Deadly Delights (A Bookish Baker Mystery #2) by Laura Jensen Walker

 

Deadly Delights

(A Bookish Baker Mystery #2)

by Laura Jensen Walker 

Hardcover

Published June 8th 2021 by Crooked Lane Books

Synopsis: 

In Laura Jensen Walker's second Bookish Baker mystery, Teddie St. John enters a pie-baking contest. But her chances of winning plummet when she's suspected of killing one of the judges!

August in Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin, always means one thing: the annual baking contest. Picture The Great British Baking Show, writ Midwestern. It's a huge draw for the upper crust of Wisconsin pastry aficionados. And, of course, bon vivant baker-turned-mystery writer Teddie St. John has a pie in the ring. The white vinyl baking tent boasts an array of folding tables housing each entrant's daily baked good. And at one of those tables sits the corpse of the head judge, his face half-buried in a delectable coconut cream pie.

The body in question belonged to notorious Les Morris. Les may have been getting on in years, but he hadn't outgrown his well-earned reputation for lechery. Now, Les is no more. But unfortunately, by his side lies Teddie's distinctive embossed rolling pin...covered with blood.

It's out of the baking pan, into the oven. A life sentence behind a lattice of prison bars and a tangle of rhu-barbed wire will never do, and Teddie's quick wit and bohemian charm won't save her from the long spatula of the law. So, with the help of her friends, she'll concoct a recipe to clear her name--if the real killer doesn't ice her first.

***

4.5 stars This is the second book in the A Bookish Baker mystery series by Laura Jensen Walker. I really enjoy Walker’s writing and it is not just because we share the same last name. This was a great cozy and the new series is just coming into its own with the main POV character of Teddie. There is a bit of a talking dog in here that kind of threw me off since I couldn’t figure out why the dog’s thoughts were so important. Maybe Teddie could have had those insights on her own.  There were a lot of twists and turns in this book that really kept me guessing. I was racing to the end to figure out whodunit! It is quite a page turner. This is definitely a series I want to continue to follow since I enjoyed the whole culinary mystery feeling of it. Totally recommend this if you love cozy mysteries and want to try out something new.

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. Opinions are completely my own.

Murder 101 (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #1.5) by Lynn Cahoon

 

Murder 101

(Kitchen Witch Mysteries #1.5)

by Lynn Cahoon

Kindle Edition, 82 pages, Novella

Published April 27th 2021

Synopsis: 

Mia Malone has opened a catering business in Magic Springs, Idaho, putting both her culinary expertise and her gift for spellcasting to good use. But it’ll take more than witchcraft to make a murderer disappear behind bars…

Mia Malone has landed a lucrative and convenient gig, catering a reunion at the old school that’s become her new business headquarters. The town swirls with rumors that St. Catherine’s Preparatory is haunted, but there’s one living visitor that Mia wasn’t expecting—her mother. Theresa Malone stepped away from the magic that runs in Mia’s family, much to the annoyance of Mia’s grandmother. Soon Mia has to deal with more than personal drama when Robin Hanover, the head of the reunion committee, is murdered in one of the classrooms.

Robin had a history as a mean girl. Could one of her old enemies have been nursing a grudge all this time? Or is the culprit even closer to home? Mia will need the help of her magic, her wits, and her family to figure out the truth—before she gets schooled by a clever killer…

***

4.5 stars

This is novella 1.5 in the Kitchen Witch series by Lynn Cahoon

Mia is using an old school for her new catering business. Apparently, there was a non-official witch group at the school back in the day. And they are having a reunion at this school and some members keep trying to sneak upstairs to do some sort of ritual. And of course, much to Mia’s dismay, someone ends up dead on her doorstep (or in her new catering business’s building). This story revolves around a mean girl and the possibility that an old enemy might have done her in. 

Pretty interesting story but I wish this had been longer. I am sure there was enough meat in this storyline to make it a full fledged novel. I just felt like it was over before I could wrap my head around what was going on. Definitely interested in continuing on with the Kitchen witch series. Totally invested already. I mean it is Lynn Cahoon, so I will be there no matter what. Love that gal’s writing.

Read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

The Immortal Doc Holliday: Hidden : (The Immortal Doc Holliday Series Book 1) by M.M. Crumley

 

The Immortal Doc Holliday: Hidden

(The Immortal Doc Holliday Series Book 1)

by M.M. Crumley 

Kindle Edition, 233 pages

Published May 14th 2021

Synopsis: 

Soul eating tattoo. Check

Self-replicating knife. Check

Two-hundred-year-old score to settle. Double check.

Meet the immortal Doc Holliday.

Lying on his deathbed, Dr. John Holliday was offered a choice; let the tuberculosis finish its work or accept immortality. Doc chose the latter, knowing full well that such “gifts” don’t come cheap, but damned if the last two hundred years haven’t been a blast. Partying, playing, fighting, killing; yes, eternal life’s been good... But the time to get serious has finally come, and the task he’s always known he was saved for is at hand.

Now in modern-day Denver, Doc will be pushed to his limits to keep his promise and save the missing descendent of the beautiful shaman who gave him everlasting life. The trouble is things aren’t going as planned, and it’s becoming clear that there is far more at stake than Doc bargained for...

***

3 stars

This is the first book in the Immortal Doc Holiday series.

I thought the concept of this book was interesting but just okay for me. I feel like Doc Holiday needs more motivation in his life than sex with as many woman as possible, whiskey and a good card game.

This had a ton of potential and could see it working as a cozy mystery but as it is, this just falls a bit flat for me. I feel like  saying… what is the point of this guy’s life. What a waste.

Not sure I will continue on with the series. It is unfortunate but I want to read other things that I find more interesting.

Read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Hexing the Ex (House of Magic #1) by Susanna Shore

 

Hexing the Ex 

(House of Magic #1)

by Susanna Shore

ebook

Published June 6th 2021 by Crimson House Books

Synopsis: 

I didn’t expect to be evicted the first thing I returned from my holiday, but thanks to my roommate Nick, that’s what I was facing.

It’s not exactly easy to find a new place to live in London, so when Phoebe Thorpe spots a room-to-let sign at the window of a magic shop, she doesn’t hesitate. The room is perfect, even if chores are part of the rent. There is only one thing odd about her new landladies. They seem to believe magic exists.

Phoebe doesn’t believe in magic, but unfortunately magic believes in her. A mysterious statuette is sent to her boss, Archibald Kane, and she accidentally triggers a curse meant for him. Naturally, the first person she curses is her ex-boyfriend. But why would anyone want to curse her boss, a perfectly ordinary antiques dealer? Or is he?

Phoebe sets out to break the curse with the help of her new housemates. But it isn’t easy trying to solve a mystery she doesn’t even believe is real. Then again, that hellhound chasing her seemed pretty solid… Maybe there’s more to magic than hexing one’s ex.

This is the first book in House of Magic, a new series by Susanna Shore blending mystery and magic, with a resourceful heroine and plenty of action.

***

4.5 stars This is the first book in the House of Magic series by Susanna Shore. I thought this was a really interesting story. A non-magical person stumbles upon a room for let in a magical business. Now her life is completely different. She discovers her boss at the antiques dealer shop is really a super magical guy and he may have killed someone right in front of her. I am really digging this house of magic world. I am waiting for book two in order to see if Phoebe finds a new man to lust over. It seems she has been pretty lacking in the decent man department. Her boyfriend cheats on her and then when the woman he dropped her for drops him, he wants Phoebe back. Typical, right? Phoebe keeps herself buys chasing after witches, running away from hellhounds and trying not to wish her friends into unforeseen circumstances. Did I mention the first thing that happens to her is that she gets cursed by a statue so when she wishes anything, it curses the person and her as well. They spend most of the book trying to break this curse and it is indeed a fun ride. Highly recommended. If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out!

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. Opinions are completely my own.

Running Out of Time (Tactical Crime Division #4) by Cindi Myers

 

Running Out of Time

(Tactical Crime Division #4)

by Cindi Myers

Paperback Edition, Harlequin Intrigue

Published July 1st 2020

Synopsis: 

When a terrorist is on the loose, the Tactical Crime Division is on the case.

To find out who poisoned medications, two of TCD's agents are tapped to go undercover posing as a married couple and infiltrate the company. But as soon as Jace Cantrell and Laura Smith arrive at Stroud Pharmaceuticals, someone ups the ante by planting explosives in their midst. Turns out that the small-town family business is hiding a million secrets. Could they unknowingly be protecting a vengeful killer?

***

4.5 stars

This is the fourth book in the Tactical Crime Division series by Cindi Myers.

I enjoyed this book. I just read it in bits and spurts during my lunch hour. Romantic suspense has always been a favorite of mine and Harlequin does a great job with this genre.

Laura Smith and Jace Cantrell, FBI agents, are trying to discover the culprit behind not only a poisoning of some Stomach Soothers but of a bomber who is killing people at the Stroud facility.

Definitely liked the storyline and it totally kept my attention. I read it as a paperback and most of my reading these days has been audio. And thus it took me a long time to finish this particular book. It was worth the wait, though. Great conclusion.

Paradox (Tessa Avery #2)

 

Paradox

(Tessa Avery #2)

Kindle Edition, 480 pages

Published January 2021 by Lucy Roy

Synopsis: 

What do you do when you discover centuries of your life have been taken from you? When you die in the midst of one war, only to wake up in the middle of a new one?

But more than that, how do you reconcile having lived two lives, each with their own memories, promises, and regrets without losing yourself?

Now, I’ve been irrevocably changed. I can’t simply go back to being Tessa, Titaness of Olympus, any more than I can go back to being Tessa Lynn Avery of Renville, Pennsylvania. Somehow, I have to be both.

With the help of family and friends, both new and old at my side, I'll gradually learn to be the Titaness I was born to be. But first I have to rescue my brother, and that’s easier said than done, when Olympus is faced with something far bigger than any had imagined.

The war has begun.

***

4.5 stars

This is the second book in the Tessa Avery series by Lucy Roy.

I am trying to remember where this book began and book one ended. Maybe it was right after Tessa realized she was a Titaness and the twin sister of Atlas. Not quite sure. This book is pretty epic and A LOT of stuff happens in this mega 480 page read.

It is very interesting and keeps your attention all the way through. Definitely enjoyed the ride even though it felt like it took forever to read. This is a pretty chunky one for me.

Read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Addict (Cravings #1) by Rachael Orman

 

Addict

(Cravings #1)

by Rachael Orman

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: June 8th 2021 by Crooked Lane Books

Synopsis: 

My name is Alix and I am addicted to sex.

Had been for years. I thought I learned how to live a normal life, but that’s the thing about addiction, it creeps back up when you least expect it. There is no one there for me, no one I can turn to for help. Until I’m given a chance to explore a side of myself I’d always kept locked away. I was lost…until him. I can’t tell you who he is, or why he does the things he’s done. All I can say is I hope one day I behave well enough to take off the blindfold and see the man who controls my addiction. My Master.

My name is John and I am addicted to control.

I tried to deny the dominate side of my personality. I didn’t want to admit how much I enjoyed the power, how much I enjoyed causing pain. That is until the woman I’d been secretly been stalking waltzed into a BDSM club right in front of me. All bets are off. She will be mine.

Together our addictions feed off each other, fueling the fire that burns within. Until suddenly the fire is too hot to handle, burning everything in its path. The pain and scars we’d both come into our fragile relationship with are split wide open, exposing more than either of us can handle, possibly leaving nothing behind to salvage from the ashes.

***

4.5 stars

This is the first book in the Cravings series by Rachael Orman. This book is free in the Kindle store if you are interested in it.

I think I am probably fascinated by this book for one because they reveal the BDSM community and how it works. Totally not my scene but fascinating. I also enjoyed the way that John and Alix found out that their similar addictions went together. The whole blindfolded submissive made it interesting to have anticipation for what might happen when the blindfold suddenly came off and it revealed who “Master” truly was.

Just a completely interesting read. This is part of a three book series and I have already dig into book two for the ongoing saga of John and Alix.