cozy mysteries

Cozies for Your Quarantine –

Angela23 Comments

This is a time like no other; a time that no one (nearly no one) alive today has experienced before. Depending where you live, you could be deep into this, or it is just starting to hit your area. Michigan has shut down all kindergarten through 12th grade schools, nearly all colleges are doing online classes with campuses and dorms being closed. State and City businesses are closed as well.

I, however, still get to go to work every day. It would take a Presidential order for that to change! 😊 My teenager will be home for the next 3-4 weeks, and I already have a list of things in my mind that she can do around the house once her schoolwork is done. I’m not holding my breath (no pun intended), but hopefully she can help me out!

What doesn’t help is that my 3 local libraries are also closed. I have 3 books checked out right now (a cozy series) that I have to read yet, but I was hoping to get more picked up. I have many different books downloaded on my Nook, so I will be happy to start getting those read instead.

Some of my favorite cozy series are listed below!

Sherry Harris – Sarah Winston Garage Sale Series

Julianna Deering – Drew Farthering Mysteries

Maddie Day (Edith Mawell) – Country Store Mystery Series 

Kelly Lane – Olive Grove Mysteries

Bailey Cates – Magical Bakery Mystery Series

Kylie Logan – Ethnic Eats Mystery Series

What are you reading? Are you quarantined? Sick? Caring for someone who is sick? How are you handling this new Normal we have for at least the next few weeks?

Are You Entered for your Autographed Book Giveaway?

Angela7 Comments

Okay, I have 4000+ followers on my blog, and 8 entries so far 😦 This is a free autographed book, along with some notepads and ink pens! This series sucked me in from the first story (which I am giving away 2 autographed copies of), all the way through the 6th. It costs you nothing! I bought the books, got some extra goodies (Thank You Julianna!), and I am paying the shipping.

You will NOT regret starting this series!

Enter here: Autographed Book and Goodies Giveaway!

 

 

 

The Drew Farthering Mystery Series – Julianna Deering

Angela6 Comments

I am almost finished with the sixth, and currently last, book in the Drew Farthering Mystery series. I posted book reviews on the first two books, then quickly read the 3rd and 4th books so I could get them back to my library. I bought the 5th and 6th books in eBook versions for my Nook, and am truly sad that I am almost done with the 6th installment, and there are no more books to read. Hopefully this is not truly the end of Drew, Madeline, Nick, and Carrie and their wonderful adventures.

I am hoping to be holding a drawing for the first book in this series very soon, so stay tuned!

You can learn more about these books and Ms. Deering here: The Drew Farthering Mystery Series

Double Fudge Brownie Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery– Joanne Fluke

Angela8 Comments

It has been quite a while since I have read one of the Hannah Swensen mysteries by Joanne Fluke. They are all titled with fun food references, such as Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (book 1), Carrot Cake Murder (book 10), and Raspberry Danish Murder (book 22). I am currently reading book 19, The Wedding Cake Murder. The Double Fudge Brownie Murder that I am reviewing here is book 18.

Double Fudge Brownie Cover Image

Although I know I have not read all of the books up to book 19 that I am on now, I would say by looking at all of the covers and titles, I have read about 14 or 15 over the years. Hannah Swensen owns a bakery, and is the classic cozy-mystery heroine whom solves the murder case in each story. These books are significantly longer than most cozy mysteries, and they also contain several wonderful recipes throughout the story.

Hannah has her mother and two sisters in her life, a fluffy orange and white tomcat, as well as her assistant at her bakery; Lisa. She has two men in her life throughout this series, Norman and Mike. Both love her, she loves them, and they are obviously aware of the other being in Hannah’s life. Traditional to a cozy mystery, there is no swearing, graphic murder scenes, or sexual innuendos or unbearable scenes to read through.

I will not go into too many details on this story, in order to avoid spoilers, but Hannah and her sisters are helping their mother get married, and they all enjoy a trip to Las Vegas for the nuptials. What Hannah does not know, is that she is in for her own surprise in Las Vegas. This helps to keep her in positive spirits as she knows when she returns home she has to go to trial for an involuntary manslaughter charge from an accident she had (I am guessing in the book immediately before this, that I have not read). Finding the Judge who is going to try the case bludgeoned to death with his own gavel gives Hannah a lot more to worry about!

You can find all of the book titles here: Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke

I highly recommend all of the Hannah Swensen mysteries! Have you read any of the Hannah Swensen mysteries?

Personalized Book Boxes

Angela47 Comments

Yes; this is what I am doing after working 10+ hours a day and not reading your books!

None of these are completed, and all need some alcohol ink and a whole lot of resin!

Another vacation is forthcoming, along with 4 book reviews for what I have read in the last 2 weeks.

What are you reading right now? I am missing reading my cozy mysteries as I am in the middle of writing two!

The New Writing Machine…

Angela36 Comments

…so I honestly have been putting off getting a new laptop, for several reasons.

My laptop of almost 7 years was my best friend. It helped me create 3 blogs, edit thousands of photos, and never shut down because it was tired.

It did NOT have Windows 10, which I loathe, and everything was right at my fingertips.

But it did indeed get tired. And would not turn on if it wasn’t plugged in; and would never charge.

So for the past two hours, I have been “setting up” my new laptop. I have logged in codes and passwords 37 times (I wish I was lying, but I’m not), and am still fighting to get Office downloaded so I can get my books saved on here.

I had to force it to download Chrome so I can function like I am used to, and does anyone really use Bing?

No; seriously…does anyone use Bing?

All of this so I can focus on getting my stories cleaned up, and start submitting to agents.

I know it will all be worth it in the end, because I truly feel my stories will bring joy to others.

Microsoft 10: you bring no joy to me 😦