Click on book to visit Amazon A TWINKLE OF TROUBLE is the fifth book in the Fairy Garden Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber. This charming book starts each chapter off with a literary quote about fairies that evokes delightful childhood stories and imaginary friends. The author brings the world of fairies to life through her vivid descriptions, and you can’t help but want to meet them yourself. Instead, be content to see them through the eyes of the protagonist, Courtney Kelly, owner of Open Your Imagination fairy garden shop. Another aspect you can count on in Ms. Gerber’s books is the kindness ..read more

Click on book to visit Amazon TORN ASUNDER is the twelfth book in the Maine Clambake Mysteries by Barbara Ross. Every time an advance copy of this series lands in my inbox, I immediately put it at the very top to read next. Except this time… I’d heard rumors, which proved to be true, that this is the last book in the series. I desperately wanted to read Torn Asunder, but I also wanted to prolong the anticipation, knowing how sad I’d be once I’d read the last page without having a next book to look forward to. That said, this new release lived up to and exceeded my expectations, especial ..read more

Click on link to visit Amazon MOLTEN DEATH is the first book in the brand-new Orchid Isle Mystery series by Leslie Karst. Set against the lush backdrop of Hawaii and the terrifying ferocity of an active volcano, the author brings the setting to life through her vivid descriptive voice. You can feel the heat of the lava flow, smell the tropical flowers, taste the fresh papaya, and see the glorious beauty of the crashing waves. I also love that the protagonist, Valerie Corbin, and her wife, Kristen, are retirement-age women. It brings a maturity to the storyline and (I hate to admit it) m ..read more

Click on book to visit Amazon THE WITLESS PROTECTION PROGRAM is the fifth book in the Catering Hall Mysteries by Maria DiRico. With her trademark humor, Ms. DiRico has penned another tale that kept me laughing and turning the pages late into the night to find out who murdered protagonist Mia Carina’s supposedly already dead husband. Mia has built up the reputation and the business of Belle View Banquet manor, and things couldn’t be better… aside from impatiently waiting for a proposal from her co-worker, Shane. The storyline and the dialog from the scenes are perfect for any rom-com afi ..read more

Click on book to visit Amazon IRISH MILK SHAKE MURDER by Carlene O’Connor, Peggy Ehrhart, and Liz Ireland is a rollicking collection of three cozy mystery novellas that capture the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. I can’t think of a better way to start the festivities than making an Irish milkshake (heavy on the Irish whiskey of course) and catching up with favorite characters or finding a new series to start if you’re not familiar with them. I’m always impressed that each author manages to fit in a full mystery, with enough intrigue, in such short stories! The first story, Irish Milkshake ..read more

Click on book to visit Amazon PUBLIC ANCHOVY #1 is the third book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley. I hate to admit that this was my first foray into this delightful series, but I was so smitten with the characters that I immediately went back and read the first two books. I easily found that each of them can be read as a standalone. Ms. Quigley has created an eclectic cast of characters whose antics and personalities bring entertainment to the pages. Protagonist Delilah O’Leary is a trained chef and owner of Delilah & Son, an upscale pizzeria in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. I ..read more

Click on book to visit Amazon ILL-FATED FORTUNE is the first book in the brand-new Magical Fortune Cookie Mysteries by Jennifer J. Chow. And what a great start it is! Filled with tight-knit family, an adorable bunny, magical bakery items and fortune cookies, and murder, the author brings the story to life. Living and working with her mother at their bakery in Pixie, central California, protagonist Felicity Jin has self-doubts about fitting in. Her mother has the magical ability to bake joy into her pastries (like pineapple buns!), as did her maternal female ancestors. And somehow, that abili ..read more

Click on book to visit Amazon FIVE FURRY FAMILIARS is the fifth book in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon. Filled with magic, mouthwatering morsels, and a murder to solve, this newest release kept my attention with its mesmerizing tale. Protagonist, Mia Malone, is a kitchen witch, newly come to her power and training. I love her grandmother is her instructor and the relationship they have. Sometimes it’s fraught with misunderstanding and irritation, but they always find a way to overcome and support each other. And, of course, the furry familiars all steal each scene they inhabit fr ..read more

Click on book to visit Amazon DOUBLE GRUDGE DONUTS is the eighth book in the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton. With a fun week of events planned for the Fallingbrook Arts Festival, a mere two weeks before her wedding, Emily Westhill has her hands full baking up donuts at Deputy Donut. What she didn’t need was a disruptive bagpiper stirring up trouble with participants and keeping townsfolk awake at all hours of the night playing the pipes. Ms. Bolton sets the stage for a riveting murder mystery and delectable donuts with vivid descriptions and wonderful characters. I’ve enjoyed w ..read more

Click on book to visit Amazon I just love the themed holiday collection of novellas Kensington Publishing puts out and EASTER BASKET MURDER by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross is no exception. It’s such a fun way to catch up with favorite characters in between full-length releases or get to know a new author through the short novella without investing a lot of time. Each of the novellas is a complete mystery all on their own and I’m always amazed how the authors fit so much in with limited words. Easter Basket Murder by Leslie Meier is part of the Lucy Stone Mysteries, and one ..read more