A GIFT IN TIME by Shaen Layle, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

PAULA'S REVIEW:
A charming cozy mystery about a music box with historical significance. Could it have been owned by Thomas Edison?
Sarah has acquired the music box for her new shop Heavenly Presents. The quest for answers took many detours but Sarah needs to prove the journey the box has traveled to get to her shop. Several people want the box and will not take no or wait for an answer. 

I liked the way the author crafts her characters and writes twists and turns into an intriguing story. She gives Sarah good friends, neighbors and family but throws in an obstacle or two to keep it interesting. Another nice touch is the addition of a story told in 1862 by the original owner of the music box. It was thought provoking to see how the clues came together and the suspects were ruled out. 

An overall theme was that God was working in the character’s lives and wanted what was best for them. No matter what the present circumstances, the eventual outcome was preferable. 

Another great cozy when you want something light to read.
* A complimentary print copy of this book was provided by Guideposts and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4.5 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
A Gift in Time is book 1 in Guideposts’ Gift Shop Mysteries fiction series.

It’s opening day of Sarah Morgan’s gifts and curiosities shop, Heavenly Presents. Not only are her family and friends there to support her new business, but a local television crew is on-site to interview her. Sarah decides her latest acquisition, an antique music box that supposedly belonged to Thomas Edison, is the perfect item to show off on television. They’ve only heard a few notes in the strange melody when an onlooker claims her great-grandmother used to play that same tune on the piano but was secretive about its origins.

When Sarah discovers a hidden drawer on the box that requires a key to open, she is determined to unlock the box’s secrets.

Meanwhile, someone in the Port Huron community is also determined…to see Sarah’s business fail.

Can Sarah find out who is behind the troublemaking, or will she be forced to close the doors on her dream forever?

About the Gift Shop Mysteries Series

Every gift tells a story…and some bring mysteries!

Get ready for a faith-filled mystery like no other! The excitement begins when Sarah Morgan returns to her picturesque hometown along the shore of Lake Huron to open a gift and curiosities shop, which she calls Heavenly Presents. As she reconnects with family and friends and grows in her faith, Sarah feels her shop becoming more than just a place to browse or buy. It’s turning into a cozy haven, where tucked among the handmade keepsakes and one-of-a-kind wonders are clues to long-buried secrets and surprising truths. Sarah soon discovers that solving small-town mysteries might just be the most meaningful gift she can offer.

Why You’ll Love the Gift Shop Mysteries Series

If you’re looking for a mystery series that’s equal parts heartwarming and intriguing, Gift Shop Mysteries is your perfect next read. Set in a charming lakeside town with a faith-filled shop owner as your guide, each book offers:Captivating mysteries that keep you guessing—but never keep you up at night
A cast of relatable, endearing characters who feel like old friends
A cozy, small-town atmosphere you’ll want to escape to again and again
Faith-filled encouragement and hope, gently woven through every story
Themes of redemption, reconnection, and second chances—with God, family, and community

Plus, each book includes delightful extras:A recipe inspired by the story
A personal letter from the author
“Behind the Counter” insights into the real-life history or inspiration
Book club-ready discussion questions

Whether you’re drawn to uplifting mysteries, enjoy uncovering meaningful secrets, or simply want a soul-soothing read with depth, heart, and a touch of suspense—this series was made for you.

GUIDEPOSTS Publishing, April, 2026

Available in digital ebook and paperback. Buy A GIFT IN TIME at Amazon, or Christianbook

BOUND BY TROUBLE / BOUND BY MAYHEM by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Beach Bound Books and Beans Murder Series

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BOUND BY TROUBLE (Book Four Review)
"So far, the grand opening of Beach Bound Books and Beans has been a smashing success."

However, it doesn't take long for Tali Robinson's dreams for a successful grand opening to take a dark detour. It all started with a stranger getting shot outside her back door and ended up with Mayor Mac MacArthur getting walloped in the back of the head. Why couldn't something go smoothly for a change?

As Tali, Mac, her host of friends and the Lantern Beach police begin to gather clues, it becomes clear that Tali's past has come knocking on the door of her newly minted shop. Who and why become the million dollar questions. And will this hiccup keep Tali and Mac from finding the time for an all-important personal conversation . . . or will the gap between them continue to widen ?

There is bound to be trouble in Lantern Beach! . . . unfortunately, especially when it comes to Talitha Robinson.

BackCover Blurb:
With the grand opening of Beach Bound Books and Beans, Tali Robinson’s dreams are finally coming true. She hopes to now put the past behind her and start a new chapter. When a suspicious stranger mysteriously shows up at her celebration, her hopes disappear faster than a bestseller at a book signing.

Mac MacArthur is ready to solidify his relationship with Tali. But mending their differences is easier said than done. Then someone sets their sights on Tali—and wants to put her out of print . . . permanently.

With trouble brewing, Tali and Mac have no choice but to dive into the chaos of the past. However, as more answers are revealed, the danger increases. The truth will come at a great cost . . . one that will bind them together or drive them apart.
________________

BOUND BY MAYHEM (Book Five Review)
"The past always finds a way back to you. Bah, humbug!"

Unfortunately, the Lantern Beach production of "Scared the Dickens Out of Me" that was slated for performance in the town's newly renovated community theater was not going to go off without a hitch. Someone had a wicked vendetta against director Abby Mendez and was determined to undermine not only her reputation, but to sabotage the entire event.

Of course Abby's friends rally around her as ghosts fly through the air, the town square's Christmas tree takes a tumble, and critical funds go missing. Lantern Beach needs glad tidings of great joy more than ever before, and maybe, just maybe, when the curtains finally close, another significant happily-ever-after will have the chance to take the stage.

This wonderful series of cozy mysteries ends with a bow and a vow!

BackCover Blurb:
As cast and crew members prepare for Lantern Beach’s first annual Christmas play, catastrophe strikes.

Abby Mendez, the director and brainchild behind the play, never shows up for a dress rehearsal. Threats emerge, and it becomes clear that not everyone on the island feels the Christmas spirit.

With dangerous encounters and ghostly disappearing acts threatening not only the play but also the safety of Lantern Beach residents, former police chief Mac MacArthur and Abby’s friend Tali Robinson jump in to help. The stakes rise as the perpetrator continues to haunt Abby’s past, torment her present, and threaten her future.

When it seems all hope is nearly lost, can the people of Lantern Beach work together to save the play? Or will this phantom scrooge steal the final act?

*I purchased copies of these books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BUY ANY OF THE SERIES AT AMAZON IN DIGITAL EBOOK , PAPERBACK, or AUDIOBOOK 

 

BOUND BY MURDER / BOUND BY MYSTERY / BOUND BY DISASTER by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Beach Bound Books and Beans Murder Series

________________

BOUND BY MURDER (Book One Review)
There's nothing like finding a skeleton in the walls of your new property to bring a renovation project to a screeching halt.

That's exactly the position that Lantern Beach newcomer Talitha Robinson finds herself in while trying to convert her newly acquired downtown property into a coffee shop and bookstore. Thankfully Mayor Mac MacArthur gets involved, using his instincts as the former police chief to assist Talitha in figuring out what to do next.

And while it seems that Mac is a bit enamored with the attractive new citizen . . . wait a minute . . . there's more to this story.

BackCover Blurb:

When widow Talitha Robinson buys an old store on the boardwalk in Lantern Beach, North Carolina, she’s in for a surprise . . . or several. She plans to renovate the space and open Beach Bound Books and Beans, but never expects to find a decades-old skeleton hidden inside one of the walls.

As word of the discovery spreads across the island, strange occurrences begin to occur around her. It soon becomes clear someone still knows something about the dead person—something they don’t want discovered.

Thankfully, former police chief and current mayor Mac MacArthur seems just as eager to unravel the mystery behind the skeletal remains as Tali. But as the two bind together to solve the case, a devastating secret is revealed.

Will their newfound friendship come unglued before they find the answers to the past? Or will their blooming relationship die like the man hidden in the wall?

________________

BOUND BY DISASTER (Book Two Review)
"Murder was interesting in books. But in real life? It was an entirely different story."

What if a suspicious murder victim washing up on the shores of Lantern Beach was connected to an unfinished manuscript? And what if that manuscript was the one just personally delivered to Tali Robinson? Has she already met the killer? So many questions. So few answers.

As Lantern Beach newcomer and proprietor of a yet to be finished bookstore and coffee shop, Tali Robinson once again finds herself relying on the support of mayor Mac MacArthur whose steady presence and years of experience as the former police chief make Tali all the more grateful that she agreed to just one dance.

This cozy mystery coasts to at a very clever conclusion.

BackCover Blurb:
Talitha Robinson is knee-deep in renovations as she prepares to open her new bookstore when a body washes ashore on Lantern Beach. While news of the suspicious death surges across the island, a stranger comes knocking on Tali’s door, begging her to endorse his unfinished suspense novel.

Unable to dissuade the author, Tali is left holding his manuscript in her hands. But she has no idea of the peril written on its pages.

Mac MacArthur has kept his distance from Tali since they uncovered a shocking connection about their pasts. But when someone begins to act out the murderous scenes from the book, one victim at a time, Mac’s protective instincts override his decision to stay away.

As danger escalates, Mac and Tali must manage their conflicting feelings as they work together to stop this killer . . . before the last chapter is written.

________________

BOUND BY MYSTERY (Book Three Review)
" . . . we have a witness who places you arguing with the victim right before she died in your store."

Impossible! Talitha Robinson had not killed anyone, especially on her own property. A recent newcomer to Lantern Beach, Tali was working hard to renovate her recent purchase into a combination bookstore and coffee shop, while living in the second floor apartment. But on the night in question, she had a house guest, a bookstore owner from a nearby island who stayed the night due to a storm that cancelled the ferry.

Former police chief and current mayor Mac MacArthur can scarcely believe that trouble has found his friend Tali all over again. His simmering attraction to the lovely woman has been put on hold (who is he kidding?) while they consider some awkward circumstances from their pasts. But as of right now, It's his civic duty to come to her aid, agreed?

An entertaining quest to find the killer who orchestrated a clever scheme to point the finger in the wrong direction. 

BackCover Blurb:
Talitha Robinson is well on her way to completing renovations for her new bookstore, Beach Bound Books and Beans, in Lantern Beach, North Carolina. But when she hosts a friendly meet-and-greet with bookstore owners from nearby islands, the progress she’s making comes to a deadly end.

Someone is backstabbed—literally—right under Tali’s nose. To make matters worse, Tali’s fingerprints are all over the murder weapon and a neighbor claims to have seen Tali commit the crime.

Mac MacArthur knows Tali isn’t the type to hurt anyone, but it doesn’t take a former police chief to figure out things don’t look good for her. The two work together to read between the lines and decipher the truth before Tali gets locked away for crimes she didn’t commit.

As more evidence stacks up, it becomes clear that someone wants to take Tali out of the story. For good.

 

*I purchased copies of these books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BUY ANY OF THE SERIES AT AMAZON IN DIGITAL EBOOK , PAPERBACK, or AUDIOBOOK 

 

DYING TO SELL by Tina Radcliffe and Ellery Adams, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

HOPE STREET CHURCH MYSTERIES Book Nine

KIM'S REVIEW:

I just love this cozy mystery series! I always say, if Tina Radcliffe’s name is on it, I’ll read it. She’s such a gifted storyteller—her writing is warm, engaging, and full of heart. The characters she creates are so easy to love and root for, and I find myself completely immersed in their world every time I pick up one of her books.

One of my favorite elements of the series is the Bible study group. I love how this tight-knit, supportive group of friends works together to solve mysteries in their small town. It adds such a fun and unique twist to the usual cozy mystery formula, and their camaraderie brings depth to the story. The faith thread is always seamlessly woven throughout—never heavy-handed or out of place. It feels natural and uplifting, and it really adds to the charm of the series.

I also really love Cooper and Jon—watching their relationship grow and develop over the course of the series has been such a treat. Their dynamic adds a layer of emotional richness to the story, and I always look forward to seeing what’s next for them. Honestly, I think this series could just keep going and going, and I’d happily follow along for every installment!

While Dying to Sell is book 9 in the series, it reads perfectly well as a standalone. New readers won’t feel lost, but longtime fans will appreciate the continued growth of the characters and community.
*I received a complimentary copy of this story. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. Another 5-star read from Tina Radcliffe!

BackCover Blurb:
Welcome back to Hope Street Church, where friendships are formed, fresh starts are encouraged, and mysteries are solved . . .

When an unscrupulous real estate agent tries to strong-arm a wealthy friend of Grammy Lee’s into selling her stately home, Cooper and her Bible study friends are called in to investigate—before any crime has been committed. Grammy’s fear is that the man is so devious he’ll try to bump off her friend in order to get his hands on the estate. But before Cooper and the gang can do much more than confirm he’s as sketchy as Grammy suspects, someone else takes matters into their own hands and takes the agent out of the picture, permanently.

The Bible study group knows that even the wicked deserve justice, so they continue to investigate, this time to catch a killer. There’s a full roster of service staff heading up their list of suspects, along with the elderly home owner herself. Then Cooper learns that the feds have taken an interest in the case, and suddenly she and her friends begin to worry they’re in real danger. Because nothing about this case is what it seems, and while charity may begin at home, this home is full of secrets that may cost Cooper her life . . .

Includes heavenly recipes from Magnolia Lee’s kitchen!

Beyond the Page Publishing, June, 2025

Available in digital ebook at Amazon

 

KNIGHT BREW by Heather Day Gilbert, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Book #9 THE BARKS AND BEANS CAFE MYSTERY SERIES

REBECCA'S REVIEW

Barks and Beans Cafe employees were poised to enjoy their booth at the local Renaissance Faire when tragedy struck. What was supposed to be a jousting exhibition turned fatal for one of the riders; a man whose reputation was already in shatters was carried off on a stretcher from something other than the thrust of a spear. As is turned out, "He didn't die of an overdose. His tox screen showed he was poisoned."

Cafe co-owner Macy Hatfield's vibrant curiosity demanded that she think back over everyone and everything that she had seen that day . . . and there were plenty to choose from. A great big distraction was her boyfriend, Titan McCoy, who was in town visiting Macy and her brother Bo . . . however, Titan was the best kind of diversion, especially dressed up as an heroic knight. As it turned out, Macy gets caught trying to play heroine and ends up breathing a sigh of relief when her knight in shining armor comes to the rescue.

Another great story where it seems that just about everyone has a reason to kill . . . and Macy has more than enough reasons to make a life changing decision. 

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Book Nine in the RWA Daphne Award-winning series!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

The Barks & Beans booth at the Renaissance Faire is hopping, since Macy managed to talk her muscled redhead brother into donning a kilt for the occasion. Even better, Macy's boyfriend Titan has come for a visit, so she can't wait to peruse the shops and watch the shows with him.

But when a well-rehearsed joust takes a fatal turn, Macy becomes a key witness. Can she believe her eyes, or did someone cloak their ruthless intent with smoke and mirrors? A late night stakeout seems the only way to determine what really happened...but someone scarier than the plague doctor is lying in wait for Macy, and this time, the damsel might not find a way out of her distress.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over
Book 3: Fair Trade
Book 4: Spilled Milk
Book 5: Trouble Brewing
Book 6: Cold Drip
Book 7: Roast Date
Book 8: Shade Grown
Book 9: Knight Brew
Standalone Novella: House Blend 

Woodhaven Press, November, 2024

Available in digital ebook or paperback

Buy KNIGHT BREW at Amazon

GONE TO THE DOGS Series #2, #4, #6 by Kathleen Y'Barbo, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

"Nowhere in scripture did it say that heaven was a warm sunny day on a Texas ranch, I felt like that just might be the case."

Country music super-star Trina Potter had a mother (Peach . . . yep, that's her real name, I think!) and a niece down in Texas, while she made her music and her home up in Nashville, Tennessee. Maybe that needed to change . . . since her mother's decision-making skills were becoming a little suspect (like leaving mountainous piles of fabric for her dog-costume business . . . wait, was it a business or a hobby? . . . I digress . . . that she could trip over). And sweet Mari? Her niece? Well, she was trying desperately to open a rescue facility for dogs and was being thwarted around ever corner (like a bomb being left in the corner of the field where the dogs were . . . what's up with that?).

And then . . . there's the little matter of a certain nerdy high school prom-date . . . "He's grown taller and broader in the shoulders over the years and he (Wyatt Chastain) was more serious than I remembered, but he hadn't lost his sense of humor".

Suddenly there were more and more reasons to spend time in Brenham, Texas. If you think there's more to this story, then you would be correct. What an invigorating, cozy little mystery!

THE BARK OF ZORRO

"Lightning cracked. Thunder boomed. The poor pup yipped in fear. I had to do something."

Second Chance Ranch Dog Rescue volunteer Cassidy Carter was on her own this stormy Valentine's Day night. There was a pup that needed rescuing and it was up to her to make it happen. After a series of minor mishaps (like having to sort of, kind of, trespass to reach the frightened dog, then fleeing the scene while being chased by an unknown subject, and getting everything in the rescue van muddy and wet in the process) Cassidy got her dog! . . . only to discover that someone had painted the letter Z across his side.

"Since when did a man render me unable to successfully complete a sentence?"

James the Gorgeous Game Warden had done just that. She tried to ignore the fact that he had most assuredly pointed out that Cassidy's driver's license had expired, so she couldn't lawfully drive her vehicle until she took care of that little detail. Fast forward, Cassidy brings James into the "Zorro" conversation and they form a "team" mentality (or at least Cassidy does, James is insistent that she leave investigating to the professionals). Not!  . . . which makes the personal bond they are forming a little tricky to navigate.

This cozy Texas town mystery takes multiple twists and turns, but in the end culprits are apprehended and romance gets its much needed chance to bloom!

NEW LEASH ON LIFE

"Can we set aside some time to figure out how we can fix what needs to be fixed between us?"

After four years Nora Hernandez is losing hope that her beloved Dr. Lane Bishop is ever going to propose marriage. His heart is always in the right place but his lackadaisical approach to commitment is causing Nora to wonder if she just needs to let him go. Just when she's about to approach the subject, a Belgian Malinois becomes part of their equation. He's highly trained, much like one would expect from a military working dog, and when the small town of Brenham, Texas experiences a couple of suspicious explosions, the canine appears to have bomb-sniffing skills. "Pal", as he's named until they can find his true owner, is also capable of calming PTSD . . . which ironically is just what Lane needs . . . making Lane exactly who Nora needs.

My favorite book in the series! A really interesting small town mystery mixed with the sweetest of long awaited small town romances. 

*I purchased all three books and was under no obligation to provide positive reviews.

See the entire series of six books (so far) from Authors Janice Thompson and Kathleen Y'Barbo at Amazon

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

A TASTE FOR CRIME by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe, Reviewed by Kim

(Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 8)

If it has Tina Radcliffe’s name on it, I will read it! She always writes wonderful stories! No matter the genre, her characters are always likable, her storylines always good, her humor is spot on, and her faith thread is always seamlessly woven throughout the story. A Taste for Crime, which is a cozy mystery, is excellent!

I really enjoyed reuniting with Cooper and the gang to solve another mystery. I wish I could be a part of their Bible study group! Cooper and Jon’s relationship, which I love, is moving along nicely. The secondary storylines with Cooper and her family and her work really added to the plot. I love Zoe and the lesson she unknowingly taught Cooper - and myself if I’m being honest. LOL. I loved the faith thread! Here’s one of my favorite quotes:

“We need our Bible nourishment to make it through the week.”

Gosh, this is so true!

A Taste for Crime by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is part of a series, but it can totally be read as a standalone. I really loved this story and these characters. I hope we get more with this group of sleuths! 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 stars!

BackCover Blurb:

Welcome back to Hope Street Church, where friendships are formed, fresh starts are encouraged, and mysteries are solved . . .

When a scathing review by a prominent food critic threatens to ruin the career of local celebrity chef Anton Parsley, he turns to Cooper and her Bible study group for help. Cooper’s boyfriend was once mentored by the beloved chef, and Cooper will do anything she can to support his struggling restaurant. But before she can figure out how to restore the chef’s good reputation, the food critic is found murdered in his restaurant. Suddenly, Cooper and the gang must go from propping up the chef to tracking down a killer.

It’s well known that the food critic had built a lucrative career with her bombastic reviews, but as Cooper and her friends look into her background, they discover that she may not have been who she appeared to be. Suspecting that secrets from her past will lead them to whoever wanted her dead, the Bible study group cook up a scheme to trap the culprit. The risks are high and may just get them burned, but they’re dead-set on catching the killer before the chef’s career is toast . . .

Includes heavenly recipes from Magnolia Lee’s kitchen!

 

Beyond The Page Publishing, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook at Amazon

SHADE GROWN by Heather Day Gilbert, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Barks and Beans Cafe #8

"Mayor Boaz Hatfield would have his hands full in days to come."

And apparently, so would his sister Macy. A high profile Hollywood star lying dead among the hostas . . . in the middle of a commemorative shade garden, during a home and garden tour? That certainly wasn't an everyday occurrence in Lewisburg, West Virginia, now was it? Having happened upon the bizarre scene herself, Macy was determined to help the victim's sister dig down a little deeper, so to speak, to uncover who may have wanted Cody Franklin dead.

With striking ingenuity and an over abundance of curiosity, Macy narrows down her search for answers only to experience multiple dead-ends amidst a growing number of suspects, to the point of fearing for her own safety. In the end, it all comes down to the benefit of having nosy neighbors!

Easy to read, fun to read . . . and I am already looking forward to the next read in this delightful cozy mystery series! 

*I purchased the book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

BackCover Blurb:
BOOK EIGHT in the Award-winning BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

During Lewisburg's popular summer home and garden tour, Macy and her brother Bo discover new aspects of their hometown's history. One of the last homes they visit features a lush commemorative shade garden marking where a Civil War soldier's bones were buried. As Macy pauses to admire a bed of blue hostas, she glimpses a shadowy shape lying beneath the dinner-plate leaves. It turns out to be the body of famed movie star Cody Franklin, who'd purchased the garden house as a quiet country retreat.

Back at the cafe, Macy speaks with Cody's distraught sister, who lets slip that she's afraid her brother's killer will target her next. Macy's heart goes out to the bereaved sibling, and she agrees to speak with Cody's local acquaintances in hopes she'll uncover some helpful backstory.

But someone powerful is lurking behind the scenes, and Macy has to zoom in on the killer before everything fades to black.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over
Book 3: Fair Trade
Book 4: Spilled Milk
Book 5: Trouble Brewing
Book 6: Cold Drip
Book 7: Roast Date
Book 8: Shade Grown
Standalone Novella: House Blend 

 

Available in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

SPOON TO BE DEAD by Dana Mentink, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

I have really enjoyed each and every story in the Shake Shop series! The characters are likable, the mysteries have kept me guessing until they very end, and the romance that has bloomed between Trinidad and Quinn throughout this series is so sweet!

Trinidad is a wonderful character that is easy to like and root for. I love her sleuthing ways and how bold she can be when trying to solve a mystery. Her and Quinn are perfect for each other and I’ve loved watching their romance develop over the series. Trinidad’s employees, twin brothers Carlos and Diego, always add a great touch of humor to the story. In fact, there are so many great secondary characters in this series that I could talk about, but instead, I’ll just say each and every character adds so much to these stories.

Spoon to be Dead is the third title in this series. While it can easily be read as a standalone, I so enjoyed reading the entire series. You really come to know and love the characters. I highly recommend each and every story and I can’t wait for the next cozy mystery from Dana Mentink! 5 stars!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This is a clean read.

SEE KIM'S REVIEWS OF BOOKS 1 and 2 PINT OF NO RETURN and A SPRINKLE IN TIME

BackCover Blurb:
A murder for the holidays is about to shake things up!

Trinidad Jones is starting the festive season with sugary confections and a heaping scoop of worry as her shake shop enters its first Oregon winter. With snow abound and tourists trickling through, she'll do anything to keep her milkshake dreams afloat, even if it means catering a holiday steamboat party for some new arrivals in town.

But when her good-for-nothing ex crashes through her shop's door claiming he's being charged with murder, things go sideways. With clues piling up like whipped cream on a sundae and motives abound, Trinidad and her fellow ex-wives must solve this murder before she's finally thrown for a scoop.

The third book in the Shake Shop Mysteries following Trinidad Jones who makes sweet confections and solves sticky situations in her small town! 

Poisoned Pen Press, October, 2023

Available in digital ebook and paperback 

Buy SPOON TO BE DEAD at Amazon

A SLOWLY DEVELOPING STORY by Shaen Layle and Nancy Mehl, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

A great cozy mystery centering around decades old film found in a camera from an estate liquidation.

Sisters Martha, Elizabeth and Mary own a thrift shop: Secondhand Blessings. They help out friend Laura who is clearing out her grandfathers house. The mystery begins when old photos are able to be processed but are then stolen. The plot thickens when Lauren has a break in and the sisters try to figure out what secrets the photos hold.

This is an interesting plot with a peek into the relationship of the sisters and how old secrets can affect the present. An enjoyable visit to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with a little light romance thrown in. I especially liked Mary and her adventures in baking. 4 stars and a solid faith thread.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

BackCover Blurb:
Lauren sells a vintage camera of her grandfathers to Secondhand Blessings. Elizabeth opens the back and discovers undeveloped film. With permission she gets it developed. The prints reveal a mystery of and Amish man who disappeared decades earlier. Mary gets involved with making baked goods for a local program.

 

Guideposts Publishing, January 2020

Available in Hardcover from Amazon

 

ICED OVER by Heather Day Gilbert, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Let's just say that we lucked out when we hired a sweetie like her."

The Barks and Beans Cafe's new hire, Bristol Goddard, is a perfect fit for the cafe's combination of "cups and canines". She's a hard worker, obviously loves dogs and gets along well with the establishment's owners and fellow employees. Unfortunately, Bristol's struggling family life takes a turn for the worse, when her uncle is seriously injured in a suspicious armored security truck accident- turned- heist, pulling kindhearted cafe co-owner Macy Hatfield into the fray.

Macy's nose for investigative work takes her down one disappointing path after another. She's anxious to help the Goddards, but exactly how much do they already know? She's on a very slippery slope, especially when it appears that outside forces are working overtime to thwart her efforts.

What a fun continuation of a very creative series of cozy mysteries!
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
BOOK TWO in the ALL-NEW BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

Black Friday turns fatal when an armored security truck hits an icy patch and runs over an embankment near the cafe. With one driver dead and the other in a coma, police are baffled by the discovery that $500,000 is missing from the truck's cache.

When strangers show up at Barks & Beans asking nosy questions about a young cafe employee, Macy's mama bear instincts kick in. She can't ignore what her gut is telling her—that things aren't all they seem on the surface—and with a little help from her brother, Bo, and her Great Dane, Coal, Macy follows up on a few leads of her own. But if the ruthless thief beats her to the stash, the thin ice she's been skating on might just crack.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over
Book 3: Fair Trade

Woodhaven Press, July 2020
Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Iced Over at Amazon

NO FILTER - Barks and Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery #1 by Heather Day Gilbert, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Barks and Beans was a grand experiment for both of us, and it simply had to work."

Macy Hatfield, and her brother Bo, have both returned to their hometown of Lewisburg, West Virginia following deep personal disappointments. Repurposing their Aunt Athaleen's lovely home by dividing it into a trendy cafe/ residence for Macy, they expectantly launch their combination coffee-and-canines business with the area's eclectic community in mind. It never entered their minds that murder and mayhem would appear on the menu.

With few friends, multiple suspects, and her new adoptee; a dog named Coal, Macy cannot resist putting her dogged determination and curiosity to the test, especially when Coal literally carries the most significant clue around his neck.

I wouldn't change a single thing about this clean, clever, and very cozy mystery!
*I received a copy of this book from the author; the opinions stated above are entirely my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
BOOK ONE in the ALL-NEW BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

Fed up with her go-nowhere job, newly single Macy Hatfield moves back to her small hometown in West Virginia. She joins forces with her brother Bo in his crazy new venture—the Barks & Beans Cafe, which caters to dog lovers and coffee drinkers alike.

When a golf instructor is murdered at the nearby spiritual center, Macy winds up adopting his Great Dane. Just after Macy finds a mysterious message sewn under the dog's collar, her Dane is dognapped. She launches into a relentless search for her newfound canine friend, but along the way, she digs up a cruel and confident killer.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy No Filter at Amazon