Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett

Tricia Miles moves to Stoneham, New Hampshire to start her life over after getting divorced. She still doesn't understand why but she takes it all in stride. Opening the mystery bookstore Haven't Got A Clue, it all hits home as her neighbor Doris at the cook book shop The Cookery is killed. Tricia is the one who finds her body. The sheriff is determined to prove Tricia was the killer. All tied into an old cookbook that Doris bought right before her murder. Proving her innocence may have to come from all the mystery reading she has done up till now. But will that be enough?

Being a first time reader of Ms. Barrett's work, I am highly impressed. The detail of the book is so much fun. I felt like I really did walk into Haven't Got A Clue. The small town life is so much fun to read. I loved the cleanliness of the book. Ms. Barrett did a fabulous job. The characters were lively and fun to read.

Tricia was full of life and had moved on. I loved how she came to create her store and the atmosphere in it. She has a fantastic business with old/used books as well as the new ones. Her personality is fun to read and loved watching her store bloom. Her only employee Ginny loves her job and is a sweetie. Their balanced personalities make the store run smoothly. There is also their number one customer Mr. Everett who is there when the door opens and stays till closing time. He always helps out wherever Tricia might need help even though he is not an employee. Angelica, Tricia's sister, sweeps into town and wants to help Tricia in any way she can. Yet she makes friends with Bob Kelly, the main realtor of the town. Tricia isn't thrilled one bit.

I loved this series. I think it is great and getting off to a good start. I am curious to see how all the relationships play out like between Tricia and her sister Angelica. Plus I can see story lines coming hopefully in the romance department for Tricia. At least that is what I hope for. I don't know when I will pick up the next book but I hope soon!

Lorna Barrett/New Author/ Cozy Mystery/Small Town/Bookstore/Family/288 pages/ 5 out of 5

FTC: This book is part of my own collection and was either bought or given to me.

This is the last one for my cozy mystery challenge. I am bummed to see it end but will read more I am sure of it!

The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White

Wart, or Arthur, is training to be a squire under the eyes of Sir Ector's watch. Sir Ector's son Kay will become a knight. When in the forest going after a lost hawk, Wart meets Merlyn. Merlyn becomes the new tutor for Wart and Kay. The adventures range from fun to mind boggling. Wart has much to learn and Merlyn is there to help him. There are also things of that time period, jousting and such that must be found time to learn as well. Will Wart be able to take his place at the new king?

Mr. White created a world that took some time to get used to. Having not read a children's classic in awhile, I had to get used to the vernacular all over again. Once I was able to follow it, the stories unfolded and I couldn't get enough. Mr. White truly knows how to get you to step into another world with ease. He takes all different kinds of characters and historical people to make this story work. I was truly pleased.

The Young Wart, Arthur, was shy at first. He knew what his station in life would always be due to the fact that he didn't know who his parents were. Sir Ector was kind enough to take him under his wing. Yet there were certain things Wart knew he'd never do. Or so he thought. Merlyn was a fantastic character! I loved seeing a new take on Merlyn. The other characters of King Pelinore, Sir Ector, Madam Mim and others brought the cast to a completion. The range of their personalities were fun to watch unfold.

The adventures were so much more fun than the Disney movie. I was truly impressed with how much was followed yet the things that were left out were my favorites. The beginning dragged for me but by the end, I was sad to see it end. This was a fun romp in period fiction and I am curious to see what else was written by this author. I wouldn't read this to anyone under the age of 10 only since there is some coarse language used. There were times I was surprised I didn't burst out into song with all the bits of songs that were part of the story!


T.H.White/288 pages/Children's Fiction/New Author/4 out of 5

Off to a mystery, need a change of pace!

A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick

Evelyn Dixon gets the shock of her life when her husband asks for a divorce. On a whim, she drives to Connecticut to see the fall colors. While walking around town, she veers off the beaten path and finds this little court yard that the shops are mostly gone. But one of them used to be a quilt shop. Not sure what else she can do, she decides this will be the perfect thing to do with her new life! She wants to build a community with this shop most of all and she'll have to work on that one thread at a time.

Ms. Bostwick has enthralled me in this book. Being a quilter myself, I loved this from beginning to end. This is my second book by her and completely different plus a longer story as well. Her character development was really good in this one. I truly felt for the characters.

Evelyn Dixon finally may have her dream come true. But it's going to be a lot of work in the process. And things are just looking up when a challenge comes her way. Liza, Abigail, and Margot may just be the angels in disguise that she needs. As they all help heal each other, a friendship binds them together like no other.

I loved this book from the beginning. The surprises around every corner were nice. The four women had to learn to forgive in their own situations and if they didn't it might just hold them back from something greater. None of them were going to find it easy but once they did forgive, things would unfold in front of them in ways they never thought possible. This is one author who pleases from beginning to end. I cannot wait to get my hands on her other books!

Marie Bostwick, Friends, Quilting, 288 pages, 5 out of 5

This is a book that is heart warming and touching. I couldn't get enough of it! This is definitely my favorite this year!

Other People's Business by Pamela Yaye

Other People's Business by Pamela Yaye

Autumn Nicholson has always had issues with her current boyfriend. The man truly is selfish and definitely is not helping her at all when she needs it. L J is a man who knows what he likes but meeting Autumn throws him for a loop. Yet a lot lies ahead for these two, they have to battle their emotions and an ex-boyfriend who just won't quit. Through it all, they'll come to realize their relationship is not other people's business.

Ms. Yaye writes a book that impresses me throughly. There were times I found it difficult to relate to the characters but then I'm not African American. Through it all, I truly loved how she wrote it and how the characters were butting in often where they didn't belong. It was very close to real life and I couldn't get enough of it.

Autumn likes her simple life though her friends might think she's dull. They liked to butt in. L J was a determined man yet kept things in his past a secret. He just never knew how to tell her and it came back to bite him. Even Autumn's parents tried to butt in as well. Things were up and down, I kept hoping things would work out.

This is a fantastic romance! I was swept away on an emotional ride. These characters were easy to relate to and then there were times I wanted to bonk certain ones on the head. I understand weddings are important but don't be such a bridezilla. I definitely want to read more by this author.



Pamela Yaye/288 pages/ Romance/ African American/ 4 out of 5

Off to read another short and then another Chunkster. :)

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

Lizzie Nichols is finally getting married. Lure proposed and things seem to be falling into place. But every time Lizzie thinks about getting married, she gets nauseous and then hives start to break out. That is not the normal reaction a woman who has dreamed of marriage should be having. And her attraction for Chaz gets worse once she sleeps with him. She is not sure everything will work out or not but something has got to give.

Ms. Cabot has a fantastic way with her characters. Definitely a few dreamers in the bunch but then there are the straight shooters who could not tell a lie if they tried. The situations the characters find themselves are normal to outrageous. Having a wonderful imagination certainly helps this story. Not that the events in this story are not believable but certainly a little out of the ordinary for someone like me.

Lizzie is finally getting the success she wants and needs. A proposal should seal everything but again she sees how Luke may not be quite so supportive. The Henris are not sure what they will do with their booming business. Lizzie is just doing her best to keep it all together. Chaz supports her the whole way. But is that what she wants? Her best friend Shari says she needs to see past the façade of Luke and see the real person in Chaz.

This was a delightful book and I would love to see more in this story line. I’m not sure what could be done. If nothing else another adult book would be fantastic! I thought this was done well and now I am dying to pick up some of the young adult books that I have by this author on my shelf.

Meg Cabot/ Adult Fiction/ Family/ 288 pages/ 5 out of 5

I finished this one yesterday but got caught up in Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. Off to reading before work.

Acessory to Murder by Elaine Viets

Josie seems to have a lot of things going wrong. Her best friend’s husband is now up for murder charges for the death of fashion designer Halley not to mention her mother keeps hounding her to go on a blind date. Josie wants to help her friend, keep her mom appeased even though her mother’s smoking habit is driving her crazy, and try to get her daughter to understand that it is okay for her mom to look at another man. Her boss is sending her on really crude assignments and Josie just wants to strangle him. She just wonders if life could be any easier?


Ms. Viets does it again! I got sucked in from page one and I cannot get enough of these characters. The situations that are created ring true for real society, which was kind of freaky actually. Josie tries her best to be there for Alyce. After all, the woman does go secret shopping with her. Ms. Viets is truly fantastic author.


At times, I wish I could have given Josie a GBH. Seriously what that woman puts up through, I kept thinking she was a saint. Hopefully her life will pick up soon! Amelia is trying at times but that is how daughters go or so I hear.

I am about to go pre-order the next one in the series. Ms. Viets writes good funny dialog while keeping things a little less gory. I definitely made me want to boost up my customer service skills once again no matter how unhappy I am with things that go on in the store. The customer should not suffer! Definitely a good read for anyone who likes to shop or works at retail stores.

Elaine Viets/ Cozy Mystery/ Secret Shopper/ Family/ 288 pages/ 5 out of 5

Off to go read the author of the month and clean!

High Heels Are Murder by Elaine Viets

Josie Marcus is at it again. With her job as a secret shopper, she is really busy. This time though, she is after a shoe salesman. But when he ends up dead at the end of his staircase, Josie is left scrambling and is asked to help her childhood nemesis Cheryl. Something definitely is amiss but can she figure out before the person behind it all finishes their job?

Ms. Viets writes a great second book. I saw the characters change and grow a little. It was a nice change of pace. The thing that I liked was that through it all, Josie did her best to stay true to herself. Ms. Viets has a talent with making the characters come alive that really brought it home to me.

Josie has some tough decisions. Does she help the one person who looked down her nose at her? IT might just help her mom but can Josie go through with it? That is just the beginning to the hard decisions facing Josie. Jane, Josie’s mom was back and definitely there for her. Jane does drive me nuts at much but at the same time truly wanted what was best for Josie.

As not as great as the first one, I fell in love over time with it. I am addicted to this series and it gives me a whole different aspect being in the retail business for real. I truly need to make sure I do my best to help the customer and this is just one way that shows me how faulty it can be. Rude customers or sales people do not help certainly but Josie rewarded those who truly did work hard and helped her. Definitely cannot wait to read the next one!!


Elaine Viets/ Cozy Mystery/ Secret Shopper/ 288 pages/ 4 out of 5

Up next two Diane Mott Davidson books and then back to Elaine Viets. :)

Dying In Style by Elaine Viets

Josie Marcus is a woman who is doing her best to provide for her and her daughter. Her mother helps out quite a bit but Josie would not have it any other way. Amelia’s father is long gone and that makes Josie’s mother all that more prone to find her someone to marry. That is not on the top of Josie’s list. Being a mystery shopper is not the job Josie wanted but it pays the bills. Yet things seem to go wrong and even her mother disapproves when she has to mystery shop Danessa’s stores. It gets worse when Danessa is killed and Josie looks to be their prime suspect. Can she get herself out of this sticky mess?

Ms. Viets is a talented writer. Even though I won the latest in the series last year, I wanted to get the rest of them. I am so glad I did. I am hooked on Josie and the events in her life. There is always something going on and things keep her moving. I know the whole guilt trip mother routine yet I am proud of Josie standing up for herself. This is one author that I cannot wait to read more of and the second book is calling my name.

Elaine Viets/ New author/ Cozy Mystery/ Mystery Shopper/ 288 pages/ 4 out of 5

Boy am I glad I bought both books and there is fourth book comes out in November!!!

Pushing Up Bluebonnets by Leann Sweeney

Abby Rose is actually called in to help the police for once. She needs to identify a woman who is lying in a coma after a horrible accident. Cooper has no idea what he has just gotten himself into. The chance that the woman is connected to a prominent family in Texas only raises the stakes on this one. She better learn to watch where she is going or it might hurt her this time.

Ms. Sweeney is a fabulous writer! I felt like I was coming home again to these characters. Repeat performances from my favorites were great to see. Things got really interesting between quite a few of them. The situations that Abby sees herself in are realistic. The woman does her research. I was very pleased with this book but this is one author who would have to do quite a lot to make me upset.

Abby is so sweet and I love her relationship with her boyfriend Jeff. Everything is so genuine and they do their best to include everyone in the family for time together. Jeff realizes how important Kate is to Abby. These men are not stupid and they know how to relate. I love it about them!

This series moved right along in this book. I was proud of Abby since she had to keep things secret. She was not for an easy time but I knew she was doing her best. The situation with the rich family certainly had her on the outs. I could sympthasize with her because I wanted to strangle them too. They thought they had their best interests at heart but always got involved in horrible things. Oh, well, Abby sure set them straight and I like that about her. She did get herself in sticky situations but then was able to work her way through it. This is a great series and I hope there are more to come!
Leann Sweeney/ Mystery/ Texas/ 288 pages/ 4 out of 5

Well off to reading another review book, then it will be The Rich Die Young by Carolyn G. Hart and then another review book.