The following are books I've read that I felt deserved a review. These reviews are quick, and are found on
Amazon and
Goodreads.
If you are a reader, these are books I recommend. They are mostly indie authors. I get most of my books for free or almost free through several different email lists that are available to everyone. These are not ARC books. There are no spoilers, and I do not go into the characters & plot in these reviews. All that is already in the description of the book (Amazon link).
If you write books, I love to read new authors. I am always happy to read an ARC, or receive a copy for review.
Death by a Honeybee (Josiah Reynolds Mysteries, #1)
by Abigail Keam
Free right now on
Amazon
I gave this book 4.5 stars.
I recommend this book.
I just wanted to keep reading. But then it ended. And I need to read more. The book was well written, and the characters were described well. You felt like you understood what made them tick. I enjoyed the story, especially how it unfolded. Keam is a great writer & storyteller.
Pains and Penalties (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery, #1)
by Sarah Biglow
Free right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 4 stars.
A geek store. I love it.
A good story. I liked the characters, and the plot was easy to follow. The writing could use a little polishing, but it was good. The story flowed well, and its a nice little read. I'd definitely read more from Biglow. #housewisereview
Give Me Chocolate (Kelly Clark Mystery #1)
by Annie Hansen
$2.99 right now on
Amazon
I gave this book 5 stars
A good way to spend the day
I liked this book. It was a good long read. There was plenty to keep me entertained. It was really well written. I got to know the characters very well. E plot was intriguing and never boring. Every time you think you know where the author is going, she takes a slight left, and you have to rethink everything again. Its not just a simple mystery book. There is quit a lot of background, a bit of romance, and some family matters in it as well. This book is a good way to spend the day. I would love to read more of Annie Hansen's books. #housewisereview
Baking is Murder (Bee's Bakehouse Mysteries, #1)
by Kathy Cranston
Free right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 4 stars.
Puggies!
Such a fun little story! I love Aunt Bee & Jessie. The interaction between all the characters is great. The town seems like a nice place. I wish there was just a little more to the ending, but I liked it nonetheless. I hope to read more of Cranston's writing in the future.
Grammy's Secret Recipe (Strawberry Top Short Mystery #1)
by C.C. Dragon
Free right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 4 stars
Pumpkin cheesecake....
I liked this book. The writing is good, and the story played out very well. I like how the character's personalities are easy to grasp. The story is simple and fun. I love the cats. Just the right amount of them in the story. Its a good kickoff with background to a series. It has a couple editing glitches, but you get that with most indie books. I can't wait to find out more of what happens to Grammy and everyone else in this small town. #housewisereview
Mango Key: A Mango Bob Adventure
by Bill H. Myers
$2.99 right now on
Amazon
I gave this book 3.5 stars.
Good story, needs editing.
I really liked this story. It kept me interested and I didn't want to put the book down. However, it needs some major polishing. There is so much double dialogue its frustrating to read. If the book gets edited and updated, I'm sure it would be a 5-star read. But as it stands now, it's not.
Killer Cupcakes (Celebrity Cupcakes #1)
b
y Milda Harris
Free right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 4.5 stars.
A fun escape
This is a cute little story. It flows well, and I like the characters. Its short and sweet without a lot of fluff. A great lead-in to a series. The writing's good, and it was a fun read. A perfect story for those who like 'whodunit' stories. A fun escape from reality. I'll definitely read more of this series. #housewisereview
A Campy Christmas (The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries #6)
by Karen Musser Nortman
$2.99 right now on
Amazon
I gave this book 4.5 stars.
Let's go camping! ...or not.
If you want a short escape from the real world, this novella is a good choice. It's got a lot of real world mixed into the book, which makes you feel like it's a story a friend would tell after the adventure they had. It's short, fast paced, and there's not a lot of fluff. Long enough to let you relax, yet short enough that you can read it in one sitting.
The story is told we'll, and I like the way this author writes. This is the first time I've read anything by Nortman, and I think I'll look up some of her other works.
Overall, a nice read. #housewisereview
Sweet Southern Sleuths #1-4 (Sweet Southern Sleuths #1-4)
by Hope Callaghan
Free right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 3.5 stars.
Fun mysteries
I like these short stories/books. The characters are personable, and the plots are easy to get caught up in. I like the writing, and the stories are fun. However, the endings are so quick, you feel like you're standing there, wondering where everyone went. If the end was drawn own just a bit more, I would love these stories. #housewisereview
Trouble in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #1)
by Jana Deleon
Free right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 5 stars
Great story
I enjoyed this book. The characters are slowly built, as well as the plot. It runs at a nice pace, keeping you interested. You get to see the town only as the characters do. The story has mystery, romance, and comedy. I love that it doesn't have a rushed ending. The writing is good. There are a couple places where dialogue was repeated, but that's just editing. I would recommend this book, and I will definitely read more of DeLeon's work. #housewisereview
Candy Canes and Criminals (HoneyBun Shop Mysteries #3)
by M.E. Harmon
$.99 right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 4.5 stars.
A Sleuthing Escape
I enjoyed reading this story. It was entertaining, and kept me engrossed. The characters were quick to relate to, and the plot was intriguing with a few surprises. It is short & sweet and a quick read for when you want a short escape from reality. The book is written well, and I like the author's style. I'd recommend. #housewisereview
Death of a Dapper Snowman (Stormy Day Mystery #1)
by Angela Pepper
Free right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 5 stars
That crooked smile....
I honestly loved this book. Its a fun, and funny mystery. The writing's great, and I didn't want to put the book down. I felt like I knew the characters, and lived in the town. Reading the story was like watching a television show you've watched for years. You just felt comfortable with everything. I hope to read more of the series. And I love Mr. Jeffrey Blue.
Summer at Sea (Summer #1)
by Beth Labonte
$2.99 right now on
Amazon
I gave this book 5 stars
Just, plain fun
A fun romantic comedy! The writer does a wonderful job describing feeling guilty about wanting to become independent, while living with anxiety-ridden, over protective parents. The story flows very well, and there is a lot to chuckle about. The characters are fun, and not too intense. The story has some sweet spots, but isn't dramatic. I hope to read more of Summer! #housewisereview
Death by Inferior Design (A Domestic Bliss Mystery series Book 1)
by Leslie Caine
$3.99 right now on
Amazon
I gave this book 5 stars
Gilbert & Sullivan
I really like this book. Its detailed and full of intrigue. The characters are well developed, and the plot has lots of twists. The writing is very well done, though a couple editing slips caught my eye. The story flows very well. The ending wasn't wrapped up in 30 seconds like so many other cozy mysteries, which is a nice change of pace. I cannot wait to find out what happens to Gilbert & Sullivan. #housewisereview
Bean in Love (Kelly Clark Mystery #2)
by Annie Hansen
$2.99 right now on
Amazon
I gave this book 4.5 stars
I want to visit these towns
I read this book immediately following reading the firs book of this series. This story is a lot different. Where the first book was long, and detailed, this one was not. This book also didn't seem as polished. I liked this story, but the flow was very different than in the first book. In the first book of the series, you felt like you were seeing the entire story through a camera on Kelly's shoulder. Like a documentary. In this one, it was more like a TV show that was cut only to include anything directly about the murder mystery. It is too excerpted. I still love the story and the characters, but it just doesn't match the excitement I had reading the first book. I will continue to read Hansen's work however, because I do like her writing. I get drawn in to her words and can see just what she's writing through pictures in my mind.
Wicked Days (An Ivy Morgan Mystery #1)
by Lily Harper Hart
$.99 right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 5 stars
A good read
Wicked Days is a good read, and I look forward to the rest of the series. This story is a great introduction. I enjoyed coming back to the book each time I had to put it down, and was sad to see it end. The plot was easy to follow and full of details. The writing flowed well and the characters developed naturally. I'm not sure if I've read anything else by Hart, but i know i like her style. The humor is very quip and gives the book a fun overture. If you like small town murder mysteries with a little romance and some comedy, I recommend Wicked Days. #housewisereview
A Taste of Magic (Sugarcomb Lake #1)
Happiness is a Smoking Gun (A Clarissa Spencer Cozy Mystery Book 1) - New Title
by Alaine Allister
Free right now on
Amazon!
I gave this book 4.5 stars
Murder, spells, and a cat.
I enjoyed reading is book. Its a light sleuth with a hint of magic. There are several side plots, but its in no way overwhelming. But i do find the interaction with Nona a bit too open-ended. The writing is very well done, but there was one confusing paragraph were it referenced previous dialogue which I couldn't find. Confusing, but that was the only thing. Otherwise, I really liked the style, and the descriptions made it easy to imagine the story unfolding. I love the description of the cat. I would definitely read more of Allister's work.
Origins (Alphas, #0.5)
by Ilona Andrews
$2.99 right now on
Amazon
I gave this book 3.5 stars
I'm confused at whether or not this is a lead-in to a series. I read no. I read yes. I'd be sad to learn if will not become a series. It has such potential. I was drawn into the story, and didn't want it to end. It may be dark, but sometimes you need dark, so the light is that much brighter.
The characters are easy to like...or dislike. They can be built so much more though. I will admit there were a few parts of the story where I probably had a "eh, wha?" look on my face. The story seemed a bit rushed, trying to get so much into a short story. I think if it was a longer book, it would have read better.
I have enjoyed Ilona Andrews' writing in several series. I haven't found any I really didn't like, including this short story.
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