Title: The Verdicts Secret Author: Freya Atwood Series: Charles Lawson Legal Thriller #1 Takes Place: Harborwood Main Character: Charles Lawson Other Characters: Ava, Michael, Eleanore, Lydia, Alex, Sam, Officer Peters Stars: 5
I had a great time reading this book by a new to me author. I look forward to reading more of her books.
Attorney Charles Lawson is a bit estranged from his family and hasn’t been back home in years. His mother has asked him to defend her best friend because she has been accused of killing her husband. Charles decides to take on the case despite his genuine reluctance, even though all the evidence points to her doing it. Charles fears that if he stays in town, people will find out about some secrets he really doesn’t want to share. He’s struggling with a few things from his past,
I love a good legal thriller, and this one is excellent in every way. The three-dimensional characters are easily likable and engaging. There are twists to help identify the killer in this well-written, fast-paced storyline. Everything suggests that the wife did it, but is she concealing anything from Charles, or will he be able to get her off?
If you love a well-written legal thriller with compelling characters and an intriguing mystery this book is for you.
Title: The Baking Games Author: Rachel Hanna Genre: RomCom, Romance, Women’s Fiction Main Character: Savannah, Rhett Other Characters: Sadie, Connor, Maggie, Laney, Leo, Zara, Sophia, Nate, Hank, Bianca, Tanya, Dan, Chef Alain, Tessa, Marco Stars: 4
This book is a bit different than what I am used to from Rachel Hanna. This is like a slow burn Hallmark type RomCom mixed with a reality show. I have read all of Rachel’s books and I love everything she has written but I must admit, this is my least of hers.
Savannah Struggles to make ends meet. She was raised by a drug addicted mom, and She practically raised herself along with her younger sister. Her mom died when her sister was 12 years old so Savannah took on the job of mom. She adores her younger sister and there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her. She works at a bakery in a grocery store and even though she loves baking, she doesn’t like her job. It doesn’t give her the creative control she craves. She dreams of someday owning her own bakery and earning enough money to finally send her sister to college. She starts to think it is hopeless until her sister convinces her to apply to be on a reality TV show called The Baking Game. When her application is accepted, she is surprised to find an ex-rival along with her ex-boyfriend are also contestants. This causes a lot of friction along the way. This is a baking version of Big Brother ao there is a lot drama and at times sparks do fly.
Even though this was a cute book, it isn’t what I am used to by Ms. Hanna. It was a little confusing that the story was told from two different points of view which was a bit different for me. Luckily it was told whose point of view it was so I didn’t get too confused. It started out good, Savannah is funny, and I immediately liked her and her devotion to her younger sister. I like slow burns to some degree, but this one seemed just way too slow. I didn’t really find myself pulling for them like I normally do in a romance novel. I just couldn’t see the chemistry.
The reality show’s actual baking portion became a little boring with all the recipe explanations and baking techniques. it just seemed to drag on too long. The characters are well developed, and I liked Savannah. She is funny, sweet, loving & loyal to those she loves. Even though she has had a tough life, she is a very positive person and looks at the glass as half full. I didn’t like Rhett at first, but he did grow on me. He has a bit of an unhappy relationship with his parents and a secret he is hiding. I didn’t like Connor at all but we really aren’t supposed to. The other contestants aren’t very memorable, but I did like Maggie.
If you enjoy a slow burn RomCom with a baking themed reality show, then you will probably enjoy this book. Be sure to download the bonus at the end of the book. it gives character descriptions and recipes that were used in the baking competition.
Title: A Case for the Winemaker Author:Candace Havens Series: Ainsley McGregor #1 Genre: Cozy Mystery Location: Sweet River, Texas Main Character: Ainsley McGregor Other Characters: Greg, Shannon, Michael, Jake, Danny, Mrs Whedon, Rick, Kane, Helen, Irma Pets: Ainsley’s Great Dane George (Clooney) Stars: 5
This is the first book I have read by this author. but it won’t be the last.
As a proganist, Ainsley is someone I could be friends with. She is kind, devoted, humorous, and independent. George Clooney, her dog, is a fantastic supporting character in this book. Ainsley McGregor left Chicago to get away from a bad situation that happened. She Needed a fresh start so, she moved to Sweet River, TX where her brother is the sheriff. She is getting ready to open her new business, Bless Your Art, an art shop where independent vendors set up booths to sell their wares. It’s opening day and everyone is so excited and working hard to get their booths ready. Everything is going great, that is until Ainsley takes her dog for a walk and he stumbles upon a dead body in the park. It just so happens that her best friend’s fiancé was seen arguing with the deceased earlier, so he becomes the prime suspect. Ainsley is convinced he couldn’t have committed such a heinous crime, and she is determined to prove it. Could this investigation put Ainsley in jeapardy?
This was a fun and enjoyable read. The characters are interesting and quirky. The author did a fantastic job of confusing the reader by including a number of suspects in the mix in order to hide the true murderer. Together with George the Great Dane, Ainsley and the other eccentric characters will inevitably win your heart. Wine and dogs make the ideal pairing for a captivating mystery. I am already so invested in the characters that I will continue to read the series to see what is next in Sweet River.
Title: Hello Little Girl Author: Kay Bratt Series: Hart’s Ridge #10 Genre: Cozy Mystery Main Character: Taylor, Lydia Other Characters: Sam, Caleb, Mira Jill, Dom, Martha Stars: 5
Another great book by Kay Bratt, the 10th edition of Hart’s Ridge does not disappoint.
The protagonist of the book, Taylor, has a loving family and a loving partner in life—everything she could ever want. She struggles to maintain a healthy balance between her personal life and her work as a sheriff’s deputy. She has dealt with an alcoholic father and a mother she believed to be dead, so her family means the world to her. She has taken on the roles of both mother and father for her sisters. She is passionate about her profession as a sheriff deputy and aspires to advance in her position. Is she putting herself in danger while doing this?
We also take a closer look at an earlier case involving a missing person whose disappearance remains unresolved. While her husband, Caleb, makes frantic efforts to locate his wife, Lydia remains in captivity and struggles to survive. She also needs to think about someone else. Is it possible for her to save herself without endangering everyone else? Taylor, who has been leading this case, has been taken off of it since she has been assigned an undercover case. Two additional characters, Jill & Martha, who are crucial to the plot, are also introduced to us.
Since the first book in the series, I have adored it. This is a compelling tale of strong women who will stop at nothing to survive. It’s about defending others while they attempt to preserve themselves, as well as hope, survival, and tenacity. This book captured my attention from the first page on. It’s a page-turner that was difficult for me to put down. The suspenseful tale of confinement, captivity, survival, and doing whatever it takes keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
Even though these books are fiction, the author draws inspiration from actual events, which she discusses at the conclusion of the book. Check out her note at the end for information on the actual life events that inspired her.
This series is best read in order as each book builds on the previous one.
Other Characters: Annabelle, Ben, Camille, Charley, Michelle, Victoria, Author, Bridget, Joe, Randy
Pets: Coops loyal Golden Retriever Gus
Stars: 5
“I’m not always right, but I am never wrong”
Book 5 in the Cooper Harrington Series does not disappoint. I am really enjoying this series. The reason I began reading it in the first place was that it is set in Nashville, TN. It references places I am familiar with, so it’s easy to visualize being there. That’s not far from me, and I visit there often, so I was intrigued.
Cooper and AB are at a secluded estate for a fundraiser gala that features a staged murder mystery. While looking for clues to the staged murder, Coop and AB stumble upon a real murder. The victim is a prominent politician who is currently running for office. The event organizers are concerned that this may damage the gala’s reputation, so they hire Coop to investigate and find the person who could have committed this crime. With the attendants of this gala being politicians and the rich and famous this will not be an easy task.
Until the murderer is found, this book immerses the reader in the political realm and the private lives of the elite through deceit and intrigue. If you are a fan of a great mystery with a lot of suspects, twists & turns and a surprise ending, you will love this series.
Since the first book, I have adored Coop. The reader is captivated by the eccentric characters’ unique characteristics and is eager to learn more about them. And then there’s Coop’s faithful friend Gus! It’s impossible to resist falling in love with the golden retriever.
Just when I think I couldn’t enjoy this series more, Ms. Grace writes another great mystery. This one just may be my favorite in this series so far. That could be, in part, that I love a good cold case.
I always love to catch up with Coop, AB, Aunt Camille and of course, Coop’s furry faithful companion Gus. Coop is a lawyer turned Private Investigator who took over his uncle’s practice when he passed away. Coop is fun with all of his sarcastic t-shirts that he wears. When he has to be professional, he will just through a jacket over them. He gets really involved with his clients and won’t quit until he solves the case. Just a warning, I think I gain 10 pounds with every book just reading about all the food they eat. lol
In this episode, Coop’s client, Dax, was killed 25 years ago. The problem is that he’s back; he believes he knows who attempted to murder him and he wants Coop to confirm his identity and identify the person who tried to kill him 25 years ago. This is a fantastic narrative in which Coop tries to piece together the mystery surrounding a man who is thought to be dead while also reuniting a family that has been split up for 25 years. This book takes you in several directions to solve a crime. As Coop and AB search for persons who were around 25 years ago and probe their memory of possible events, they uncover a number of suspects.
While trying to prove Dax is who he claims to be and figuring out who wanted him dead, they also need to identify the person who is buried beneath Dax’s headstone. There is a family out there who is missing a loved one and they need to know what happened.
If you love a good mystery with a great cast of characters and a dog, you are going to love this series. If I ever need a private investigator, I want one like Coop. He doesn’t stop until he solves his case. He is loyal, honest and a great friend who also adores his famliy. Well maybe except for his mom. That’s another story you encounter while reading this series.
This book will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the mystery is unraveled & secrets are divulged while a killer is finally discovered.
“Before coffee: judgmental & sarcastic after coffee: judgmental & sarcastic, but faster.”
The Firework Frenzy is the seventeenth book in the Tess & Tilly series. I have loved Tess and Tilly since the very first book. It is hard to not get invested in their characters and see where their life may lead them
The yearly fireworks in White Eagle are almost ready to begin as the Fourth of July draws near. When Tess finds out that the fireworks show will now take place at the little lake close to the wildlife rescue, she becomes upset. She worries about what might happen to the local wildlife as a result. Wilton Arlington, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, is unyielding in her attempts to reason with him. Unfortunately, she was witnessed threatening Mr. Arlington if he didn’t move the fireworks back where they have always been. When Mr. Arlington is killed by a fire at his home caused by fireworks being detonated, Tess becomes the prime suspect. Tess is attempting to establish she is innocent of this crime, assisted by her brother Mike and husband Tony.
Even though they are working on clearing Tess’s name and proving she couldn’t have committed this crime, most of the book is them talking about the 4th of July cookout they are going to have at Tess & Tony’s home on the lake. Tess tries to convince her mother out of inviting Uncle Garrett because, as readers of the rest of the story will know, Uncle Garrett is actually Tess and Mike’s father who is presumed dead.
I love Tess & Tilly and all the characters I have come to know in this series. I enjoy the mystery surrounding Tess & Mike’s dad and we find out more about that in this book. The characters are well thought out and 3 dimensional. The mystery wasn’t hard to figure out, but I still enjoyed the book. You can read the books out of order but I highly recommend reading them in order so you can get to know these characters and fall in love with them as I have.
This is the 3rd book in the Cooper Harrington Detective series. I am enjoying this series. I did like the book prior better, but this one is good. I really like Coop and all the T-shirts he wears with funny sayings. It really brings some comic relief. Gus is my favorite, but I am a sucker for a story with a dog.
Coop is contacted by Chandler, a college acquaintance. Chandler’s business partner has been killed under mysterious circumstances and he is the prime suspect. He swears he didn’t do it and he wants Cooper to prove his innocence and find the really killer. With all the evidence pointing to Chandler, this may be a tough one for Coop. Coop wants to believe his friend but as he keeps investigating even he may doubt his innocence.
Turns out there are quite a few suspects but no proof as to who could have done it. It is looking like Chandler has motive and opportunity which doesn’t look good for him. As Coop keeps digging, he undercovers some secrets which leads him in the direction of the killer. This one takes some twists and turns with plenty of surprises to find a killer. Could Coop find out that Chandler really is a killer or does the evidence send him a different direction?
Even though this series could be read out of order, I strongly recommend reading them on order so the reader can really get to know Cooper and the other characters. In each book we are learning more and more about Coop and his family. I really love learning more about the characters and Cooper’s relationship with his aunt. I keep thinking the author is going to write a romance with Coop and AB but there is still a part of me that really likes their friendship and could a romance ruin that. I guess time will tell. I am looking forward to the next book.
Location: Happy Harbor in the Lowcountry of South Carolina
Main Character: Josie
Other Characters: Kendra, Diane, Walker
Stars: 5
If you have ever wanted to live in a setting from a Hallmark movie, then you will love Rachel Hanna’s books. Happy Harbor is no different. I loved visiting Happy Harbor with Josie.
Josie left Happy Harbor and hoped to never return. She has a lot of bad memories from Happy Harbor. She relocated to Atlanta and had a great life until everything starts to fall apart. Dealing with her unruly teenage daughter isn’t making it any easier. As if things couldn’t get any worse, she receives a call informing her that her beloved Nana has passed away. Devastated, she must now go back to Happy Harbor, a place she prayed she would never see again. She is surprised by what her Nana’s will says and finds herself staying in Happy Harbor longer than she intended. She moves into her family’s historical home and starts running the restaurant her Nana owned. She still has every intention of returning to Atlanta once she gets everything figured out. What she didn’t expect is that her daughter would really start blossoming in Happy Harbor and then there is the handsome man living in the guest house. But when her mom shows up it throws a lot of drama in her situation, and she just wants to escape.
I love everything about this book. Josie is great despite her challenges of being a single mom of a teenage daughter and also with the struggles of her past relationship with her mom. Then there is Diane, Josie’s mother, who is doing her best to convey to Josie that she has evolved and is now a different person. There are 3 generations of women living in the same house and navigating what life has thrown at them. This is a heartwarming story of forgiveness, second chances and new beginnings.
Other Characters: Annabelle, Ben, Callie, Aunt Camille, Avery, Billy, Sadie, Hildie, Kate
Pets: Coop’s Golden Retriever Gus
Stars: 5
“Before you give me your best shot, I recommend you read my return policy.”
The Cooper Harrington detective series continues with this book, which is even better than the previous. The reader gets a better understanding of who Cooper is.
Coop becomes concerned that something is amiss when Callie is very late for an appointment. Coop and Annabelle go to Callie’s home to check on her. When she is found murdered, they find themselves navigating a maze of deceptions, cover-ups, and lies in an attempt to find a killer. It’s complex because there are numerous suspects and no clean motive for her murder.
This mystery is the kind that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I found it impossible to put it down, and the mystery—especially the motive—was challenging to unravel. I am enjoying getting to know all the regular characters in the book. Even though, each book is a separate mystery and can be read out of order, I highly recommend reading them in order so you can get to know the characters. I love learning more about Cooper and what makes him tick. Cooper is a superb private investigator who is determined to see the case through to its conclusion. To solve crimes, Coop collaborates closely with the local police detective.
This book will keep the reader guessing all the way to very end. I can’t wait to read book #3.
CozyRom Books & Coffee 