Author: CozyRomBooksandCoffee

My name is Suzanne and I have lived in Tennessee my entire life. I am marred with 3 kids and 3 grandchildren. My family is my! I love to read so I decided to support the authors I love by writing reviews. I also post my reviews to Goodreads and Amazon. Besides reading, I love to spend time with my family, travel, Corvette road trips & working out. I hope you enjoy my blogs.
Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Blue Ridge Breakdown by Rachel Hanna

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Title: Blue Ridge Breakdown
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Series: Jubilee #4
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
  • Takes Place:  Jubilee, GA
  • Main Character: Ava, Jack
  • Other Characters: Madeline, Brady, Geneva, Eloise, Burt, Clemmy
  • Pets: Ava’s Boxer Millie
  • Stars: 5

Rachel Hanna never disappoints. Blue Ridge Breakdown is the 4th book in the Jubilee series and I officially want to move to Jubilee. I could not put this book down and I was smiling so much, I thought may face was going to freeze that way. If it is written by Rachel Hanna, I know I am going to read it and get so lost in the story that I will be transported to the destination.

Ava is driving her father’s vintage truck escaping from a bad situation, but she has no idea where she’s headed or what she’s going to do. When she encounters a snowstorm in the Blue Ridge Mountains, she finds herself in a precarious predicament. Her truck stalls after slamming into a snowbank. She has run out of gas and doesn’t have cell service. As if things couldn’t get much worse, her beloved Boxer, Millie, exits her car and darts into the forest as she opens her door to check if she can obtain cell service. As she sits in her truck all alone with no site of any other cars, she is convinced she is going to die at the side of the road in a town where no one knows her. Suddenly, she notices lights, and a truck has stopped behind her. She is simultaneously afraid and appreciative. Is he there to rescue her or does he mean her harm!! A large lumberjack looking man opens the door of her truck, picks her up and carries her to his truck. He drives in silence and takes her to his home in the woods. She finds out this lumberjacks name is Jack and means her no harm. Right now he is her hero for rescuing her. She continues to worry about her cherished Boxer. Although Ava is appreciative of Jack’s assistance, she isn’t entirely honest with him about what led her to Jubilee. As Ava grows more at ease in Jubilee and begins to establish a connection with Jack, her past eventually catches up with her. Will the potential between her and Jack be threatened by her past?

We also visit again with Madeline and Brady as Brady is putting the finishing touches on his new house so he can move in. I just love them and always enjoy seeing what they are up to.

This is a story of new beginnings, finding love in unexpected places, and becoming part of a community. It just goes to show you that it isn’t blood that makes you family. This book will make the reader smile and feel like they are part of the wonderful community of Jubilee.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Murder in the Bloodline by Penny Brooke

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  • Title: Murder in the Bloodline
  • Author: Penny Brooke
  • Series: A Green Oaks Bookbinding Cozy Mystery #2
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Green Oaks, Massachusettes
  • Main Character: Charlotte
  • Other Characters: Isla, Lauren, Faye, Phillip, Edie, Brandon, Amy Felicity, Jeff, Beau, Nat, Levi, Becky
  • Pets: Charlotte’s 2 cats Roma & Archimedes
  • Stars: 5

Once again an outstanding book by Penny Brooke. After moving to Green Oaks, Massachusetts, Charlotte started restoring the home she inherited from her grandmother. When we last saw Charlotte, she had cracked a 1920s murder case. Her wish is to put murder mysteries behind her. Or at least that is what she thought.

Charlotte is going through boxes of her grandmother’s old books to determine which ones would be good candidates for her favorite pastime of bookbinding. One of the books has an envelope sticking out of it, which she notices. Inside the envelope she discovers a note written to a young woman, Lauren, who killed herself around a year ago. Since the cops are not interested in opening this cold case, Charlotte is sure that something else is going on and decides to investigate it herself. Through her investigation she discovers a mystery about a missing woman, her sister’s apparent suicide, and long-kept family secrets.

Another thriller in the Green Oaks Bookbinding series that will keep you guessing throughout the entire book. I read it in one sitting since I couldn’t put it down. This novel explores a family with many secrets by taking the reader through a number of events to an ending you won’t see coming. Will Charlotte be able to pull together the evidence to crack another unsolved mystery?

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Dying for Wine (Seeing Red) by Marcy Blesy

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  • Title: Dying for Wine (Seeing Red)
  • Author: Marcy Blesy
  • Series: Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #2
  • Genre: Cozy Myster
  • Takes Place: Tucson Valley, AZ
  • Main Character: Rosi
  • Other Characters: Keaton, Detective Daniels, Simon, Jan, Clyde, Brenda, Mario
  • Pets: Rosi’s Golden Retriever Barley, Elena, JJ, Xander, Sherman, Douggy, Bob, Frank, Brenda, Safia, Dee, Tracy
  • Stars: 5

This is the second book in the Tuscon Valley Retirement Community series and I enjoyed it as much as the first one.

Rosi has made the decision to move to Tucson Valley and leave behind the cold winters of Illinois. She is settling into her new role At the Tuscon Valley Retirement Community Performing Arts Center. A farewell event featuring impersonators of some of the biggest stars of the 60s is being held for the community’s snowbird residents. Rosi handles the diva attitudes and outrageous requests without letting the performers’ disparate personalities get in the way of making this the greatest concert the community has ever seen. The concert is a success and Rosi is pleased with how everything turned out, up until one of the performers is found dead at the foot of the stage. Once again Rosi puts her sleuthing skills to work to to assist Detective Daniels in tracking down a murderer. She is aware that in order to preserve the community’s and the Performing Arts Center’s reputation, they need to discover this culprit as soon as possible. The plot takes a lot of turns and involves a number of suspects before the killer is identified because she unearths more secrets than she could have predicted while conducting her investigation.

I’m having a great time with this series since the characters are interesting and entertaining, with a wide range of personalities. In addition to the search for a killer, the side stories are just as interesting. Rosi is still getting to know Keaton and is excited to see where their new relationship goes. She is also looking for a new place to live so she can move out of her parents’ house. As a dog lover, I love Barley, her Golden Retriever.

I laughed out loud at some of the quirky characters in this series, which is lighthearted and entertaining along with a mystery that has a twist and an unexpected conclusion.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Dying to Go (Nothing to Gush About) by Marcy Blesy

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  • Title: Dying to Go (Nothing to Gush About)
  • Author: Marcy Blesy
  • Series: A Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #1
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place:  Tucson Valley Retirement Community. Tuscon Valley, AZ
  • Main Character: Rosisophia Doroche (Rosi for short)
  • Other Characters: Richard, Rene, Keaton, Bob, Salem, Detective Kelly, Officer Daniel, Barry, , Sparrow, Tina, Mayor Troy Kettleman, Jan, Zak, Wesley
  • Pets: a Golden Retriever named Barley
  • Stars: 5

This is a new to me author and I had a great time reading the first book in Tucson Valley Retirement Community series. It was entertaining, unique, and had some amazing characters—well, minus the murder.

Rosi, whose full name is Rosisophia, is in Arizona visiting her parents who live in a retirement community. Her mother named her after each of the Golden Girls because she was an avid fan of the TV show in the 1980s. She goes by Rosi for obvious reasons. After going through a challenging divorce and losing her job as a reporter, Rosi chooses to spend some time supporting her father during his recuperation from knee surgery. This was supposed to be a quick getaway from the stress she had been experiencing, a chance to spend time with her parents, and assistance for her father as he recovered. She is even more stressed when she discovers the local bookshop owner deceased inside her own establishment. Since the inept investigator is unable to solve this murder, she turns to her experience as a reporter for leads that eventually result in the killer’s capture.During her investigation, Rosi runs into some of her mom’s eccentric friends, one of whom is attempting to hook her up with her nephew—something Rosi is trying to avoid. She also meets handome landscaper and Barley, an adorable golden retriever puppy. Could Rosi decide she needs a change of scenery, and will she make Arizona her new home.

I had a great time reading this. The ensemble of personalities and Rosi’s efforts to put her painful past behind her were enjoyable. It was entertaining, with a few unexpected turns that revealed a murderer. I am excited to see where Rosi ends up and what her next adventure will lead her..

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Murder at the Festival by Penny Brooke

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  • Title: Murder at the Festival
  • Author: Penny Brook
  • Series: A Word Travels Mobile Bookshop #7
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Birch Creek Harvest Festival in Birch Creek, VT
  • Main Character: Claudia
  • Other Characters: Aunt Daisy May, Ellis, Parker, Phoenix, Holly, Joy. Flo, Ben, Noa, Detective Sterling
  • Pets: Jasper, Claudia’s black cat
  • Stars: 5

A Word Travels Mobile Bookshop cozy mystery series continues with Murder at the Festival, book seven, and the author never lets readers down. Her diverse range of personalities makes each of her characters interesting and the story is always engaging.

This story takes us to the village of Birch Creek, Vermont, about 2 hours from Greenwood, in time for the Birch Creek festival. Spending a stress-free weekend away from Greenwood excites Claudia. She has taken her mobile bookshop to the festival hoping is hoping to make some money selling her books. Vans come to the festival from all over to sell their products. Claudia’s friend Ellie is also there to promote her famous whipped coffee. Claudia is loving catching up with Ellie, and being away from murder investigations. She was loving it, however, until she heard a spine-tingling scream in the middle of the night from a neighboring van.. Aunt Daisy Mae and Claudia rush outdoors to find Holly yelling that her boyfriend, Phoenix, is dead. Claudia discovers herself smack dab in the heart of a murder investigation, just when she was hoping for a quiet weekend. As it happens, Phoenix isn’t very well liked as he is well-known for being a womanizer and and a cheater. Claudia calls Detective Sterling to run some background checks on Phoenix and Holly, despite the fact that this isn’t his jurisdiction. Holly and Phoenix appear to have secrets of their own. Is it possible Holly killed her boyfriend?

The author takes us on an exhilarating roller coaster ride to identify a killer once more. Every one of her books has a twist to an unexpected ending. Just when you think you have it all figured out, another twist is thrown in the mix. It is also enjoyable to see how Claudia and Detective Sterling have gone from being adversaries to becoming friends. And could Daisy Mae actually have a love interest. As of this writing, this is the last book in the series. I am hoping for more adventures with Claudia and I can’t wait to see where Daisy Maes new romance will lead.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Murder at the Villa by Penny Brooke

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  • Title: Murder at the Villa
  • Author: Penny Brooke
  • Series: A Word travels Mobile Workshop #6
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Greenwood, VT
  • Main Character: Claudia
  • Other Characters: Aunt Daisy Mae, Arden, Grace, Eris, Logan, Melanie, Lucas, Detective Sterlings, Noah
  • Pets: Jasper the black cat
  • Stars: 5

A Word Travels Mobile Book Shop’s sixth book transports us to an Italian-style property approximately half an hour’s drive from Greenwood.

Claudia’s favorite novelist has asked her to a murder mystery dinner at her Italian-style villa. Claudia is ecstatic to get this invitation, and she plans to attend with her Aunt Daisy May. The hostess, Ardin Billings, greets them as soon as they enter. Claudia is a little star-struck because she is a huge fan of Ardin’s & her novels. lArdin introduces her to the other guests, each of whom has a quirky side. Their Murder Mystery Fun ended abruptly by one of the guests actually being murdered. Although all the evidence points to Arden as the murderer, Claudia is certain she couldn’t have done it. Claudia learns that Arden is keeping some secrets but was she willing to kill to keep them hidden.

Once again, the author pulls off a gripping story of mystery in the hunt for a murderer. The plot was exciting, and every character was interesting and well-thought-out. This narrative will appeal to readers who love a good cozy mystery with unexpected turns with a surprise ending.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Murder by the Mountain by Penny Brooke

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  • Title: Murder by the Mountain
  • Author: Penny Brooke
  • Series: A Word Travels Mobile Bookshop #5
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Greenwood, Vermont
  • Main Character: Claudia
  • Other Characters: Aunt Daisy Mae, Detective Sterling, Lexi, Elenore, Jim, Tommy, Eva, Nicole
  • Pets: Jasper the black cat
  • Stars: 5

Ms Brookes delivers another great Cozy Mystery in book 5 of A Word Travels Mobile Bookshop.

Claudia and Aunt Daisy Mae are traveling in the mobile bookshop, to local schools in order to introduce Greenwood’s new literacy program. While working at one of the schools, they learn about a ten-year-old cold case concerning the mysterious disappearance of a teacher employed by the school. Although foul play was suspected, there was no body and no proof, thus the matter was closed. Claudia finds herself enmeshed in the cold case mystery when she discovers a dead body on school property that has evidently been there for some time. Is there a possibility that this body is connected to the missing teacher? If yes, what happened? With the cooperation of Detective Sterling, Claudia once again puts her sleuthing skills to work to solve this cold case.

Claudia my have some competition when a local podcaster, who is also an amateur sleuth goes to all lengths to obtain material for her podcast. However, when the podcaster deceives Claudia and provides her with false information, Claudia comes to the conclusion that she cannot be trusted.

To solve this unsolved cold case, the author takes the reader on an extremely suspenseful journey. Claudia is the ideal protagonist and everyone could use an aunt like Daisy Mae. I also enjoy every one of the supporting cast members. Before the cold case is solved, there are many more twists and turns to this mystery. Check out this book to find out if Claudia will fall victim to a murderer once more.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Murder out of Wedlock by Penny Brooke

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  • Title: Murder out of Wedlock
  • Author: Penny Brooke
  • Series: A Word Travels Mobile Bookshop #4
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place:  Greenwood, Vermont
  • Main Character: Claudia
  • Other Characters: Aunt Daisy May, Detective Sterling, Rachel, Sarah, Noah, Ellie, Felix, Aubrey, Riley
  • Pets: a black cat named Jasper
  • Stars: 5

This is the 4th book in the Word travels Mobile Bookshop and Ms Brooks never disappoints.

Detective Sterling and Claudia have never seen eye to eye. She was the main suspect in one of his cases from a previous book, and she constantly seemed to get embroiled in his murder investigations. In this installment The detectives ex wife is in town and it is obvious there is no love lost there when Claudia over hears a heated argument between the two. Claudia is working hard on the reopening of the local library, where her friend had been murdered in a previous book, but when Detective Sterling turns to her for help, she can’t help but lend him a hand. The Detectives ex has been murdered and he is the primary suspect. Obviously he can’t work that case so he has been put on administrative leave. Claudia discovers additional information about Detective Sterling’s past during her research, leading her to wonder if he is connected to the murder. Claudia can’t get rid of the feeling that she is being stalked and after being the victim of a hit-and-run, the detective becomes enraged and informs Claudia that he no longer needs her assistance. Luckily Claudia didn’t listen to him and continues to find the real killer even if it leads to the detective. She puts a plan in action to catch a killer.

This installment takes the reader on an exhilarating journey to unravel the mystery, just like the previous books in the series. Claudia is an amazing protagonist, and you can’t help but adore her devoted kitty companion Jasper, who is by her side virtually all the time. Claudia and her aunt Daisy May are having some conflict as Aunt Daisy May is deliberating about a significant choice. We also get to see Noah, Claudia’s long-distance boyfriend, It is always fun to see where their relationship is going . If you love a small town cozy mystery with great characters and a twist to an unexpected ending, you will enjoy this series.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal

Shifting and Shenanigans by Elizabeth Pantley

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  • Title: Shifting and shenanigans
  • Author: Elizabeth Patley
  • Series: Magical Mystery Book Club #1
  • Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place:  Cascade Valley, CO and inside the pages of a book
  • Main Character: Paige,
  • Other Characters: Theodore, Zell, Vee, Sabastian, Emiko, Moonbeam, Forrest, Randall, Carter, Cheyanne, Outlaw, Birdie, Duchess, Selena, Brandy
  • Pets: Frank the talking Siamese cat,
  • Stars: 5

Despite my not being a fan for the paranormal, the author invited me to read and review this book. I chose to give it a try and I must say, it was entertaining and humorous.

Paige’s GeeGee has passed away and she, along with her Aunt Glo have inherited her Snapdragon Inn. GeeGee told them to especially take care of the Library because it  is Priceless. They both packed up and headed to Cascade Valley & the Snapdragon Inn.

The Caretaker meets them at the Inn, gives them the keys, and leaves. Paige & Glow choose to explore the Inn, but their curiosity got the best of them so they head to the basement first because they are particularly interested in the Library and why it is so priceless. When they discovered the door was locked, they went to hunt for the key, which they eventually found, and then they returned to the basement to unlock the door to the priceless Library. They are immediately enthralled by the sheer number of books they discover when they walk through the door. What really amuses them is when they discover a cat is also in the library. Not just any old cat, though; he’s a talking cat that introduces himself as Frank. I had to laugh about a cat named Frank who can talk.

Frank continues by giving them a tour of the library and informing them about the book club. He tells them that they need to keep up this book club since it has been happening for years. The book club members gather for their first meeting after Frank explains how the group operates. They decide to choose the book for this month. Strange things begin to happen as Paige opens a book and starts to read. They enter the plot and journey inside the book before they even realize it. They are thrust into the center of a murder mystery, and in order to escape the book, they have to solve the crime. They encounter some quirky characters and start experiencing some really unusual things as they work to solve this mystery so they can return home.

Even though I am not a fan of paranormal and the story is so implausable, I am still giving it a 5 because of the writing. I thought the author did a great job twisting the narrative to keep the reader wondering until the murderer was identified. Additionally, the reader was able to visualize the characters because of the way the author described them.

If you are a fan of paranormal cozies, then you will love this book. Even if you aren’t into the paranormal, you might still enjoy this if you enjoy tales of talking cats and the exploits of characters that are thrust into the story of a book. I must say that my favorite character in the book was Frank the talking cat.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Till Death Do Us Port by Kate Lansing

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  • Title: Till Death Do Us Port
  • Author: Kate Lansing
  • Series: Colorado Wine Mystery #4
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Boulder, CO
  • Main Character: Parker Valentine
  • Other Characters: Emma, Nash, Michael, Mrs Valentine. Eli, Caroline, Prynne, Sage, Liam, Reid, Jack, Josie, Xavier, Clyde, Grace, Sloan, Chastity
  • Stars: 5

With yet another fantastic novel in the Colorado Wine Mystery Series, Kate Lansing has excelled once more. I adore wine, so I’m loving all the wine-related references in this series and how the author deftly integrates Parker’s knowledge of wine into a convoluted mystery.

It’s wedding season and Parker’s cousin Emma is getting married so Parker, the proprietor of Valentine Winery, is thrilled to be supplying the wine for the festivities. Parker’s boyfriend Reid is out of town on business, thus Parker will be attending the wedding alone. There is some family conflict, as there usually is during weddings. Reid’s absence causes Parker’s relatives to ask a lot of questions about her relationship or even if her boyfriend exists. There are awkward moments because the Bride’s mom is there along with her dad, and his new wife. To make matters worse, the challenging wedding planner, who was recommended by Emma’s stepmother, is found dead right as the vows are about to be exchanged.

Since Prynne, the wedding planner, was difficult to work with, the suspect list is long. Once again, Parker finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery and this time she will be assisted by an unexpected ally. Parker is determined to find the killer so her cousin will have her happy ever after. When a suspect is taken in for interrogation, Parker is convinced they have the wrong person, despite the evidence. Parker is racing against the clock to prove who committed this crime.

Along with the new characters, I also adore the recurring cast. Every character has different personalities and is well-developed, three-dimensional, and well thought out. Parker is demonstrating her strength of character by overcoming her fears and stepping outside of her comfort zone. She is having trouble worrying about a potential development in Reid’s career and how it may impact their relationship. I am glad to see the bond is growing between Parker and her mother.

Throughout the book, you’ll be kept guessing thanks to the author’s skill at twisting stories. Just when the reader thinks they have it all figured out, She adds yet another twist to the tale. Similar to her previous books in the series, this one has many twists and turns leading up to the shocking conclusion that you won’t see coming.

Happy Reading!