Vicky Delany has become one of my go-to cozy mystery authors and her Year-Round Christmas series is one of my favorites. Though you would assume this is a Christmas-theme book by the title, it actually occurs at Easter. I enjoy spending time with Merry and the gang in Rudolph, New York. The characters have begun to feel like friends and I have grown to care about them. As in the past, Merry will get involved in solving the latest murder mystery. With a delightful cast of char

I have read five of the previous books in the Beyond the Page Bookstore series. I enjoyed them so much that I could not wait to get lost in the pages of this 11th book in the series. And the fact that this will be the last book in the series because the author passed away unexpectedly in 2025 makes it even sadder. I enjoyed the Christmas theme … always a plus for me. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed Addie’s efforts to solve the murder mystery and prevent her fr

This was the first book I have read the Marius Quin series by Benedict Brown. I do believe I would have enjoyed it more if I had more background into the primary characters, Marius Quin and Lady Bella Montague. However, I still liked spending time trying to solve the murder mysteries and getting to know Marius and Bella more. The relationship between the two of them is entertaining, and I loved that while they have such different personalities, their relationship is built on

Storm Publishing has become one of my favorite publishers and I seem to really enjoy the books they release. This was a sweet and lovely short story that features delightful characters during the Christmas season ... specifically Twelfth Night. There is a bit of time travel and magic. I loved both the present day characters of Freya and Callum as well as Imogen from the past. While this is the fifth book in the Mandeville series, I felt like it worked fine as a standalone. Bu

This is the first book I have read in the Micklewick Bay series. And it was a perfect time to snuggle up under a warm blanket in my recliner and enjoy a cozy Christmas story. I think this worked okay as a standalone. But my reading would probably have been more enjoyable if I had grown to know the characters from the first three books in the series. I did enjoy getting to know Florrie and Ed. Their love for and excitement in running the Happy Hartes Bookshop was sweet to obse

While books in the romance genre are not my favorite, this book was a delight to read. I loved the characters ... from Mary to Beckett to Gramps, Beckett’s elderly father. They were realistic and like people you know in your everyday life. The people who welcomed Mary into their group of friends were amazing. They surrounded her with love, support, baby gifts, and encouragement. And I hope there are still some men like Beckett out there ... a man with a heart of gold with his

When I open a Vicki Delany book, I know I will be treated to a delightful cozy mystery. The characters in the Year-Round Christmas series feel like your neighbors. The setting of Rudolph, New York and their reputation as Christmas Town sets the scene up with a lot of people being part of the mystery. Between Mrs. D’Angelo’s nosy neighbor escapades; Merry’s St. Bernard, Matterhorn (Mattie), and his idol worship of Detective Symmonds; the drama of a dead body; current and previ

The Andy Carpenter series is one of my favorites. I love the main character’s snarky remarks. The murder mystery will pull you in from the very first word and you will be flipping through the pages observing Andy’s unique approach to getting his client declared not guilty and dealing with danger and drama as well. When you add in the dogs, you are in for a delightful read. A plus for this series is listening to the audiobook version. The narrator, Grover Gardner, does an amaz

I have really enjoyed the books in A Secret Bookcase series by Ellie Alexander. I have loved getting to know Annie, Hal, Fletcher, Liam, and the rest of the gang. Of course, there is a murder and Annie is pulled into the middle of the investigation. Lots of twists and turns and discovering people are not who they present themselves to be. I was clueless on who was guilty of murder until it was revealed. I also was glad to see that Annie might be one step closer to discovering

I have loved the books in the Killer Chocolate series by Christina Romeril. Having the opportunity to spend time with Alex and Hanna is time well spent. A wonderful cozy mystery that will keep you invested in the story and with well-developed characters. The Christmas holiday theme is a bonus! With a lot of twists and turns and plenty of suspects, you will be sitting on the edge of your seat. I really enjoy watching how Alex and Tom’s and Hanna and Duncan’s relationships are

This was my first time reading a book in the Malvern Farm series by Kate Wells. But it definitely will not be my last. I really enjoyed...

I have enjoyed the books I have read in the Morwenna Mutton series. The characters are well developed and I love how the narrator creates...

I love the books in the Grilled Cheese series. My mouth waters every time a creative grilled cheese sandwich is introduced. Yum! The...

I have loved the books in the Amish Candy Shop series. As I have traveled through the stories, I have grown to love Bailey, her fiancé,...

What a sweet romance that will have your heart breaking as you wait with Clara to see if her fiancé, Jack, will make it home from the war...

First of all, I should have known better than to try to read this book because it is a romance. And I just do not care for books whose...

This actually is two short stories in one book. I think for that reason, the characters were not that well developed. I enjoy stories...

Richard Paul Evans has such a gift with words. This story will pull you in from the first page and hold tight as you travel through the...

I have enjoyed all of the books I have read in the Deep Dish series by Mindy Quigley. The characters are well developed and the murder...

I should have known better than to try to read this book. I am not a fan of contemporary romance books. And this one was definitely well...