BOOK REVIEW: The Diva Cooks up a Storm by Krista Davis

The Diva Cooks up a Storm (A Domestic Diva Mystery #11)

by Krista Davis (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Published May 29th 2018 by Kensington

Goodreads synopsis:

When a trendy, underground dinner club leaves some guests six-feet-under the table, entertaining professional and amateur sleuth Sophie Winston hopes she has all the right ingredients to put a murderer on ice in New York Timesbestselling author Krista Davis's new Domestic Diva mystery . . .

Domestic diva Sophie Winston can whip up an elaborate event in her sleep, but as the hippest hostess she rarely gets to enjoy the full guest treatment. Which is why her best friend Nina Reid Norwood loops her in to the latest culinary craze: a pop-up gourmet dinner party. The celebrity chef, the epicurean menu, and the high-profile attendees are all a surprise, turning the decadent dining experience into the hottest ticket in Old Town. But Sophie's just pleased as punch that she finally has an opportunity to join her fellow foodies in some fun.

The posh party proves to be a recipe for disaster when Hollis Haberman sours spirits by bringing his own hot new dish--his young trophy wife. With Hollis's son and ex-wife in attendance, there may be more heat at the table than in the kitchen. But by aperitifs, Sophie discovers Hollis swallowing his last bits of air, and she must scramble to stop a killer before the swanky supper becomes anyone else's last meal.

Includes delicious recipes and entertaining tips!

***

4 stars

This is my first “Dva” book and I thought it was GREAT! I did not have any trouble figuring out who was who and that is amazing considering this is book #11! I have had so many books fail at this one aspect of writing.

Sophie is an event planner and somewhat of a notorious snoop in town. So, when a man she knows tells her he thinks he is being poisoned. She is on the case. Not soon enough as it turned out since the man was murdered the very next day.

The cast list of possible suspects is pretty large. And  he is not the only person to die suspiciously in the recent past. I like that there are so many suspects and the guessing of whodunit was not a breeze at all. I had no clue through most of the book who I thought might have been the killer. Kudos to Ms. Davis for excellent plotting. The writing flowed well and I didn’t feel anything was left out as the book ended. No loose ends here.

I would have liked to see a bit more of her friends and possible love interests. Since this is the first book for me, I wasn’t completely clear on those dynamics. But just excellent all around.

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely pick this one up. I will be checking out the rest of the series ASAP!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

BOOK REVIEW: A Magical Match (A Witchcraft Mystery #9) by Juliet Blackwell

A Magical Match (A Witchcraft Mystery #9)

by Juliet Blackwell (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 352 pages

Published April 3rd 2018 by Berkley Books

Goodreads synopsis:

Witch and vintage store owner Lily Ivory faces her most difficult mystery to date with a case of mistaken identity that hits close to home...

Lily Ivory and her friends are planning a 1950s-themed brunch to benefit the local women's shelter. When a figure from her past shows up unannounced, threatening her unless she returns something that belonged to him, Lily's fiancé, Sailor, steps in to defend her. After the same man is found dead later that day, Sailor is the primary suspect. He swears he's innocent, but multiple witnesses ID him as the perpetrator of the assault. Lily vows to clear his name...only she's not sure where to start with the mounting evidence against him.

When she sees Sailor in the neighborhood despite knowing he's in jail, Lily starts to wonder if there could be a doppelganger in San Francisco. When she's not busy helping customers find matching outfits for the upcoming event, searching for a vintage wedding dress for her own nuptials, and dealing with an ill-timed magical cold, Lily begins to suspect one of her magical foes is targeting her loved ones in an attempt to weaken her.

***

2 stars

The was murder most difficult for me. Couldn’t get into it. Nothing flowed. I assume that I had to read the previous 8 books to make anything make any sense to me. 

Not a fan. Won’t pick up this author again.

I bought this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Pine Lake by Amanda Stevens

Pine Lake

by Amanda Stevens (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 288 pages

Published September 19th 2017 by Harlequin Intrigue

Goodreads synopsis:

SLEEPWALKING WITH DANGER The murder of security expert Jack King's girlfriend has haunted him for fifteen years. Returning to Pine Lake, Texas, where the townsfolk still consider him suspect, might not be the smartest move, but a killer seems to be holding up a mirror to his past. The same witness to this new murder was also present the night Jack's girlfriend dieds...but both times, she was sound asleep...Sleepwalking has gotten Olive Belmont into some sticky situations. Being the witness to both murders may have put her on the killer's list. Even so, she doesn't think the killer is Jack and is willing to help him. But will putting his past to rest ease her mind or leave her with even greater nightmares?

***

4 stars

Jack pretty much gets duped into coming back to his hometown to get closure on an old murder he had originally been charged with. And you know how small towns are… they still think he is guilty even though he was not charged with the murder in the end.

I found a few of the situations a little “out there” in the “ hard to believe” category but the story was good, the characters were interesting and the whodunit kept me entertained for most of the book.

Definitely check this one out.

I bought this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Off the Grid Christmas by Mary Ellen Porter

Off the Grid Christmas

by Mary Ellen Porter (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 288 pages

Published October 3rd 2017 by Love Inspired Suspense

Goodreads synopsis:

When computer expert Arden DeMarco hacks secret files and discovers evidence of treason, a price is put on her head. What started as a mission to help a friend is now a fight for her life with assassins and the FBI tracking her down. There's no time to get distracted by her brother's best friend, Kane Walker, but the security expert promised Arden's family he'd bring her safely home for the holidays. Instead they're dodging bullets—and fighting their growing feelings—while Arden races to break the encryption and find out what's hidden in the files she stole. But as they're hunted by armed henchmen determined to make sure those secrets are never uncovered, keeping Arden safe is the only Christmas gift that matters…

***

4 stars

Arden has the FBI after her. And she is stubborn. She won’t let anyone help her. The only reason Kane gets a foot in the door is that he is in the right place at the right time to assist her.

She has the proof that could put some people away for a long time. So, needless to say, they don’t want her telling on them.

A lot of running around going on in this one. I did do my fair share of  skimming but the book was good, solid. Definitely worth the read. Check it out.

I bought this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Death by Didgeridoo by Barbara Venkataraman

Death by Didgeridoo (Jamie Quinn Mystery #1)

by Barbara Venkataraman (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 111 pages

Published (first published November 22nd 2013)

Goodreads synopsis:

Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, still reeling from the death of her mother, is pulled into a game of deception, jealousy, and vengeance when her cousin, Adam, is wrongfully accused of murder. It's up to Jamie to find the real murderer before it's too late. It doesn't help that the victim is a former rock star with more enemies than friends, or that Adam confessed to a murder he didn't commit

***

3 stars

I finished this book in April and hadn’t gotten around to putting in a review until now. And frankly, I cannot remember anything that happened. I even read the other reviews and nothing was ringing a bell for me. I feel bad for the author that it wasn’t memorable for me. But then again, maybe it says more about me than it does about her.

I rarely give three stars so there must have been something lacking here.

BUT …It is a free book in her series so don’t let my review stop you from checking it out. 

Book one in the series was FREE on Amazon Kindle.

BOOK REVIEW: Area 51: The Mission by Bob Mayer

The Mission (Area 51 #3)

by Bob Mayer (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Published December 11th 2012 by 47North (first published January 1st 1999)

Goodreads synopsis:

Book 3 in the Area 51 series

The bubonic plague was a trial run. Ebola was a dress rehearsal. The real destruction begins now, and, if the Airlia are successful, the result will be total annihilation of the human race…

Deep in the Amazon rain forest, villagers are falling to an unseen enemy—a brutal virus that inflicts plague-like symptoms and certain death. There’s no cure for this Black Death, only the threat of imminent worldwide contagion. And the source, it seems, is not organic.

Scientist Lisa Duncan and Special Forces officer Mike Turcotte suspect the Airlia. Now that Area 51 has been exposed and a fleet of the aliens’ warships destroyed, the virus could be the Airlia’s last weapon. Duncan and Turcotte believe the source of the virus—and possibly their salvation—may lie with a mysterious place called the Mission, where they hope to give humankind a chance at survival. But the battle has only begun…

***

4 stars

The movie about Area 51 continues where the previous book ended. Nothing is wrapped up. The world is still in danger and it looks like the alien agenda is winning.

I can’t really comment too much. It is such an ongoing thing that saying this section is good or that section is good would never cover it all. Lots going on in this story. Lots of characters. I am listening to it on my Kindle and doing it that way helps me keep the multiple storylines straight.

Lots of books to go in the series so I don’t see the drama ending very soon. I will definitely delve into the next book in the series when I get a craving for sci-fi.

I bought this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Death by Eggnog by Alex Erickson

Death by Eggnog (Bookstore Cafe Mystery #5)

by Alex Erickson (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 295 pages

Published September 26th 2017 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Goodreads synopsis:

Krissy Hancock is staying in her adopted hometown of Pine Hills, Ohio, for Christmas this year--and she even has a whole week off from her combination bookstore-cafe. But a killer is about to dampen her spirits . . .

Unfortunately, Krissy's been roped into filling in for a sick elf in the local holiday musical extravaganza. With a demanding director, backstage gossip, and two men in fierce competition for the starring role, it isn't all sweetness and Christmas lights. Then a murder puts a stop to the production, and Krissy is faced with a pageant of suspects.

Could her ex-boyfriend, a fellow elf, really be the culprit as the police are claiming? Or will the actor playing Santa be trading his red suit for an orange jumpsuit? When her behind-the-scenes investigation starts getting dangerous, the only thing Krissy really wants is to make it to Christmas dinner alive. But first she'll have to finish wrapping up this case .

***

4 stars

Every time I read an Alex Erickson book I am not disappointed. 

Krissy wants to spend the holiday with her dad, but dad has found a lady and any normal holiday plans have been nixed. THEN… Krissy gets volunteered into being in the play and she is not very excited about it. But the theater does seem  to grow on her.

Her ex-boyfriend makes an appearance too. Somehow he is also in the play. Ugh! He seems like such a smarmy person. First he likes one lady and then does a 180 and wants her again. Sheesh! At one point he also become a main suspect and he about loses his cookies. She feels obliged to find out how her ex was not involved once he becomes the person of interest.

I found this whodunit harder to figure out since there seemed to be so many suspects.

This series is  on my “not to be missed” list. So check it out.

I bought this book with my own money.