Motif for Murder by Laura Childs

Carmela is still struggling to put her marriage back together. But then her husband is kidnapped and she finds his uncle Henry shot in the head in his library. She has no idea who is behind it all but she does not like it. Keeping herself occupied, she works on an altered book to memorialize Uncle Henry. Things only seem to be going awful for her. She never suspects the altered book she does may have clues to who is behind it all and that they just might come after her.

Ms. Childs does it again! How she is able to incorporate mystery while adding in such wonderful scrap booking ideas just boggles my mind. Her characters are truly stubborn but that is why I love them so much! There is such life in Louisiana and the adventures that are created are fantastic!

Carmela, poor gal, really wants her marriage to work. But every time she turns around the man is gone. This time he is kidnapped and his sister Grace surely is a sour puss. So Carmela is always so creative and comes up with ways to use ideas she comes across whether online or at a convention. I am truly inspired by her and it makes me want to pick up my scrap book and work on it. I just don’t need all the drama she deals with. Her best friend Ava is there to help her out. Ava is a class act and a true blue best friend. She loves to party and keep Camilla happy. These two get into some crazy situations and that is what I like the best about them. They know how to help each other out.

This series keeps getting better! Not just with scrap booking ides but also with how strong Carmela is in every single book. She could just crawl under a rock and hide, but she wants to find out the truth even if it gets her in trouble with Detective Babcock. This is one series that I cannot get enough of and the next one cannot come into my hands soon enough!

Laura Childs/ Scrap booking/ Cozy Mystery/ 275 pages/ 5 out of 5

Well onto a review book and then it will be Briar Rose by Robert Coover after that Coming Out by Danielle Steele. :)

Bound for Murder by Laura Childs

Carmela is helping set up for a friend’s pre-wedding party. She is having a good time. Things seem to go wrong when the groom is found killed. Carmela is asked to help them out again and she is not sure if that is so smart. She has to wrap a murder that has more questions than answers and she has to shift through it all.

Ms. Laura Childs really knows how to write a series. I really enjoyed how the characters are growing. It was a blast. This author has won me over. I cannot get enough! I really cannot wait to be able to read the next one. The characters are really good. I do often get mad at Carmela but it is not like she is snooping because she is not asked to. Her friends know that she can and so they ask her. Ms. Childs really gets the feelings and emotions across in this book.

Carmela is such a good person. I know she can get annoying but I really wanted her to figure things out. Her heart was in the right place. I really loved her creativity and her want to help others. I just hope things are settled in the relationship department. I feel awful for her but maybe things are ironed out. Ava was as flamboyant as ever. She is one of my favorites. Wren was a sweetie too. These ladies would be a blast to hang out with.

I loved this book! I hope to read the rest of the series cause I am enjoying it. The tips and the recipes really make this book even better. I cannot wait to see how Carmela deals with her relationships and whom she decides to choose. Those ladies are always so creative it makes my head spin. Of course if I worked in a scrapbook store, I would probably be as creative.
Laura Childs/ Cozy Mystery/ 256 pages/ 5 out of 5/ Scrap booking

I was surprised at how fast I finished this one. Now I am reading You've Been Warned. :) SO far not sure what to think.

Photo Finished by Laura Childs

Carmela is hosting a late night crop at her store. All the usual ladies are there and having a great time. But when the neighboring antiques dealer is found dead in the alley. Carmela’s customers start to look suspicious. Carmela only hopes she can figure it out and fast.

Ms. Childs does it again! These wacky characters had me laughing. The suspense was very prevalent. Yet the main focus was on Carmela’s creative efforts. I could not get enough of this story and kept turning the pages as soon as I finished one. Ms. Childs really brings you to a great place in her stories. I cannot get enough of them and seem to like each one better than the last!

Carmela really questions her relationship with Shamus or the lack there of it seems. If she needs help, he is the first one she calls since she trusts him. Shamus is a sweet talker but has a sensitive side that drove me nuts. There is nothing wrong with being sensitive but it seems he only got upset when she got something that he wanted. Ava was back and full of drama! That woman was so busy but found time to keep tabs on Carmela.

This series just keeps getting better. I have been completely captivated. Now if I could only juggle my reading and scrap booking, that would be ideal.
Laura Childs/ Cozy Mystery/ 272 pages/ 5 out of 5/ Scrap booking

Off to read the third one in the series and then it is James Pattersons' You've Been Warned, then Away by Amy Bloom and then review books. :) With a week off of work this will be easy!