship with him and Chantilly is not hurried along. Will they be friends or more? I don’t know. I’m hoping but it’s still too early to tell. The ghosts in this book were so touching. They have their own story. Even with all this going on, the mystery remains the main focus. I loved this book and I believe you will too. I call it the breakout series for this year.

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Review: Dying to Remember

Dying to Remember by Karin Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adored this book! I chose it because I thought it would be fun to read a cozy mystery with a fairy involved. I love fairies. Happily I was right. This charming book was highly entertaining for me. I like Kate and Emily. They work well as friends, neighbors and sleuths. My favorite character, though, was Minette, the fairy. They mystery was well done. It actually involved an earlier unsolved case with a new case. I was kept guessing! I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
I want a house fairy now!

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