Tag: Kay bratt

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Tell Me Why by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

Title: Tell Me Why
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Hart’s Ridge #14
Location: Hart’s Ridge, GA
Main Character: Taylor, Shane, Tula
Other Characters: Anna, Jo, Cate, Lucy, Deputy Penner, Cecil, Earl, Sheriff Dawkins, Lana, Helene, Waylon, Lorine, Dixie, Curtis
Rating: 5

This is the 14th book in the Hart’s Ridge series. You might expect the story to become stale after so many installments, but Kay Bratt has a remarkable talent for introducing new ideas that keep the narrative fresh and engaging. Tell Me Why is a story that lingers in your mind long after you finish reading. From the very first chapter, I was immersed in a world of resilience, love, and the quiet strength of women who refuse to be defined by their hardships.

A burned car with a body inside is discovered on the outskirts of town, prompting former cop turned private investigator Taylor Gray to investigation. When it becomes clear that the victim is a close family friend, Taylor is determined to uncover the truth and identify those responsible. As she joins forces with her former partner Shane, their investigation leads them through a thrilling series of twists and turns, culminating in a surprise ending that ties all the pieces together.

Tell Me Why is a rare story that resonates deeply and stays with you. Kay Bratt portrays emotions with remarkable honesty, allowing readers to connect with the characters almost instantly. I embraced their flaws and became fully invested in their journeys.

If you enjoy a story featuring a strong female lead, a complicated family dynamic where members prioritize each other, and an engaging mystery filled with twists and turns leading up to a thrilling climax, you will love this series. I recommend reading the series in order so you can really get to know the Gray family with the other recurring characters.

If you have read any of the books in this series, please share your thoughts.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery, Women's Fiction

Now & Then by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

Title: Now & Then
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Hart’s Ridge #13
Location: Indiana & Hart’s Ridge
Main Character: Taylor, Sam, Anna
Other Characters: Janelle, Clem, Ed, Julie, Shelly, Thatcher, Jack, Rosana, Vernelle, Kelsey, Pete
Rating: 5

I have loved this series and its characters since the very first book, and this episode is no exception. Now and Then is the 13th installment of the Hart’s Ridge series.

This book swept me back into the world of Hart’s Ridge with the emotional depth I’ve come to expect from Kay Bratt. Taylor’s transition into private investigations felt seamless, and her pursuit of justice in a long-buried case was compelling and intricately layered. The pacing kept me engaged without feeling rushed, and I appreciated the gradual unveiling of twists that were both surprising and well-earned.

Janelle is Sam’s aunt, and her husband was convicted of murder ten years ago. She is convinced of his innocence and believes he did not commit this heinous crime. Recently, Sam and his wife Taylor have launched their private investigation business, and Janelle seeks their help to prove her husband’s innocence and uncover the real killer. The story takes several twists and turns as they work to determine whether Clem truly committed the crime.

In a subplot, we revisit Taylor’s sister, Anna. Since her divorce, Anna has faced numerous challenges and has worked diligently to rebuild her life for herself and her children. Her storyline adds tension and emotional depth to the narrative. Her determination to clear her name amid complicated accusations—especially those tied to her ex-husband’s powerful family—is compelling. I admire her resilience and the quiet strength she consistently demonstrates.

Kay Bratt excels at creating compelling female leads who balance vulnerability with determination. I appreciate the recurring family themes, emphasizing that even in difficult times, family always comes first and stays united. I couldn’t put this book down and stayed up late to finish it.

This book reminded me why I keep returning to this series: its emotional depth, compelling storytelling, and unwavering sense of justice. I highly recommend this installment to anyone who enjoys a mystery with heart.

Although this series can be read in out of order, I highly recommend beginning with book one so you can get to know the characters and their backstories.

Anyone who enjoys a compelling mystery featuring a strong female lead, brimming with heart and determination, will love this series.

Most of Ms. Bratt’s stories are inspired by real-life events, so be sure to read the end to discover the true experiences that this book is based on.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Every Little Thing by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

Title: Every Little Thing
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Hart’s Ridge #12
Location: Cabo San Luca, Mexico & Hart’s Ridge
Main Character: Taylor, Lucy
Other Characters: Sam, Cate, Ellis, Gia, Madison, Brady
Rating: 4 stars

Every Little Thing is the twelfth installment in the Hart’s Ridge Series, which I have thoroughly enjoyed since the first book. This episode offers a captivating mix of suspense and emotional drama, making it an engaging read. However, although it contains strong moments, some elements could have been even more impactful.

In this book, we alternate between Taylor’s story of a kidnapping in Mexico and Lucy’s journey of self-discovery.

Taylor’s investigation in Mexico stands out as one of the book’s highlights, filled with intrigue and tension as she seeks to unravel the mystery of the missing bride and her friend. However, the resolution of the kidnapping storyline lacks impact. A more intense climax, featuring unexpected twists—such as a shocking revelation or a high-stakes rescue—could have heightened the suspense and provided a more gripping conclusion.

Lucy’s personal journey, while meaningful, did not engage me as much as the rest of the book. At times, her storyline felt disconnected, and its pacing didn’t align with the urgency of the central plot. A stronger link between her narrative and the primary mystery could have made her arc more compelling, but as it stood, I found myself less interested in Lucy’s story.

Despite these elements, Bratt’s storytelling and character development remain strong, making the novel a valuable addition to the Hart’s Ridge series. It is an engaging read with emotional depth. While some moments could have been more impactful, it still earns a solid four.

Buy on Amazon!

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Women's Fiction

Collar me Crazy by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

Title:| Collar my Crazy
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Dragonfly Cove Dog Park #2
Location: Dragonfly Cove, FL
Main Character: Emily
Other Characters: Kuno, Mari, Leslie
Pets: Daisy & Valor
Rating: 5

If you’re a fan of heartwarming tales and adore dogs, this book is a
must-read. Collar Me Crazy is the second installment in the Dragonfly Cove Dog Park series, and I’m absolutely loving the characters and their delightful canine companions.

Emily is navigating the challenges of being a first-time dog mom, uncertain if dog ownership is truly for her. With the assistance of a local policeman, Emily begins investigating a nearby pet store, uncovering unexpected discoveries beyond her wildest imagination and rescuing dogs from uncertain fates. You’ll adore Daisy, Emily’s mischievous Labrador, and you’ll definitely fall in love with Valor, a German Shepherd they saved from a dire situation.

The author’s ability to capture the essence of the human-dog bond is truly remarkable. Emily’s journey of self-discovery and personal growth, intertwined with the antics of her furry companion, Daisy, makes for a delightful and uplifting read. Whether you’re a dog lover or simply enjoy a well-crafted story, Collar My Crazy is a must-read that will leave you smiling and wanting more. Just take a look at the puppy’s face on the cover—who could possibly resist that? As a dog lover, this book truly tugged at my heartstrings.

‘Love is not running away or giving up, it’s staying and fighting”

Happy Reading

Be sure to check out the rest of the books in this series. This is a Novel Sequence which means that a different author writes each installment of the series.

Book 1: Pick of the Litter
Book 2: Collar Me Crazy by Kay Bratt
Book 3: Hearts Unleashed by Tammy L. Grace
Book 4: Back in the Pack by Barbara Hinske
Book 5: Loyal & True by Ev Bishop
Book 6: Coming Home to Heel by Jodi Allen Brice
Book 7: Unleashed Melody by Julie Carobini
Book 8: Teacher’s Pet by David Johnson
Book 9: A New Leash on Life by Patricia Sands

Happy Reading!


Cozy Mystery, Fiction

So This is Christmas by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

Title: So This is Christmas
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Hart’s Ridge #11
Main Character: Taylor Gray
Other Characters: Shane, Anna, Lucy, Cate, Jane, Willis, Seth, Erin, Raya, Ronnie, Missy Ann, Cecil, Ellis, Cotton
Pets: Taylor & Sam’s dog Diesel
Rating:5

So This Is Christmas by Kay Bratt is the eleventh installment in the Hart’s Ridge series, which is one of my  favorite  series.  Ms. Bratt has a remarkable talent for crafting stories that captivates readers, making it “cannot put down” book.

In this episode, Deputy Taylor Gray is spending a quieter holiday at home, recovering from illness and caring for her newborn daughter. However, the peace is disrupted on Christmas Eve when four bodies are found, leaving two children orphaned. Taylor is deeply conflicted between her wish to please her husband, Sam, who insists she stay out of the investigation, and her strong desire to be involved in solving this horrific crime. She must find a way to assist with the investigation without breaking her promise to Sam.

Amidst all the other events, the Gray family is also dealing with some sisterly drama.

The Hart’s Ridge series is set in the enchanting town of Hart’s Ridge. The characters are richly developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep readers guessing.

Be sure to read the end where the author shares the true-life story that was the inspiration for this book.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Hello Little Girl by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

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.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery

Blackbird by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

Title: Blackbird
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Hart’s Ridge #9
Location: Hart’s Ridge, Georgia
Genre: Mystery
Main Character: Taylor
Other Characters: Caleb, Allison
Stars: 5

Kay Bratt is a master storyteller; she never lets you down. I have loved this series from the very first book and Blackbird is no exception. To fully understand the characters in this series, it is recommended that you read them in order.

In the small town of Hart’s Ridge, Taylor Gray serves as the deputy sheriff. She leads a hectic life juggling her family and her career. She has a strong work ethic and doesn’t give up until she obtains the information she needs. There are moments when her personal life and her work as a deputy can get blurred. She is kind-hearted and eager to assist when she can.

In the ninth episode of the Hart’s Ridge Series, Taylor is trying to help Allison, an abused mother, and her two children escape her abusive husband. What makes this so challenging is her mother’s constant interference. A mother’s job is to protect her children and instead Allison’s mom is hindering her escape. Will Allison be able to escape her abusive ex and her mom to find the family she has always wanted?

This book continues with a story that was introduced in book eight of the series. As you may recall, Caleb works as a deputy and is a collegue of Taylors. His wife Lydia was kidnapped from a local Walmart and presumed dead even though they never found her body. After talking to a local psychic, he just feels like something is off so he continues to search for answers in his wife’s disappearance. He needs to find her one way or another even if it confirms she is really dead.

This is a very dramatic and gut-wrenching book. The reader is drawn in by the author’s ability to make the characters appear incredibly genuine and like they are a part of the narrative. I was completely engrossed by the story and was able to imagine what each character must be going through. There wasn’t as much family involvement in this book as the others, which I missed, but I was utterly captivated by both of the stories. The plot was left open for the story to continue in book ten, which is scheduled for release in the summer of 2024.

The author draws inspiration for her writings from actual events, which is one of my favorite things about her. Even though it is fictionalized in the book, the author’s note at the conclusion tells you where she found inspiration for this story, so make sure to read it.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance

Starting Over by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Starting Over
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: Hart’s Ridge #8
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery, Romance
  • Takes Place: Hart’s Ridge GA
  • Main Character: Taylor
  • Other Characters: Sam, Cate, Sutton, Alice, Shane, Caleb, Corbin
  • Pets: Diesel along with several rescue animals
  • Stars: 5

This is another great read by Kay Bratt and the 8th book in her Hart’s Ridge Series.

We return to visit the Gray’s once more in this story about family dynamics, romance, secrets, helping where needed, balancing a busy life with family and of course, Mysteries.

A kidnapping rocks the town of Hart’s Ridge when Lydia, the wife of a local sheriff deputy, goes missing from the local Walmart. Deputy Taylor Gray along with the local Sheriffs Department and the FBI are on the case to find this missing woman. This takes Taylor away from her fiance, Sam, as he is dealing with some family struggles of his own.

Cate is struggling with her romantic life and recovering from a gunshot wound she received at the end of book #7. We meet a new character, Sutton, who has been accused of embezzlement. She moves in with Cate to help with her recovery and has secrets of her own.

Most of the book revolves around the search for Lydia and Sutton’s secret. Two great mysteries that will keep you guessing throughout the book.

I love this series. It pulls the reader in and it is a ‘can’t put down’ read. The characters are all 3-dimensional with distinct personalities. I love their strength and no matter their struggles, they always have each others backs. I recommend reading the books in order so you can get to know the Gray family fall in love with them as I have.

Be sure to read the Author’s note at the end of the book. The kidnapping in the book was based on a real life kidnapping. Parts of it were altered a bit but her inspiration came from an actual event.

Although I enjoyed this book immensely, I did have one issue with the ending. I felt like there was no closure. I don’t want to spoil it so I won’t say more. This was supposed to be the last book in the Hart’s Ridge series but due to popular demand, there will be a 9th book. I am so glad we get to visit with the Gray’s one more time. I am looking forward to book 9.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Hello Goodbye by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Title: Hello Goodbye
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: Hart’s Ridge #7
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place:  Hart’s Ridge
  • Main Character: Taylor, Sam, Shane
  • Other Characters: Larson, Marc, Abby, Jo, Lucy, Anna, Alice, Judith, Cecil, Jackson, Fair, Blanche, Abby, Larson
  • Pets: Diesel
  • Stars: 5

This is book 7 of the Hart’s Ridge series and I loved it, just the others. This is a great series.

The protagonist of the story is Deputy Taylor Gray. Taylor and her sisters went through foster care most of their lives. Taylor basically raised her sisters after her mother supposedly burned to death in a fire with her baby brother.In this installment there is a double homicide. The Swansons who have 3 adopted kids kids, are discovered brutally murdered. We first met this family when we Taylor called to Their home after Marc’s parents refused to let him in due to missed curfew. While Marc is the prime suspect in the homicide, he is currently in a behavior health facility. Is it possible that he may have broken out and gone and killed his parents? There are several suspects but who could have done this heinous crime? Taylor and Shane are on the case to find out who could have brutally murdered this couple and left their kids without parents.

As Taylor is dealing with a double homicide her relationship with fiance Sam could be rocky due to them finding out he may have a 12 year old daughter that he didn’t know about (we found that out at the end of the last book).

Sam is also trying help Taylor close a case that is very personal to her. She has a lead but will she finally be able to put an end to this case so she can move on with the rest of her life . And as if this isn’t enough, there is another tragedy to the story that you won’t see coming.

There are several stories going on so Taylor has her hands full. This is definitely a page turner that you will have trouble putting it down. Be ready to curl up and engross yourself in this well written mystery with twists and turns until the surprise ending.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Nobody Told Me by Kay Bratt

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Title: Nobody Told Me
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: Hart’s Ridge #6
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place:  Hart’s Ridge
  • Main Character: Taylor, Lucy
  • Other Characters: Jarret, Shane, Sam, Anna, Cate
  • Pets: Dogs Diesel & Ginger along with some other Rescues at the farm
  • Stars: 5

This is book six in Kay Bratt’s Hart’s Ridge series. I have loved this series from the very beginning. I just love the Gray sisters and their family dynamic. Even though they have their problems, they are always going to stand up for each other.

In this installment, the focus is more on Taylor & Lucy. We find out more about Lucy’s troubled past which she is trying to escape. Some things are happening that Lucy is blamed for, but Shane believes something else is going on, so he investigates. Is Lucy’s past about to catch up with her!!

The small town in rocked by the news of a local teen’s disappearance, who was later found dead. It is assumed he was drinking and wandered into the lake and drowned, but could there have been foul play!! Deputy Taylor Gray is determined to find out. Lucy’s dog, Ginger, also has a bit of a starring role.

As usual, the author takes us on a fast-paced roller coaster ride to solve these mysteries with an ending I didn’t see coming. And who doesn’t love a book with dogs!! I definitely recommend this series. Even though you can read these books as a standalone, it’s better to read them in order, as the series mentions many characters, and you get to know the Gray girls. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

The author usually takes her stories from real life. She explains in a note at the end of the book about the real life Jarrett and how he was the inspiration for this story in the book.

Happy Reading!