A BLUE RIBBON MURDER by T.C. LaTempio

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Urban Tails Pet Shop Series

4****

Blurb: When the organizer of a major cat competition is murdered and the grand prize is stolen, Shell McMillan will have to claw through the clues to catch a killer . . .
The Kitty Club Cat Show has come to Fox Hollow, and everyone from casual cat lovers to competitive breeders has shown up for the contest. Pet shop owner Shell McMillan has two cats entered, and like everyone else she has her eye on the grand prize, a vibrant red leash with a solid gold cat-head figurine attached. As the judging begins, cat owners clash and the fur flies, until a power outage throws the whole arena into darkness. But when the lights come back up, the event’s organizer is found dead and the grand prize is missing. Shell knows the obvious suspect is the victim’s stepson, who’s up to his neck in gambling debts and would kill to get his hands on his inheritance. But there are plenty of disgruntled competitors to consider too, including some who had an old score to settle with the victim. Every clue is catnip for Shell, especially as she puzzles out whether the thief and the murderer are the same person. Either way, with two crimes to solve and a killer on the loose, she’ll have to tread carefully so that her dreams of Best in Show don’t end with Rest in Peace . . .

THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this story, but was a bit lost on some of the characters. I will note that I haven’t read the other books in the series so I was coming into this without that background. The mystery was well done without the background, but the relationships between the characters was a touch confusing. At first, I thought Shell and Gary were a couple. I mean, they live in the same house and work together. Then I find out that she has a boyfriend, Josh, and Gary is just her bff. They used to work together on a hit TV show but now work in a pet shop. And Shell has three cats who help them solve mysteries. In this one, there’s a cat show competition going on and Shell has entered two of her cats. There’s a $25,000.00 grand prize and a special secret prize from a noted artist. So of course, there’s a murder and a theft.

It was obvious to me from the start that the two things were connected, though not everyone in the story thought so. And there are a lot of suspects. Shell and Gary go to work trying to solve the mystery. Who killed the two women? Who stole the special prize?

I especially loved the ending with the cat helping to take down the perp. Nicely done.

Recommended, but like most series, I suggest starting with the first one in the series first so you know who’s who and what the relationships are.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Blurb: Joss Dane is not overly worried about her husband Sam going alone to London for the 1814 Peace Celebration until she gets a letter from his former commander telling him he must assassinate an innocent Quaker, an advocate for permanent peace. She rushes to the city to consult with Sam. Sam is staying at Dane House but cannot control his former captain or make sense of the minor official who wants to hire Sam to protect the Quaker. The suspicion that both Sam and the captain are having their strings pulled forces Sam to protect the innocent man on his own while looking for another target higher in public recognition.

Buy link

https://amzn.to/4av936A Amazon Barnes & Noble

Kobo Google Books ITunes

Bio: Barbara Jean Miller taught in the Master of Fine Arts, Writing Popular Fiction, graduate program at Seton Hill University from 1999 to 2024, when she joyfully retired. She writes in several genres but her favorite is historical romantic suspense where the heroine and hero share equally in the solution. Barb lives with her computer expert husband on a farm in western Pennsylvania with a pack of unruly dogs and a pride of contented cats who now have their own observation deck.

Find her at her newsletter site:

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Substack link

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LEGACY LIES LOYALTY by Darlene Fredette

Blurb: When loyalty is tested, and lies run deep, the legacy they inherit could cost them everything. Bound by a loved one’s promise, Jordan McKenzie is devoted to caring for the historic estate she calls home. But a string of mysterious accidents pulls her into a web of danger. When a hidden family connection surfaces, and an innocent kiss lands at the worst possible moment, she’s left questioning trust, devotion, and the people closest to her. Chef Logan Crane returns to Redford Falls, hoping to claim an inheritance that could make his dream restaurant a reality. Meeting Jordan changes everything, and her warmth becomes an anchor in the storm he never saw coming. As old wounds reopen and loyalties shift, he realizes she’s the one person he can’t imagine facing the truth without. With danger looming and long-buried secrets emerging, Jordan and Logan must decide what—and who—is worth fighting for.

#LegacyLiesLoyalty #RedfordFallsSeries #SmallTownRomance #ContemporaryRomance #RomanceMystery #RomanceSuspense

Buy Links:

Amazon

Author Bio: Darlene Fredette is a multi-published author of contemporary women’s fiction that celebrates resilience, romance, and the small-town magic woven into ordinary days. Step inside her world for heartfelt stories, character-driven moments, a touch of charm, wit, twists, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning the page. Residing on Canada’s scenic Atlantic Coast, where summers are too short and winters too long, she finds inspiration from family, nature, and the quiet moments that ignite the imagination, and enjoys life with her husband, daughter, and two oversized, loveable dogs.

Social Media

Website: http://www.darlenefredette.com/

Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenefredette1/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/darlenefredette.bsky.social

Note: A few years ago, I read this book under a different title (Finding Home Again). I loved it then, and it’s still a good read. Definitely recommended.

Blurb: How do you fight something that has the ability to turn into fog? It’s up to Jade Pike and her team to figure that out before an ultimate evil is released in the world.

Jade Pike is a paranormal bounty hunter for Scythe, a part of Other World Logistics (aka OWL). When her old training partner, Malachai, meets up with her on a job, she knows something is wrong. And when her twin brother and Mal’s cousin also show up, there’s no doubt trouble is brewing. Together, they must solve a 300-year-old mystery in order to keep an evil witch from becoming unstoppable. But it will take everything they have…and more to overcome their foes.

Buy links:

Amazon

Author Bio: It seems like I’ve been writing and editing forever. And, in a way, I have. But only professionally for the last twenty years or so. I’ve worked for newspapers and magazines, done policy and procedures manuals for organizations and the government, and worked as an editor for a variety of publishers and private clients doing everything from novels to college-level textbooks.

As a writer, I write fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and romance novels and novellas. At various times in my life, I have been a teacher, librarian, computer specialist, short-order cook, DJ and more. I’m married to the most supportive guy in the world and together we raised four great kids.

Social Links:

http://www.vicky-burkholder.com

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SUCH A COZY MURDER by Haley Jordan

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

5*****

Blurb: Oh, bother! Rosie Alexander has a lot of problems, such as juggling running her cross-stitch shop with caring for her beloved husband, who has Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t need the aggravation of a pushy customer who shows up with an old, mysterious cross-stitch sampler he wants appraised. She definitely doesn’t need the aggravation of that same sampler getting stolen…with a dead body left behind. And when another murder happens in her orbit, a former friend is implicated, and an aggravating reporter tries to paint her as running a multi-national crime ring? Maybe she should adopt a dog. Because they’re not aggravating at all. This is the first book in a contemporary cozy mystery series set in the small town of Cozy, Florida.

THOUGHTS: Rosie is such a great character. She runs a cross-stitch shop. She cares for her husband who has Alzheimer’s. And she takes on pushy customers with aplomb, especially when that customer has an old sampler that may be worth a lot of money. When the sampler is stolen and an old friend is the main suspect in the owner’s murder, Rosie jumps in to prove their innocence.

I loved the characters, but I really enjoyed the information on cross-stitching, something I tried at one time with little success – and now, I know why! The book almost made me want to take a stab at it again. The setting in Cozy, Florida works well for the story and the ending is satisfying. I’ve read and enjoyed other books by this author and this one was no exception. I hope to see more from Rosie in the future – with or without a dog.

Recommended.

I’LL BE SEEING YOU by Jana Ricards

Fiction, Paranormal (angels), Romance, Second Chances

4****

Blurb: When apprentice angel Gabriel takes Frank back in time for a second chance at love, they both learn lessons about trust. My name is Gabriel Daniels, and the first thing you need to know about me is that I’m dead. The second thing you need to know is that I’m an apprentice angel. At least, that’s what Thomas tells me. Thomas is a senior angel, and I know he’s real because I’ve seen his wings. He’s the one showing me how things work up here. Or near here. Heaven itself is agonizingly close, close enough to feel, but Thomas says I don’t belong there yet. Not until I earn it. And this is where things get… unreal. According to the Heavenly Council, the only way I can earn my wings is by giving three mortals a second chance at love. Thomas and I will take them back to the time they made the choice that shattered their hearts. My task is simple in theory and terrifying in practice: I have to convince them to choose differently this time. To trust. To stay. To love. Our first client is Frank Brennan, a World War II veteran. In 1944, in Plymouth, England, Frank fell deeply in love with Claire Cartwright. But when he found her in the arms of another man, he walked away without listening—without believing her when she swore things weren’t what they seemed. Now it’s my job to help Frank find the courage to trust her love again. I can’t fail. I need to get into Heaven.Thomas has promised that once I become a full-fledged angel, I’ll be allowed to watch over my mother and my brother back on Earth. They need me. With their mental health struggles, the world is often too much for them. And maybe—if I’m lucky—I’ll be allowed to watch over Sloane, too. She was the love of my mortal life. Even though she said goodbye, even though I never told her what I should have, I never stopped loving her. Not for a single moment. What I didn’t expect was that earning Heaven would require me to relive my own failures. Thomas never mentioned the part where I’d be dragged back through my every mistake. He claims understanding myself is vital if I want to be allowed into Heaven. But the more he shows me my relationship with Sloane, the clearer it becomes: it wasn’t fate that ruined us. It was my inability to trust. Like I said, I can’t fail. But Frank is stubborn, wounded, and carrying decades of pain. Before either of us can get what we want, he’s going to have to confront the past he’s been running from. And so am I. I’LL BE SEEING YOU is the first book in the Twice in a Lifetime time-travel romance series. This paranormal romance with closed door love scenes, duel-time line love stories and plenty of angel magic, is intended to be read first in the series. Follow that up with book 2 (NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE) and then book 3 (WHEN I WAS YOUR MAN) for your complete reading pleasure!

THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this story, but I just wasn’t completely sure why Gabriel was being shown his life except maybe for atonement. Still, the characters were great. Especially Thomas and how he is so enigmatic with not answering Gabriel’s questions. I loved Frank and how curmudgeonly he was at first. Having him go back and relive things…and how he can’t change certain things, but can change others (and does). I really enjoyed how Thomas told Gabriel how his life turned out after all. I laughed a little at the “waiting room” and Gabriel getting stuck there at various times. And the ending tells you that there will definitely be more to come as Gabriel has to save three people and Frank is just the first. It’s a journey of discovery for Gabriel, and us as we read about him.

Recommended.

STAND BY YOUR HITMAN by Leslie Langtry

Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Romance

5*****

Blurb: Missi Bombay invents things–fatal flowers, Jell-O bullets, stroke-inducing panty hose and other ways to kill a target without leaving any trace behind. Living a solitary life on her family’s island, she’s a great asset to her family of assassins. Unfortunately, the family that kills together also meddles together, and when Missi’s mom decides her daughter’s life is a little too solitary, she packs Missi off the Costa Rica for an undercover assignment on a low-budget Survival reality TV show. Amidst the ridiculous challenges, tribal voting, and late-night sneaking to the nearby resort, Missi finds herself not only scoping out her family’s latest target, but also Lex Danby, the hottest contestant on the island. But Missi’s hormones get put on the back burner when someone starts sabotaging the show…and Missi is squarely in the sights of the deadly culprit.

THOUGHTS: Oh. My. Word. I loved this story. It’s hilarious! Missi (main character) is so much fun, and I loved Lex, Isaac, Sami, and Missi’s twin sons. The others, not so much, but that was on purpose. Missi’s family (who are all assassins) believe she needs to get out of her lab (where she invents new ways to kill people), off their private island, and meet a man (her husband died 18 years ago). So they enroll her in a Canadian reality show ala “Survivor”. Only instead of a remote part of Canada, they end up on the beach of a fancy resort in Puerta Rica. They can see the resort from their “camps”! But they’re supposed to rough it. The host. Alan, and his assistant, Julie, are not exactly the best people to be around. He gives them challenges that could actually kill them (like wrestling a crocodile) and is living way too high (for many reasons) in the resort. Missi becomes her team leader as she knows the most about how to do things (like wrestle a crocodile). But she does meet the man of her dreams. Unfortunately, there’s a saboteur in the group and she needs to find out what’s going on before someone really does get killed. Oh, and her two sons are there (in hiding) in order to help her out.
I really did not want to put this down. Okay, when I first started it, I was skeptical. A book about hitmen and women? Was this going to be nasty? Nope. Could I read it while eating breakfast? Yep. It’s fun, the characters over the top, the parodies of the real reality show funny, and the setting added to the stupidity of the entire story. It really is a silly look at reality shows and how to do them so wrong. Oh, and the romance – nah. It’s more about the sex than the actual romance. But overall, the story is just something to laugh at.

Recommended.
Thanks to the publisher for providing this ARC. All opinions are my own and were not solicited or influenced by anyone.

Tagline: When apprentice angel Gabriel takes Frank back in time for a second chance at love, they both learn lessons about trust.

Blurb: Apprentice angel Gabriel Daniel’s first assignment in his quest to become a full-fledged angel is to give WW2 veteran, Frank Brennan, a second chance at love. With help from his mentor, senior angel Thomas, Gabriel takes Frank back to 1944 to Plymouth, England. There, Frank made his biggest mistake with love. He fell in love with Claire Cartwright, but when he found her kissing another man, he ended their relationship, despite Claire’s insistence that things weren’t as they appeared. This time around, Gabriel’s task is to convince Frank to trust in Claire’s love and fidelity, despite the evidence against her. At the same time, Thomas takes Gabriel on a journey through his relationship with Sloane, the love of his mortal life. For the first time, Gabriel sees how his jealousy and distrust tainted their love. Unless Gabriel persuades Frank to trust Claire, his goal of becoming a citizen of Heaven is doomed, along with his desire to watch over his mother and brother back on Earth. Frank has a complicated history that Gabriel must help him confront before either of them gets what they need.

Buy Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSRWZWN

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GHSRWZWN

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GHSRWZWN

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246835425-i-ll-be-seeing-you

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/i-ll-be-seeing-you-a-second-chance-time-travel-romance-twice-in-a-lifetime-series-book-1-by-jana-richards

Author Bio:

When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. When not writing up a storm or dealing with dust bunnies, Jana can be found pursuing hobbies such as golf (which she plays very badly) or reading (which she does much better). Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren and a senior calico cat named Layla. You can reach her through her website at http://www.janarichards.com

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PRESSED TO THE NINES by Misty Simon

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, #4 in “The Charmed Inn” series

5*****

Blurb: There’s a wedding in the works at The Charmed Inn, and Roxy Gleason is the main star this time. The final countdown is on for the nuptials the entire Gleason family has been waiting for, and Roxy just wants to get all the way to saying “I do” at the altar with no missteps. Everything is set, everyone has their assignments, and this is going to go off without a single hitch. It has to. But Roxy isn’t counting on finding the owner of the florist shop dead when she shows up to get her order of a dozen bouquets. And she certainly isn’t expecting to be pulled in to yet another investigation, this time because she’s the main suspect. All hands are on deck to solve whodunnit before Roxy’s happily ever after turns into a life sentence.

THOUGHTS: Misty Simon never fails to entertain with her cozy series and this one is no exception. In this one, Roxy is getting ready to marry the exceedingly handsome Dean. But, as we all know, things don’t always go to plan where Roxy is concerned. When she goes to the florist to pick up her bouquets, she discovers Emma, the florist, dead. While she wants nothing to do with the investigation, she–and her family–get pulled in since Roxy is the main suspect. But there is a lot going on here with family, both magical and non-magical, in house, they have to be careful what they do. And looking into Emma’s background as well as some soon-to-be family members digs up all sorts of secrets. All of Roxy’s family members become involved as they attempt to find the real killer before the wedding.

I love the characters and the setting in these books. I had to laugh out loud when Roxy is attempting to get Moose (her cat) to walk on a leash. The cat completely ignores her, but as soon as Dean comes out, Moose will do whatever he wants. I also enjoyed that Dean’s family works at getting back together. But one of my favorite scenes? When Roxy meets her original great grandmother and Earl (the basement ghost) finds out he’s been redeemed. I love how that turned out!

You definitely need to read all of these books in order to understand exactly what’s happening, but you can read them as stand-alone books too. But seriously, do yourself a favor and read them all. You will not be disappointed.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

IF BOOKS COULD KILL by Karen Rose Smith

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, 3rd in Tomes & Tea series

5*****

Daisy Swanson’s daughter Jazzi has moved away to the lakeside town of Belltower Landing, but the apple doesn’t fall from the tree. Much like Daisy, she’s running a tea bar and bookshop––and has a knack for getting into hot water… Town librarian Mathilda has a troublesome new employee, and after Jazzi spots the two of them arguing at the ice-sculpture festival, Mathilda asks Jazzi if she’d mind discussing her workplace woes over a cup of tea. During the visit, Jazzi also finds out about Mathilda’s top-secret stash of valuable first editions. Soon afterward, those rare books have vanished—and Mathilda is dead. As the police check out suspects and a lawyer searches for the next of kin, Jazzi learns that the librarian’s life was as mysterious as any crime thriller. She’d left home and changed her name as a teenager, and always seemed a little lonely. Oddly, it’s her new employee who seems the most distraught. It’s the off-season, so the upstate New York town is free of the usual swarm of tourists—but the quiet doesn’t last long. The press is descending as the murder makes national news, and rumors start circulating. With Belltower Landing steeped in suspicion, Jazzi must figure out whether the first editions were the real motive for sending Mathilda to her final resting place…

THOUGHTS: I thought this was a good addition to the series. I love that there is a connection to the previous series (Daisy’s Tea Garden) and Jazzy’s mom, Daisy, actually shows up in this one briefly. Jazzy misses her mom and her home, but she is settling down in Belltower Landing, loves sharing her apartment and bookshop/tea shop with her best friend and making new friends. One friend she makes is the head librarian, Mathilda. While trying to help Mathilda relate better to her newest young hire, Mathilda reveals a secret compartment in her home where she hides valuable first-edition books. A few days later, Jazzy and her friends are on a scavenger hunt when they hear a gunshot. Jazzy runs toward the shot, followed closely by her boyfriend, Oliver. They discover Mathilda dead and call in the cops, who order Jazzy to stay out of the investigation. But Jazzy is too much like her mother and can’t. Unfortunately, delving into who might have done the deed will put Jazzy in serious danger.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well done and the setting puts me right there in the town of Belltower Landing. As for the suspects, I had two in mind and was happy to find that one of *my* suspects was the killer. The ending was satisfying in that they caught the one who was responsible, but the aftermath with Jazzy and Oliver… I wasn’t quite as sure about that. But it fit the story.

Overall, definitely a good read and an excellent addition to the series.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Press for providing this ARC.