Special Feature: Death and Croissants (Follet Valley Mysteries #1) by Ian Moore

So many cozy mysteries are written by women and about women with a woman protagonist, which is why this one caught my eye. It’s written by a man with a male protagonist at the helm! You don’t see that too much in the cozy genre so I was eager to check this one out. This book is billed as a quirky, British style comedy, cozy mystery. There is a lot happening in that description and I think for the right reader, it will garner attention! I love quirky British humor and of course I love cozy mysteries so naturally this one stood out to me. Although that might not be the case for other readers and that’s ok but if you are looking for something a little different within the cozy genre, then this might be a good option for you!

I loved that the main character was going to be this middle aged man—-not exactly what I would have expected but I think it will work in this book. This book kicks off with the murder of one of Richard (the protagonist) chickens! If that doesn’t scream different and quirky then I don’t know what does! This book is one in a series of three books in the Follet Valley Mysteries and I think that readers will enjoy a new, quirky main character to get to know with some interesting murders to solve!

While I couldn’t fit this one into my review schedule, I couldn’t resist sharing this cozy with you guys today. I am eager to check this one out and see how funny and quirky it is! It sounds like a quick and easy murder mystery that will be a pleasure to read on the beach this spring/summer. If you enjoy cozy mysteries but maybe want to try something a little off the beaten path then I think you will find something in this one to enjoy. It promises a light hearted approach with a funny character and mystery to solve, give it a shot and see if this is something that catches your eye!

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Special Feature: The Love Wager (Mr Wrong Number #2) by Lynn Painter

Who doesn’t love a Phoenix from the ashes story? I thought this new romance sounded interesting with the main character hits rock bottom the come back and reinvent herself as a full blown adult! New hair, new wardrobe, new apartment—-the whole nine yards! This book will no doubt appeal to the mid 20s-mid 30s demographic. When I was that age, I wanted nothing more than to reinvent myself as this sophisticated adult who at least looked like they had their shit together! So I think readers will connect with this main character for that very reason.

But this book isn’t just about a Phoenix rising from the ashes—it’s also has a fake dating romance that I think readers will enjoy. I love the fake dating troupe and I am looking forward to seeing how this one unfolds. It’s already out and getting high marks from readers so if fake dating romances are your thing then you will not want to miss this one! Also the summary mentions that taco dates happen and I am absolutely here for anything with tacos and dating!

While I couldn’t fit this one in for review, I am looking forward to checking it out a little later this year. I love a good contempo romance with a strong heroine at the helm and I think this book promises to do just that. Author Lynn Painter has quite a few rom-coms under her belt and this book is second in the Mr Wrong Number series, though you don’t have to read the books in order to enjoy this one as it takes place in the universe not a continuation of characters. Painter is known for her steam contempo romances so if that is your thing then I think this book will be right up your alley!

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Review: A Tempest at Sea (Lady Sherlock #7) by Sherry Thomas

This series started out as a DNF for me. I couldn’t get into the first book when I picked it up the first time so I put it down as a DNF and almost wrote the series off all together. But it bugged me so bad that I didn’t like this series! So many of my friends around the blog-o-sphere loved it and honestly it SHOULD be a series that I love. So after some consideration, I picked up the first book and decided to try again. I am so glad I did because I loved it and binge read all the books that had some out at that point so I could be ready for more in the series!

Sometimes that happens with readers—it’s like the right book and the wrong time and it can be so hard to decide if it was that I wasn’t in the mood for that book or if I really just didn’t care for it. Some books I can absolutely tell that I just don’t like it but with others it could be that I am just not in the right headspace for a particular book, which is why this series needled me so bad! I am glad I decided to give it another go as it has been a very enjoyable series and this book was another great installment.

If you haven’t checked this series out yet it’s great for fans of Sherlock Holmes but with a feminine twist! Author, Sherry Thomas, does a great job staying true to the character of Sherlock Holmes but with a gender bender, but the methods and problem solving that Holmes is known for is seen reflected in these charming characters. If you love historical mysteries this is a great place to start! Both familiar but new!

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Special Feature: The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery

I have been a Susan Mallery fan for some time now and I am always excited to check out whatever new book she comes out with! Susan Mallery is a prolific writer with many many many novels under her belt. Some run more toward romance while others are more women’s fiction but I always find something to love whenever I crack open one of her books! She is one of my top beach reads authors, I always feel like I read something well written and worth while when I read her books.

I couldn’t fit this one in on my review schedule—but I have all the details and a little sneak peak for you readers! Plus I am sure this one will be making a reappearance on my blog as a review later this spring/summer. This book sounds like it will be more on the familial relationships than some of her other books but I am totally excited to see what kind of story Mallery has for us this spring!

If you have read Mallery’s books before, you will know how talented she is. Her books feature well developed characters with strong, memorable personalities. I think readers will enjoy discovering the characters in this book as well as relate to some of the family struggles. Families are complicated across the board and I love how Mallery always manages to bring that to life in her books. If you haven’t yet discovered Susan Mallery, then you will find no shortage of fans and books to pick from! Fans all have their favorites so I would suggest picking up any of her books that catch your eye, they are all so good. But with a cover like this one, it will be hard to pass on!

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Special Feature: The Romanov Heiress by Jennifer Laam

The Romanov Heiress by Jennifer Laam

Publication Date: March 20, 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction/Russian

Four sisters in hiding. A grand duchess in disguise. Dark family secrets revealed…an alternate future for the Romanov sisters from Jennifer Laam, author of The Secret Daughter of the Tsar and The Lost Season of Love and Snow.

With her parents and brother missing and presumed dead, Grand Duchess Olga Romanova must keep her younger sisters safe. The Bolsheviks are determined to eliminate any remaining holdovers from the tsarist regime, hunting down the last Romanovs and putting them to death. Now living in England, the Romanov sisters remain hidden to protect their identities, even as isolation strains their relationships.

But they can’t distance themselves from the world forever.

Olga learns that a peer of the realm has accused the late Empress Alexandra of betraying Russia and her allies during the Great War. Under the spell of the scheming Grigori Rasputin, Alexandra disclosed military secrets to the enemy and pursued a separate peace with Germany. If this rumor becomes history, it will destroy her legacy and her family’s future.

Disguised as “Olivia,” a wartime nurse turned maid, Olga accepts a position in Lord Hammond’s household. There, she works to discover the truth about her mother. When Olga meets his lordship’s heir—an alluring, enigmatic war veteran—her situation grows even more precarious. Could she fall for the son of her new enemy? As she learns more about the tragedies of his past, Olga realizes the connection between their families is more complicated than it appears.

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