Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

REVIEW: Oh. My. Word. Calamity Jayne is a disaster waiting to happen – a hilarious one! In this, the fourth in the series, she is attending classes in the nearby college in order to get some credits in journalism. While working on a class project in investigative reporting, she stumbles onto a story that could be big for her in both her grade and her part time job at the paper. Her cousin and his girlfriend are taking a class in criminal justice and someone seems to be using the class syllabus to commit crimes. At first they start out small – a little mischief, some theft, etc. but they escalate to sexual assault and murder. Jayne has multiple suspects, but when she finally figures out who it is, it’s almost too late for her and her brother’s girlfriend.
In addition, she’s juggling three men in her life – the cop, the ranger, and the bad boy. And her feisty grandmother. And a car that keeps breaking down.
Jayne is the perfectly imperfect character. Authors are supposed to build characters with flaws and Jayne has a ton of them. The biggest one is her impulsiveness as it gets her into a lot of trouble. The world building/scene setting is well done and the mystery keeps most people guessing. Okay, I knew who it was, early on, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the story. Definitely looking for more in this series.
Recommended.

BLURB: What does a blonde get on her intelligence test?
Drool.

Ace cub reporter Tressa Jayne Turner is carrying a full load–and we’re not talking post-holiday pounds. Back in college for the fourth time (but who’s counting!?), “Calamity Jayne” is looking to nab a raise from her stingy boss at the Gazette, Stan. So, what’s to stop her from making the grade? Well, for starters her grandmother turned roommate rekindling an old flame, maid of honor madness run amok, a botched betrothal that’s more than just schoolyard gossip, and a campus criminal who is out to teach the student body a lesson… one crime at a time. As Tressa navigates the halls of higher education, she finds herself torn not only between homework and investigating, but also between a man who likes her for herself and another man who wants to save her from herself. It’s a case of murder and mayhem by the books…and failure is so not an option.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18726221-calamity-jayne-and-the-campus-caper

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

5*****

Review: I had a lot of fun with this story. I don’t know if you’re too young to remember, but years ago, there was a TV show called “Remington Steel” where a young woman created an imaginary man to be the head of her detective agency. This book has a similar premise in that the two sleuths – Marty (Martha) Hudson and her friend Irene Adler use Sherlock Holmes as their boss, but he is conveniently always out of the country. Oh, and the Moriarty siblings are Marty and Irene’s rivals in the PI business (thought technically, Marty and Irene are not PIs).

Marty is a barista on a college campus and she inherited a run-down Victorian that needs extensive repairs while she lives in an equally run-down apartment building. Irene, on the other hand, has all kinds of money thanks to being a genius and computer expert. Add in a paroled plumber and an ME who is very interested in Marty (and isn’t bad to look at either).

The characters are fun, the world building interesting, and the mystery satisfying with lots of suspects and clues throughout. And a satisfying ending that leaves a string dangling so we know there are going to be more stories in this series (considering this is #3, that’s a given). You don’t need to have read the others to understand all this, but I suggest that you do.

Recommended.

Blurb: Martha “Marty” Hudson thought her lie about working for a great detective named Sherlock Holmes was supposed to be a onetime thing. Okay, maybe two times, but when her best friend Irene Adler drags Marty along to meet “Sherlock’s” latest client, Marty is pretty sure they’re in over their heads at playing private eye.Cordelia Westerbury is a wealthy widow… one who is certain that one of her no-good family members is trying to bump her off for their inheritance. While her evidence is less than convincing, she’s willing to pay generously to have the ladies of Holmes Investigations attend a cocktail party where all her “suspects” will be assembled. At first Marty thinks maybe the woman has read a few too many Gothic novels. But when the cocktail party ends in an actual dead body, Marty begins to realize that batty or not, Cordelia is right about one there is a killer in their midst. Is it the pompous nephew with expensive habits and shallow pockets? His gold-digging wife who may be more scheming than her flighty persona suggests? The brooding millennial granddaughter who uses her disdain for just about everything as the perfect cover-up? Or the long-lost cousin who conveniently shows up just as Cordelia’s contemplating a change in her will? Marty isn’t sure, but the stakes only go higher when a new private detective firm, Moriarty Investigations, sets themselves up as Sherlock’s arch nemesis, trying to poach his clients.Between juggling a family of suspects, the distractingly gorgeous Medical Examiner, Dr. Watson, the annoyingly competent Moriartys, and an investigative reporter bent on outing Sherlock Holmes as a fake, Marty has her hands more than full. But when the killer sets his sight on Marty and Irene, Sherlock’s biggest case just may end up being their last…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58653831-sherlock-holmes-and-the-case-of-the-wealthy-widow

Fiction, Social Awareness, Paranormal

5*****

Review: This is a very short story with a bit of a paranormal type twist. The main character is just a few days shy of graduating from high school, stuck in class and dreaming about being done, when a vision appears to her. Suddenly, she’s in his world and viewing his struggles to bring water to his village. When she “awakens” she’s back in class and eager to help. The author does an excellent job of showing the characters’ differences, not just in setting, but in inequity of life. This is a very real problem for a lot of people – lack of water and food. If this story convinces even one person to help, then it is a job well done.

Recommended.

Blurb: Juliet can’t wait to graduate from high school and finally move on with her life. Five more days and she’s free. She gazes out the window while her history teacher, Mrs. Johnson, drones on about war, famine and lack of water in Africa. A gong rings, startling Juliet out of her daydream. She looks around to see if it was one of her classmates pulling a prank when a little boy carrying a spear appears. Is he a ghost or something more? He pleads for her help and before she can argue, she is transported to a small village in Africa. History comes alive like never before and Juliet must decide how she can help Noko and his village before it’s too late. Thirsty for Water: A Short Story tells the story of Africa and the need for water in an approachable way for children of all ages. A great learning tool for teachers, parents and libraries.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23341801-thirsty-for-water

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Northwoods Mystery Series #4

5*****

THOUGHTS: I love this series. I love the characters, the lodge and campground, and the town. I want to live there!

Okay, enough about that. We are back in the Northwoods at the Cooper Campground with Emmy Cooper and her family. It’s Christmas and everyone is amped up to get the town decorated for the annual Covington Christmas Celebration. Unfortunately, a dead body wearing a Santa suit in the restaurant owner’s office could put a definite damper on things. Even though Emmy promises her boyfriend, cop Dean, that she won’t investigate, how can she not? I love Emmy and her family and friends. The town is definitely a Hallmark setting. You feel like you’re really there in the town with them. And the ending leaves you with a smile and a good feeling.

Definitely recommended.

BLURB: It’s Christmastime in the Northwoods, and Emmy Cooper is ready to deck the halls, frost the cookies, and enjoy Covington’s biggest event of the year—the annual Christmas Celebration. Visitors flock to the festive lakeside town, where Emmy’s family runs the Cooper’s Cove Resort, for holiday treats, handmade crafts, and the beloved tree-lighting ceremony, led by none other than Santa Claus himself. But when Emmy stumbles across a very dead Santa, the season takes a chilling turn. With Emmy’s boyfriend, Officer Dean Erickson, trying to keep the investigation under wraps, Emmy and her best friend Whitney find themselves more tangled in this mystery than in last year’s Christmas lights. Between town gossip, a Scrooge of a new health inspector, and long-buried secrets rising to the surface, Emmy’s holiday cheer is draining faster than Ol’ Robert’s eggnog. Unraveling the killer’s identity might take a Christmas miracle—and Emmy’s running out of time. If she’s not careful, she just might be the next one sleighed.

Fiction, Paranormal Mystery,

4****

THOUGHTS: This book had an intriguing beginning that drew me right in. I mean, what’s not to love: technology, witches, handsome bosses, intrigue… The writing is good and the story line caught my attention. The world building is really well done. Would I read this again? No. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not a good book. The writing is visceral at times and definitely sticks with you, but… is it for me? Unfortunately, no. I’m not the right audience for this book/series. Even though it’s a long book (400+ pages), I stuck with it because I needed to know what was going to happen–and that means it pulled me in. So why didn’t I love it? It gets a little too dark for me in places and I wasn’t enamored of the male main character – he was a little too demanding for me. And the ending… the problem solved, but not exactly a HEA ending. Still, if you like your paranormal thrillers a little on the darker side with demons and all that implies, pick this one up.

BLURB: My mother was a wicked witch. Her spells brought nothing but trouble. Since her death, with no power of my own, I’ve stayed far away from magic . . . In a San Francisco struggling with earthquakes and rising seas, where technology can do things that are close enough to magic, Maggie Lachlan is a computer whisperer. The one they call when no one else can find the elusive bug bringing a complex system to its knees. They call her the TechWitch. But she knows there’s nothing magical about what she does. It’s just hard-earned skill. So, when billionaire Damon Riley, owner of the world’s biggest virtual reality gaming company, comes calling with a problem that his entire empire of geeks can’t fix, Maggie leaps at the job. Riley Arts is the kind of place she feels at home. All tech. No magic. Except, perhaps, for the undeniable chemistry she has with the man in charge. But she never imagined stepping into one of Damon’s games would break a spell she didn’t know she was under and free the magic her mother said she didn’t possess. Now she has a demon hunting her and the magical world she knows nothing about to navigate. To save herself—and the world—she needs to learn fast. Because, when it comes to magic, the games are wicked. And losing can be deadly.

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, “Aloha Lagoon” series

4****

Blurb: For marine biologist Nelly O’Hare, “Mele Kalikimaka” on the island of Kauai means enjoying the holiday with her cute golf pro boyfriend, Jack Frango, getting ready for her bestie, Kiki Hepburn’s, wedding, and lots and lots of Hawaiian rain. Nelly is excited for it all—even the rain. Mr. and Mrs. Barrington, Kiki’s high society parents, have come to Aloha Lagoon for the holiday and the wedding. Unfortunately, they’ve brought along some not-so-welcomed guests in tow. But when the rude and cantankerous couple create havoc among the wedding party, everyone is shocked when they’re found dead on the golf course. Even more shocking is that the only people present at the scene at the time of the crime are Mr. and Mrs. Barrington—and Jack. Nelly tries to stay out of the ensuing investigation, but despite her best efforts, she’s soon drawn in by the murderer on the loose. The victims’ adult children, their conniving female friend, and the family’s big-tipping lawyer all had a reason to want the couple gone, but it’s going to take some careful snooping to figure out who the putter-wielding killer really is. Will Nelly be able to find the truth before her friend’s nuptials? Or will the wedding be derailed as the murderer strikes again…

THOUGHTS: Kiki and Dex are getting married! Her parents show up with another family in tow–one nobody invited–and nobody’s happy about it. But when the other couple end up dead on the golf course, killed by Kiki’s father’s golf club, it’s up to Kiki and her friends to figure out who the culprit really was – hopefully before the wedding! As usual, there are lots of suspects, especially when there are hints of mob connections–but nobody suspects the real killer until Kiki and Nellie are in mortal danger (of course). The wedding didn’t come off without a hitch or two, but Nellie pulls it off for her friends and we have a HEA that makes you smile.

Definitely recommended.

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Halloween

4****

Blurb: Let me be the first person to welcome you to Normal, Kentucky located in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. I’m Mae West the owner of Happy Trails Campground. Fall at the campground is my favorite time of the year. The bursts of orange, yellow, green, and red pop on the falling leaves, creating a colorful path along the trails for all of my guests at my campground is a real life picture that could never be captured by a camera. Days are warm and at night you need a light sweater to enjoy the campfire or snuggle up in a cozy blanket. The campground is full and the campers are excited to participate in Normal’s annual Pumpkin Carving Carnival. It’s a little spooky seeing the hundreds jack-o-lantern faces all light up with toothless or toothy smiles. It’s the dead body among them that chills me to the bone.

THOUGHTS: Combine a beautiful campground in the fall, Halloween, warm campfires, and happy campers and you have the makings of a great time. Well, except for the dead body. Mae West (no relation) owns the campground and enjoys her guests and this time of year. Except that this year, she’s not having much fun. One of her favorite people, Hank, is in a bit of trouble thanks to his sister Ellis. It’s up to Mae and the Laundry Club ladies to bring out the truth.

The characters are fun and realistic, the setting beautiful, and more than enough suspects to keep you guessing. My favorite part was the description of Mammoth Cave. I’ve been there and (from what I remember – it was a long time ago), this was spot on. The only things I had a problem with were the multiple strings left dangling and the unanswered questions – I’m assuming they will be answered in later books. Still, it was a fun read.

Recommended.

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Hawaiian Resort

4****

Blurb: It’s springtime in Aloha Lagoon, Hawaii, and romance is in the air! Along with murderous intentions… The dive shop where Kiki Hepburn works is sponsoring the first annual Aloha Lagoon Resort Spring Fling Dance, and naturally is in charge of the “Under The Sea” themed décor. In between hanging crepe paper jellyfish tentacles and paper mâché honu, Kiki witnesses an argument between two men, and is unsurprised to see her old foe Ruby Nakasoma right in between them. But what does surprise her is when, during the dance, Kiki and her boyfriend Dex find one of the men dead, with Ruby leaning over him holding a vicious looking murder weapon! Kiki thinks Ruby’s true nature has finally caught up to her, but when Ruby makes a heartfelt appeal for help, Kiki starts looking for a murderer who may or may not be finished… With Dex undercover and suspects as bountiful as springtime hormones, bike-riding delivery men, a tree-trimming cougar on the prowl, and a nose-booping jack-of-all-trades make their way under Kiki’s magnifying glass. Will she find the murderer before they find another victim?

THOUGHTS: I really enjoy these “Aloha Resort” mysteries. You get great characters and an island setting that just makes you want to relax with a good book, a pineapple drink in hand, and the sound of the ocean in the background.

In this one, Kiki and her boyfriend Dex are decorating for the annual spring fling dance when they stumble upon a dead body, with Kiki’s old enemy standing over the victim. But when Ruby, her frienemy begs Kiki to help her prove she didn’t do it, what’s a girl to do? There are lots of suspects and lots of secrets in the area surrounding the resort. And lots of danger for Kiki when she follows the clues and gets caught by the killer.

Join Kiki and her friends in this great series! You’ll be glad you did.

Recommended.