A Cream of Passion (Great Witches Baking Show #7) by Nancy Warren

 

A Cream of Passion

(Great Witches Baking Show #7)

by Nancy Warren

Kindle Edition, 148 pages

Published June 16th 2021 by Ambleside Publishing

Synopsis:

Tempers are fraying and the cream is melting as summer temperatures hit the competition tent at Broomewode in the UK just in time for patisserie week. With only four contestants left, the pressure is mounting in the race to be chosen the best amateur baker in the UK. Poppy's working hard to find out who her parents were and what happened to them even as she's trying to become a more accomplished witch, so she definitely doesn't have time for romance. Even if she does get a flattering invitation. Then someone dies and it looks like a crime of passion. Can she unmask a killer before she's the one who gets creamed?

***

4.5 Stars

This is the seventh book in the Great Witches Baking Show series by Nancy Warren.

I really enjoy this series. It is a fun quick read that gives me a lot of satisfaction. Guilty pleasure material for sure. You get to see a bit of the competition but it is mostly focusing on Poppy and who she is currently interacting with.

Poppy feels inspired to investigate even though the local constabulary don’t really appreciate her intrusion. A local grocer is found dead in his own kitchen poisoned by mushrooms of which he is an expert at using. Poppy just can’t believe he would have accidentally poisoned himself which is what the police believe. So she goes into sleuth mode.

I love how the author plots the mystery and how she includes all the bake-off participants even if they aren’t official “on screen” in the story. The books in this series are always easy to read and flow like a boat in the rapids. You just can’t read it fast enough. Love it.

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great series too!

Wounds and Witches (Midlife Medicine Book 6) by Amorette Anderson

Wounds and Witches

(Midlife Medicine Book 6)

by Amorette Anderson 

Kindle Edition

Published July 26th 2021

Synopsis:

Solving a murder was not on Grace’s “To Do” list this Christmas season.

The winter holidays are just around the corner and Grace is looking forward to a visit from her son, Oliver. She hasn’t seen him in ages! The guest bedroom is tidy, the cupboard is stocked, and Grace has even arranged to host a small party so her friends can meet Oliver.

One thing that Grace didn’t plan for was a murder. A local witch’s death is puzzling enough, but when a second witch in town disappears, Grace has her hands full. The two feet of snow from the latest blizzard isn’t helping matters! Can Grace and her pit bull Lucky catch the killer before it’s too late?

***

4.5 Stars

This is the sixth book in the Midlife Medicine series by Amorette Anderson.

I am totally enjoying this series. Can’t wait for the next installment.

The head of a local bookclub is murdered and Grace and Tenley decide to try and solve it before Grace’s song makes it for the Christmas holiday. Ben is trying to perfect his Gingerbread cookie recipe in order to impress Oliver.

You wouldn’t think there would be that many people who would want the head of a book club dead but this book sure does it well. Lots of suspects and lots of fun following the action. The plotting is well done and the mystery is so nice to follow. 

Grace’s new Watson has her first psychic experience while trying to figure out what her special talent for getting messages was. This town is just the coolest little place that makes you want to stop by and visit. 

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read book great series too!

A Pumpkin Spice Killing (Farm-to-Fork Mystery #5.5) by Lynn Cahoon

 A Pumpkin Spice Killing

(Farm-to-Fork Mystery #5.5)

by Lynn Cahoon

Kindle Edition, 75 pages

Published July 6th 2021

Synopsis:

Angie Turner’s Idaho restaurant, the County Seat, owes its success not only to its farm-fresh fair, but also to its devoted and passionate staff. But a team-building retreat turns into much more than they bargained for . . .

Angie and her County Seat staff are all prepared for some much-needed R&R. Hope’s been hinting at an arts-and-crafts themed retreat. Instead, they end up at a military veteran’s home, where it’s their job to get it spic and span for summer. In between weeding the garden and painting the rooms, Angie starts up a conversation with an older vet who wants to make amends with his son before it’s too late. Unfortunately, he has no idea of his son’s whereabouts. It’s the perfect side job for the County Seat team, but someone keeps blocking their efforts. And the more they try to find out why, the more they’re certain someone’s life might be in danger . . .

***

4.5 Stars

This is the 5.5 novella in the Farm-To-Fork mystery series by Lynn Cahoon.

I really think this novella could have been made into a much larger read. It was filled with so much detail in the mere 75 pages that I was left wanting to know more about just about everyone.

Angie Turner and her crew from the County Seat are working at what I can only call a old folks home where there are only two residents. It seems nearly every resident has left a great deal of money to the caretaker of this place and it waves red flags to Angie and her team. They deliver great food and company all the while getting flack from the caretaker who tries to get them fired behind their back.

It was a really interesting story that was just much too short. All of Cahoon books are must reads for me. I just love her writing style. Definitely check this series out and her other two series (Tourist Trap & Cat Latimer) as well.

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read book great series too!

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.

Dazed and Infused (Pebble Cove Teahouse #5) by Eryn Scott

 

Dazed and Infused

(Pebble Cove Teahouse #5)

by Eryn Scott 

Kindle Edition

Published June 24th 2021 by Kristopherson Press

Synopsis:

Have the people of Pebble Cove welcomed a killer into their midst?

Two women wash up on the beach in front of Rosemary's tea shop. One is dead. The other is wounded and can't even remember her name. Is she also a victim or the killer?

When it becomes clear that the only souls who can help solve this mystery are those of the ghostly persuasion, Rosemary has to get involved. She must identify the killer before they strike again.

Readers, this is the fifth book in a new cozy mystery series by Eryn Scott. These books are all clean with no gore and no swearing. Starting from the beginning with this series will provide the best reading experience. The ghosts are the only paranormal aspect in the series. And there are definitely cats because ... well, there has to be. :)

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fifth book in the Pebble Cove Teahouse mysteries by Eryn Scott.

Not only is there a new ghost to interact with, there is also a lady who has lost her memory but can hear the ghosts when they speak. It made it really hard for Rosie to solve the mystery by having to not talk to ghosts when around Hope and then trying to do her normal routine of using her cell phone when conversing with all the undead in town. Quite a mind bender, I know. The mystery was who killed Hope’s friend. They were found washed up on the beach and the new ghost was very helpful digging up clues and pointing them in the right direction. 

Very well written and plotted. This is definitely one of my favorite series and look forward to each new book that is released.

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read book great series too!

Forensics and Familiars A Witch Cozy Mystery (Midlife Medicine Book 5) by Amorette Anderson

 

Forensics and Familiars

A Witch Cozy Mystery (Midlife Medicine Book 5)

by Amorette Anderson

Kindle Edition

Published June 26th 2021

Synopsis:

Being a sleuth in a rural village is lonely work.

Witch Grace Littleton is used to cracking cases with nothing but her smarts, her pit bull sidekick, and a pair of enchanted handcuffs.

When the Manifesting Council summons a new best friend for Grace, she’s skeptical. How could a council predict friendship? A case evolves in a neighboring town just before Thanksgiving, and Grace is ready to do the dirty work of tracking down clues on her own. Investigating is dangerous business, after all... especially when a murderer’s on the loose and might pop up at the neighborhood estate sale.

But the Manifesting Council might be better at their craft than Grace has given them credit for. They’ve summoned a woman who can drive a getaway car like a champ, play good-cop to Grace’s bad, and stay calm even when the big guns come out. Plus, she makes a mean milkshake. Maybe Grace could use a little help with her detective work after all.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fifth book in the Midlife Medicine series by Amorette Anderson.

I was really excited to see them bring in a new best friend, Tenley for Grace. Someone to be the Watson to her Sherlock. Totally enjoyed this one. When the duo goes to get a new familiar for Tenley, they run across the case of the death of the animal’s previous owner. They use their detecting skills to ferret out the killer and this turns into a very twisty-turney ride that you just can’t manage to jump off of.

I love the setting of Covenstead and all the uniqueness of it. It is really untraditional but all the cool magical elements sure make up for not having internet or cell service.

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read book great series too!

The Mountain View Murder by Patrick Kelly

 

The Mountain View Murder

by Patrick Kelly 

Paperback

Published May 11th 2021

Synopsis:

Guess who cried at Lou Thorpe’s funeral.

No one. His wife, grown children, and best friends all attended the service, but no one shed a single tear. Poor Lou. He was out for his morning walk when a crazed driver knocked him out of life. Crazed? With no car, no driver, and no witnesses, it’s difficult to say. Was it an accident or intentional?

Until that morning, Bill O’Shea was living the dream. After a career of fighting crime in the big city, Bill bought a condo in the beautiful mountain resort community of Wintergreen, Virginia. When he met his attractive new neighbor, Bill knew his retirement was off to a great start. But then the short-staffed police department asked Bill to help them investigate Thorpe’s death.

Soon, Bill fell into an old routine. Interviewing suspects. Checking alibis. Everyone had a secret to hide, but Bill lacked evidence to tie any of the suspects to the crime. He was missing something--like he had an itch he couldn’t reach to scratch.

Will Bill and his new friends solve the case, or will the murder of Lou Thorpe remain a mystery forever?

If you love beautiful mountain settings, a charming cast, and intriguing plot twists, you're going to love this new series!

***

4.5 Stars

This is what I can only assume is the first book in the Bill O’Shea/Wintergreen mystery series by by Patrick Kelley.

I really liked this story. I resonated with the character of Bill and how this ex-cop was trying to find a less stressful live in Wintergreen. But then circumstances happened and higher cops were unavailable and that left a newbie in charge and asking for Bill’s expert assistance.

I liked how the author handled the budding romance between Bill and his next door neighbor. But then the village gossip mill about broke them up before they even got started. Small town grapevines are mega fast.

I enjoyed following the mystery as Bill did the job and schooled the younger cop on how to be in charge. Such a well written book. Definitely going to check out more from this author!

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read book great series too!

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.

Mocha, She Wrote (A Bakeshop Mystery #13) by Ellie Alexander

 

Mocha, She Wrote

(A Bakeshop Mystery #13)

by Ellie Alexander

Paperback, 320 pages

Published June 29th 2021 by St. Martin's Press

Synopsis:

When a barista competition comes to town, Torte's favorite pastry chef finds herself sleuthing once again—in the next installment of Ellie Alexander's beloved Bakeshop Mystery Series, Mocha, She Wrote!

Summer has ushered in a new season in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon. Torte is bustling with tourists taking in star-drenched shows at the Elizabethan, setting out to hike in the surrounding Siskiyou Mountains, and sampling the bakeshop’s summer lineup of raspberry lemon tarts and mint mojito cold brews. Jules and the team are buzzing with excitement when they learn that Andy, Torte’s head barista, has been selected to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup.

The prestigious competition draws coffee aficionados from up and down the coast to Ashland. The winner will not only claim to be best-in-brew, but also be awarded a hefty cash prize. Andy’s nervous about his chances, but Jules is confident that her star barista will shine. However, things take a grim turn when head judge Benson Vargas spits out Andy’s first offering, claiming it to be the worst thing to ever touch his lips—and hours later, is found dead clutching Andy’s creamy latte. Suddenly Torte’s favorite barista becomes the number one suspect. There’s no roast for the weary. Jules will have to sleuth out whodunit to clear Andy’s name and catch a killer before she ends up with one foot in the grounds.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the thirteenth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander.

This was a real fun book to read. Andy gets the spotlight this time as he competes for a coveted title as top barista but there is all sorts of hijinks and manipulations going on behind the scenes. So, needless to say, it is hard to tell who killed the main judge, the Simon Cowell of Coffee, when you are in the midst of the story. Of course, Andy gets the brunt of the attention because it is his coffee drink that is laced with the poison. The guy can’t win for losing.

I love getting to see the glimpses of Jules’s life interspersed between the action scenes. Gives the rest of us hope we can rekindle a lost love like that and be successful at it. 

Love this series so much. Definitely going to dig into it more! So much fun to follow the action of Jules and Company!

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read book great series too!

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.