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When You’re Not Reading a Cozy
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Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator
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Dec 13, 2024 10:48AM
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I finished A Nest of Vipers
by Harini Nagendra. Book 3 in the series. I think the best yet. Set in 1922 Bangalore, India. Lots of interesting History and cultural information. Good Glossary in the back. I recommend starting with book 1.
Here is my 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review of Echo Road by Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural
Series Crossover - FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and Sheriff Bree Taggert
Book 9 in both series
Very cute and cheerful short story set in regency era:A Fowl Christmastide
by Sandra Sookoomy 5 star review here :
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review of The Guardian Initiative by Liane Zane:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Espionage / Military Intelligence / hint of supernatural to come
Final book in The Unsanctioned Guardians prequel trilogy
My review for
The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge by Janet Goverhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.49 rounded to 3 stars review of Beyond Mountain Park: An Odyssey of Love by Kathy McWhirterhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Historical Fiction / Historical Romance
Mainly set in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Descriptive
Depicts several historical events of the time between 1916 and 1931.
More telling than showing at times.
Here is my 4.43 rounded to 4 stars review of The Big Empty by Robert Crais:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Private detective Elvis Cole with help from silent partner Joe Pike
Elvis Cole Series Bk 20; Joe Pike Series Bk 9
Death, danger, and suspense take center stage. This twisty thriller is a full of gripping scenes embedded in a well-crafted and riveting plot that hooked me from the very beginning.
Christmas novella, a short mystery-romance set in regency era:The Theft Before Christmas
by Cheryl BolenI'm a little disappointed, however still curious to read the
novels of the series, the general plot is promising.
My 3 stars review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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* Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood, romance novella.
* A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, classic reread. I also watched three different screen versions: 1938 B&W, 1984 George C. Scott version (my least favorite), and the Muppets version.
* A Very German Christmas: The Greatest Austrian, Swiss and German Holiday Stories of ALL Time by Various Authors. Collection of short stories and poetry, definitely more cheerful than the Russian collection.
* All by My Elf by Olivia Dade, romance novella.
Here is my 3.32 rounded to 3 stars review of What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thriller
Book 2 in the Catherine Ling series
I had trouble staying engaged with this one despite the danger, suspense, and action. It was slow at times and somewhat repetitive. Despite this, I did enjoy it and wanted to know what would happen next.
And my final read & review for 2024 is
Guard Her With Your Life by Joy Ellishttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 4.84 rounded to 5 stars review of Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Futuristic Police Procedural
60th book in the Eve Dallas In Death series
Overall, this novel was an emotional and twisty tale with great characterization that kept me engaged throughout the story.
I enjoyed getting to know more about Summerset's background in this novel. As always, strong characters, excellent pacing, and delightful relationships are a constant in this series.
Here is my 4.48 rounded to 4 stars review of Dark Hope by Christine Feehan:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Paranormal Romantic Suspense / Supernature Suspense
Latest book in the Dark series
Overall, it was suspenseful, full of danger, and action-packed. The subplots tied together well, the main characters were strong and the ending was satisfactory, but also set up possibilities for future books. The author does a great job of characterization, world-building and building atmosphere.
My first review for 2025 is for
Shattered by Aussie author Juanita Keeshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have finished my 2024 year in review on Goodreads. Here is the link:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 4.7 rounded to 5 stars review of A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado:Read in Dec. but needed to wait until 2025 to post.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
FBI Thriller
Book 3 in the Daniela Vega series
Featuring an FBI codebreaker following a killer's cryptic clues across the country.
Twists, tension, suspense & violence.
Solid plot. Good characterization. Excellent world-building.
Here is my 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review of Track Her Down by Melinda Leigh:Read in Dec., but needed to wait until 2025 to post.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural
The next book in the Bree Taggert series
Deception, exotic animals, police investigation, and a little romance
The plot has twists and turns. The world-building is well-done and the characterization is excellent.
Here is my 3.8 rounded to 4 stars review of The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha:Read in Dec., but needed to wait until 2025 to post.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
"Locked Room" (Private Island off the coast of Scotland)
Mysteries, and Family Drama
Significant Inheritance at stake
It was a fascinating and twisty look at family dynamics and secrets between members of a wealthy but dysfunctional family.
Here is my 4.0 review of Edge of the Moon by Rebecca York:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Combines Police Procedural, Fantasy, and Romance
Set in and around Rockville, Maryland
A demon, a black arts purveyor, a werewolf, and much more......
As usual, when not reading cozies, I'm pretty much reading romance. My last romance of the year was actually a reread--as if I had all the reading time in the world!--of Hard and Fast by Mari Carr from her Italian Stallions series. I love Gage and Penny. (This series actually has several entries I love to reread/skim through now and then for great stories, couples/throuples, and HEAs.) -- Love Mari Carr's books and series! I haven't read one yet enjoyed (book or series!) that I haven't.
My last new-to-me romance for 2024 was Hidden Away by Golden Angel, part of her Masters of Marquis series. I have not done a written review and don't know if I will.
This is book 7 in an ongoing series I have not read. Though I usually don't read series out of order, the description of the story hooked me. Not having read the previous stories, however, did not really hinder the reading of this other than maybe being privy to Brian & Rea's earlier assignations and "knowing" the other characters better. The two are best man and maid of honor--respectively, of course--in the wedding of their friends. The wedding couple is holding a Jack and Jill destination wedding shower, an island getaway. Both Brian and Rea are attending stag--all others are coupled up. While Rea is drawn to Brian, she doesn't feel she can give him what he wants, what he really needs. She plans on avoiding him as much as possible while still having fun with their group of friends. Brian feels Rea is the woman for him and he'd prove it if she'd only give him a real chance.
When her bungalow floods and can't be repaired, she winds of staying with Brian. What happens on the island...
Anyway... I kind of wish the story were as interesting as the description. It wasn't terrible, 2.50 (rolled up because it was better than a 2 rating, just not really a 3), and would not keep me from reading others in the series (or the author's other series)--though I'd go into them with lower expectations at this point.
Here is my 4.18 rounded to 4 stars review of Chain Reaction by James Byrne:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thriller / Terrorist Attack
Book 3 in the Dez Limerick series
Twisty, fast-paced, and engrossing
Interesting concept of a "gatekeeper"
Protagonist that tends to avoid guns
Here is my 4.23 rounded to 4 stars review of Shattering Dawn by Jayne Ann Krentz:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romantic Suspense,
Private Investigation with a paranormal twist and romance
This story captivated me in the first chapter and gained momentum as the twists and turns unfolded. It’s also well-plotted with characters that had flaws, but who worked to overcome them. There are some surprising moments in the plot that added to enjoyment and the world-building is well-done. Full of action, investigation, paranormal experiences, and more, this book was hard to put down.
My review for
Second Chance at Christmas by Elizabeth Leydin (Pamela Freeman)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished some days ago a regency mystery-romance but I wouldn't suggest it to mystery readers, it's more suitable for those who like romances with passionate scenes.Unfortunately I like mysteries and I expected a better job by the author.
An Affair at Christmastide: a Mary and Bright novel
by Sandra SookooMY REVIEW HERE :
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 2.88 rounded to 3 stars review of A Rage to Conquer: Twelve Battles That Changed the Course of Western Historyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
History
12 Battles that changed the course of Western history
Well-researched, Verbose, History didn't come to life, A lot of the author's views
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Also read another Christmas novella, Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur, The way the first two chapters opened was hilarious.
Next up was The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. I have a vague memory of reading this when I was in elementary school, and it was good to revisit it.
Off to a good start so far this year!
Cozy Mysteries
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