Review: The Diva Goes Overboard

* Book 17 in the Domestic Diva series * 

Sophie's frenemies mother is getting remarried. At the engagement party, the would-be groom collapses and dies. Right before he died, Orson asked to talk with Sophie about something important. Sophie was going to meet him to speak in private.

At the reading of the will, Sophie was given Orson's antique store and instructions that she will know what to do. Before long, Sophie discovers a secret room. There's a bulletin board with pictures of women on it. Sophie isn't sure what to do with the board, but she digs into the case.

She hears rumors about Orson's past. Rumors that could explain about the board of pictures. What could have happened between Orson and the past? Can Sophie solve the murder and the mystery of why Orson left her the store?

My Thoughts: This series is one of my favorite cozy series. Clearly, I've been reading it a long time and I'm happy to keep reading them. I love catching up with the characters. I love all the foodie moments. The mystery was interesting with the added mystery of the photo board. I love the idea of a secret book - especially behind a bookcase. Looking forward to the next installment of this series! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendations: A fantastic series for your cozy readers - give this one to your Halmark Mystery fans. 

This book talks a lot about Charcuterie boards, so I created one. 

Although I really love the idea of a cookie board. 

We are creating a candy board at the library this summer. 

Review: The Diva Delivers on a Promise

 

* Book 16 in the Diva series * 

Sophie and Nina are headed to a luncheon meeting at Gerrie's house. Lunch is cut short when a dead body is discovered on the floor of the dining room. No one knows the victim, or so they say. Sophie and Nina dig into the mystery only to discover that several people in the room didn't speak up. 

There was bad blood between him and Gerrie's family. All of the family members were in and out of the house that morning. Any one of them could have murdered the man. Gerrie's worried that one of them did. She asks Sophie for a little favor...

My Thoughts: Another fun addition to this series. The idea of a ghost restaurant seems both strange and smart to me. As always, it's lovely to catch up with favorite characters and to read about the mouth-watering goodies they all eat. I enjoyed the plot twists and turns as Sophie and her friends tried to undercover the murderer's identity. I enjoyed getting to know more about Wong and my heart went out to her. Another fun read that kept me turning the pages. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: This is a perfect series for your library' cozy collection. 

Release Date: May 23rd (Next week!)

Review: The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit

 

* Book 14 in the Domestic Diva series *

Sophie's friends have just returned from a trip abroad - and just in time for the DIY festival Sophie's running. Sophie picks up her friend from the airport. Nina looks a mess and she isn't wearing any shoes. Clearly there's a story (or several) behind the trip.

The festival starts and one of the vendor's is missing her mother. When Sophie helps her out, investigating Lark's house, she stumbles across a body in the yard. The body's positioned to make the death look like an accident, but it doesn't feel like an accident. 

Lark traveled with Nina on the trip. Before long, Nina's house is burglarized in the middle of the night. Something strange is going on and Sophie's not going to rest until she solves this mystery.

My Thoughts: Another fun installment in this series. This series has been a long time favorite of mine and I'm always happy to catch up with the characters. The festival sounds really fun and I liked it as a way to introduce new characters and new people to this small town. I do love how Sophie and her friends rally around Nina. As always their cozy eating times makes my mouth water and I long to whip up a delicious dessert (good thing there are recipes in the back of the book). I didn't see the link between the two murders - so I was left guessing until the end. Looking forward to the next book in the series

Cover Thoughts: Charming as Always

Source: My library

On Your Radar: The Diva Spices it Up (41)

Title: The Diva Spices it Up

Author: Krista Davis

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: April 28, 2020

Why It Should Be On Your Radar

* Fall Book

* Pumpkin and Apple Foods

* Mouth watering food shared

* Recipes

* Book Characters are like Old Friends

*Ghostwriting a Cookbook

* Mars is in trouble

* Fantastic Series

* Importance of Friendship

* Importance of Families

* Spies 

* Dead drops

* Good Neighbors

Another great addition to this charming series.

I love the cover!

** ARC sent for review

Upcoming Cozy Review: The Diva Sweetens the Pie

* 12th book in the Domestic Diva series *

In the middle of Old Town's annual Pie Festival, the celebrity judge falls face first into a pie. It's not a pretty sight; she's later declared dead. However, the festival must go on and the organizer asks Sophie to lend an even bigger hand.

The celebrity judge used to live in town before her rise to stardom. When Sophie's asked to look into a different matter, she wonders if the past is influencing the present.

When someone frames her for an act of violence, she's determined more than ever to uncover the truth before someone else gets hurt.

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series. It always makes me want to cook or bake something. This time, I wanted to eat pie. I loved catching up with the characters; they feel like old friends. With all the red herrings, it was difficult to uncover the truth about the murder. I like how Sophie gets pulled into investigating a side mystery. And the recipes! I can't wait to test out a few pies and a few cocktails. Another fun addition to this charming series. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: April 30th
Library Recommendation: This series should be in your mystery section.

Review: The Diva Cooks up a Storm

* Book 11 in the Domestic Diva series *

Before a social event, one of Sophie's acquaintances reveals he thinks he's being poisoned. He asked her advice. At a pop-up gourmet party, Sophie witnesses the same friend in a series of awkward social interactions. When he turns up dead later that night, Sophie knows something fishy is happening. Everyone's pointing the finger at someone else, but someone's lying. Can Sophie uncover the truth?

My Thoughts: I'm so glad this series is back; I've missed it. I loved reading my old friends and seeing what they were up to again. As usual, I enjoyed the moments between Sophie and Natasha. I felt terrible for Hollis's family and what all of them went through.  I loved the aftermath of the storm and how everyone came together to eat. I love the bit in the library and the romance. I liked trying to unravel all the secrets and lies told in this one, the ending kept me guessing. So looking forward to the next book in this fun series!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: This book comes out tomorrow, so you don't have to wait for it!
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your cozy section, especially where this series is popular.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Diva Serves High Tea

 * Book 10 in the Domestic Diva series *

Sophie attends a high tea event at a new shop - The Parlour. She's loving the tea and goodies. Gossip flows between friends and she learns about Robert, the owner of the new antique store in town. He's caught the eye of several ladies.

When Sophie finds him near death, she becomes suspicious. As she calls for help, he chokes out one last word. Rosie.

What could he mean?  Who is Rosie?

Before long, the neighborhood's getting jumpy with dark shadows and misunderstandings. Could there be a killer on the loose?

My Thoughts: I adore this series for the small town charm, the amusing neighbors, the food, the romance, and the friendships. This installment of the series hits the spot. The interactions between the neighbors adds layers to the plot, woven perfectly with moments from the past. I love the personal side details between Sophie and Natasha. I'm not a huge fan of Natasha, but I love her as a character. I can't wait to read the next book! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming as always
Source: Book sent for review

Final Thoughts: Great food and great friends make this series a winner - add this cozy to your list of books to read this summer. 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss

* Book 9 in the Domestic Diva series *

Sophie's helping out with Amore Chocolates 50th Anniversary party. She's in charge of making sure things run smoothly with all the contest winners.

When the CEO, Joe Merano goes missing, the family asks Sophie to look for him. He would never miss his party - unless something was really wrong.

When she discovers the body of their main competition after one event, things start getting ugly. As Sophie digs around, she uncovers some family secrets that might have been better off hidden...

My Thoughts: I really love this series! This new addition didn't disappoint; it's perfectly fantastic centered around a chocolate festival. I loved learning more about the chocolate business. 

I felt bad for the Merano family - they had so many secrets and terrible things that happened between them. My heart went out to all of them.

I liked the new addition to the usual crew with the contest winners in town - especially the former police woman. She and her friend livened up the story. 

As usual, I had mixed feelings about both Mars and Natasha. I can never decide if I feel sorry for them or if they bring everything upon themselves. Still, they lighten the plot and add humor to the story...

Cover Thoughts: Charming as always
 Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Great addition to this fantastic series with fleshed out secondary characters, friendship, a dash of romance, recipes, and of course murder.Check out this series immediately if you haven't read it! 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Diva Wraps it Up

 * Book 8 in the Domestic Diva series* 

The holiday season is Sophie's favorite time of year - that is until this year. During an office parry, a friends falls from his balcony. He's taken to the hospital where they discover he's been taking too many blood thinners.  It's lucky he fell because the doctors caught it just in time.

Another neighbor falls off the roof and the ladder looks suspicious. It may have been tampered with.  Someone else is almost electrocuted while hanging up Christmas lights; the wires look frayed. What is happening around the neighborhood - is it just a string of bad luck or something more sinister?

My Thoughts: I wasn't sure about reading a holiday book so early. Even though I love them, I usually start reading them starting in October. But this actaully made me start thinking about Christmas and I created this canvas of pictures. 

I really enjoyed this book - from the decorating to baking the cookies to visiting the toy store. Even though the neighborhood had issue after issue, they did their best to remain cheerful and helpful. I like how Sophie and Nina reached out to Mrs Scorggins. As always Natasha is over the top - but so much fun to read. Everyone seems to have a secret - that's not staying secret for long. A great addition to this charming series.

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: The Diva Frosts a Cupcake

 *Book 7 in the Domestic Diva series*

Sophie's best friend Nina has put together an amazing fundraiser for the local animal shelter - Cupcakes and Pupcakes. Animals are up for adoption in the town square along with booths selling dog and cat accessories and of course, cupcake booths.

The whole town is talking about the breakup of two bakery owners. Joy moved out and opened a rival bakery just across the street. Both bakers have a booth at the event, but both are struggling to get ready.

When their employee Muffin is discovered dead at the old bakery, it's hard not to wonder which of the two bakers killed her. Could one of the baker have murdered their own help?

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series - I love the cast of characters. In this addition, I like the new potential love interest. I love the bakeries and the bakers and learning how they got started. Many of them have a past with some feuds sprinkled in. I loved the cupcake descriptions  I really liked the charity events. I thought Humphrey's new status with Renee and Myra was nice for him as he's always been the nerdy nice guy. Natasha is still amusing and over the top, but she provides comic release in the tension. A fun new chapter in this great series!

Cover Thoughts: Cute - love the addition of Natasha's new dog
Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: The Dive Digs Up Dirt

 * The 6th book in the charming Diva series *

Sophie can't wait for a vacation, she's been working too hard organizing parties and events. She has one last event and then some down time.

She's not going to get her wish, Natasha has plans. A bulldozer comes into Sophie's yard along with a television star. He's going to create a garage for her. Unfortunately, Sophie has no knowledge of her plans and although she would like a garage, she doesn't want to lose her plants or her backyard. Natasha doesn't take no for an answer.

Sophie tries to escape the noise and people in her yard, she heads over to his house to plant a rose bush. While digging in the back yard, she uncovers a purse. The purse belongs to Wolf's wife, whom mysteriously disappeared years ago. Most people assume that Wolf murdered her. Sophie isn't sure what to do, but now everyone's concerned about Anne.  Could she be murdered?

My Thoughts: I really enjoy reading this series. I love Sophie and find her relationship with Natasha both strange and fascinating.  I like their advice before the chapters, I find it amusing when they both answer the same question so differently. 
I loved the garden parties and visualizing the flowers. It felt peaceful and wonderful (except for the manure smell and the dead bodies). 
I thought the Greene family had great characters - the gold digger and trophy wife, the loyal ex-wife who's shocked by events, the proud son who wants to take over, and the man who has everything. Add in a nosy and eavesdropping housekeeper. The Greenes were horrible, but entertaining. 
I liked learning more about Wolf and his wife and their past. 
I can't wait to see where Krista Davis will take the next book!

Cover Thoughts: Beautiful!
Source: My Library.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Diva Haunts the House

*5th book in the Domestic Diva series*

Sophie's in charge of a haunted house. Several students will be working with her for extra credit - including her teenage niece Jen. Annoyed at the attention the haunted house is receiving, Natasha creates a spooky setting for her Halloween party.

In the midst of her party decorations, Sophie finds a dead body. Then she spies a vampire cape swirling out and down the street. Did she see the killer?

With a group of teens constantly at her house, an old legend of a vampire, and a mysterious murderer -things have been tense at Sophie's house. She feels people following her. Someone left a creepy doll on her porch. Jen and her friends are wearing garlic necklaces to ward off any unwanted visitors.

Could someone tall dark and with fangs be after Sophie?

My Thoughts: A perfect Halloween addition to this fun series. I love the decoration tips before each chapter. I also loved the combination of vampire lore and Halloween festivities. A spooky, fun, entertaining read with a romance twist. I love this series!

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Purchased

Mysterious Saturday Review: Diva Cooks a Goose

Sophie's ready to have a very Merry Christmas with her family, until someone in her sister's neighborhood steals all the presents. Sophie's recently separated sister-in-law's father brings another woman to dinner leaving everyone feeling uncomfortable.

Unfortunately this woman is familiar to the family. They're attending her Boxing Day party the next day. There the woman makes another scene, angering Sophie's family. It's not long before she turns up dead. The murder weapon appears to be a present re-gifted many times over.

Amidst many suspects and many family issues, Sophie needs to unravel the murder before it's pinned on one of her family members.

My Thoughts: I really love this series. I love the quirky characters, the decorating tips, and the cozy neighborhood. This is the 4th book in the series and just as enjoyable as always. I loved reading the Christmas mystery. There were plot twists, budding romances, crazy family members, and lots of food.

Cover Thoughts: Cozy and inviting.

Source: my Library