Review: Brewed Awakenings

 

* Book 18 in the Coffeehouse Mystery series *

Clare wakes up on a bench in Washington Park with no memory of the last several years. She believes her divorce is recent and that her daughter is still young. It's a shock to her to discover the truth - she's lost her memories.

To make matters worse, the police want to question her for the disappearance of a woman. Clare might have been with the woman when she vanished. The authorities are convinced she knows something, but Clare doesn't understand. She doesn't remember her past investigations. 

Clare needs to figure something out and fast - before the authorities or someone worse captures her.

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series - and I'm not a coffee drinker. But I do love the atmosphere of the coffee shop and the characters. This one was a great addition to the series - I enjoyed watching Clare struggle through her memories and reexamine her life. I had come around to Matt and this book soured me on him a little again. Looking forward to the next book in this mouth-watering series.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This is a great cozy for your public library's collection.

Bookstagram:

Just a little thought about what the coffeeshop might look like....

Mysterious Saturday Review: A Brew To Kill

 * the 11th book in the coffeehouse mystery series*

Clare's trying to keep up with the times, so she recently purchased a food truck. Muffin Muse has been gaining lots of attention lately, thanks to Clare and her new consultant Lily.

Lily's working on creating healthy, but tasty snacks to combine with Clare's coffees. Together they've been the toast of the food blogs, which is angering one particular food truck owner.

During an altercation, just outside The Blend, Lily's run over by a white van. At the moment she's in critical condition, but Clare's determined to figure out what happened. The driver drove away, without even hitting the brakes. To Clare that can only mean one thing - attempted murder.

Can she figure out what happened in Lily's past that would cause her to believe she deserves this horrible accident?

My Thoughts: Although I don't like coffee, I adore this series. I love all the talk about food and coffee. I can imagine myself in a great coffee shop just like The Blend, enjoying tea and a treat while reading a book. It's a perfect place. I like the New York setting.  I like the addition of the food trucks - they're huge right now.   I guessed the ending right before it happened, which is unusual for me. I love the cast of characters - especially Clare's family - Madame, Joy, and even her ex-husband. But I adore the moments between Clare and Mike - especially learning about Crazy Quinn. I liked the ending and can't wait to see what happens next between the two of them.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Murder By Mocha

*10th in the Coffeehouse Mystery series*

Madame has orchestrated this new venture with her friend Alicia - where Clare's beloved coffeehouse will partner up with Aphrodite's Village to spread the love of a new drink Mocha Magic Coffee.

At the launch party, things go disastrously wrong. Patrice Stone, one of the up and coming women from Aphrodite's Village ends up murdered. Now several women step forward, interested to become responsible for the drink. Aphrodite's success comes from strong women stepping forward and owning a product.

It's a cut throat world. Clare's worried about The Village Blend's reputation because there's something strange about the drink...

My Thoughts: I adore this series. I love Clare and her coffee shop. I love her relationship with Mike. I love the relationship with her daughter, her workers, and even her ex-husband. The support cast is well rounded and fleshed out. I feels like a wonderful place to spend time in - either as a customer or as an employee. I love the banter between co-workers. The characters feel like a tight-knit family, adding further enjoyment to the series. I enjoyed unraveling the mystery between the many suspects. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Roast Mortem

Clare and her ex-mother-in-law are visiting a friend, when the cafe goes up in flames. As firemen come to her rescue, she finds herself grateful to the men who helped save her friends' lives.

She recalls hearing the fire start in a whoosh and doesn't believe it was an accident. Clare's not going to let this go without a fight. The chief of the department likes Clare, a little too much. He's also the cousin of her boyfriend and they hate each other. Mike asks her to stay away from his cousin.

However, circumstances keep throwing them together. Clare knows there's a story behind the cousins' hostility. She doesn't know why either man won't tell her the truth.

When another coffee house catches fire, Clare knows the fires are connected. One of the fireman dies in the fire. One of the firefighters begins thinks the death is suspicious - maybe murder. Is someone targeting coffee shops around the city for a reason and the firemen. Could Clare's shop be next?

My Thoughts: This is 9th in the series. While I don't drink coffee, I love this series. I like Clare and her need to protect those in world in danger. I love her relationship with her employees and her ex-mother-in-law.

Cover: Interesting, but not my favorite of the series.

Sources: ILL