Bea's Book Nook: Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013

Showing posts with label Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2013 and December Challenge Wrap Up

Can you believe 2013 is over? Yikes. I succeeded in all of my challenges though a few I just squeaked by. How did you do? I signed up for even more challenges for next year, eep. "Challenge" is definitely the word for 2014. :D

Book Chick City's 100 Books in 2013

For this challenge, I didn't count any children's books, unless it was YA or MG, nor did I count books that I edited. I also did goodreads' reading challenge and I counted everything for that one, but didn't track here on the blog. :D (I made it but just barely.)

November Challenges Wrap Up Post

I'll put up a wrap up post every month or early the next month for all of my 2013 reading challenges. Some books, I posted reviews on the blog, some are on goodreads, there may be one or two without reviews, especially books I edit or that are put out by my publisher.

This month I have 2 additional challenges to include, Better Late Than Never ARC Challenge and Clean Out Your E-Reader Challenge. Better Late Than Never runs October through December and Clean Out Your E-Reader was for November only.

Book Chick City's 100 Books in 2013

For this challenge, I am not counting any children's books, unless it's YA or MG, nor am I counting books that I edit. I am also doing goodreads' reading challenge and I'm counting everything for that one, but not tracking here on the blog. :D

1) Thrown by Collette Auclair
2) Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle
3) Happily Ever Afterlife by J.A. Campbell, et al
4) Thursday Morning Breakast (and Murder) Club by Liz Stauffer
5) Roman Holiday 1: Chained by Ruthie Knox
6) Echo Prophecy by Lindsay Fairleigh
7) Worth Waiting For by Ann Corbett
8) A Steamy Holiday Romance by M.L. Young
9) Kissing Under the Mistletoe: A Sullivan Christmas by Bella Andre
10) The Final Cut by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison
11) Alien Days by Abby McGovern
12) Taken by the Minotaur by Abby McGovern
13) All I Want for Christmas Is A Duke by Maire Claremont and Delilah Marvelle
14) A Cajun Werewolf Christmas by Selena Blake
15) The Lola Cruz Christmas Story by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez
16) One Foot in the Grave - A Holiday Short Short Story by J. Steven York
17) Maddie's Choice by Joyce Zeller

Total to date: 137!

Cruisin' Through the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013 - Goal 13 or more

1) Thursday Morning Breakast (and Murder) Club by Liz Stauffer

Total to date: 15

2013 Ebook Challenge - Original Goal 25 - New Goal 75, Next Goal - 100

1) Infamous Reign by Steve McHugh (I did the copy edits on this)
2) Thrown by Collette Auclair
3) Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle
4) Happily Ever Afterlife by J.A. Campbell, et al
5) Thursday Morning Breakast (and Murder) Club by Liz Stauffer
6) Roman Holiday 1: Chained by Ruthie Knox
7) Echo Prophecy by Lindsay Fairleigh
8) Worth Waiting For by Ann Corbett
9) A Steamy Holiday Romance by M.L. Young
10) Kissing Under the Mistletoe: A Sullivan Christmas by Bella Andre
11) Alien Days by Abby McGovern
12) Taken by the Minotaur by Abby McGovern
13) All I Want for Christmas Is A Duke by Maire Claremont and Delilah Marvelle
14) A Cajun Werewolf Christmas by Selena Blake
15) The Lola Cruz Christmas Story by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez
16) One Foot in the Grave - A Holiday Short Short Story by J. Steven York
17) Maddie's Choice by Joyce Zeller

Total to date: 94 I'm almost at 100. I can do this!

Just For Fun Reading Challenge 2013 - Goal 1 A Month

1) The Final Cut by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison

Total to date: 11 (I have more for the year but for the challenge we can only count one per month.)

Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon - My original goal was 5 then I changed it to 7

1) Worth Waiting For by Ann Corbett
2) A Steamy Holiday Romance by M.L. Young
3) Kissing Under the Mistletoe: A Sullivan Christmas by Bella Andre
4) All I Want for Christmas Is A Duke by Maire Claremont and Delilah Marvelle
5) A Cajun Werewolf Christmas by Selena Blake
6) The Lola Cruz Christmas Story by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez
7) One Foot in the Grave - A Holiday Short Short Story by J. Steven York

Goal: 7 :)

Better Late Than Never ARC Challenge - Goal as many as I can :D

1) Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle

Total to date: 2 So far I suck but at least it's 2 more off my pile. :)

Clean Out Your E-Reader Challenge - My goal was 10

1) Worth Waiting For by Ann Corbett
2) A Steamy Holiday Romance by M.L. Young
3) Kissing Under the Mistletoe: A Sullivan Christmas by Bella Andre
4) All I Want for Christmas Is A Duke by Maire Claremont and Delilah Marvelle
5) A Cajun Werewolf Christmas by Selena Blake
6) The Lola Cruz Christmas Story by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez
7) One Foot in the Grave - A Holiday Short Short Story by J. Steven York
8) Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle
9) Maddie's Choice by Joyce Zeller
10) Happily Ever Afterlife by J.A. Campbell, et al
11) Thursday Morning Breakast (and Murder) Club by Liz Stauffer
12) Echo Prophecy by Lindsay Fairleigh

Total: 12! Success :)

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Review & Excerpt of Thursday Morning Breakfast (and Murder) Club by Liz Stauffer

Publisher: Sartoris Literary Group
Format Read: Kindle book
Source: Kindle freebie, downloaded at request of publicist for review
Release Date: June 28, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission for purchases made through these links.

Blurb from publicist:

Things are not always what they seem in Liz Stauffer’s fast paced book of murder, mystery, and intrigue. When the "breakfast club" ladies of idyllic Mount Penn see bruises on Clare Ballard's pretty face, they suspect her hot-headed husband of abusing her, but the truth is much more complicated. When violence disrupts this Appalachian village's lazy routine, the ladies, led by the irascible Lillie Mae Harris, jump feet first into danger as bodies appear, neighbors disappear, and Clare is arrested for murder. Follow Lillie Mae and the other "breakfast club" ladies, who, armed with casseroles and pastries, help the police uncover the deep secrets this town hides beneath its perfect facade.

September & October Challenges Wrap Up

Bea Reviews Final Sentence by Daryl Wood Gerber

Publisher: Penguin US
Series: Cookbook Nook Mystery #1
Format Read: egalley
Source: publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | OmniLit*

Blurb from goodreads:

In need of a change, Jenna Hart leaves the high-pressure world of advertising to help her aunt, Vera, open a culinary bookshop and café. Back with her family in Crystal Cove, California, Jenna seems to have all the right ingredients for a fresh start—until someone adds a dash of murder.

As a marketing expert, Jenna wants to make sure the grand opening of the Cookbook Nook draws a crowd, and no one is better at getting attention than her old college roommate, celebrity chef Desiree Divine. But when Desiree arrives in quiet Crystal Cove to do a cookbook signing, the diva stirs up more trouble than business…especially when she turns up dead.

Known for stealing husbands and burning bridges, Desiree left behind plenty of suspects—including Jenna. Though the celebrity’s life always appeared to be an open book, Jenna will have to read between the lines in order to clear her name, and catch a killer before another body is served cold.

August Challenges Wrap Up

May's Reading Challenges Wrap Up

I'll put up a wrap up post every month or early the next month for all of my 2013 reading challenges. I'm a little late this month, running behind. Some books, I posted reviews on the blog, some are on goodreads, there may be one or two without reviews, especially books I edit or that are put out by my publisher.

In May, I took part in the Clean Sweep ARC Challenge hosted by The Caffeinated Reviewer and The Windy Pages. I posted my results here. I didn't do as much as I wanted but I did make a dent in my ARC pile so I'm happy.

April's Reading Challenges Wrap Up

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Blog Tour Review of A Murder at Rosamund's Gate by Susanna Calkins

Publisher: Minotaur Books
Format Read: Print ARC
Source: from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Blurb from goodreads:

For Lucy Campion, a seventeenth-century English chambermaid serving in the household of the local magistrate, life is an endless repetition of polishing pewter, emptying chamber pots, and dealing with other household chores until a fellow servant is ruthlessly killed, and someone close to Lucy falls under suspicion. Lucy can’t believe it, but in a time where the accused are presumed guilty until proven innocent, lawyers aren’t permitted to defend their clients, and—if the plague doesn't kill the suspect first—public executions draw a large crowd of spectators, Lucy knows she may never find out what really happened. Unless, that is, she can uncover the truth herself.

Determined to do just that, Lucy finds herself venturing out of her expected station and into raucous printers’ shops, secretive gypsy camps, the foul streets of London, and even the bowels of Newgate prison on a trail that might lead her straight into the arms of the killer.

In her debut novel Murder at Rosamund's Gate, Susanna Calkins seamlessly blends historical detail, romance, and mystery in a moving and highly entertaining tale.

Bea's Thoughts:

Historicals tend to be hit or more miss for me and in the past few years I've mostly moved away from them. The blurb for this one though sounded so interesting that I couldn't pass it up. Calkins gives us enough detail to understand the time period and solidly base her story but doesn't go overboard and drown us in details. She did take a few liberties as she admits in her notes at the end. One liberty was in language; she opted not to make it completely accurate but instead it's a blend of authentic and modern without being screamingly modern. I appreciated that and found that it made for a smooth read.

Lucy and her fellow servants have a good employer and are treated well. Lucy, I suspect, takes more liberties than was customary but again, Calkins handles it well and makes it feel realistic. As the story progresses, Lucy is treated more like a member of the family than a servant. I liked that the story wasn't rushed and we got glimpses of daily life and the law. English courts and law were very different in 1665 and I was fascinated by the procedures and the differences from modern day procedures and laws.

Events occur over the course of a little more than a year. The murder is actually not the central plot to the story; there are several plot lines including a potential romance with a man not of Lucy's own class and rank. I wish there had been a little more emphasis on the murder but eventually Calkins winds things up. I didn't figure out who the culprit was but looking back, there were clues.

Calkins has a easy style, never pretentious, and she drew me in right from the beginning and held my interest all the way through. She's planning more books featuring Lucy and I look forward to reading them.

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GIVEAWAY

Like the review? Want to read the book? Click here to enter a giveaway. There are 3 prizes: A $40 Amazon.com gift card and two hardback copies of Murder at Rosamund's Gate for a total of 3 winners.

You can also follow the tour: http://cozymysterymarketing.com/?p=39

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

March's Reading Challenges Wrap Up

Monday, March 25, 2013

Review of Written in Stone by Ellery Adams

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Books By the Bay Mystery #4
Format Read: Paperback
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Buying Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble The Book Depository

Blurb from goodreads:

When Munin Cooper, known as the Witch of Oyster Bay, warns Olivia Limoges that death is coming, neither of them realize that it is the older woman herself who will soon be found dead. And Olivia’s instincts tell her that something—or someone—more sinister than a mystical force is at play… Olivia has a lot on her plate preparing for the Coastal Carolina Food Festival. When she hears the news of Munin’s untimely death, however, finding the murderer takes priority. The witch left behind a memory jug full of keepsakes that Olivia knows must point to the killer—but she’s got to figure out what they mean. With handsome Police Chief Rawlings by her side, Olivia starts to identify some of the jug’s mysterious contents—and finds its secrets are much darker than she suspected. Now Olivia must enlist the help of the Bayside Book Writers to solve the puzzle behind the piece of pottery and put an end to a vengeful killer before any more damage can be done…

Bea's Thoughts:

Although this was my first book in this series, it's the second book by this author that I've read. I wasn't keen on that book but this was more my speed.

This book has more depth and more complexity than many cozies, and also more explicit sex. The latter wasn't a problem for me but it's unusual in a cozy so you've been warned. :) I hadn't read the previous books but for the most part that wasn't a problem; there were a few times when I was confused but that never lasted long as Adams deftly wove in backstory without too much info dumping. However, there were huge spoilers for previous books, huge spoilers, so consider reading in order.

I had trouble at first getting into the story but that was a mix of the story and me; I've found recently that I have trouble with the beginning of most books I'm reading and I'm not sure why. The book contributed by jumping write into Olivia reflecting on events from a previous book, presumably the last one. Once we moved past that and got into the story, I was engaged. There are actually several mysteries - one concerning Olivia's mother and relationship with the dead woman Munin, the death of Munin, one concerning Olivia's father, and the attacks on a pair of siblings, one of whom works for Olivia at one of her restaurants.

Once the story got moving, I enjoyed it and was curious where it was going. I didn't peg the killer nor did I catch onto the other mysteries except for the one involving her father. That one I saw very early on, it was neon-obvious. There are lots of twists and turns, and as I mentioned more depth than I associate with cozy mysteries. It took me a while to warm up to Olivia but eventually I did and I expect I'll read more in the series.

I borrowed this from my local library.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Review of Drop Dead on Recall by Sheila Webster Boneham

Publisher: Midnight Ink
Series: An Animals in Focus Mystery #1
Format Read: Trade Paperback
Release Date: October 2012
Buying Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble The Book Depository

Book Blurb from goodreads:

Dogs, cats, and murderous misdeeds.

Animal photographer and dog show handler Janet MacPhail knows it’s the sure-footed, finely trained canine competitors that steal the attention in the obedience ring. But all eyes are on widely disliked star handler Abigail Dorn when she falls down dead at the drop on recall command with her border collie, Pip, an Obedience Trial Champion.

Janet suspects foul play when she uncovers a bitter rivalry between Abby and Suzette, the owner of Fly, Pip’s top-ranking competitor. Balancing her dementia-afflicted mother, threats aimed at her beloved pets, and a flirty-hunk dog handler, Janet investigates as another murder takes place. And her nosing around reveals an ugly scandal in the dog show circuit.

Bea's Thoughts:

If you aren’t a dog lover, this might not be the right book for you. I like dogs but I’m not a dog lover and at times the story dragged. We get an up close and detailed look at dog shows and their culture, as well as a look at breeding purebred dogs. Mixed in with the murder mysteries are a sweet budding romance and the travails of an aging parent.

Janet is likable; she isn’t a morning person, loves animals, has bills to pay, puts housekeeping low on her priority list (which actually works to her benefit later in the story), and has family problems. When a competitor and acquaintance, Abigail, literally falls ill at a show, she rushes over to help but Abigail dies en route to the hospital. She helps Abigail’s husband by taking the dog, Pip, home to her house for a few days. That’s when the trouble begins. She is hounded by another competitor and Pip’s breeder to turn Pip over to them and the police keep questioning her. She gets drawn deeper and deeper into the investigation, unable to turn away.

Boneham pushes one suspect very hard; so hard that I became convinced that that person wasn’t actually responsible. There are other suspects and I thought I knew who it was. Boneham sprinkles clues and red herrings throughout the story, leaving the reader wondering just who the killer is. The ending was a bit cliched, and the dog details could get incredibly dry. The book goes on too long, it could have been trimmed by a quarter and been the better for it. The story was okay but I doubt I’ll bother with the next book.

This review first appeared at BookTrib. I borrowed this book from my library.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Review of Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle

Publisher: Berkley
Series: Coffeehouse Mystery #12
Format read: Paperback
Release Date: December 3, 2012
Buying Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble The Book Depository

Book Blurb from goodreads:

Holiday time is party time in New York City, but after a sparkling winter bash ends with a murder, Village Blend coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi vows to put the killer on ice…

At the Great New York Cookie Swap, pastry chefs bake up their very best for charity. Clare is in charge of the beverage service, and her famous Fa-la-la-la Lattes make the gathering even merrier. But her high spirits come crashing down to earth, when she discovers the battered body of a hard-working baker’s assistant.

Police suspect a serial attacker whose escalating crimes have become known as “The Christmas Stalkings.” Clare’s boyfriend, NYPD detective Mike Quinn, finds reason to believe even more sinister forces are involved. Clare isn’t so sure—and when she finds a second bludgeoned baker, she becomes a target. Now Clare is spending the holiday season pouring over clues, and she’s not going to rest until justice is served.

Bea's Thoughts:

This is the second book I've read in this series and neither book worked for me. They're not bad, they just don't do it for me. I found Holiday Buzz to be long, occasionally dry, unnecessarily complicated, and just plain boring at times. Yet at other times, I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading. I was continually torn between saying the heck with it and giving up and continuing to read to see who the killer was.

There are many candidates for the killer, lots of clues and red herrings and coincidences, almost too many. It felt at times as if Coyle had a word count in mind and needed to fill it somehow. I like Clare and her relationship with her ex-husband and his mother who are also her partners in the coffee shop. In fact, I liked the relationships and the coffee house scenes much better than the mystery portion which was unfortunate since this is a mystery. When the killer was revealed I was in disbelief because I couldn't believe it, it was, in my opinion, implausible. I wish we'd had a chance to see Moirin, the murdered woman, before she died. We see her through the eyes of Clare and others during the story but she never felt real to me. I wasn't invested in solving her murder; I wanted to see who killer was because I was curious how Coyle would pull it off and not because I cared about Moirin.

Having tried two books in this series, I think it's safe to say that it's not the right series for me. It might work for you though. There are recipes included and many of the cookies and drinks mentioned in the story sound absolutely delicious.

I borrowed this from my local library.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway of Baked Alaska by Josi S Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Series: Culinary Mystery #9
Format Read: PDF
Release Date: February 18, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Book Blurb from the author:

An Alaskan cruise is the setting for amateur detective Sadie Hoffmillers latest adventure. Sadie plans to spend time relaxing with her two grown children, Breanna and Shawn, and her boyfriend, Pete, while enjoying the luxury and cuisine of an elegant cruise ship and helping to plan her daughters upcoming wedding. But even as the crew prepares to leave port, Sadie has suspicions about the voyage ahead and the relationship between her normally easygoing son and a mysterious female passenger he obviously knows but refuses to discuss. When the woman is discovered unconscious during the second night at sea, Sadies apprehension escalates. Over the last few years, Sadie has developed an extreme dislike for secrets and it would seem her son is keeping one from her.

*Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadies Virtual Test Kitchen.

Bea's Thoughts:

This was the first book in this series that I've read and it worked well as a stand alone except for vague and mysterious references to an unnamed, apparently traumatic event that happened in Boston. That was a minor irritation though.

I had a hard time at first warming up to Sadie. Another character described her as "a super-controlling-freak-out-mom" and that was how she struck me also. She has a hard time letting her grown children make their own decisions and choices and she wants to know everything about their lives. She loosens up during the book and I warmed up to her.

The mysteries happen organically and don't feel artificial nor does her involvement. She is intimately tied to the first mystery and, though it's not apparent at first, to the second one. In addition to the mysteries, we get a close-up look at Sadie's family and their dynamics. What appear to be coincidences at first are later revealed to be otherwise and Kilpack does an excellent job of sprinkling hints and clues throughout the story. I enjoyed meeting her children Shawn and Breanna, and her boyfriend Pete. The ending was unexpected and a tear jerker but in a good way. As I said, at first I had a hard time warming up to Sadie and I had a difficult time staying engaged with the story, but gradually I got pulled in and enjoyed the mysteries and the story.

I'm not a baker or even much of a cook yet I enjoy reading mysteries with food themes, maybe because I love to eat? There are recipes in the book ranging from easy to complicated, based on reading them. It's a nice bonus though I wish they'd all been collected at the end of the book instead of interrupting chapters. It might be less disruptive in print but on my kindle it was a nuisance (I had the PDF converted kindle format).

I received a PDF from the publisher for review as part of the blog tour.

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Click on image for the tour schedule

GIVEAWAY INFO:

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/20/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, March 2, 2013

February's Reading Challenges Wrap Up

Monday, February 18, 2013

Review & Giveaway of Easter Bunny Murder by Leslie Meier

Publisher: Kensington Books
Series: Lucy Stone #19
Format Read: Hardcover
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Book Depository

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

*May contain spoilers for earlier books*

Spring has sprung in Tinker's Cove, and Lucy Stone has a mile-long to-do list. From painting eggs with her grandson, to preparing the perfect Easter feast, to reviving her garden after a long, cold winter, she hardly has time to hunt for a killer with a deadly case of spring fever... Lucy has always loved covering the annual Easter egg hunt for the Pennysaver. Hosted by elderly socialite Vivian Van Vorst at Pine Point, her luxurious oceanfront estate, it's a swanky event where the grown-ups sip cocktails while their children search for eggs that are as likely to contain savings bonds as they are jelly beans. But when Lucy arrives with her three-year-old grandson, VV's normally welcoming gates are locked, and a man dressed as the Easter Bunny emerges only to drop dead moments later… Lucy discovers that the victim is Van Vorst Duff, VV's grandson, and soon learns that not all is as it seems at idyllic Pine Point, where the champagne and caviar seem to be running dry. Always a social butterfly, VV has been skipping lunch dates with friends, and her much-needed donations to local charities have stopped with no explanation. Maybe she's going senile, or maybe her heirs are getting a little too anxious to take over her estate… As Lucy gathers a basketful of suspects, she's convinced someone's been hunting for a lot more than eggs, and she'll have to chase the truth down a rabbit hole before the killer claims another victim…

Bea's Thoughts: *May contain spoilers for earlier books*

"Easter Bunny Murder" kept me up late reading. It took me a while to get into it, something that's been happening to me a lot lately, but once I did, I was hooked. I've read one or two books from this series and was 'meh' about them but I read some reviews of this one that intrigued me and then I was offered a copy for review. Swayed by the reviews I'd read, I said 'yes' and I'm glad I did.

I love cozies but sometimes they don't come across as real. The circumstances are unlikely, the ease in solving the murder is unbelievable, etc. While "Easter Bunny Murder" has a couple of unlikely coincidences, overall, the story is believable. I particularly enjoyed that it took place over a matter of months, matters weren't resolved in a few days. Meier weaves together the mystery of Van's death, related mysteries, and Lucy's personal life into an enjoyable, smooth, easy mix.

At first, Van's death seems like a tragic act of nature, but Lucy's suspicions are aroused when his former lover, and the mother of their daughter, starts throwing around accusations. Town officials and her boss at the newspaper are not convinced so in between her job as a reporter for the town paper and her jobs as wife, mother and grandmother, she begins her own investigation. There are ups and downs in her investigation, and at times her personal life takes precedence, but eventually she finds answers.

Lucy is kind, compassionate, persistent, occasionally harried but also feels like she could be one of my neighbors in the small town I live in. Meier does an excellent job of making her characters, major and minor, feel real and multi-dimensional. There's also a genuine feel to the settings, the small town feel and the New England feel. The story was relatable, the murder slightly unbelievable but cunning, the investigation and the various mysteries well-done, and the murder quite likeable. At first, it the murderer's identity seemed too convenient and out-of-the blue but looking back, the clues were there. "Easter Bunny Murder" is a very enjoyable way to spend several hours.

I received a hardcover from BookTrib for review.

Blog Tour Review: Rally 'Round the Corpse by Hy Conrad

Publisher: Seven Realms Publishing
Series: Abel Adventures Mystery #1
Format Read: Trade paperback
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Buying Links: Seven Realms Publishing Amazon Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb from goodreads:

It's been two years since her fiancé's death. Amy Abel needs to start over. What better way for a shy, risk-averse woman to start than to sink all her savings into a travel agency specializing in adventure? Her first project is a mystery road rally through the European countryside.

At the starting line in Monte Carlo, Amy finds herself attracted to Marcus Alvarez, the most mysterious of her two dozen game-loving clients. But the rally gets off to a rocky start when an eccentric writer, the only person who knows the game's solution, is himself murdered back in New York.

Who would kill a harmless mystery geek, and why are weird accidents beginning to happen along the way? To her horror, Amy discovers that this fictional mystery was based on a real, unsolved case, one that Marcus knows too much about. Now she has no choice but to join forces with Fanny, her domineering mother, and solve this on her own, before the killer strikes again.

Bea's thoughts:

I've been a mystery fan for about as long as I've been reading. When I received the email about this book and tour, it sounded interesting - a mystery, a travel tour, a hint of romance - how could I pass it up?

Amy runs a travel agency along with her mother Fanny. They offer travel packages that have some risk or an adventure as part of the trip. Their first one is the Monte Carlo to Rome Mystery Road Rally. They hired a writer who specializes in writing mystery games for dinner theaters, house parties, etc. But this story, though Amy and Fanny don't realize it, is based on an unsolved real murder mystery.

Before the trip the writer, Otto, is killed. Throughout the trip, there are incidences - wrong clues, robberies, etc. - and finally one of the travelers is murdered. One of the travelers, Marcus, who is actually the assistant to the mystery writer and is there to keep an eye on things, has been flirting with Amy. However, he lies as easily as he breathes and she's never quite sure if she can trust him. He finally reveals himself as Otto's assistant when things continue to go wrong. Near the end of the tour, one of the travelers is murdered and another is arrested for it.

Back home after the end of the trip, Amy and her mother Fanny try to investigate the various mysteries - the minor incidences that occurred, the murder of one of the travel guests, the murder of Otto, and the original murder that the rally was based on.

Amy and her mother stumble a bit and make mistakes as they try to sort out who killed whom and why. But, they are both amateur detectives, so it's to be expected. Some of the other travelers help with the investigation and that doesn't always go smoothly either. There are some unlikely coincidences throughout the story but it's complex and twisty and will keep you on your toes.

Conrad gives depth to his characters, making them real, flawed, and believable though Marcus could have used more depth. Fanny was meddling, domineering, and a know it all; she meant well but I found her annoying at times. Amy was timid at times and bold at other times, judgmental, kind and reserved. The travelers on the tour were well developed and intriguing. Although the story slowed down at times, overall, it held my interest and made me want to go visit Monaco and Italy. Conrad spins a story and keeps your interest.

One thing I want to make note of is how Conrad handled the topic of food allergies. I was delighted to see that he didn't make a mess of it but actually knew what he was talking about. I get so frustrated and even angry with books, movies and TV shows that can't be bothered to get their facts right.

"Rally 'Round the Corpse" is intelligent, clever, occasionally humorous and a pleasure to read.

I received a paperback from the author as part of the blog tour.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Review of Hearse and Buggy by Laura Bradford

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: An Amish Mystery #1
Format Read: Mass Market Paperback
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Buying Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Book Depository

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

Claire Weatherly has fled a high-stress lifestyle for a slower pace—in Amish country: Heavenly, Pennsylvania. She only planned a short visit but instead found herself opening an Amish specialty shop, Heavenly Treasures, and settling in.Claire loves her new home, and she’s slowly making friends among the locals, including Esther, a young Amish woman who works in the shop. So when the store’s former owner,the unlikable Walter Snow, is murdered, and the man Esther is sweet on becomes a suspect, Claire can’t help but get involved. Newly returned Detective Jakob Fisher, who left Heavenly—and his Amish upbringing—as a teenager, is on the case. But his investigation is stalled by the fact that none of his former community will speak with him. Claire’s connections make her the perfect go-between. As Claire investigates, she uncovers more than she wanted to know about her neighbors. And suddenly, everything she had hoped to find in this peaceful refuge is at risk . . .

Bea's Thoughts:

I didn't love this book but I did enjoy it and I expect I'll read the next one. I'm curious to see how she handles this series. It's set in a town called Heavenly, a small rural town right next door to an Amish community. It's mentioned in the book that the last murder was 16 years ago so I can't see the setting being fertile ground for a viable murder mystery series. Also, it's my understanding that crime within Amish communities is low; now, crimes committed against the Amish are higher, though I don't know actual numbers. If the author incorporates other kinds of mysteries, that would be the better road although, again, the setting doesn't really lend itself to an ongoing mystery series.

I liked how respectful the author was concerning the Amish; this was not the tourist, "oh aren't they special", approach. Bradford takes the time to show the Amish characters in the story as individuals, as people, and she's respectful of their way of life. Several times the main character, Claire, has to bite her tongue and remind herself that just because it's not her way of life, that doesn't make it wrong.

Claire is likable. She's been getting over a divorce, and made major changes to her life; moving from New York City to this small town in rural Pennsylvania, moving in with her aunt and helping her run a B&B, and opening her own store.

That store was previously owned by a man who took advantage of the Amish and then ran away with their money. He was threatened publicly by one of the Amish, a young man named Eli, who has trouble controlling his temper. That difficulty causes problems for him within his Amish community. When the man who stole from them turns up dead, Eli is the first suspect for his murder.

Bradford introduces further complications with a new police detective who grew up in that Amish community and then left it to become a police officer. He's shunned by the Amish community which makes it difficult for him to conduct his investigation. Additionally, he and Claire and drawn to each other and, to complicate things further, Claire is also drawn to a widower, Benjamin, but he's Amish and Claire doesn't see herself converting nor Benjamin leaving.

"Hearse and Buggy" is a murder mystery, a romance (there are several), and a story of self-discovery. A little slow at times, Bradford weaves the story lines together and pulls off the different mysteries going on in a quiet, meandering yet intriguing fashion. There's a substance to the story that some cozy mysteries don't have while it still retains that cozy feel. If you want a smart, complex yet cozy story, give this a try.

I borrowed this from the library.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

January's Reading Challenges Wrap Up

I'll put up a wrap up post every month (or in this case, early the next month :D) for all of my 2013 reading challenges. Some books, I posted reviews on the blog, some are on goodreads, there may be one or two without reviews.

Book Chick City's 100 Books in 2013

For this challenge, I am not counting any children's books, unless it's YA, nor am I counting books that I edit. I am also doing goodreads' reading challenge and I'm counting everything for that one, but not tracking here on the blog. :D

1) Hearse and Buggy by Laura Bradford
2) Anything for You by Jessica Scott
3) Pandora's Temple by Jon Land
4) Darkness Devours by Keri Arthur
5) Serpent Queen by J.A. Campbell
6) How to Misbehave by Ruthie Knox
7) Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz
8) Killer Librarian by Mary Lou Kirwin
9) Forbidden by Kelley Armstrong (no review yet, link is just to Goodreads page)

Total to date: 9

Cruisin' Through the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013 - Goal 13 or more

1) Hearse and Buggy by Laura Bradford
2) Killer Librarian by Mary Lou Kirwin

Total to date: 2

2013 Ebook Challenge - Goal 25

1) How to Misbehave by Ruthie Knox
2) Serpent Queen by J.A. Campbell
3) Pandora's Temple by Jon Land
4) Anything for You by Jessica Scott
5) Time to Get Ready, Bunny! by Brenda Ponnay
6) Splat! Splat! Rata-tat-tat! ABC Book: Learning ABCs & Sounds Using Onomatopoeia by Lynn R. Davis

Total to date: 6

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Cruisin' Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013

Thanks to The Readingista for the heads up about this challenge. This will be my last one for the year as it makes my 5th one for the year. O_o

This challenge is hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews Blog. I enjoy cozy mysteries and currently I have a bunch from the library and more on my TBR shelf. So, this should be an easy one for me. :D

Not sure what a cozy mystery is? Read here for more info.

The Details:

Dates: January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Check Ins: Review Link Up and Wrap Up Post
The review link up will be just the one post at SBRB and can be updated monthly.

Formats: All formats count - print, digital, audio

Levels:

Level 1 - Snoop - Read at least 6 books
Level 2 - Investigator - Read 7-12 books
Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13 or more books

My Goal: I'm shooting for Level 3. It'll be a stretch for me, which is good.

My Books: I'll post them here, with links to the review, if I did one. If not, I'll just post the title and dates read.

January

1) Hearse and Buggy by Laura Bradford (that's the goodreads review; it'll post on the blog on Monday January 4th)
2) Killer Librarian by Mary Lou Kirwin

February

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Sunday, December 1, 2013

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