Microphones and Murder (Podcasting Sisters Mysteries #1) by Erin Huss

Microphones and Murder

(Podcasting Sisters Mysteries #1)

by Erin Huss 

Paperback, 280 pages

Published February 11th 2020 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: 

Tired of living life on the sidelines, Liv Olsen gave up everything-her job at the #1 podcast series in the country, her apartment, most of her belongings-to launch her own show, Missing or Murdered. Teaming up with her kid stepsister, Camry Lewis, the dynamic duo set out to be the next big thing in true crime.

On the program for season one, the sisters' focus on the case of twenty-three-year-old Amelia Clark, who vanished ten years ago after an embarrassing video of her went viral. The police found the California native's car and personal belongings, but the investigation quickly went cold. A decade later, Liv and Camry retrace Amelia's final steps, unearthing dangerous secrets, lost loves, quirky characters, and a lifetime supply of cinnamon rolls. As funds run low and time runs out, the investigation is complicated by anonymous threats. Threats from someone who doesn't want Amelia's story told.

Liv and Camry have a lot riding on their Missing or Murdered podcast. Now it's more important than financial success. They have to know.

What happened to Amelia Clark?

***

5 Stars

This is the first book in a new series called Podcasting Sisters Mysteries by Erin Huss.

Liv has given up her spot in the staff of a popular true crime podcast in order to start one of her own. She has even chosen the focus of her first series: What happened to Amelia Clark. Her podcast is called Missing or Murdered? And she is doing it all with the help of her younger sister, Camry. Liv comes across a bunch of quirky and fun loving characters during her investigation. 

I really enjoyed the part of Oliver who is a deaf YouTuber. From the looks of it, he is turning into this series book boyfriend. I love that Liv already knew sign language in order to communicate with him too.

The saddest part of this story is that the whole mystery could have been solved years earlier if certain people had gone to the police and told them what they knew. It took a podcaster with an intense interest in the subject to uncover all the lies.

Super great story. The mystery is spot on and the characters just grow on you from page one. Definitely a series I intend to follow!

If you love a good cozy mystery, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I actually got approved to read this via Edelweiss but didn’t download the ARC in time. So I received this book as a gift from the author. Thank you so much, Erin Huss! You rock!

Seeds of Revenge (A Greenhouse Mystery #3) by Wendy Tyson

Seeds of Revenge

(A Greenhouse Mystery #3)

by Wendy Tyson

Paperback, First, 261 pages

Published November 14th 2017 by Henery Press (first published November 4th 2017)

Goodreads synopsis: 

It’s the holiday season, and the mood in Winsome is anything but jolly…

Megan Sawyer is determined to farm year-round. She’s braving a December snowstorm after pitching her greenhouse greens to Philadelphia chefs when she sees a stranger stranded on the side of the road. It’s Merry Chance’s niece Becca, who’s headed to Winsome to sell her “love potions” at holiday events—or so she thinks.

Merry has an ulterior motive in inviting her niece to Winsome, but Merry’s plan to reunite Becca with her estranged father goes awry when Becca’s father turns up dead. Megan soon realizes that Becca was not the only person in Winsome who despised her father. When Megan’s aunt, the famous mystery author, is implicated through her novels, things become personal. Megan must follow the literary clues while sifting through the victim’s sordid past, but can she uncover the truth before someone else in Winsome is murdered?

***

4.5 Stars

This is the third book in the A Greenhouse Mystery series by Wendy Tyson.

This is another one of those series that first pulled me into the cozy genre. I really enjoyed this garden mystery with all its revenge and angst.

In the town of Windsome, things aren’t always what they seem as our main character has learned. Megan Sawyer, is trying to make her greenhouse into a year round endeavor. When she comes back from a trip to Philly, she rescues a stranded motorist and thus gets pulled into the lives of Becca and Luke Fox. There is just something a little bit off about Becca and Luke  but Megan can’t put her finger on why. 

Becca has started a perfume business that features products made with pheromones. Becca and Luke look like a happy family on the surface but everything is far from okay. Megan’s friend Merry invited Becca to town in order to reunite her with her estranged father. Then the father, Paul Fox ends up dead. This Paul fellow was quite the rascal and up to no good for most of his life.

Then a surprising connection is discovered between the murder and Megan’s aunt, Sarah, who is a mystery author. She ends up on the suspect list too along with practically every one else in town.  As you can tell, this is not a mystery easily solved.  So much going on here. I just loved it. It felt so good to get back to the older series that called out to me back in the beginning of my cozy journey.

Good to see Denver/Daniel back in the saddle and the connection between him and Megan is just what makes life tick for me. Wish I had something like that in my own life. The loving connection between them sort of balances the not so nice aspects of the murder and dead bodies that keep cropping up. And then her friendship with Bobby King, police chief, made me smile every time he came on stage. Loving the whole recurring cast here. So friendly and homey.  This series is a sure keeper. Going to finish reading the books I have not gotten to and hope to read on Wendy’s other series, the Allison Campbell mysteries when I finish with that.

If you love a good cozy mystery, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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.

Shake Down (An Elliott Lisbon Mystery Book 5) by Kendel Lynn

Shake Down 

(An Elliott Lisbon Mystery Book 5)

by Kendel Lynn

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: March 17th 2020 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: 

Ballantyne Foundation Director and PI-in-training, Elliott Lisbon, is enjoying her idyllically slow life on Sea Pine Island, South Carolina. It’s the week before the annual Beach Ball and she’s sipping Bellinis on the sidelines. Her committee involvement is limited to securing the centerpieces: scrumptious two-tiered masterpieces from the Cake & Shake. But when the head baker (and owner’s maid of honor) goes missing, Elli’s calm life gets a major shakeup. She takes the case and soon learns that missing is a relative term. These two bffs were once rivals on a local dating show. Perhaps the free spirit had reason to wander off on her own. Or perhaps she wasn’t the only woman scorned. As Elli walks the delicate line between a woman finding herself and a woman needing to be found, the days speed up and she knows something’s about to go down. From drug runners to whistleblowers to sea turtle sabotage, Elli stirs up secrets and inadvertently whips a desperate killer into a frenzy. If she doesn’t find a way out of the heat, she’s going to get burned.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fifth book in the Elliott Lisbon mysteries by Kendel Lynn.

This is one of the first series I discovered when I first started reading for NetGalley. It really felt like coming home as I peered back into Elliott’s life. I was only sorry that Ransom didn’t play a bigger part. He would definitely be one of my favorite book boyfriend characters. Henery Press and their choice of author’s just get me and get what I like and what I look for in a book and a series. I totally appreciate that they have introduced me to so many fantastic authors that I now consider must read books.

This was different than a lot of other cozy mysteries I have read. It pretty much centered around a missing person for most of the book. Of course, like all mysteries of this type, it does end up in murder. 

There are a lot of fun and quirky characters in this world that I really appreciated. It’s a lot like walking into a real town. The entire storyline centers around a reality tv show sort of like The Bachelor where girls compete for a man’s affection. Two of these girls come from Elliott’s neck of the woods and are involved in a wedding. The girl who is missing is the jilted lover, and according to the episodes the “true love” of the bachelor guy. Choice number two seemed to be the bride and she was wasting no time in having him “put a ring on it.”

There is, as you could guess, a lot of drama in this story that keeps you glued to the page. I loved seeing all the recurring characters, the Ballantyne’s and Ransom but not enough of the hunky detective to suit me but I will take what I can get.

Overall, I totally dig this series and want to do a re-read of the complete series in 2020!

If you love a good cozy mystery, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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

Covert Christmas Twin (Twins Separated at Birth #2) by Heather Woodhaven

Covert Christmas Twin

(Twins Separated at Birth #2)

by Heather Woodhaven 

Kindle Edition

Published October 1st 2019 by Mills & Boon Love Inspired

Goodreads synopsis: 

To save her sister, she’ll need to become her.

After discovering she’s a twin, FBI special agent Kendra Parker tracks down her birth mother — and faces a barrage of bullets. Now armed with the knowledge that her mother’s a spy, Kendra must go undercover as her sister to protect her family. But can she and FBI analyst Joe Rose expose a government mole…before they all end up dead?

***

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Twins Separated at Birth series in the Love Inspired Suspense line at Harlequin books. Not sure if there will be more books in this series but I hope so. Crossed fingers.

I am reading this as part of my “Read More Paperbacks” Challenge to myself. I have such a collection of real books as opposed to digital books that I know I need to read as many as possible and send them off to new homes.

This story leaves off not long after the previous book where Audrey and Lee (Kendra’s partner) met and fell in love. Now Kendra, who is Audrey’s twin, is looking into the identity of her Mother and is following up on a lead. This causes her to take Audrey’s place. She is met by an old friend from her academy days, Joe Rosa. Joe is on a journey of his own. He wants to get out of the daily grind of the FBI and move into a pastoral position of some kind. He is unsure and searching for answers.

I liked this dynamic. Both are searching for something and both need each other in order to accomplish these goals. The unseen enemy in this book always seemed to be one step ahead of them and thwarting them at every turn. I didn’t completely understand Beverley’s motives for setting up this meeting between Joe and Kendra. It was originally because Beverley wanted more intel on this person named the Pirate who was after Audrey’s defense contracted creations. But I feel in the end the motive was to just get her and Joe to find each other again and bring a bit of happiness back to Kendra’s life.

Lots of action and suspense in this one. I really enjoy Woodhaven’s writing and will look to future books by her in this line of inspirational books. If you are really sensitive to religious aspects of books, this one is not obnoxious at all. You will appreciate Joe’s point of view and not just see it as preaching to the reader. The thrilling aspects and never rest plotline pushes the story forward so quickly that you will find yourself sad when you get to the end and leave the characters behind. Loved this dynamic duo of books. Right up my alley.

If you love a good romantic suspense, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

Revenge Is Sweet (Vintage Sweets Mysteries #1) by Kaye George

Revenge Is Sweet

(Vintage Sweets Mysteries #1)

by Kaye George 

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: March 10th 2020 by Lyrical Press

Goodreads synopsis: 

In the picturesque tourist town of Fredericksburg, Texas, Tally Holt has opened a new candy store with a vintage twist . . .but there’s no sugar-coating a nasty case of murder . . .

Tally Holt has poured her heart, soul, and bank account into Tally’s Olde Tyme Sweets, specializing in her grandmother’s delicious recipes. Tally’s homemade Mallomars, Twinkies, fudges, and taffy are a hit with visiting tourists—and with Yolanda Bella, the flamboyant owner of Bella’s Baskets next door. But both shops encounter a sour surprise when local handyman Gene Faust is found dead in Tally’s kitchen, stabbed with Yolanda’s scissors.

The mayor’s adopted son, Gene was a handsome Casanova with a bad habit of borrowing money from the women he wooed. It’s a sticky situation for Yolanda, who was one of his marks. There are plenty of other likely culprits among Fredericksburg’s female population, and even among Gene’s family. But unless Tally can figure out who finally had their fill of Gene’s sweet-talking ways, Yolanda—and both their fledgling businesses—may be destined for a bitter end . . .

***

4.5 Stars

This is the first book in the Vintage Sweets mystery series by Kaye George.

I enjoyed the complete mystery in this book as well as the theme of vintage chocolates. It never occurred to me that we could make our own versions of older treats. This would have been the perfect book for a recipe since I think the older readers among us would love to taste a bit of our own history.

Tally has started a vintage chocolate shop. Her shop next door neighbor is Yolanda at Bella’s Baskets. When Tally’s refrigerator goes out, she brings in handyman Gene who just happens to be the mayor’s adopted son. And this guy is quite the player. He must be dating like five different people. I am not certain how such a smooth talker can get away with so much deception, especially in a small town. Anyway, someone has enough of his sweet words and betrayal and plunges Yolanda’s conveniently placed scissors into his back. Now Yolanda is suspect number one. Not to mention, she was the one to originally find Gene’s body yet didn’t report it. Tsk. Tsk. That is just asking for the police to slap some cuffs on you straight away.

There was a clue found in Tally’s shop near the middle of the book that caused the police to slap some actual handcuffs onto Tally. I didn’t quite understand why. She really wasn’t a suspect at that point and so many people had access to her chocolate shop it wasn’t funny. Those types of red herrings just tick me off sometimes. I like to believe in the goodness of the main characters and I want all the book people to believe in their goodness as well. Of course, I don’t always get what I want. Dang criminal element!

I am super excited about this new series. I don’t think I have ever read anything by Kaye George before either. Double win. Great find for me! Definitely adding this to my must read list for the future!

If you love a good cozy mystery, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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.

Heartbreaker (Dynasties: Mesa Falls Book 4) by Joanne Rock

Heartbreaker 

(Dynasties: Mesa Falls Book 4)

by Joanne Rock

Kindle Edition, 224 pages

Expected publication: March 1st 2020 by Harlequin Desire

Goodreads synopsis: 

From passion to betrayal and back again…

He knows she’s coming for him… And he’s ready to turn the tables!

When tabloid columnist Elena Rollins shows up uninvited to a private, star-studded party at Mesa Falls, Gage Striker sees red. Though it’s been six years since their abrupt breakup, the scars—and attraction—are still fresh. Certain his ex has a score to settle, the playboy banker vows to protect his ranch’s scandalous secrets. Protecting his heart is a different story.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Dynasties: Mesa Falls series by Joanne Rock in the Harlequin Desire line of books.

A funny thing happened on the way to writing this review. Surprisingly, I had not one ARC but two different ARCs with the title Heartbreaker. How ironic is that? And being that it is super close to Valentine’s Day, I figure there is a reason for this naming convention. ;) But I digress. I thought I was reading this book. And I tracked my reading on Goodreads then I was about to write the review and as I read the description, I suddenly realized this was not the book I thought I was reading. So, as quick as an Easter rabbit, I pulled this book out and read it up, hippity-hop.

Basic premise: These two characters have been a couple before. Six years ago to be exact. Elena was a young influencer and she showed Gage how important social media could be to his enterprise. His father tried to buy off Elena and get her out of his son’s life. Elena couldn’t deal and thus left. Gage chose to believe his father and his father never bothered to tell Gage the whole truth. Now six years later they meet again and Elena has just gotten out of a crappy marriage and is practically destitute. She is after the story about Gage’s mentor and she would probably find out about their friend who died under suspicious circumstances when they were young. 

I found this story quite captivating. I like being able to see both people’s points of view since sometimes the characters are thinking along different lines and with totally different brains. Gage is the logical one who has loved investing since a child. He has even far surpassed his own father’s wealth. Elena is more creative. I loved the part where she created her own clothes and was on the way to becoming a true fashionista.

I did feel like one storyline thread got dropped and I really wanted to see it get fulfilled. Gage introduces Elena to a very popular girl who seems to have it out for Gage and his friends. That thread went no where. I assume this will be picked up in another book in the series. So I better keep reading along if I want to know the whole story, right?

Totally digging this. Great guilty pleasure read and it also engaged my suspense loving brain too. A win on all sides.

If you love a good romantic suspense, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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.

A Novel Way To Die (Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series #2) by Tamra Baumann

A Novel Way To Die 

(Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series #2)

by Tamra Baumann

Kindle Edition, 235 pages

Expected publication: March 5th 2020 by Tamra Baumann

Goodreads synopsis: 

Sawyer Davis, a chef who inherited her mother’s mystery bookshop, is hosting her first book signing for the world’s biggest diva. Between juggling the author’s lofty demands, learning how to be a surrogate mother to a fifteen-year-old, and dealing with the Sheriff who once broke her heart, Sawyer’s menu is full. She longs for the good old days when the worst thing that happened was a flopped soufflé.

But when the author’s husband ends up dead in Sawyer’s best friend, Renee’s, ice cream shop, things really heat up. Sawyer believes her friend is being framed. With the help of her book club members and her adorable goldendoodle, Sawyer sets out to save Renee. Will Sawyer and her friends help serve up justice on a platter, or will they all find themselves in a pickle?

***

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Cozy Mystery Book shop series by Tamara Baumann.

Basic premise: Sawyer owns a bookstore and while she is hosting her very first book signing the author’s husband is found dead in her friend’s ice cream shop. She, of course, has to get involved since her friend, Renee is the main suspect.

For some reason I felt like this was book three. Not sure why. This series already feels so fully fleshed out that I felt like I was reading about real people in real situations. I really enjoyed the interaction between Sawyer and the sheriff who once broke her heart. Not all seems right in romance land during this book, but there were hints of better times to come.

The partnership between Sawyer and the fifteen year old girl her mother left her with in book one was a bit trying at times. I liked that the author took the time to really let us know who she was and what her point of view was. Not all is very easy in Sawyer’s life. So it is no wonder she fell down the rabbit hole into the investigation to clear Renee’s name. The dead man had been Renee’s ex so there had to be a lot of planning on the part of the killer to make all the aspects work together to make Renee look guilty.

Totally loving this series and plan to follow when the real book three shows up. I am a super fan, for sure.

If you love a good cozy mystery, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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.