THE FAST AND THE FURRIEST BY SOFIE RYAN

     The Fast and the Furriest by Sofie Ryan is the fifth book from A Second Chance Cat Mystery series.  In this book, someone from Mac's past shows up to see him and ends up meeting her maker.  Sarah, her cat Elvis, along with Mr. P. and the Angels, must find the killer before Mac take the fall for the crime.
      I love this series.  It's filled with fun characters and, of course, a cat who seems to know when people are lying.  Sarah is a strong independent woman who stands on her own two feet.  The Angels are friends of Sarah's grandmother.  They also knew Sarah when she was little and came to stay with her grandmother in the summer.  They work with Mr. P., a private investigator, who seems to get caught up in the cases of the community.  They are a group of witty characters that add a wonderful quirkiness to the story.  They made me laugh throughout the book.
     The mystery is a great who-dun-it.  It grabbed me from the first page and kept me reading until the last.  With it's twists and turns, it kept me guessing until the last page reveal.
      I definitely recommend this book to the cozy mystery reader that loves strong willed quirky characters, a story with lots of adventure, a touch of romance, with a plot that will draw you in and keep you turning its pages until the very end.
     I can definitely say this is one of my favorite series.  If you haven't already, checkout the first four books in the series.  You will not be disappointed.

  Sofie also writes another series.  It's the Magical Cat Mystery series she write under the name Sofie Kelly.  It is another wonderful series, with cats that seem to have qualities other cats don't possess.  I would recommend that series as well.  Check out this and her other books at:  http://sofiekelly.com/

     Until next time, Happy Reading.
    

Poisoned Pages by Lorna Barrett



      Poisoned Pages by Lorna Barrrett is the twelfth book of the Booktown Mystery series. In this book, Tricia is having a housewarming party in her newly refurbished apartment. At the party, one of the party goers is killed when poisoned by something he ate. It's up to Tricia to figure out who did it and why.

      I really enjoyed this book. Going back to Stoneham was like visiting with old friends. I could see myself shopping in Haven't Got a Clue, visiting with Pixie and Mr. Everett. I would go to Booked for Lunch for a great meal while watching Tricia having lunch with Angelica. The characters add warmth and wit to the story. They are one big family.

      The mystery is exceptional. It is a mystery within a mystery. There were secrets and a great who-dun-it that will keep you guessing. I couldn't stop reading until I got to the end and found out the answers to all of the questions. It kept me riveted until the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great who-dun-it with twists and turns that will keep you guessing along the way, and characters that are warm, witty and have a family feel.

      I received this ARC copy of the book from the author for review. This is an honest review.

      I would also recommend readers to check out the first eleven books of this series.  They are wonderful reads that will grab you from the first page to the last.  I love this series so much.

      Until next time Happy Reading.

MURDER IN THE LOCKED LIBRARY by ELLERY ADAMS

    Murder in the Locked Library is by Ellery Adams. It is the fourth book in the Book Retreat Mystery series. The stories take place at Storyton Hall, which is in the small village of Storyton, Virginia. In this book, a rare book society comes to Storyton Hall for a conference. Unfortunately, there is a murder and it's up to Jane and her staff to figure out who the killer is.
      I enjoyed this book with its small town feel, the secrets that Storyton Hall brings and the wonderful cast of characters. With its libraries named for different authors, to the cloak and dagger of its secret rooms and hidden panels, Storyton Hall is a place I would love to visit. It sounds like the ideal place for a very relaxing vacation. Jane is the smart, independent woman who runs it while also raising her twin sons and trying to solve murders. Aunt Octavia and Uncle Aloysius are helpful with the boys and know all the secrets of Storyton Hall. They add a quirky element to the story.
      The mystery is wonderful. It kept me guessing throughout the whole book. There were many twists and turns along the way. It caught me up in it from the first page to the last. Ellery has a wonderful way of weaving the story, clues and mystery altogether. I recommend this book to everyone who loves a great story with quirky characters and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.
      I received my copy of this book from the author for review. This is an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2390517212

   

     Ellery Adams is a Goodreads author.  I hope everyone will read this book and all  the other of this series.  She has other mystery series too.  I love them all.

 

     Until next time Happy Reading.

   

 

MURDER, SHE KNIT BY PEGGY ERHART  

     

      Murder, She Knit by Peggy Erhart is the first in the Knit and Nibble series.  Pamela is a widow who is getting ready for her daughter's first visit home from college.  It's also  her turn to host the Knit and Nibble group meeting.  After everyone has left, she finds a body in her bushes.  She turns sleuth, and with her best friend Bettina, sets out to find the killer.

     I enjoyed the first book of this series.  It takes place in a small town setting.  Pamela is a strong, relatable character that is determined to carry on with in life with her daughter.  She can take other people's trash and make them her treasures.  Bettina is her best friend and neighbor.  She's a quirky character and is ready to help Pamela figure out the clues at the drop of a hat.  She lends herself well to the story, and together they make a great team.
     The mystery was a wonderful page turner.  When I thought I had it all figured out, the author would throw in a clue with a twist and I'd have to start again.  It kept me going until the end.
      This  book is filled with fun, quirky characters and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.  I can't wait to see what excitement the second book holds.
      I suggest you pick up this book and check it out.  You won't be sorry. 
      Until next time, Happy Reading!
 

    

    

MY LITTLE FAMILY

     Lily has been with us for almost a month now.  She is fitting right in.  She loves to play with Emma and Emma loves giving her bathes.  Izzy is on the sidelines watching.  But that is her prerogative. 
She is the oldest.  I think she's wondering what they are doing.  I was hoping that the two younger ones would be playmates and they are. 

     She is the oldest.  I think she's wondering what they are doing.  I was hoping that the two younger ones would be playmates and they are.  They are such a joy.



   



     

      I have been reading as well.  Right now, I'm enjoying Murder She Knit by Peggy Ehrhart.  I'm really enjoying it.  The kitty on the cover caught my eye and I had to check it out.  It's been wonderful and I can't wait for the next one in the Knit and Nibble series.
 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35601689-murder-she-knit  




     The weather has finally turned the corner into spring.  I'm excited. Dirt track racing will start and I can plant my tomatoes.  I plant them in flowerpots.  It's easy and who doesn't love fresh tomatoes.

     Well that's all for now.  Until next time. Happy Reading.

    

Plum Tea Crazy

Plum Tea Crazy (A Tea Shop Mystery, #19)
by

Laura Childs

     Plum Tea Crazy is the 19th book of the Tea Shop mystery series by Laura Childs. In this book, we visit Charleston along with the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia Browning, the owner of the shop, along with Drayton, her tea connoisseur and Haley, the one who makes the delicious fare, keep the tea shop humming along. It's always busy. Theo, Drayton and others are watching the Parade of Ships from a friend's widow walk. One of the watchers falls to his death and Theo finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation once again.
      I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Laura Childs always brings me right into the story. I can see Charleston. I feel like I'm visiting the tea shop, enjoying a wonderful cup of tea that Drayton has brewed and having a wonderful lunch made by Haley. Theo, Drayton and Haley are wonderful characters that bring their own humor and personalities to the story. They feel like family and I'm always excited to see what adventures they bring to the story. The mystery in this book is outstanding. I could not put it down. There were twists and turns kept me guessing until the last page. Even when I thought I had it figured out, there would be a new clue to point me in a different direction.
      I would recommend this book to any reader who loves wonderful characters who interact so well that they seem like a family. I would also recommend this book to any cozy reader who loves twists and turns that will hold you captive until the end.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2287989681
 

      Laura Childs is one of my favorite authors.  I have always found her books to be so much fun.  As well as the Tea Shop mystery series, she has two others.  The Cackleberry Club series and the Scrapbooking series is great too.  Check them out.

      Until next time, Happy Reading.

 

My Newest Edition

     This is the newest edition to my little family.  Her name is Lily.  I adopted her from my local Humane Society.  She was adopted and brought back.  The people said that they couldn't give her the attention she needed.  But they came and wanted her back.  They ended up bringing her back say it just wouldn't work.  She needed and deserved someone to show her what love is.
     This is my blessing.  She such a sweet little kitty.  She always wants to be in my lap and sleep with me.  I just love her.  The others have accepted her.  Emma and Lily still have skirmishes but they work it out.
      I'm grateful to my friend who pointed her picture out to me.  She's the cutest little girl.  She has been a wonderful blessing in my life as have all of my other furbabies.  They make me smile and laugh.  They add such a joy that really can't be described in words.  I'm grateful for them and I love them with all of my heart.
      Until next time, Happy Reading.

 

 

DEATH al FRESCO

     Death al Fresco by Leslie Karst is the third book in the Sally Solari mystery series. Sally and Eric, her friend and the local D.A., are taking an open air painting class. Buster, Sally's dog, finds the body of a local fisherman on the beach. Sally must find the killer to save the family restaurant and her father's good name.

     This is the first book of the series that I have read. I really liked the fact that I didn't feel lost. I could follow the plot line and felt comfortable with the characters. I liked Sally. She was personable and strong. I also liked that she gave up being an attorney to become a restaurateur. She did her own thing and was happy.

     I liked the setting of the story in Santa Cruz. I felt like I was on the wharf watching the people. I could smell the wonderful aromas coming from the restaurants. The mystery has a page turning plot line that kept me guessing until the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a page turning mystery with great characters and a wonderful story. It also includes recipes.

     I received a copy of this book from the author for review. This is an honest review.

Dead As A Doornail Review

   I love this series.  There's a ghost to help solve the crime, a great main character in Kenni Lowry and a small town that feels authentic even down to the small town  gossip.  It feels like home to me.  I love the way Tonya makes me feel a part of the story.  I want to read more of this series and get to know everyone better.

Dead As A Doornail (Kenni Lowry #5)
by

Tonya Kappes (Goodreads Author)

    

     Dead As A Doornail is the fifth book in the Kenni Lowry series by Tonya Kappes. Once again Sheriff Lowry finds there is a murderer in the small town of Cottonwood, Kentucky. When Kenni's Poppa shows up, she knows a murder has been committed. Lucy Lowell was known for writing bad   Dead As A Doornail is the fifth book in the Kenni Lowry series by Tonya Kappes. Once again Sheriff Lowry finds there is a murderer in the small town of Cottonwood, Kentucky. When Kenni's Poppa shows up, she knows a murder has been committed. Lucy Lowell was known for writing bad reviews in the town's newspaper. Now she is dead. Kenni along with Poppa, former sheriff and her grandfather's ghost, must find the killer before they find her.
     This is only the second one of this series I have read. It can be read as a stand alone. Tonya makes me feel like a part of this small community. I feel like I'm listening to the all of the town's gossip. She draws me in with characters that are lovable, familiar and full of wit and spunk. They are laugh out loud funny.
      The mystery is a page turning who-dun-it,with twists and turns along the way and a ghost to help solve the crime. Tonya kept me engrossed in the story with quirky characters, humor and a keep me guessing plot. I couldn't stop reading it until I reached the end.
      I received this ARC copy of the book from the author for review. This is an honest review.

  

  

Cozy Book Groups  and New Releases
     I always wondered where I could find book groups that loved cozies as much as I did.  I looked at my local library for a book group, but they didn't read the books I love.  So I turned to Facebook.  There I found so many groups that loved cozies as much as I do that it was hard to chose which groups to join.  I have joined many and have enjoyed them all.  It's been so much fun to discuss mysteries with others who love them as much as I do.  I also found so many new authors to read.  It's been great fun. 
     But where do I start you might wonder.  Well, I signed into Facebook and started looking.  I put cozy mystery book club into the search bar and some popped up.  When I joined one soon others started showing up to join.  There's many out there.  They just need to be found.  The people in these groups are so much fun and love cozies as much as I do.  They lead me to new authors and books.

  Another thing I love is when my favorite author has a new release coming out.  I just got the new Tea Shop mystery Plum Tea Crazy by Laura Childs and can't wait to read it.  There are many new releases out there.  I usually keep up with authors on Facebook, but I also use Cozy Mystery List.
It's a wonderful site to find releases or books by different authors.  I love this website.  I've found it very useful.  The link is below.
https://www.cozy-mystery.com/

     Linda Reilly also has a new book out called Escape Claws from Kensington Publishing.  I also eager to read this book as well.  She has another series out.  They are the Deep Fried mystery series.  I also recommend this one too.  She is another of my favorite authors.  Here's a link to her web page to check out all of her wonderful books.
http://www.lindasreilly.com/
    Well I hope you can find a cozy mystery group and book that you love.
     Happy reading.



    
    

Til Death Do Us Party Review

   Til Death Do Us Party by Vickie Fee, is the fourth book in the Liv and Di series. Liv McKay is a party planner from Dixie, Tennessee. She has her own business called Liv 4 Fun. Di Souther is Liv's best friend and fellow sleuth. In this book Liv, with family and friends, flies to Las Vegas for her mother's wedding. Her mom, Virginia and fiance' Earl, want to be married at a Vegas chapel with an Elvis impersonator to officiate the nuptials. When the impersonator is murdered, it's up to Liv and Di to find the killer in this unfamiliar city.

     This is the first book of this series I have read. I didn't feel lost at all. I was able to follow the story and the characters felt like old friends. They were quirky and brought so much humor and fun to the story. Liv's mom was boisterous and spunky. I was laughing from start to finish. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, and with its twists and turns, it kept me guessing until the end. There were also party tips and recipes included.
      I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a cozy mystery with quirky characters, funny situations and laugh out loud fun.
I received this ARC copy of this book to review from the author. This is an honest review.  
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2339639900

     I have recommended this book in my review.  I do intend to read the others in this series because this one was so fun.  Now I want to start with the first one to see how it all began.
   Until next time, Happy Reading.
      

  

 

I just reviewed Cold Blood Brew by Tonya Kappes.  She is one of my favorite authors.  With her wonderful humor and quirky characters, her books keep me in stitches.
This is my review on Goodreads.

Cold Blooded Brew
by Tonya Kappes (Goodreads Author) 

Cold Blooded Brew by Tonya Kappes is the fourth book in the Killer Coffee Mystery series. The Bean Hive is owned by lawyer turned coffeehouse proprietress Roxy Bloom. It's where the people of Honey Springs, Kentucky meet for a coffee or tea, something to nosh on and to catch up on all of the town's gossip. Roxy, with her best friend and lovable dog Pepper, must find who killed the maid of honor and best friend of the bride.
Tonya Kappes always seems to make her readers feel like a part of her small town. She draws you in with wonderful characters and her story plots. When I'm reading about The Bean Hive, I feel like I'm there listening to the conversations while enjoying a coffee. I want to visit all the shops.
This book is a great edition to this series. I had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to keep reading until the end. It kept me engaged in the story and trying to figure out who dun it. Once again Tonya kept me guessing until the end. I also liked that she includes the adoption of animals in this series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a cozy mystery that has humor, wonderful small town characters, and a story that keeps you involved until the end.
I received this ARC copy of this book to review from the author. This is an honest review.

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2334983748

 

Goodreads is a great place to read and connect with others to see what they think about books.        

  

        

     So I decided to add pictures of my kitties to my blog page because they are so much a part of my life.  Then they get to be a part of my blog every day.  Emma likes to watch television.  When I was watching the Westminster Dog Show in February, she decided she wanted to watch too.  They are so cute and get along (most of the time).  They keep life interesting.

      I haven't had much time to read my cozies as much as I would like too.  I do work full time and have also been doing book reviews.  I really like doing them.  It's a great way to let others know about a great author that I like.   I didn't realize that I could review a book on my own.  I thought you had to be part of a street team.  But I have found out that I can review any book that I read.  I am a part of one author's review team, but I would like to review for others that I like.  I post my reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub and on the Barnes and Nobles site.

     I'm also a part of the Goodreads 2018 Reading Challenge.  I thought it would be a fun way to see just how much I do read in a year.  I've never kept track.  Goodreads is also a great place to connect with others, read reviews and learn about authors.  I really like it. 
https://www.goodreads.com/

     I also got a Kindle from a friend of mine.  I didn't think I would like it at first.  She had offered it to me many times and I always said no.  But I finally said yes and I'm so glad I did.  I still like to read print books, but I'm getting used to my Kindle too.  It's a great way to take along a bunch of books if you are traveling or just sitting in a waiting room.  I've found many free Kindle books.  I have now downloaded about 300. 

     There are many new books coming out this month.  One I have been waiting for is Plum Tea Crazy by Laura Childs.  It's the newest in her Tea Shop mystery series.  This is one of my favorite series.  Cozy Mysteries.com is a great place to find new releases.  This is also a great place to look for new authors and see what mysteries they write.
https://www.cozy-mystery.com/

     Until next time, Happy Reading.
   




   
    

I just finished my review of Six Feet Under by Tonya Kappes.  I hadn't read any in this series before, but I really enjoyed it.  I would like to share my review here too.

   

In Six Feet Under by Tonya Kappes, we meet Kenni Lowry the local sheriff for the small town of Cottonwood Kentucky. A famous food critic comes to town to taste her mama's chicken pot pie. He meets his end there and Sheriff Lowry finds herself with another mystery to solve.

This is the fourth book in the Kenni Lowry series. It's the first one of the series that I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found that I wasn't lost even though I hadn't read any of the others. I felt I knew all of the characters, although I had never met them before. They were fun and quirky keeping the story light and adding lots of humor. There were twists and turns in this mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mystery infused with quirky characters, a lot of humor and a bit of romance.

I received my copy of this book to review from the author. This is an honest review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2322936548

 

I do enjoy doing book reviews.  It's so much fun finding a great author and being able to share how I feel about a book.  I hope it will attract someone else to their books.

 

Izzy and Emma are doing great.  They got some new toys and are busy playing.

Why Cozies and Kitties?

     I have two kitties of my own and I hope to talk about them here.  I have Izzy who is nine and Emma who is a year and a half.  They are wonderful companions and they make me laugh all the time.

    
     Why cozies?  I love cozy mysteries.   When I discovered them, I couldn't stop reading them.

      There are a lot of series that feature cats as both the pets of the sleuth and they also help solve the crime.   There are so many series' that I can't name them all, but I can tell you some  of my favorites.

     The Magical Cats series and also The Second Chance Cats series by Sofie Kelly and Sofie Ryan are wonderful.   The Cat Who... series by Lilian Jackson Braun is a good series too.  I laugh every time I read one of these.

     Many series feature both cats and dogs as pets and helpers.  The Paws and Claws series and the Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis is also a great one.  I do love both of them.  The Bookmobile Cat series by Laurie Cass is a good one as well.  I often use Cozy-Mystery.com.  There you can find many great authors and series to keep you busy for a while.

This is one of my book reviews.

 Blythe Cove Magic by Lorraine Bartlett, Shirley Hailstock and Kelly McClymer.

This is an anthology with three wonderful stories that contain magic, mystery and a touch of romance. Each story is unique in its own right. The Obsidian Cat is a magical story. It kept me turning the pages. The second story, Ten Little Librarians, offers a mystery with a twist. The suspense kept me guessing until the end. The third story, An Unexpected Visitor, offers insight into a young girls trying life. I had to keep going to see how her story ends. I loved this book. The st This is an anthology with three wonderful stories that contain magic, mystery and a touch of romance. Each story is unique in its own right. The Obsidian Cat is a magical story. It kept me turning the pages. The second story, Ten Little Librarians, offers a mystery with a twist. The suspense kept me guessing until the end. The third story, An Unexpected Visitor, offers insight into a young girls trying life. I had to keep going to see how her story ends. I loved this book. The strength of this anthology is that they are individual stories that are tied together because of Blythe and the manor where magical things can happen. All the stories were intriguing. It kept me going until the last page, yet it's a light read. It's perfect for when you want to sit back, relax and go "to another place."

This is my first post in my new blog.  Cozies and Kitties.  I hope to put pictures and post my book reviews here.  I'm excited.