Book Review: Boundary Broken (Boundary Magic) by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Broken is the fourth book in the Boundary Magic series by Melissa F. Olson. You do need to read this series in order to fully understand some of the character connections and back story. However, this series and the related Scarlett Bernard series (which you do not need to read to understand this one) are well worth the time investment. 

Years ago, boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther made a promise to an alpha werewolf. Now, just when the supernatural community in Colorado is enjoying a period of hard-won peace, the alpha turns up at Lex’s door to call in his marker. Two of his pack members have disappeared in the Colorado sand dunes, and he needs safe passage to hunt for them. With her friend Simon Pellar along for backup, Lex ventures into the dunes to search for the missing couple…but what they find is only the opening move in an ambitious assault against those who hold power in the Colorado Old World. An old enemy has returned to tear their peace apart, and Lex is soon embroiled in politics she doesn’t understand, from a time before she had magic. To save her friends and her way of life, Lex will have to cross every line she’s drawn since learning what she is—and it may still be too late.

Boundary Broken is a wonderfully told story with lots of character growth, drama, danger, and hope for the future. Lex has been through so much, and all she really wants is to protect others- which is sadly not always possible. I felt like returning characters were even more complex before, and I can see hints of future conversations that really need to happen. I admire Olson's ability to make beven characters with a minor role in the action complex and interesting enough that I want to know more about them and their history. There is so much going on here, with undercurrents that hint at future emotional moments. However, even when there is a ton of things going on emotionally and physically with the characters it never hit the point where it was over whelming or confusing. Rarely can an author have this level of world and character building and action without something getting lost- but it balanced close to perfectly here. I will admit it took me a few pages , and reading my review of the previous book, to get back into Lex's story and remember not only where we left off but also everything that had happened thus far. However, once I was back into it I had trouble putting the story aside to do important things- like feeding the family and getting everyone out the door for school and work. I just love the story, characters, and writing style. As you might have noticed, I have said nothing about the actual action of the story- because I do not want to ruin it for returning fans and new readers should really start at the beginning of the series, or even better at the start of Scarlett's series to really enjoy the read. 

Boundary Broken is yet another engaging book from Olson. My main issue is that I read them too fast, so I have to wait way too long for her next book. 

Book Review: Chocolate a la Murder (A Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mystery) by Kirsten Weiss

Chocolate a la Murder is the fourth book in the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series by Kirsten Weiss. I highly recommend reading the books in order to fully understand the characters and their relationships.

It’s Wine and Chocolate Days in San Benedetto, and paranormal museum owner Maddie Kosloski has sweet dreams about her new Magic of Chocolate exhibit. Her latest attraction is a haunted Mexican whisk called a molinillo that rattles if someone lies. When Maddie visits the town’s new boutique chocolate shop, she finds one of the owners dead and covered in melted cocoa. Maddie’s determined to catch the killer, and she soon uncovers deadly dealings in the world of artisan chocolate. But the deception surrounding those dealings are enough to make the molinillo rattle all night. Will Maddie have to temper her passion for sleuthing before a killer makes her fate bittersweet?

Chocolate a la Murder is a fun read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on their toes. I could completely relate to Maddie's love of chocolate, and how quickly that could fade after finding her latest dead body. I think the mystery was very well designed and executed- and while I have some suspicions along the way, I had not guessed the full picture until it was revealed. I loved Maddie's curiosity, as always, and could sympathize with her curiosity being at war with not wanting to hurt or lie to the people around her. AS always, the character growth of Maddie and the development of the relationships and characters around her keep the series fresh and realistic. I also found the secondary mystery of the molinillo and the little hints of the paranormal keep readers engaged and guessing about what could happen next. I look forward to seeing just what that is myself. 

Chocolate a la Murder is a entertaining and engaging read, and I think I will continue on with this series as long as I can.

Book Review: Rough Trade (Woodbury Boys) by Sydney Bell

Rough Trade is third book in the Woodbury Boys series by Sydney Bell. I have not read the previous books, and aside from some character connections that returning readers will enjoy, this book stands up well on its own. 

Quick-witted hustler Ghost is no stranger to living dangerously; survival has always been the name of the game. He’s just always gone it alone. Now he’s got the wrong people breathing down his neck, and the only way out demands placing his trust in the unlikeliest of heroes: Duncan Rook, a gruff cop whose ethics are as solid as his body. Cozying up to a criminal is hardly what Duncan’s reputation on the force needs—especially when that criminal is temptation personified. Ghost is Duncan’s polar opposite, and the last person he expected to fall for. So then why does every imaginable scenario for taking down their common enemy end with Ghost in his arms?

Rough Trade is much more than  expected, and while having read the previous books would have made some of the secondary characters and wrap ups have more meaning to me, I still felt like i understood Ghost and Duncan fully and enjoy their story. I found the beginning hard to get into, but it was necessary to fully understand where Ghost was coming from and how he ended up in the situation that brings him to Duncan's door.  I found the banter and developing relationship between the two to be well done, and well balanced with the danger and issues that they had to face. I like that the traumas of their pasts were not glossed over, but the time and effort that it takes to deal with them is talked about and included in the story. I really enjoyed that while attraction and interest might have developed quickly, the relationship was not instant or ignoring problems. I think the confrontation of the issues is what made the relationship so strong in the end. There were a good amount of surprises, scares, and chase scenes- and a good deal of emotional moments. I think the story is realistic and well balanced character wise. It was a little heavier than my typical read- but I am glad I gave it a chance.

Rough Trade is a romance that deals with some hard, real issues. I liked that it was about the characters dealing with their own issues in the process of finding their way to an happy ever after.

Early Book Review: Trouble on the Books (Castle Bookshop Mystery) by Essie Lang

Trouble on the Books is the first book in the Castle Bookshop Mystery series by Essie Lang. It is currently scheduled for release on March 13 2019.

Shelby Cox never intended to become a bookseller, so when the former editor returns to her hometown of Alexandria Bay, nestled in upstate New York’s breathtaking Thousand Islands region, to take over her aunt’s bookstore, she has no idea what to expect. To her amazement, she discovers that she now owns a fifty-percent share in Bayside Books, and will also run the store’s second location in the majestic castle on nearby Blye Island. But just as Shelby is gearing up for the start of the tourist season, the Castle volunteer coordinator is found murdered in the nearby Grotto. Castle caretaker Matthew Kessler is suspect number one, but Shelby thinks the killing may be connected to an earlier era, when violence among Prohibition-era smugglers was rampant in the region. As Shelby launches her own investigation, handsome and unnerving Special Agent Zack Griffin of the Coast Guard Investigative Services tries to quell her smuggling theory and keep her safe. But Shelby is determined to summon all her savvy as a book editor to plot the murder—and find the killer before they strikes again.

Trouble on the Books is an entertaining read, with a god deal od setting and character development. Shelby and her relationships and background were slowly introduced, but there were moments that had me checking back to see if I missed something. I did like that there were hints that there is a great deal more about Shelby to learn as the series continues. I think the mystery itself and the sleuthing were well done with some good twists and turns as well as a better introduction to characters that are almost certainly going to be important later. As the first book in the series there is a great deal of ground work that needs to be laid in order for the small town community members and their relationships to be introduced. I think that this was generally handled very well, setting up some important groundwork that will make later books work very well. I had two things about the book that just did not work, and one of them might be because I am in a bit of a reading slump. I just could not connect to Shelby as a character at all. I did feel like I was getting to know her, but not that I was in her head or that I cared much for her well being. This could totally be because of my headspace rather than the book, but it colored my read and reaction to the story as a whole- so I need to mention it. The second thing that bothered me was the need to introduce one (or more) love interests for our sleuth. Romance is not the end all and be all to ever single lady's life (so says the married romance reader). Maybe let Shelby figure out where she is living and what she wants in the near future, never mind survive the day, before giving her a few guys to try out?  

Trouble on the Books is a good read, with a solid mystery. Personally I had some character issues, but I think future installments will be even better than the first.

Book Review: Samhain Secrets (Wiccan Wheel) by Jennifer David Hesse

Samhain Secrets is the fourth book in the Wiccan Wheel Mysteries by Jennifer David Hesse. I have not read the previous books in this series, and think that returning readers will get more out of it than newcomers. However, I think I was able to catch up pretty quickly and could fully enjoy the read.

After her recent promotion to junior partner, Keli is putting in overtime to juggle her professional career and private Wiccan spiritual practice. With Halloween fast approaching, her duties include appearing as a witch at a “haunted” barn and hand-holding a client who’s convinced her new house is really haunted. But it’s the disappearance of Josephine O’Malley that has Keli spooked. The missing person is Keli’s aunt, an environmental activist and free spirit who always seemed to embody peace, love, and independence. When Josephine is found dead in the woods, Keli wonders if her aunt’s activities were as friendly as they seemed. As Keli comes to terms with her loss—while adjusting to having a live-in boyfriend and new demands at work—she must wield her one-of-a-kind magic to banish negative energy if she’s going to catch a killer this Samhain season. Because Keli isn’t ready to give up.

Samhain Secrets is a fun read. I like that Keli is still fairly new to the practices of Wicca and is finding her ways and path. I think this allows readers that might be unfamiliar with the traditions and beliefs in the religion to learn more right alongside her. I was a little annoyed with some of the unsettled nature of her relationship, there were way too many hints at who else is interested in her to make me feel like she is happy and committed. As a related note her inability to think about letting people know where she is or what she is up to bothers me. Maybe its the mom in me, or the over planner, but when I share a house or have other commitments with people I would let them know I was going off in a canoe, hiking in the woods, or calming ghost related fears. However, aside from her self centeredness I rather liked the characters (including Keli for the most part) and how they interacted.  The mystery and red herrings were very well laid out, and I liked the way things kept circling around in new ways. I liked a lot about this read, and think I would have enjoyed it more with the prior knowledge from the previous books. 

Samhain Secrets is a good cozy mystery with a good set of twists, interesting characters, and a satisfying ending that still leaves plenty of room for more to come.

Book Review: Till Death do us Tart (Bakeshop Mystery) by Ellie Alexander

Till Death do us Tart is the eight book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. I have not read the previous books in the series. I think those that have followed the series will have a more satisfying read, but even coming in this late to the series I was able to catch up and enjoy the read.

Jules Capshaw has too much on her plate—and she’s feeling the pinch: the whole town of Ashland, Oregon, is in on the surprise Elizabethan-themed wedding she’s planning for her mom and soon-to-be stepdad. But is her secret scheme half-baked? She’s hiding racks overflowing with sweet treats while Torte is topsy-turvy with a major remodel and the return of Jules’s estranged husband, Carlos. And until now, Jules had no clue about the bitter family feud that has her friend Lance frazzled and suspicious. But when a party crasher takes someone out with a serving of poisoned wine and Jules discovers the deadly cup was intended for her, it’s time to turn the tables on a killer.

Till Death do us Tart is as much about Jules growing as a character as it is the mystery. I liked that Juliet's sleuthing with her friends was well paced and had a good number of twists and turns along the way. There was much more going on than I expected, and was pleased with the resolution. It was cool to see the changes and growth in Jules, her relationships, and her business as the story went on. I can think of many interesting ways her future might go, and some of the people that might be involved in future mysteries. I was a little annoyed with how she just kept leaving Carlos and his son alone in her house with no note or information about where she was going. While this might be just how they have always been together and this sort of thing explained earlier in the series, it really bothered me. If I was running around trying to solve a murder or two I would make sure people knew where I was. On the other hand, I liked the inclusion of the recipies at the end, and I fully expect to try two of them on my next day off.

Till Death do us Tart is a delightful read, for the mystery and the characters. While I think fans of the series will enjoy it more than I, it still was engaging read.

Book Review: Petit: The Ogre Gods Book One by Hubert Boulard, Bertrand Gatignol

Petit: The Ogre Gods Book One is a blend of graphic novel and novel written by Hubert Boulard, with design and artwork by Bertrand Gatignol. Parts of the story are fully in graphic novel format, while other sections are in text with the occasional image. 

Petit is the son of the Ogre King, and the littlest giant in the royal clan. Scarcely larger than a mere human, he is the latest sign of the family's rapid degeneration, which makes each generation smaller than the one before.His father wants him killed as an embarrassment, but his mother sees in him the possible regeneration of the family lineage, since he could mate with a human, just as the Founder of their lineage once did. Confused, she confides in great Aunt Desdee, the oldest of their clan, who was once dishonored because of her love for the humans, whom the Ogres consider little more than labor and food. But contrary to her guidance, she decides to raise Petit in the family traditions, including the violent impulses that this entails. So Petit grows into manhood, torn by the hunger he inherited from his upbringing and the sympathetic education he received from Aunt Desdee. Can he find his place in this world divided between humans and giants, neither of which truly accept him? And will he survive the voracious appetite of his own monstrous family?

Petit: The Ogre Gods Book One is as dark as the description promised, and a read that mirrored some of the real world a little too closely for my tastes. Petit has seen the horror his family has become and the way they treat others, he also has an aunt that shows him the arts and gentler side of life. He is toward between the two worlds. I did get a solid sense of his characters through the book, and I liked that while readers can tell he really wants to be a good person he is not perfect, and makes his share of mistakes. However, he continues trying to do right, even when it is not easy. I liked the character of his aunt, Desdee is still caught by the trappings of the family but rises above the violence and cruelty. Petit's mother, the queen, is a mix between the two. There are moments when readers can almost think well of her, then she does something cruel or violent with no thought to how it affects others, and clearly puts power and her wants about just about anything. Even when she seems to be doing something good, it quickly twists into something much different. The art style is very interesting, and I found the giants to be suitably horrifying, and they actually reminded me a bit of the REd Queen in Alice in Wonderland- both in personality and appearance. The black and white art lent itself to the dark mood of the story, and the lne work was very well done. I found the text backstories to be a good break in the story, both explaining the history and giving readers a break from the danger and horror of the main story. I found these brief interludes gave me a much better understanding of the culture, history, and power struggles between the giants. I did find one or two characters to be a little much, and the romantic hints to the story really did not add anything to the story for me, rather I found them distracting even though I know it did serve a purpose. So, that was just something that did not work for me, but might not be an issue for anyone else. 

Petit: The Ogre Gods Book One is a gothic, horror graphic novel full of characters that are unnerving through their appearance and their actions. THe art and the story are engaging and I just might pick up the next volume. I am not certain yet and think it will decide on my mood when I see that it is available. 

Book Review: Be Our Ghost (Merry Ghost Inn) by Kate Kingsbury

Be Our Ghost is the third book in the Merry Ghost Inn Mystery series by Kate Kingsbury. I have only read the first book in the series, and somehow missed the second. I feel like I was able to pick up the characters and larger story pretty quickly and think that newcomers to the series will be able to jump in fairly easily.

Melanie West, her grandmother, Liza, and their beloved sheepdog/wolfhound mix, Max, are rapidly getting the hang of running their charming bed-and-breakfast inn on the rocky Oregon coast. Not that business goes without a hitch when your hostelry boasts its own laughing resident ghost, you’d better be expect the out-of-the-ordinary. But Melanie and Liza take it all in stride…until a hotshot real estate developer arrives in Sully’s Landing, touting his plans to build a tacky amusement arcade smack dab in the middle of the tasteful cliff-side town. No one in Sully’s Landing can stand the gaudy developer, but it’s still a shock when he ends up murdered. It’s even more shocking when Liza’s friend, Doug, emerges as the chief suspect. Melanie and Liza put on their sleuthing caps yet again and set out to clear Doug’s name. They nearly check into accommodations six feet under when, en route to the crime scene, their brakes give out and they narrowly miss plunging over the cliffs to the beach below. Meanwhile, the merry ghost who haunts the inn tries to help by dropping clues for Melanie to find, but her mind is otherwise preoccupied when the killer kidnaps Liza and holds her prisoner. Now, it’s up to Melanie to piece together the ghost’s clues, save her mother, exonerate her friend, keep her guests happy, and make sure Max gets his walkies.

Be Our Ghost is an entertaining cozy mystery with a splash of paranormal and some interesting secondary stories. I thought the mystery, and the involvement of Doug was very engaging and entertaining. I enjoyed the exchanges between Liza and Doug. I though the closer look at the town and the community was very well done and the details of the players were revealed slowly and in fun ways. There were neat little hints and clues as the story progressed, that left me thinking about several possibilities for the guilty party. I do have to admit that I was a bit bothered by the amount of time poor Max spent stuck in a car. Regardless of the weather I think that leaving animals or children unattended in a car is generally a bad idea. I felt like the romance between Melanie and Ben is unnecessary, and it felt thrown in there because some romance seems expected. However, I would have been fine without that ingredient to the story since there was more than enough going on already. It was not badly done, but just felt like it was included because it as 'supposed' to be there rather than being important. 

Be Our Ghost is a good cozy mystery with a little bit of everything. Fans of the author and the series will not be disappointed, although I felt that there was some more potential here.

Book Review: A Passion for Haunted Fashion (Haunted Vintage Mystery) by Rose Pressey

A Passion for Haunted Fashion is the sixth book in the Haunted Vintage Mystery series by Rose Pressey. I have not read the books from this series before, but I have read other books by the author. I think return readers to the series will get more out of it than newcomers, but I felt like I was able to get into the story and setting easily despite my lack of prior knowledge.

Folks say the Sugar Creek Theater is haunted, but that doesn’t scare off Cookie Chanel. She is the owner of Georgia’s chicest vintage clothing store, It’s Vintage Y’All, and just so happens to talk to the ghost of her grandmother every day through her cat Wind Song and a ghostly sidekick named Charlotte. Still, after she agrees to be in charge of costumes for a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, she’s surprised to find the specter of a young woman in the theater, keeping watch over a trunk of 1950s dresses. And when Cookie's best friend Heather is found standing over a stabbed actor, she has two mysteries to solve. This is not a dress rehearsal. A desperate killer is waiting in the wings. If Cookie doesn't tread the boards lightly, it'll be curtains for her as well.

A Passion for Haunted Fashion is a well paced cozy mystery that had a couple surprises and some fun distractions. I liked the characters, I thought that Cookie was smart and independent- with her own insecurities and flaws. He ghost companion, friends, and boyfriend were all interesting characters. I do think return readers will get more significance and have more invested in their interactions than I was. I will admit the hints at changing up the romance or adding a bit of a love triangle annoyed me a bit, but that is because I am have seen it too much- not because it was overt or badly bone. I enjoyed the unraveling of the dual mysteries and the crazy conversations ad situations Cookie gets herself in along the way. I do think she made a decision or two that made me want to kick her, because they were not all that smart, but they were needed to get to the final scenes. 

A Passion for Haunted Fashion is a fun cozy mystery with some quirky characters and plenty of twists. I enjoyed the read, and think that fans of the series will enjoy it even more than I.

Book Review: Read and Gone (Haunted Library Mysteries) by Allison Brook

Read and Gone is the second book in the Haunted Library Mysteries series by Allison Brook. I do recommend reading the series in order, to get the backstory of the characters and set up, but I think newcomers could catch on fairly quickly.

A devoted dad is as precious as diamonds, but Carrie Singleton wouldn't know since her dad Jim's been on the lam most of her life. In an unusual family reunion, she finds Jim breaking into her cottage in the middle of the night. The fun really starts when he begs her to help him recover his half of a seven-million-dollar gem heist he pulled off with the local jeweler, Benton Parr. When she refuses, Jim takes off again. Carrie finds her father again behind bars for the recent murder of Benton Parr. Who made the connection? Unbeknownst to her, Carrie's boyfriend Dylan, an insurance investigator, has been searching for the gems. Determined to find the jewels herself, she starts examining every facet of Parr's life. She turns up a treasure trove of suspects, one of whom bashes her on the head as she's searching the victim's country cabin. Retreating to the quiet confines of the library where she works, Carrie watches as Smokey Joe, the resident cat, paws at a hole in the wall. Is he after the library's ghost Evelyn, or something shinier?

Read and Gone is a solid continuation to this series. I enjoyed that Carrie and the secondary characters continue to grow, and that I am still learning new things about them even though they feel like old friends. The addition of her father and the mystery and murder that follow in his wake was well done. I found the mystery to be multi layered and well handled, and even with the amount of suspects and twists I never felt like there was so much going on that I could not keep track of it all. I will admit that I had my suspicions about who might be involved in the big reveal, and I was mostly right. However, I really enjoyed the journey to get to those answers. While I enjoyed Jim, Carrie's dad, and his role in the action and felt that the emotional rollercoaster Carrie was dealing with were well written, I have to admit that I got frustrated with her on occasion. She seems a little quick to cut people out, and them gets upset when they take her at her word. However, as annoyed as I was I felt both sides were completely realistic and in character for them. It felt like giving advice to a friend who then ignores your coaching and does something completely different, normal but still bothersome. 

Read and Gone is an engaging read with plenty of twists and turns to keep mystery readers happy and enough character development and emotion to keep everyone turning those pages.

Book Review: One for the Rogue (Studies in Scandal) by Manda Collins

One for the Rogue is the fourth book in the Studies in Scandal series by Manda Collins. I have not read the previous books, and think that the romance stands well on its own. However, I think that those that read the series in order will enjoy it more than newcomers because of the knowledge of the characters, setting, and circumstances. 

Geologist Gemma Hastings has no interest in pursuing romance, and no patience for Lord Cameron Lisle- an esteemed fossil hunter who has a way of always honing in on her territory. But when a shocking attack puts Gemma in very real danger, she may have to accept Lisle’s offers of protection. Even if that means entering into a dangerous flirtation. Lisle was once amused by Gemma’s dedication to her work. But now that he understands how much he’s underestimated her—a woman whose beauty is matched only by her genius—Lisle is desperate to prove his respect and prove himself worthy of her. But is he too late? A bitter rival, desperate to steal Gemma’s scientific findings, is still at-large. Can Lisle help uncover the culprit and keep her safe—forever, in his loving arms?

One for the Rogue is aq fast, fun romance with a dash of enemies turn lover in the mix. Gemma and Cameron have been at odds since the first met. However, Cam is a better man than he might have appeared and is much more respectful towards the intelligence and accomplishments of the women around him than his peers. Unfortunately, he is only made aware of how far he has to go in this vein when he hears his colleagues belittle Gemma and other women he respects. Gemma is proud, and wants her work and discoveries to get the credit they deserve, which is near impossible in her field and time. When greed and conspiracy puts everything at risk Can and Gemma end up working together, and becoming friends.  I loved watching the two dance around each other, respect, friendship, and attracting making things both easier and more difficult as they try to solve the mystery of murder and theft. I like that both characters have faults, and need to work through them. I really enjoyed watching them work together, and get frustrated with each other and the secondary characters that offered either frustrating interruptions or substantial dangers. There was a nice balance of humor and suspense, with a nice dash of  extremely intelligent characters. 

One for the Rogue is a fun and engaging read that has me curious about the previous books in the series. I just might go back and start the series from the start, when I find the time.

Book Review: The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy by Martin Matthews

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy by Martin Matthews is a young adult novel. 16-year-old albino Drake Stevenson lives a life alone in his world of video games and comic books, dreaming of one day saving a real princess. But fantasy becomes reality when his lawyer father suffers a heart attack, and the Stevensons are forced to move to flyover country in order to take up the family business: Stewardship of the oldest and largest cemetery in the state. There, among the weeping angels and willows of Centralia Cemetery, Drake meets Scarlet, an unusual girl who needs his help to find her killer. Complicated by his albinism, a mentally unstable sister bent on high school domination at any cost, and a jock with a deadly secret, Drake sets out to find the shattering truth about a murder no one will speak of, to help a girl no one can see.

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy captured my attention right away, and kept me guessing through the entire book. Drake has a self effacing sense of humor. while dealing with his own issues and the family issues around him he keeps his feet fairly well grounded while still able to laugh at himself and wonder how things could be better. I liked the introduction of setting and characters, it was faced well and worked perfectly in the story. I did not care for some of the love triangle hints, thought it was unnecessary. Why couldn't he just be friends with Sasha or Scarlett, or both for that matter. Why would he pursue both, and why would Scarlett pursue Drake when she was in a happy relationship before all this began? I just do not understand the need for all relationships to include a romantic component when sometimes a good friend is much more important. Love triangle rant over, because that was really the only fault I could find with the book. I adored Drake's character, while sometimes he felt really young and I did not always agree with his decisions, I think he was a well built character. His parents and sister were important to the arch of the story, and the way Drake connected with others.The dichotomy of his sister's personality, the way everyone viewed her, and the way everyone viewed him was realistic and still hit me right in the feels, because doesn't everyone sometimes feel like they have gotten the short end of the stick socially, in the family, or in some other way.  I like how thorough and well planned that built up the family and personal dramas were. Even the secondary characters had plenty of family or personal information shared to make them dynamic and explain them. The mystery surrounding Scarlet, the car accident, and more had me at the edge of my seat and turning pages well past my bedtime. 

The Graveyard Girl and The Boneyard Boy is a well done young adult novel with complex characters, compelling mystery and coming of age drama, and a solid resolution. Although, I admit that I would love to see a follow up about our characters in five or ten years to see just how things end up in the long term. 

Book Review: Barking up the Wrong Bakery (Happy Tails Dog Walking) by Stella St. Claire

Barking up the Wrong Bakery is the first book in the Happy Tails Dog Walking series by Stella St. Claire. Some people would kill for coffee, Olivia Rickard would kill to keep everything just the way it is. She’s got a gorgeous boyfriend who loves her, a supportive sister to lean on, and a dog walking business that’s briskly barking away. But just as she’s getting comfortable her sister suddenly wants to buy an entire brownstone with her and her boyfriend looks like he’s going to pop the question at every opportunity. Changing the status quo has always been disastrous for Olivia and now everything is changing at once. What Olivia needs is a distraction and she’s found one in stumbling upon Yvette Dunn dead in her coffee foodtruck—drowned in a vat of fresh coffee. Olivia starts out as an unlucky bystander to the crime, but she’s forced to dig in deeper when it looks like her sister could be involved in Yvette’s death. Olivia is running out of time in regards to the mystery, the mortgage, and the marriage. She’s going to have to solve all three problems—and quick—or face a future most foul.

Barking up the Wrong Bakery grabbed me right off the bat, but sadly I lost momentum quickly. I liked the set up, and initially found Olivia charming and fumblingly adorable. However, it was not long before I found myself wishing Olivia would grow up and actually talk to her boyfriend and sister, like an adult, rather than trying to avoid the future. I liked the mystery set up, and the quirky small town characters. I found the layers of building the town connections and characters that will be appearing later in the series to be handled well. I like that while I had a feeling about who committed the crime, the mystery was very tangled together and finding the path to a solution was entertaining. I liked most everything about the story, except for my gut reaction to Olivia. There were moments when she was amusing and cute, but others when I just wanted to shake her and tell her to use her words- much like I tell my kids and students to use their words if they have a problem or question rather than just ignoring it or running from it.

Barking up the Wrong Bakery is a fun cozy mystery, and the suspense and detective work is well done. The characters and setting were well written as well, I just happen to not click with the main character, but that might be more of a personality thing than anything else.

Book Review: Murder over Mochas (Java Jive) by Caroline Fardig

Murder over Mochas is the fifth book in the Java Jive series by Caroline Fardig. I have read all of the books in this series, and think it is extremely helpful in figuring out the character relationships, but the mystery itself can stand on its own.

As a newly minted private eye, Juliet Langley has sworn to leave homicide to the authorities, limiting the scope of her investigations to cheating spouses and dirty business partners, like her ex-fiancé, Scott O’Malley. When Scott shows up unannounced at her coffeehouse, Java Jive, Juliet’s first instinct is to punch him in the nose. Her second is to turn down his desperate plea for help with a case that’s way too dangerous for her liking. But when Scott drops dead before her eyes, Juliet isn’t going to wait around for someone else to clear her name. It’s only a matter of time before her tumultuous past with her ex-fiance comes out, so Juliet teams up with her ex-boyfriend, police detective Ryder Hamilton, to figure out who poisoned Scott. They soon confirm that Scott was involved in an illegal scheme that’s definitely grounds for concern. Just as romance is finally beginning to percolate for Juliet and her best friend, Pete Bennett, she has no choice but to head back to her hometown to seek out the truth. And she’ll need help from the locals to find the real killer—otherwise her happily ever after could easily end up including an actual ball and chain.

Murder over Mochas is a well crafted mystery with plenty of wacky characters, some funny moments, and plenty of tension. I like the depth of the mystery, and how complicated the mystery became with the variety of characters that readers met through the read. I was a little annoyed with the amount of ex boyfriends and whatnot of Juliet's crept into the story, but I was glad to see many of the relationship issues resolved by the end of the book. I liked the tangled nature of the mystery- it is not just murder and cheating- there are kickbacks and desperate people doing good and bad for different reasons. I kind of wanted more of the why's surrounding the bad guys decent and how he ended up where he was and how the people ended up so connected in unexpected ways. I admit that I suspected who the big bad was after awhile, since the track of suspects got to be too predictable, but the way everything came together made the read a lot of fun.

Murder over Mochas is what feels like the last book of this series, although I could be wrong. I love that I got a wrap up of so many long standing questions, and that fans of Fardig's other mystery series, Lizzie Hart Mysteries, will get a kick out of seeing their favorite characters make an appearance. Now I just need to find the time to read the other series because I want to see more.

Book Review: A Panicked Premonition (Psychic Eye Mystery) by Victoria Laurie

A Panicked Premonition is the fifteenth book in the Psychic Eye Mystery series by Victoria Laurie. I read many of this series, but am certain I missed some along the way.  I think most fans of the author, even if they missed a book or two, will be able to catch on quickly. However, some newcomers to the series might get lost in the relationships and quirks of the series.

Professional psychic and FBI consultant Abby Cooper has used her inner visions to get her out of many a scrape—and solve many a crime—but she’s about to face a murder scene that will put all her powers to the test. Abby’s husband Dutch has a side business providing security and building panic rooms for wealthy clients. One morning, one of Dutch’s partners, Dave, goes missing on his way to meet a client. Abby’s intuition tells her something terrible has happened to him.  Then two of Dutch’s clients are found brutally murdered inside their brand new panic room, and most of the evidence points to Dave as the killer.  With the authorities racing to find and arrest him, Abby's got to use all her intuitive prowess to get to Dave first, discover the real killer, and save her husband's business. This is one case where Abby is positive there’s far more to this mystery than meets her inner eye.

A Panicked Premonition holds up well in the genre of cozy mysteries. I found that Abby and her friends continue to grow and change as the world around them effects them. I like that they so obviously care about each other, and tell each other the truth- even when it might be hard. I also like that the mystery is multi layered, and while I quickly decided that it was not the obvious culprit- the final reveal left me stunned on a few small details. I liked the way the psychic flavor was worked into the story, definitely playing its role without coming in as campy or solving the entire case with out overcoming actual detective work. I loved seeing the interactions between Abby, Dutch, and the rest of the crew as they settle into life as married couples, and working together in their own way. The characters and the solid mystery kept me eager to see what would happen on the next page, and how Abby might react. I did feel like I might have missed a book or two, or perhaps it has just been too long since I read the previous book, because I did not remember some little things mentioned or alluded to in the book. 

A Panicked Premonition is a wonderful continuation to the series, and had me guessing until the very end. The characters and writing style have stayed consistent, and the mysteries seem to have gotten more complicated and compelling. 

Book Review: Death Overdue: A Haunted Library Mystery by Allison Brook, Marilyn Levinson

Death Overdue: A Haunted Library Mystery is the first book in a series by Allison Brook and Marilyn Levinson. Carrie Singleton is just about done with Clover Ridge, Connecticut until she's offered a job as the head of programs and events at the spooky local library, complete with its own librarian ghost. Her first major event is a program presented by a retired homicide detective, Al Buckley, who claims he knows who murdered Laura Foster, a much-loved part-time library aide who was bludgeoned to death fifteen years earlier. As he invites members of the audience to share stories about Laura, he suddenly keels over and dies. The medical examiner reveals that poison is what did him in and Carrie feels responsible for having surged forward with the program despite push back from her director. Driven by guilt, Carrie's determined to discover who murdered the detective, convinced it's the same man who killed Laura all those years ago. Luckily for Carrie, she has a friendly, knowledgeable ghost by her side. But as she questions the shadows surrounding Laura's case, disturbing secrets come to light and with each step Carrie takes, she gets closer to ending up like Al.

Death Overdue: A Haunted Library Mystery is a mystery that caught and held my attention, even though I was reading it only during lunch breaks and the like. I admit that I picked it up because it was about a librarian, and since I have been working in libraries for almost 20 years now, that caught my attention. I did not notice that it was set in a small Connecticut town until I had begun, but as a Connecticut native (currently living in a town that in no way resembles Clover Ridge) it endeared itself to me even more. I liked Carrie, who resembles many of the new adult generation that I know personally, and her conflicting emotions about being independent and staying connected are right on point. The politics, family connections, and drama that take place are totally possible- and I have seen similar issues in libraries, churches, and other organizations that require people to work together, and gives some more power than others- particularly in small towns or groups where everyone knows each other. I also like that while Carrie building connections; in friendship, work, and the romantic possibilities, are important to the story her personal growth and the mystery at hand remain the main focus of the story rather than overshadowing them. That is sometimes a hard balance to strike, but it was nicely done here. I also like that the mystery was wrapped up nicely, but the promise of further growth with Carrie, and further mysteries to solve leaves readers wanting more without leaving them hanging with unanswered questions.

Death Overdue: A Haunted Library Mystery is a book that took me much longer to read than it should have. The characters and pacing were pretty perfect, but since I was reading it on my phone on lunch breaks rather than on my Kindle in my normal reading time it seemed to take forever- but I loved every minute. I look forward to see what the future might hold in store for Carrie and her ghostly companion. 

Book Review: Dark, Witch & Creamy (Bewitched by Chocolate #1) by H.Y. Hanna

Dark, Witch & Creamy is the first book in the Bewitched by Chocolate series by H.Y. Hanna. Caitlyn is used to being the ugly duckling in her glamorous showbiz family, until the day she learns that she was adopted as an abandoned baby. Now, her search for answers takes her to the tiny English village of Tillyhenge where a man has been murdered by witchcraft - and where a mysterious shop selling enchanted chocolates is home to the "local witch". Soon Caitlyn finds herself fending off a toothless old vampire, rescuing an adorable kitten and meeting handsome aristocrat Lord James Fitzroy and discovering that she herself might have magical blood in her veins! When she's dragged into the murder investigation and realizes that dark magic is involved, Caitlyn is forced to choose. Can she embrace her witchy powers in time to solve the mystery and save those she loves?

Dark, Witch & Creamy is a fun story with mystery, self discovery, and a hint of possible romance. Caitlyn is a independent woman that has just lost her mother, only to discover that she is adopted. So, she follows the story of her beginning to discover who her birth family might be. I liked the way the secondary characters were introduced and built up though the story. I found the Widow Mags to be my favorite character, and despite my lack of magic, the one I related to most through the story. I liked that the encounters with James were varied, and that the idea of romance between the pair is written as a possibility, it in no way became the major point of the book. The book is mostly Caitlyn's self discovery, introduction of the towns people, and the murder mystery.

I really enjoyed the read, and my only issue with the book is more something in my headspace than anything that might bother other readers. She is independently wealthy, and I have to admit that I was occasionally distracted by the fact that Caitlyn and her cousin have no responsibilities and no care for what things cost, or even mentioning the payment for much of anything they do- however this is a work of fiction and I have to laugh at myself for having more trouble getting over the lack of monetary discretion than the amount of magic and odd happenings that make the book so entertaining. 

Dark, Witch & Creamy is a wonderful start to a series, and I am glad that the next three books are available for my immediate enjoyment. I will be continuing this series happily.

Early Book Review: A Murder for the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries) by Victoria Gilbert

A Murder for the Books is the first book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series by Victoria Gilbert. It is currently scheduled for release on December 12 2017. Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble. Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families, including her own. When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest.

A Murder for the Books is a mystery that both made me happy and frustrated me. As a librarian I was thrilled with the detailed view that was offered of Amy's librarian skills, and path to the career. Her commentary on search skills and research was on point; as was her facing down budget issues, patron issues, and condescending stereotypes. I was not thrilled with the comment "librarians are in demand" because I know far too many great librarians in several fields that have been searching for years for a full time library job- including those willing to move anywhere and are currently juggling multiple part time jobs just to make ends meet.  It happen early in the book, and colored my read for a bit, but thankfully the writing style and story overcame that after a bit.

With that being said, I liked Amy for the most part. She is smart and independent, however her insecurity and body issues irked me. My biggest issue with her was her concern with how others viewed her, but I did like that for the most part she dressed how she wanted rather than always heeding those opinions. I think Richard was a good character, but I found him to be a bit too perfect. I enjoyed Amy's aunt and the quirkier residents of the town to be much more entertaining and interesting. To be perfectly honest, I will admit to expecting a bigger betrayal or twist, but did not see the full extent of the conclusion coming at all. There were just so many twists, and I liked that just when readers think everything is settled more pops up to take it to another level. I think at some point it might have gotten too complicated, but it kept me on my toes and turning pages well past my bedtime.

A Murder for the Books is a great start to a series, although I wonder who might be dead in subsequent books. I liked the characters, and the layers to the mystery, and solution. I think it might have gotten a little too twisty and complicated for readers looking for a more cozy read.