Review: Stowed Away

 

* Book 6 in the Maine Clambake Mystery series *

Julia and her family are getting ready for tourist season in Maine. When an old acquaintance arrives to help look at the family homestead, Julia isn't thrilled to see her old rival. But Wyatt is happy to see Julia. She invites Julia, Chris, and Quentin for dinner on her boyfriend's yacht. Her boyfriend is a reclusive billionaire who rarely shows his face.

After a pleasant dinner, the group goes their own way. But the next day, tragedy strikes. Wyatt calls Julia with the news that Geoffrey is dead - murdered. Quinten and Wyatt ask for Julia's help. She can't really say no, but she wishes she could. 

Instead, Julia pokes around Geoffrey's life and undercover that everything that glitters isn't gold...

My Thoughts: I adore this series - but fell behind reading it. I'm happy to be back. I love spending time in this small Maine town with great food, lots of friends, and of course murder. This book shared so much about the characters pasts. From Julia and her time in high school to Chris and his family to Quentin - who has been a closed book most of the time. It's nice to delve more into characters' lives. Of course the murder was entertaining and no, I didn't see the twist coming.  Another great addition to series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Purchased while on vacation in Maine

Library Recommendation: A great cozy series for your library's collection

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Ongoing Series

This week's topic is a rewind. I'm talking about my favorite series books that are still ongoing and I'm still reading. Mostly these books are cozies or romances.

* Also series for me means 5 or more books

Top Ten Tuesday: Titles

This week's topic is all about fun titles. I always think that cozies have the best titles - and most of them have to do with food. Here are a few of my favorites.

Cozy Review: Iced Under

 * Book 5 in the Maine Clambake series * 

Someone mails Julia's mother a missing family heirloom, worth a fortune in the dead of winter. Julia's determined to uncover more details about her mother's long lost family. They squabbled over the family fortune and split up years ago. This is the first contact Julia's ever had with that side of the family.

With the help of information from the historical society and the internet, Julia's able to track her family down in Boston. But when she arrives, a family member has just died - murdered.

Now Julia's trying to untangle the truth from reality amidst all the family drama.  Could one of them be responsible for murder?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved Julia tracking down how the package came to her family - including her time in the historical society. I loved learning about the family from the past - especially how they made their fortune. I loved meeting her new family members - what a cast of characters. I loved how this new information changes everything for Julia and her family. I can't wait to see what happens next! I love how the action happened right before a huge snow storm and Julia needed to get home before then, it increased the tension in the book. A perfect cozy to read during the winter, snuggled up under a blanket. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review

Final Thoughts: Another great addition to the series, be sure to scoop this one up. Highly recommended for cozy sections in all public libraries. 

Books I'm Dying to Read: December Edition

By now, the weather starts getting colder. The pellet stove comes on and I just want to read in front of it all winter. It's so warm. Plus I'm waiting for the first flakes of the year.  I'm also in the process of crafting a bunch for Christmas, so I don't get to read too much in December. But here's what I'm looking forward to reading.

Kids:

Showing Off: Book 3 in the Upside Down Magic series that's super cute!
Secret Life of Squirrels: The first book was tons of fun, can't wait to read this love story

YA:

Secret of a Heart Note: Matchmaking and love potions gone wrong
Take the Key and Lock Her Up: After the bombshell at the end of the last book, I"m anxious to read the end of the trilogy.
Everyday Magic: Curious about this sophomore book about Hollywood, fashion, and romance
Lock and Mori: After the ending of the first book, I'm so curious to see where this book leads and how the characters react.
Ever Hunted: This start if a fantasy sounds a little like Throne of Glass

Adult:

 
Dead Cold Brew: 16th book in this coffeehouse series has good news and of course - murder
Iced Under: A cold winter in Maine and a mysterious package procduing a long lost diamond necklace is the backdrop for the 5th book in this series.
Lady Claire is All That: The third book in the Canvendish series where the American attempt to fit in and for Claire, it's not that easy with her intelligence.

What books are you dying to read?

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR List

This week's topic is one of my favorite - Biggest books in your TBR pile. And the season is fall. Fall for me is September thru November, but in the publishing world, they include December. So I will too. And there's no way I can limit myself to just 10. Also as usual, I'll separate them out by ages. And of course I'll be stalking everyone's lists, because one can never have too many books they want to read, right?

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

Kids:

Middle Grade:

Teen:

Adult: