Ripped From the Pages by Kate Carlisle – Bibliophile Mystery #9

Ripped From the Pages by Kate Carlisle – Bibliophile Mystery #9

Finished: 15 March 2016

Rating: 5 stars

"Won't this be fun?" My mother squeezed me with painful enthusiasm. "Two whole months living right next door to each other. You and me. We'll be like best girlfriends."

Ripped from the Pages is another outstanding mystery from Kate Carlisle. She combines Brooklyn's eccentric family, the bookbinding profession, a little about wineries and wine, and a story that takes readers back in history. I loved learning about the French, their family artifacts and their flight for safety during World War II. The author has a very descriptive way of describing the hidden room and the priceless treasure it holds. She always has a way of drawing you into the story via her words. It is easy to get lost in this book and feel that you are right there helping Brooklyn solve the mysteries. I have always loved the way the author keeps this series fresh by moving the location around, introducing new characters and bringing back characters we haven't seen in a while. This entry allows us to learn more about “Guru Bob” and the other members of the “commune” known as Dharma. All of the characters are so engaging, you can’t help but feel like one of the family, and who can resist Derrick.  I really enjoyed the events that unfolded at the end of the book and can’t wait for the next adventure.

Pecan Pies and Homicides by Ellery Adams – A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery #3

Pecan Pies and Homicides by Ellery Adams – A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery #3

Finished: 9 March 2016

Rating: 5 stars

“Do I have icicles hanging from my beard?” asked a small elderly man as Ella LeFaye ushered him into her pie shop.”

Ellery Adams is one of my favorite authors. I am never disappointed by her books. I like how one reviewer compared the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries to being “a little like Harry Potter for adults.” The characters and the storylines keep evolving and developing in each installment. I love how she infuses an element of historical lore into this present day magical world of Havenwood. We are introduced to a new group of magical characters as they have been displaced after a fire in their town. The new characters, Jenny and Aiden are the perfect addition. Ella Mae really stepped up in this book and is well on her way to becoming the Clover Queen. I'm interested by the scenario that was introduced in the end and I'm eager to see how Ella Mae handles her new place in the coven. I thought she made some very smart choices and I can't wait to see her fulfill her family’s legacy. I can’t wait to read the next book, Lemon Pies and Little White Lies.

Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams – A Book Retreat Mystery #2

Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams – A Book Retreat Mystery #2

Finished: 2 March 2016

Rating: 5 stars

“You expect me to break that with my bare hand?”

This is such a fun series. I want to live at Storyton Hall. It is the ultimate retreat for book lovers even before you add in the hidden passageways, the priceless secret library and the quaint village. Jane is still learning what it entails inheriting the position as Guardian of the priceless library. I love the complexity of Jane’s character.  Her survival training, the double lives of her employees and the secrets she must keep from her friends all make you want to know more about this secret society. I enjoyed starting to learn more about the Finns, the Cover Girls (Jane’s Book Club Members & friends) and the Merchants from Storyton Village. There are hints of story arcs for some of the characters, which I’m looking forward to reading in the sequel. All of these subplots are creatively entwined within the main mystery which is the murder of two guests attending the Regency Romance Week event for Valentine’s Day. There's suspense, romance, and adventure, with a little bit of humor sprinkled here & there.  Ellery Adams is one of my favorite authors. I love her characters and storylines with the inclusion of quotes from classic books and poetry. Definitely one of my favorite series!

A Batter of Life and Death by Ellie Alexander – A Bakeshop Mystery #2

A Batter of Life and Death by Ellie Alexander – A Bakeshop Mystery #2

Finished: 22 February 2016

Rating: 5 stars

“They say time heals a broken heart. I’ve noticed that no one mentions exactly how much time it takes, though.”

I enjoyed the second book in this series even more than I did the first. This time we visit Ashland, Oregon in the fall. Since it’s the beginning of the family’s bakery, Torte’s, off season, Jules signs up to compete on The Pastry Channel’s reality show, Take the Cake. Once she discovers a fellow contestant dead on the set of the competition, she finds herself in the middle of yet another whodunit. I really enjoyed the strong cast of reoccurring characters that continue to grow and develop. They are realistic and flawed. Jules’ relationship with her mom is very open and you can’t help feeling like one of the family. The new characters we are introduced to are an interesting group. Some I liked, some not so much but they all have secrets to hide. Of course, the biggest secret being that someone is a murderer. Normally I dislike the dreaded love triangle but the one between Jules, Thomas and Carlos is unique. This triangle is between her past and her present. One of my favorite lines from A Batter of Life and Death is when Jules explains the two men, “The only thing I could compare the two men to was pastry. Thomas was like a soft oatmeal cookie, served warm from the oven with a chewy center. Carlos was like cherries jubilee, flaming hot on the outside. Once the flame burned out, what was left?” 

I highly recommend A Batter of Life and Death. A wonderful read and some top notch recipes, the perfect culinary cozy combination.

Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander - A Bakeshp Mystery #1

Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander – A Bakeshop Mystery #1

Finished: 12 February 2016

Rating: 5 stars

“They say it takes a while to recover your land legs after years at sea. I sure hoped mine would come back soon.”

Shakespeare, pastries and murder make the perfect combination for a new cozy series. I loved this book from page one. Ellie Alexander does an excellent job of engaging us in the mystery while weaving in clues, red herrings and twists along the way. We are introduced to the main protagonist, Juliet Montague Capshaw. She returns to Ashland, Oregon, her home town and home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, after a decade of being away. Her second day home she discovers a dead body in her family’s bakery, Torte. Solving the murder and baking at Torte become the perfect combination to distract Jules as we start to learn about her past; her career, her husband and their recent separation. Well developed characters, an engaging story line, developing subplots and delicious recipes round out this refreshing new series.  All in all, Meet Your Baker was a very entertaining read and I absolutely loved it. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

New year.... same old thing. I know no one will read this but my plan is to start writing on this blog. I'd love to do reviews of the cozies I read, hopefully I can find a way to put my thoughts into words.

Finishing the Series 2016 Challenge!

FINISHING THE SERIES CHALLENGE 2016!!!!!

As you can see I have a lot of series that I would like to get current on. Some I only have the newest release and others I have quite a few. My goal is to make some progress in each series. My daughter gave me a Kindle for Christmas and despite procrastinating joining the digital age, I admit I am hooked. I have included a few e-series (marked with an *) that I have been collecting in addition to my tried and true physical collection. Whether great or small, any progress is progress. Aim high, even if I fail I'll still be among the stars!


1. Carol Durand/Summer Prescott- A Frosted love Cozy Mystery* (13/31 includes 2016 releases)
2. MC Beaton- Agatha Raisin (0/22 includes 2016 release)
3. Nancy Atherton- Aunt Dimity (0/17 includes 2016 release)
4. Leslie Meier- Lucy Stone (1/15)
5. Leighann Dobbs- Lexy Baker Bakery Mystery* (0/11)
6. Donna Andrews - Meg Lagslow (0/11 includes 2016 release)
7. Elizabeth Lynn Casey- Sewing Circle Mystery (0/10 includes 2016 release)
8. Harper Lin - A Patisserie Mystery* (0/9 includes 2016 release)
9. GA McKevett - Savannah Reid (0/8 includes 2016 release)
10. Cleo Coyle- Coffee House Mysteries (0/8 includes 2016 release)
11. Amanda Lee - Embroidery Mystery (0/7)
12. Lucy Burdette- Key West Food Critic (0/6 includes 2016 release)
13. Lee Hollis- Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries (0/6 includes 2016 release)
14. EJ Copperman- Haunted Guest House Mysteries (1/6)
15. Sheila Connolly- Museum Mysteries (0/5 includes 2016 release)
16. Janel Gradowski - Culinary Competition Mysteries* (0/5 includes 2016 release)
17. Ellery Adams- Books by the Bay (0/5 includes 2016 release)
18. Karen Rose Smith- Caprice De Luca Mysteries (2/4 includes 2016 release)
19. Laura Levine - Jaine Austin (0/2 includes 2016 release)
20. Sheila Connolly- County Cork Mysteries (0/2 includes 2016 release)
21. Kate Carlisle - Bibliophile Mystery (2/3 includes 2016 release)
22. Denise Swanson - A Scumble River Murder Mystery (0/2 includes 2016 release)
23. Krista Davis - Domestic Diva (0/2 includes 2016 release)
24. Bailey Cates - A Magical Bakery Mystery (0/2 including 2016 release)
25. Kate Collins - Flower Shop Mystery (0/2 includes 2016 release)
26. Joanne Fluke - Hannah Swensen Mysteries (0/1 2016 release)
27. Jenn McKinlay - Cupcake Mystery(0/1 includes 2016 release)
28. Christine Wenger - A Comfort Food Mystery (0/1 includes 2016 releases)
29. Barbara Ross - Maine Clambake Mysteries (0/1 includes 2016 release)
30. Lorna Barrett - A Booktown Mystery (0/1 includes 2016 release)
31. Victoria Hamilton - Merry Muffin Mystery (0/1 including 2016 release)
32. Julie Hyzy - Manor of Murder (0/1 includes 2016 release)
33. Laura Childs - The Tea Shop Mystery (0/1 including 2016 release)
34. Jenn McKinlay - A Hat Shop Mystery (0/1 includes 2016 release)
35. Laura Bradford - An Amish Mystery (1/2 includes 2016 release)
36. Victoria Hamilton - Vintage Kitchen Mysteries (0/1)
37. Joanna Carl - Chocoholic Mystery (0/1)
38. Maddy Hunter - Passport to Peril (0/2)
39. Kate Carlisle - Fixer-Upper Mystery (0/1)
40. Sheila Connolly- Orchard Mysteries (0/2)