Pint of No Return (Ice Cream Shop Mystery #1) by Dana Mentink

 

Pint of No Return

(Ice Cream Shop Mystery #1)

by Dana Mentink 

Paperback, 350 pages

Expected publication: May 25th 2021 by Poisoned Pen Press

Synopsis: 

The first in new dessert cozy mystery series! A murder in town is bound to shake things up...

After her divorce from her thrice-married embezzler husband, Trinidad Jones is finally ready for a fresh start. So when she's left one of ex's businesses in Upper Sprocket, Oregon, she decides to pack up her dog, cash in her settlement, and open her dream business: the Shimmy and Shake Shop, introducing the world to her monster milkshakes. And even with a couple sticky situations underway, namely that the other two ex-wives also call Sprocket home, Trinidad's life seems to be churning along smoothly.

That is, until she discovers her neighbor, the Popcorn King, head down in his giant popcorn kettle. When one of Trinidad's fellow ex-wives is accused of the murder and Upper Sprocket descends into mayhem, it's going to take a supersized scoop of courage to flush out the killer. 

***

4.5 stars This is the first book in the Ice Cream Shop mystery series by Dana Mentink. Trinidad Jones owns an ice cream shop and is out getting nuts for a friend when she stumbles upon his body stuffed inside a large kettle. This is where he made his famous caramel popcorn.  They know someone is out to keep Trinidad from discovering the truth when her friend, Quinn is attacked and the photos he picked up that belonged to the dead guy were stolen. There is a lot going on in this book which is fine since the author is is world-building and establishing her universe, so to speak. The last half of the book was much better in my opinion since it felt like the author finally had a good grasp on her world and was successfully playing in it. The mystery was complex and the constant attacks made me wonder who in the heck could be doing this. The suspect list wasn’t that big. I wonder if Trinidad’s dad will become a recurring character or main cast member. He sure did put his mark on the story in a big way. I am s curious about the possibilities and look forward to future books by this author. 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.

The Kings of Kearny by Navessa Allen

The Kings of Kearny

by Navessa Allen

ebook, 310 pages

Expected publication: June 15th 2021 by navessa allen

Synopsis: 

Jakob Larson is going to be the death of me.

That’s what I think every time he strides into my bar.

The Kings of Kearny run this small Texas town, and Jakob is their chief enforcer.

The Viking, they call him. He’s a criminal. As dangerous as he is sexy. The kind of man who makes my inner cavewoman sit up and take notice.

Him big. Make strong babies. Bring home mammoth for dinner.

I’m ready to indulge her desires, but just for one night. Unfortunately, Jakob has other plans.

Someone in town is breaking one of the cardinal rules set by the leader of The Kings. And Jakob thinks they’re using my grandmother’s nursing home as a front for their illicit activities.

Now I’m neck-deep in trouble with him, and every time I think I’ve figured out what’s really going on, Jakob reveals another piece of the puzzle.

I need to figure out how far I’m willing to go to protect this town. How far I’m willing to go with Jakob.

Because if I fall for him, there’s no going back. No hope for a peaceful ending.

But Jakob is the kind of man who makes me think that peaceful is overrated, and that descending into darkness with him could lead to something even better than a Happily Ever After.

***

4.5 stars Krista is a military vet with a leg injury. It bothers her often but doesn't let that stop her from having a full life. She works at a bar where a local motorcycle club, The Kings of Kearny congregate. Somehow she has gained the attention of the Kings enforcer, Jakob whom she had already been lusting after if only in her mind. They are quickly thrown together and Krista decides to use Jakob to find the truth about what is going on inside her Granny's nursing facility. There is a possibility someone is messing with the resident's meds. This story is more of a discovery into the relationship between Jakob and Kirsta. This relationship is unique and not your normal book romance. Jakob is angry and intense and his lovemaking can be mean and brutal, but somehow Kirsta is okay with this dynamic. She is a combat vet and understands where he is coming from. We gain insight into Jakob's family connection and learn his father is a founding member of the club that created the Kings. On the surface he seems normal but he is underhanded and untrustworthy at the best of times. Krista wonders how he grew up in such a family and explains a lot about his personality. The connection between Krista and Jakob is angry, intense and brutal. It is a biker romance so what do we expect, right? The whole atmosphere doesn't make you feel comfortable, it pulls you out of your romance comfort zone and challenges your definition of love.  This is definitely a new type of romance for me but I really enjoyed this intense ride. Highly recommended. If you love a good contemporary biker romance, 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.

A Tennis Pro To Die For (Cozy Mysteries To Die For #3) by Judy Moore

 

A Tennis Pro To Die For

(Cozy Mysteries To Die For #3)

by Judy Moore 

Kindle Edition, 263 pages

Published January 28th 2021

Synopsis: 

Beck O’Rourke’s younger sister Lizzie has cajoled her into taking tennis lessons in the middle of the summer in South Florida. Beck not only suffers from the heat but from her snooty classmates who are more interested in the handsome tennis pros than learning how to hit a backhand. But things get serious when one of the racquet club’s pros is killed by a hit-and-run driver. Beck takes advantage of her inside knowledge of the tennis club to try to help handsome police detective Devon Mathis catch the killer.

***

4.5 stars

This is the third book in the Cozy Mysteries To Die For series by Judy Moore.

I am happy to be reading another one of Judy Moore’s books. She has come a long way in defining this series and really making it all come to a life in a wonderful way.

Beck is back in town after her stint in Montreal taking care of her mother. There is a bit of a distance between her and her detective sweetie, Devon. But her sister, Lizzie tells her to let Devon chase her. No one likes a gal who is easy to catch. Since Lizzie is the one with the romance chops, Beck listens to her advice.

In the meantime, Beck and her sister are taking tennis lessons at the local country club due to a generous benefactor from a previous book. This is where Beck meets Haley an area tennis legend. But being clueless about sports, Beck and Haley bond over their love of books. Lizzie is stunned when she realizes her sister’s new friend is uber famous.

Not long after Beck meets Haley she is introduced to her family and other colleagues: Gille and Manney. A disagreement between Haley and Manney sends her running for cover, the next day the body of Manney is discovered dead from a hit and run. 

This is when Detective Daron gives Beck the green light to start investigating on her own as a type of consultant. So she jumps into the fray. 

This was a fascinating mystery to follow. I love that Devon and Beck worked together and you can see the two of them growing closer. 

This is one of those stories where everyone gets a happily ever after ending.  I am sure you will be relieved as I was to see how it all turned out in the end. 

If you love cozy mysteries, definitely check this out and dig into the whole series. 

I read this book for free using my kindle unlimited subscription. 

Organize Your Corpses (Charlotte Adams #1) by Mary Jane Maffini

 

Organize Your Corpses

(Charlotte Adams #1)

by Mary Jane Maffini

Kindle Edition, 246 pages

Published May 18th 2021 by Beyond the Page (first published 2007)

Synopsis: 

Fans of Marie Kondo and mysteries will love this series!

Professional organizer Charlotte Adams finds herself caught up in a very messy murder . . .

After freeing herself from a cheating fiancé and the other useless clutter in her life, Charlotte Adams moves back to her hometown in Upstate New York to make a fresh start as a professional organizer. But she’s about to learn that foul play can creep into even the most well-ordered life.

Eager to get her new career started, Charlotte agrees to take on a job from the former high school teacher who filled all her students’ lives with chaos and confusion. But no sooner does Charlotte begin digging through years of accumulated junk than she finds her first client dead—and herself named as the main suspect.

While any number of the victim’s former students had a motive for murder, Charlotte knows that death is rarely that tidy, and she can’t help meddling in the investigation to prove herself innocent and repair her sullied reputation. But the killer has a to-do list of their own, and the first item is to clean up a little mess named Charlotte Adams . . .

***

4.5 stars This is the 1st book in the Charlotte Adams series by Mary Jane Maffini. I thought this was pretty good. I enjoyed the whole organization aspect and wished there had been more of that. I totally need help in that area.  The mystery was fun to follow even though some of the plot devices were pretty obvious. But that didn’t keep me from enjoying this book. Man, there is this big plot twist at the end that you definitely won’t see coming. I know I was mind blown. Don’t stop reading before the end because you will really miss the crazy big reveal. I enjoyed getting to know the people in this community. I wonder how many will navigate to book two. Just so many possibilities with this series. I am excited for the author. Now that book one is under her belt, book two will be slam bam amazing, I am sure! 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.

For Batter or Worse (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #13) by Jenn McKinlay

 

For Batter or Worse

(Cupcake Bakery Mystery #13)

by Jenn McKinlay

Paperback, 288 pages

Published May 4th 2021 by Berkley Books

Synopsis: 

The Fairy Tale Cupcake crew must discover the truth behind a death sprinkled with suspicion before Mel and Joe can say I do", in the thirteenth Cupcake Bakery Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay.

Life is sweet and business is booming at the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery--and the fact that Mel and Joe are getting married is the icing on the cake. Their reception will be held at the swanky resort where Oz works as the pastry chef. The wedding planning is all fun-fetti and games until Mel and Joe meet the head chef at the resort who has been making Oz's life miserable. When the eccentric chef insults Mel's bakery, Oz gets into a blowout argument with the culinary prima donna.

Things turn extra sour when the chef is murdered, and Oz is the police's main suspect. As the countdown to the wedding day begins, Mel, Joe, and the rest of the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew must sift through clues to catch the real killer and clear Oz's name before their wedding plans are totally battered and baked.

***

4.5 stars This is the 13th book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay. Oz has been snagged to work at the Sundial restaurant and the main cook has a problem with Oz and his inventiveness. When Oz fills in for the eccentric chef Miles after a tantrum in the kitchen, the head cook gets angry. Then when they turn to Oz to do a cooking segment on a TV morning show when Miles is a no show, Miles is in a huff. Not long later, Mel finds Oz hovering over the dead body of Miles with blood on his hands. And it doesn’t look good for Oz. I really enjoyed the plot of this book. The whole story where it focused on Oz really spoke to me. I could see he was just trying to help and be a good employee even when the personalities of the other chef’s left not much to be desired about them. The story flow was good and I was hooked when Oz handed Mel those cupcakes for her wedding. They just sounded so delish. This is a fun series with a great community of recurring characters that just keep you coming back for more foodie fun. 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.

Earn Your Extra Credit by Meghan Quinn

 

Earn Your Extra Credit

by Meghan Quinn

Kindle Edition, 427 pages

Published April 15th 2021

Synopsis: 

"She went home with someone else that night?"

Hearing the disbelief from my best friend's mouth makes the events of my failed date sting that much more.

I would like to make it known, I have a lot more swagger than what it seems. I don't normally ask a girl out, have her fail to recognize it's a date, and then give me a high five--as if I'm her wingman--and take off with someone else.

No. Normally I'm the one taking the girl home but with Stella, it's been one failed attempt after another and frankly, I'm done trying.

But thanks to my best friend getting married in Hawaii right before the school year starts, I'm stuck on a tropical island, watching Stella parade around in what she claims is a bathing suit.

Unfortunately, that's not the worst of it, just the tip of the iceberg. Because what I think is going to be a relaxing vacation, avoiding the one girl I can't seem to make it work with, has turned into a spectacle of being recruited as Stella's doting fake fiancé so she can save face with an old "friend" from high school.

Now I'm navigating through purgatory while trying not to get turned on by the way she holds my hand or kisses my jaw. It's all fake, that's what I keep telling myself, even though it feels entirely too real.

Note from author: This book is a smattering of tropes: Enemies to lovers, turned friends to lovers, and also coworkers to lovers. Not to mention, a fake fiancé romance that takes place in Maui and Chicago. Lots of heat--a balcony scene that will make you blush--absurdly funny pranks, best supporting cast, a surprise "mom" you'll never see coming, and a grumbly guss of a hero who can't stop pining after his girl. Enjoy!

***

4.5 stars I read the companion book to this series, See Me After Class and am so glad I did. It gave me a good background into the cast. All of the teachers are going on vacation with Arlo and Greer to attend their wedding. Stella and Romeo have been good friends forever but Romeo wants more and felt the sting of rejection when Stella brought one of their other friends to their date. Now they are in paradise and Stella runs into her dad who is engaged to Stella's old high school nemesis. She tells them that she too is engaged and swindles Romeo into helping her. This book is full of good times, angst and great friendships. I enjoyed watching Stella try to dig herself out of the hole she'd dig herself into. This is a slow burn so don't think things get resolved immediately. These characters have to work for their love. Highly recommended. Read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

The Mysterious Lost Child (The Inscrutable Paris Beaufont #2) by Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle

 

The Mysterious Lost Child

(The Inscrutable Paris Beaufont #2)

by Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle 

Kindle Edition

Published April 16th 2021 by LMBPN Publishing

Synopsis: 

If love was what made the Earth go round, then it was about to freeze on its axis.

Worldwide, true love was dwindling more and more every single year.

Now it’s at an all time low.

Few people knew the repercussions of love being created or, more importantly, of love being lost.

A fairy godmother knew.

It was her job to ensure matches were made and love achieved.

The problem is fairy godmothers aren’t what they used to be, and it’s creating a domino effect across the globe.

Paris Beaufont isn’t your typical fairy godmother and that’s exactly what Happily Ever After College needs to bring more lovers together.

Can Paris help fairy godmothers to evolve in the modern world—making love blossom, rather than wilt and fade away before it’s too late? 

***

4.5 stars This is the second book in the Inscrutable Paris Beaufont series by Sarah Noffke and Michael Anderle. Paris and Faraday, the intelligent squirrel, are back in another Fairy Godmother story. This series is just stand out amazing. Totally digging Paris and the Fairy Godmother School. This series really just feels like a continuation from the previous book. This is like the second book in a multi-book series. Just an ongoing saga. It would be perfect for a bind-up when the time comes and it reaches its conculsion. Paris is half fairy, half magician and her unique outlook is putting a new spin on the Fairy Godmother School.  Dusting out the old cobwebs and inserting new life into the Fairy Godmother game. This is a fun series to follow and love the unique spin the author has put on the classic fairy tale character. Paris learns more about her family and how her Uncle became her guardian. This story is turning into a search for Paris's parents. Definitely a series I want to continue to follow.

Highly recommended.

Read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.