Cozy Review: Till Death Do Us Tart

* Book 8 in the Bakeshop Mystery series *

Jules is desperately trying to keep the wedding that's throwing her mother a surprise. She's disguised it as part of her party at her new vineyard. Even Carlos and his son are coming to celebrate; she's nervous about meeting Romero for the first time.

Her best friend Lance is back from his vacation, but he's not well rested. He's convinced that his brother is trying to murder his father and that he's being followed. He begs Jules to invite his brother and his entourage to the wedding so they can keep tabs on him.

When his father dies and a wedding guest collapses, things are looking poorly. Lance and Jules search for clues only to discover that the poisoned wine was given to the wrong person. The glass was meant for Jules.

My Thoughts: I adore this series - for the small town charm, the characters, and the bakery. Each book makes me mouth water and I have the strongest urge to go into the kitchen and whip something up. I loved seeing Carlos again - he might have won me over. I liked meeting his son. Of course, the wedding was amazing and I loved how everything came together. I loved that the whole town was involved. I felt bad for Lance, he's been through the ringer lately.  I can't wait to read the next installment of this series!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: This series should be on your public library mystery shelves.

Adult Review: Cavendon Hall

The Inghams call Cavendon Hall home as do the Swann family who serve them. The Swann family motto, Loyalty Binds Me, makes the Swanns protect the family in any way possible. They're not about to start breaking that oath now.

As World War One nears, life changes for the family. First comes the startling news of what happened to Lady Daphne in the woods. She hesitates to tell her family the truth, but realizes it's not a secret to be ignored.  Gossip becomes reality as the country declares war on other European nations. The house much change to keep up wit the times, but will change mean the loss of traditions?

My Thoughts: Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, this book sweeps through the years leading up to the war and the aftermath of the war, centering around two families. Both the upstairs and the downstairs family deal so much during the season and throughout the war.  I confess, my heart belongs to the Swann family, although I like the Inghams too, especially the daughters. The youngest daughter is my favorite - she's so cheeky. I loved Cecily and her fashion design. I wouldn't mind a book about her and her shop. A great novel about a large estate with family drama, secrets, betrayals, jealously, love, and coming of age.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: Sent for Review

Adult Review: Anything But Love

* Cupcake Lovers Series #3 *

Luke and Rachel had a moment - but that was all they had. She disappeared without a word. He had his almost-brother-in-law track her down. Right before Christmas, he found her again.

Again they had a moment.

Rachel returns to town days later - with a secret. She spent the last year in Sugar Creek incognito. Her real name is Rae and she's an heiress. Now she recognizes that the year she spent in Vermont, was the best year of her life. She made friends, developed feelings for Luke, and now she's in a position to do some good for the community.

Can she make it work or will life have a different plan for her?

My Thoughts: I really love this series - I love the small town charm. I love the chain of gossip and how everyone knows everything. I felt bad for Rae - how she had to make up a different persona to find herself, but I love that she's strong enough to come back and face the town afterwards. I love how Luke's responding to her and how he's finally found a love that could last. I love seeing favorite characters from other books in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library.

Blog Tour: Weather Witch Guest Post

From the Author:

My character Jordan has to do some growing up throughout the Weather Witch series, and she's reluctant to do so. She's had a decent life so far, living up on The Hill on some of Philadelphia's most prized real estate. This is an acrostic poem from Jordan's point of view. 

Whichever the battle and what-
Ever my fear
All that I wish is
That you find me here.
Here stays the heart pinned
Ever to my sleeve
Resting, nestled, and cool
Where no one can see.
I wait for the rescue 
That might never come
Clutching your gift,
Here, betwixt forefinger and thumb.

About the Book:

In a vastly different and darker Philadelphia of 1844, steam power has been repressed, war threatens from deep, dark waters, and one young lady of high social standing is expecting a surprise at her seventeenth birthday party–but certainly not the one she gets!

Jordan Astraea, who has lived out all of her life in Philadelphia’s most exclusive neighborhood, is preparing to celebrate her birthday with friends, family and all the extravagance they might muster. The young man who is most often her dashing companion, Rowen Burchette, has told her a surprise awaits her and her best friend, Catrina Hollindale, wouldn’t miss this night for all the world!

But storm clouds are gathering and threatening to do far more than dampen her party plans because someone in the Astraea household has committed the greatest of social sins by Harboring a Weather Witch.

About the Author:
Shannon Delany has always been surrounded by books! Her aunt was a head librarian and her father was always trying some new creative endeavor. She grew up with a fierce love of history and studied social studies education and foreign language and culture in college. After substitute teaching in every grade level and subject area in Pennsylvania and Maryland she taught for five years in Florida and then moved back north to be around family. With the birth of her son she decided to become serious about writing and worked freelance jobs until she landed a contract with St. Martin's Press for the 13 TO LIFE series--all because of a contest one critique partner warned her against!

YA Book Nerd Contest:

• a signed mini poster
• a signed postcard and more story-related goodies
• Open Internationally
• Please leave a comment on this post before Sunday July 14th at midnight EST

Tour-Wide Giveaway

Shannon Delaney will be giving away the following to a luck winner (international entries allowed)

• a signed copy of Weather Witch
• a Weather Witch coffee mug with special goodies (all connected to the story)
• signed copies of 13 to Life and Secrets and Shadows
• a handcrafted mask
• a special metal and crystal bookmark
• a mini top hat
• a silhouette of their own profile cut and matted by me (it'll take a few weeks after getting their profile before I can get it to them, of course).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Adult Review: Ashford Affair

Addie and Bea grew up together, although they were cousins, they were as close as sisters. Addie knew that she would never have a debutante ball like Bea.  Then the war came and it changed everything.

After the war, they hit a rough patch. They didn't speak for several years, until Bea invites her to Kenya.

In present day, Clemmie's learning just how little she knows about her grandmother's life. As a high profile lawyer, she's put her entire life on hold to work for promotion. But the more she learns about her family, the more she begins to question her life choices.

As the stories weave together, the reader learns what happened to cause the rift between Bea and Addie and how they grew apart and why Addie went to Kenya to try to salvage their relationship.

My Thoughts: I loved the weaving perspectives and the shift in time periods. I loved reading the about the cousins' life. There was so much emotion: wary, anger, rage, sadness, and happiness. I couldn't put this book down! I wanted to uncover the truth about the relationship of Addie's and Bea. I wanted to find out what destroyed them. I wanted to understand why they did the things they did. Their whole world crumbled after the war as did their lives through the choices they made. I felt sorry for Addie for most of the book and I strongly disliked Bea.  I found Bea to be spoiled and expecting everything to go her way. While they were as close as sisters, it's clear that Bea was always the leader, always the important one while Addie was in the background. I enjoyed Clemmie's story -both her personal story and her quest for understanding and uncovering the truth about her grandmother's life. I love how bits and pieces unraveled. Such a wonderfully written tale that swept me away. 

Cover Thoughts: Not a huge fan
Source: My Library

Review: Crystal Cove

 *4th in the Cedar Cover series*

Justine knows that there's something wrong, she desperately craves the love and affection she sees her in friends' relationships. She begins to wonder why her relationships don't work.

It isn't until she discovers that someone put a curse on her that it starts to make sense. Justine's been raised Wiccan, but she rarely practices. She hasn't joined the local coven - a coven of women who are like family to her, despite her mother's pleas.

When a man rents out her inn, she begins to feel drawn to him. He's a loner. The more times she spends with him, she realizes she could fall for him. He's only there for a few days. Is that long enough to give her heart to someone?

My Thoughts: I love this romantic series set in Friday Harbor. I loved reading more about Justine. Her story was a little darker than the others. I really enjoyed the addition of wicca. All of the books seem to have a touch of magic, but I loved how Justine could create magic - and the consequences that happened because of her spell casting. I enjoyed Jason - reading about his faults and his strengths. It's great to see some of the characters from the previous books. I'm so happy that the series will be continuing with Lightning Bay!

Cover Thoughts: Dreamy
Source: my Library
Similar Read:  Cedar Cove books by Debbie Macomber

Book Character Outfit

I adore the delicious series of the Donut Shop Mysteries. Here's what I picture Suzanne Hart wearing when she's out detecting with her BFF Grace. I love the parts of the books when Suzanne makes the donuts - how she experiments with the flavors.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Illegally Iced

* Book 9 in the Donut Shop Mystery series*

Suzanne and James had a few words - nothing important, until he winds up dead.  The Sheriff asked her questions in front of people and now they're talking. Suzanne doesn't like that people think she's capable of killing her friend - especially over something so trivial.

She and Grace team up to uncover what really happened to James. They discover a secret past and a secret romance. Could something from his past have come back to haunt him?

My Thoughts: I gobbled up this installment of one of my favorite cozy series. I love this sleepy little town and how everyone's connected. Grace and Suzanne work well together as a team, although I find myself missing George a little. I liked learning more about James and his life prior to April Springs. A wonderful addition to this delicious mystery series.

Cover Thoughts: Really Cute
Source: My Library

Adult Review: Fool For Love

 *A Cupcake Lovers Novel*

Chloe Madison graduated with honors from the Culinary Arts Institute on the same day her boyfriend tells her he's leaving her. He's been cheating on her, but didn't want to tell her and stress her out before her exams. With two years of her life wasted on him, Chloe has no idea what to do.

Her best friend invites her for a visit to Vermont. Before long, Chloe packs up her things and heads for Sugar Creek. There she takes a job as a cook/chauffeur for an older woman who's family worries about her. Daisy and Chloe get on amazingly well, they both have a devilish outlook on life.

However, Devin, Daisy's grandson isn't too keen on Chloe. He also can't stop thinking about her. As they banter back and forth, everyone in town realizes what they don't; sparks fly when they look at each other.

My Thoughts: I ADORED this novel and from the tagline, I'm hoping there's more coming. First, it's set in Vermont - which is where I grew up. So I loved all the Vermont quirks - the muddy roads, the flannel, the maple syrup, and the small town charm. 
Second a group of women (with one male addition) come together to talk about cupcakes each week. Who doesn't like cupcakes? The club has a unique history. Now they want to put together a book with their history and cupcake recipes.  
I really liked Chloe - she's feisty, sweet, loyal, and witty. She fit into town perfectly, even though she's barely spent time there. 
I liked Devin - how he tried to control everything and how that backfired on him. I adored his family. They were loud, secretive, and charming. 
I loved Daisy for her sense of humor and her quest for freedom. She's be fun to hang out with. 
All in all a charming story and I hope there's more about this small town and about the Monroe family. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect - the cover sold me on this book
Source: My Library