In this installment, cupcake bakers and bakery owners, Mel and Angie, are baking cupcakes and preparing for their high school reunion. However, Mel is doing so under protest. Mel did not have the best experiences in school as she was overweight and bullied terribly. Although, thinned down and successful, Mel is still terribly insecure. Mel soon finds out that time doesn’t change everyone. The night of the reunion, things are just like high school. Her bullies are still there, holding court, and ready to bully her. The plot thickens when one of her tormentors is found dead and she is the prime suspect.
Determined to clear her name, Mel works with some unlikely people from her past. Together they are determined to find the killer and uncover secrets that may unravel a lot of lives. Some people are willing to do anything to keep their secrets, even kill for them.
I wasn’t surprised really by the culprit, as I suspected them at one point throughout the story but it was still a shock at the reveal.
I love Angie and Tate as a married couple now and I really liked Mel and Joe’s relationship in this book. I was never really Team Joe, always Team Martinez. And as odd as it may be to see Uncle Stan and Mel’s mom together, it makes me happy that they are finding companionship at this time in their lives. I am not sure when book 12 is going to be released but I cannot wait for it, as there will be a lot going on from the way this one ended.
I had the audio version of this book narrated by Susan Boyce. Highly recommend.
I adore this series. The setting of a small town tea shop, the cast of characters, and the sweet and sinister plot lines have made the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries one of my top series.
First and foremost, I love any book, especially a cozy, that has a middle aged (give or take a few years) protagonist. Also, when said protagonist is a single woman battling her own insecurities while trying to keep it together for her family, that’s the perfect recipe to connect emotionally with the books.
In this series, Daisy, a widow with 2 teenage daughters, returns to her small, home town to be closer to her family. In need of a fresh start, Daisy and her aunt Iris open a Tea Shop. Although the business is very successful, its seems a dark cloud has been hovering around the town, especially the tea shop. With murder and mystery popping up in town, Daisy or someone she cares about always seem to be a suspect.
In this installment of the series, a local food critic is going around town reviewing local businesses. With the extremely unfavorable reviews he is giving, it is no surprise that he meets an untimely demise. The twist, it may have been food from Daisy’s Tea Garden that did him in. With her staff being prime suspects, Daisy and her somewhat boyfriend, Jonas, are on the case. If that’s not enough, there seems to be something going on within her own family.
I had no idea who the culprit was of the murder and the why. I did have my a strong idea of what was going on with Daisy’s family. This book, although Cozy, has a strong emotional theme. The sense of strength, family, support, and love are very strong in this novel. When a book can surprise me, make me laugh out loud, and tear up with emotion, it gets a 5 Star rating.
I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.
I am highly anticipating the release of book 4, Murder with Cherry Tarts, 11/26/19.
This week, Krista Davis released The Diva Sweetens the Pie, book 12 of The Domestic Diva Mystery Series. I cannot sing the praises of this series loud enough. Book 1, The Diva Runs Out of Thyme, released in 2008. For whatever reason, I did not start reading this series until last year. If you still have not read this series, I am urging you to stop what you are doing and read it now!
The core characters of the series, Sophie, Nina, Bernie, Mars, and more, even Natasha, are so well developed that you will forget you are reading a book. You immediately become invested in this cast, you feel like you are a part of the gang. I can also add, the animals’ personalities even shine through. Every book in the series introduces several new characters but its never too much. You never lose focus or become overwhelmed. I have no idea how she does it. Every book is amazing. You would think maybe at least 1 out 12 may have just been okay, but that is not the case. I have never enjoyed a series as much as I enjoy this one. You will laugh out loud, you will be angered and disappointed, you will be surprised and you will long for the next book.
A little about the books…
The books are set in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Sophie and her semi nemesis Natasha are dueling divas with advice columns; think Ann Landers, Dear Abby, and Hints from Heloise all wrapped into one. Sophie and Natasha have been competing against each other since childhood. I would give their relationship the title of Frenemies.
In each book, Old Town Alexandria starts off just like any small southern town. There is usually a competition, festival, or holiday around the corner that everyone is gearing up and coming to town for. Coincidentally, there is always a murder to investigate as well. Sophie, along with her best friend Nina and the rest of the gang, are the sleuths that get to the bottom of it all. I like to think of them as an adult, southern Scooby Gang, yes they even have a dog!
My description of the series does not do it justice. Anyone that follows my reviews on Goodreads, knows that I am a harsh critic. So if I am telling you to read this series, read this series LOL. I give this series overall 5 Stars!!
If you have never read a Cozy Mystery, this is the series for you. If you have never tried an audio book, this is the series for you. The narrator, Hillary Huber, is phenomenal. If you are skeptical about listening to books on audio, this will change your mind.
I have read and/or listened to all of the books Ms. Davis currently has released. Pen & Ink and Paws and Claws both have an amazing cast of characters.
Paws and Claws takes place at a mountain resort that revolves around pets and pet lovers. There are currently 5 books released in this series with book 6 scheduled for release October 1, 2019.
Pen & Ink revolves around a small town bookstore. Who doesn’t enjoy books about books? There are currently 2 books released in this series.
Book 3, Drawn and Buttered, was just released on February 26, 2019. I fell in love with this series from chapter one, book one. What is so great about Ms. Randall’s books, you definitely feel like you are part of the story. Allie is the protagonist/sleuth. She is very likable and relatable. She isn’t pushy and while she does find herself in some compromising positions, her behavior isn’t as reckless as in some cozies. She lives with her whimsical Aunt Gully, who is quirky for sure but not obnoxious. Also, the “law” is now used to her involvement and actually trust her instincts. They aren’t over the top jerks. These books are available in all formats: print, digital, and audio. I have all 3 in digital and audio and I will tell you, the narrator Tiffany Morgan, is amazing. Below are my reviews of Books 1-3 in released order.
Wow!!! I flew through this book. First in a a series, Ms. Randall really connects you with her characters. I absolutely adored the protagonist, Allie, and her relationship with her family and friends. And who couldn’t fall in love with Aunt Gully?!?!?
A food competition/reality tv, small town, and a Murder. In the small New England town of Mystic Bay, chowder and lobster rolls are the key to life. When a lobster roll contest goes horribly wrong, it’s obvious the small town has a ton of secrets and a murderer. Allie and Aunt Gully, along with Allie’s sister Lorel and best friend Verity, are determined to get to the bottom of it but when suspicion is turned into them, the need to solve it.
With several secrets, twists and turns, this book kept me guessing until the end. There are many secrets, some more obvious than others, but I didn’t see the end coming. I was shocked.
More Praise for the Lazy Mermaids!! I love how Ms. Randall can make her novels so much fun and so very thrilling at the same time. Aunt Gully and Gully’s Gals inspire me for my golden years lol.
When Allie finds not only one, but two bodies, she has the task of figuring out if there is a connection. Not only does she have that task, she has to make sure the blame isn’t placed on her sister Lorel. With more questions than answers, Allie and her BFF Verity are determined to find them. The puzzle is definitely a doozy this go around. Everyone is suspect in this case. People are acting oddly and most are dazed by the celebrities in town.
When the connections come together and the pieces all start to fit, I was shocked. I did not see it coming. I had suspicions of the persons involved but I had no idea of the how or why.
I enjoyed seeing some characters from book one becoming more of a core character in this one.
AMAZING!! Shari Randall, you did it again, and better!! I love this series. I feel like I am part of community of Mystic Bay when I read these books. The core characters are amazing and every new character introduced is developed extremely well.
Here in book 3, its Halloween. Its Halloween in New England. Old traditions and superstitions are brought to light in reenactments. I was actually familiar with the superstition or folk lore surrounding the Parish Family ancestry. So when a body is found in the old Parish Cemetery, on Halloween night, it makes you questions if there were supernatural beings at work or a murderer.
Its up to Allie, Verity, and a others to crack the case. The shenanigans they get into are mostly comical, yet someone is now actively seeking Allie out. Can Allie crack another case?
Oh and don’t forget Lobzilla!! I am also glad we didn’t have to deal with Lorel much in this story.
Such a fun series. I am totally invested in Callie and Company and the future endeavors in Crystal Bay. As much as I love Callie, I think its all her friends and family that make me love this series so much. Callie is a hard working Greek bistro owner as well as a single mom, so of course she has time to be an amateur sleuth and mystery solver. Callie just has a knack for finding dead bodies.
Ms. Kales does a great job developing the lovable characters. The characters are so relatable. Yes its a small town and quite over the top in many cases, but the relationships and emotions, as well as day to day routines, are real. I feel like I have been in many of the same situations with family, exes, friends, budding romances, coworkers, etc.
The books have many plot twists that will keep you guessing until the end. Each book has a theme surrounding it. From a Cook Off to Christmas and Halloween to Murder Mystery Dinners, each book will offer you a new adventure in Crystal Bay, WI.
If I had to pick a favorite so far in the series, it would be Spiced and Iced (Book 2). In this book, Callie’s strength is tested, and tested hard. She has many trials thrown at her and she never breaks. Callie is a protagonist that I could truly admire, definitely a super woman. And let’s face it, its Christmas Time. Nothing better than a Christmas themed Cozy!!
The books also made me hungry, as I love Mediterranean dishes. There are several recipes in the back of the books that I will definitely try, especially the Greek Coffee Cakes!
I am impatiently awaiting Book 5. I highly recommend this series to anyone that already has a love for Cozy Mysteries or is looking to dive into the genre. Callie is a very strong woman, so even though this a cozy, you will enjoy this series if you love mysteries with a strong female protagonist. This series is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
I
had no expectations going into this book. I have read Ms. Burns’s
previous series (Mystery Bookshop Series) and knew I enjoyed her
writing, so I just went into the next series blind.
I adored
this book. I love the Cozy Mystery genre and the easy to fall in love
with protagonists. However, I hadn’t realized I missing something more
until I read this book. The protagonist is a middle aged woman dealing
with real middle aged problems. It was really nice to truly relate on a
deeper level.
Lily is a soon to be divorcee. Her husband of 25 years has left her for a woman younger than their children. She had not worked outside of the home for many years, at her husband’s request. He has since cut her off financially and is trying get her out of their home as well. So naturally when he turns up dead in a supposed burglary, Lily is the prime suspect. With the support of her children and best friend, she is determined to prove her innocence. It’s a very bumpy road but with love and support, anything can be possible.
I felt that this was almost a middle aged coming of
age story. Lily finds herself, her determination, and the road to her
happy place.
I read this in one sitting. I also had the audio
downloaded with the digital copy. The narrator is great. I highly
recommend this series.
I
cannot say enough about this series. It is sweet with a slight
romantic element, family oriented, female empowering and of course,
MURDER!!
Lily has put her past behind her and started a new life
in Chattanooga. With the help of her best friend, Dixie, she is
settling in well in her new surrounding. With a new home and job,
everything seems to be falling into place, well until she stumbles upon
a dead body. With the help of Dixie, Stephanie, Joe, and Joe’s friend
Red, the investigation begins.
This book has just as many
twists at the first and I had no idea who the killer was nor did I
expect the plot twists. I love the shenanigans the ladies get into as
well as the budding romances throughout. This book releases on February
12, 2019 and I highly recommend it.
**I was awarded both books by #NetGalley in return for honest reviews**
Room of Required Reading 