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: Grace to the Finish

 * Book 8 in the Manor House Mystery series *

Grace's concerned about her sister exiting jail and reentering society. Now that Grace has become Bennett's heir, she knows that Liza will do everything in her power to get her fair share of the money. Grace's happy to finally convince her Aunt Belinda to come help out with Liza's reentering. But Aunt Belinda has her own view on the sisters' relationship.

With all the family drama, Grace can't wait to move forward with her new business adventure. She's the new silent partner in her roommates' business. They have a new building. But during a walk through, they discover the bank manager at the bottom of the stairs - murdered. Could this halt their project for good?

My Thoughts: I'm sad to see this series end, but I loved hanging out with the characters once again. The solving of the murder was well done, the climax terrifying. I love that the murder brought up romantic drama in Grace's life. I love how Frances tried to manhandle her love life - that made me giggle. I enjoyed the family drama - especially how it ended. I'm happy where the characters left off; the series ended well. 

Cover Thoughts: Amazing
Source: Reviewed for Fresh Fiction

Library Recommendation: Grab this cozy series for your library!

Mysterious Saturday Review: Grace Sees Red

 * Book 7 in the Manor House series *

Grace's day changes the minute her assistant Frances calls her asking for help. Grace doesn't know much about Frances outside the office, but she drops everything to help.

Frances's ex husband lives in an upscale assisted living complex. One of his roommates has died. The police think it very likely that he's been murdered. Frances is their key suspect.

Grace starts investigating herself, hoping to clear her assistant's name. She knows Frances wouldn't kill anyone, even if she was arguing with the person just before he died.  But will the police listen to her?

My Thoughts: I really adore these books. I liked learning more about Frances and her life outside of work. I was impressed with her. I felt terrible for Bruce and Scott and the future of their business. I liked how this book took place in an alternative location - with a different police force. Although, I enjoyed the cameos by the police force and the medical examiner. Plus, I love learning more about Bennett and the mansion. The cast of familiar characters makes me feels as though as I'm catching up with old friends. While the new characters intrigue me and make me curious about them. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming - but it doesn't match the book
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommend this series to public libraries for their cozy collection.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books to read in a day

This week's topic is a Freebie week - I had a hard time struggling to come up with a topic. But then I looked at the past posts and it hit me. Top Ten Books To Read In A Day. Now I read fast, but they were the last books I couldn't put down. I devoured them in one sitting. 

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Mysterious Saturday Review: Foreign Eclairs

 * Book 9 in the White House Chef Mystery series *

Strange events are happening to the White House staff. First a member takes personal time without an explanation. Ollie is mugged on the way home. Then there's news of a bombing of a federal prison - a prison in which a resident currently resides thanks to Ollie.

Soon it becomes clear that all three events are connected. Ollie's targeted in a revenge plot - someone wants her to pay. At first, the revenge plots start small, but quickly they escalate. Even Ollie isn't sure she's going to survive this one...

My Thoughts: I loved this series! This installment of the series reminds me of the show 24. I liked that every time they thought the revenge plot was finished, the book took another turn.  Lots of action, danger, and plot twists in this one. I devoured this book, not wanting to let go of the world and these characters. I needed to know what happened!

I liked how Gav and Ollie worked together to figure out and attempt to untangle this mess. 

As always, I love the background bits in the White House and I really enjoyed the search for a new chef. The interviews and candidates were entertaining. 

I really liked the scenes between Ollie and Josh. I like how she helped him and how he talked with his parents. I think being a kid/teen in White House would be very difficult. 

A wonderful series and as much as I want to know what happens next, I can imagine too.

Cover Thoughts: Love them
Source: Book sent for Review

For news about the series that's hard (but understanding to read) - here's the author to explain about the Ollie's future.

Final Thoughts: Reading this series is like getting together with old friends. I shall be very sad next January without them.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Bodice of Evidence

 * Book 2 in the Perfect Proposals series *

Pepper's sister is getting married and she's looking for the perfect dress. After three shops, Felicity is feeling discouraged. The sisters and their mother take a quick break before heading to their last appointment.

When they arrive late, they're surprised to see no one in the shop. Pepper goes searching for anyone to help them and discovers the owner lying in the alley - murdered.

She struggles to understand the reason for the murder. Pepper convinces her sister to return to the store for another appointment. She has some questions to ask.

With Pepper's new business starting to take off, she doesn't have much time for snooping, but she doesn't let that stop her. Could she find out something that will land her in hot water?

My Thoughts: I really love this series. I love the relationship between Pepper and her sister. I liked seeing the women of the family shop for wedding dresses together. I love that Pepper's starting up her own business and I love watching it grow. It was interesting to see the wedding business from both the dress side and the proposal side (maybe the next one will take place in a bakery). I enjoyed the relationship that Pepper has with the police detective and wonder how that will start to change. I really like Gage and watching his relationship with Pepper grow. He seems smart, sweet, and willing to wait for her to find herself. I love that she's not just jumping into another relationship, that she's taking some time to find herself after her last relationship. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A great new series to start with a young character finding her way in the world, one wedding proposal (and murder) at a time.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Grace Cries Uncle

 * Book 6 in the Manor House Mystery series * 

Grace has finally agreed to DNA testing to prove if she and her boss are in fact related. Since she started work at Marshfield Manor, she's felt a connection to Bennett, but she isn't interested in being his heir. She doesn't want anything to change, but she would like to keep this information private.

With people showing up at the house asking questions, Grace becomes uneasy, especially when one of them turns up murdered behind her house.

So she's thrown for a loop when out of the blue her estrange sister appears on her doorstep. Liza claims that she left Eric (the man who was once engaged to Grace) and needs a place to stay. Grace reluctantly allows her sister to stay with them. Could her sister have something to do with this mess?

My Thoughts: I adore this series. I love the connection between Grace and Bennett. In this addition to the series, I enjoyed getting to know Liza. I was surprised by her and a little stunned by her actions. I hope we get more details in the next book.

I really enjoy the secondary characters - especially Frances (she's smart, sarcastic, almost thoughtful, a gossip, and loyal.) I admit even Hillary is growing on me. 

This book took a turn I didn't expect, which intrigued me all the more. I can't wait to see what happens next and how everything shakes out.

Cover Thoughts: Love this cover!
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Another win for Julie Hyzy. I love this series - great characters and enough actin and danger to keep me quickly turning the pages. If you haven't started this series, get on it!

Books I'm Dying to Read: July Edition

July Books I can't wait to get my hands on:

What Pet Should I Get: How can you say no to a NEW Dr. Seuss?

Mission Hindenburg: More 39 Clues

Operation Pucker Up: Grace isn't sure she wants her first kiss to be on stage - in front of everyone

A Wedding on Primrose Street: I love Icicle Falls

Other Daughter: After her mother dies - Rachel finds out the truth about her past.

All We Have is Now: What would you do if you knew the world was ending tomorrow?

Road to You: Loved the first book - can't wait to read more about Bird's journey now that she's made it

Double Cross: New MG spy series with humor.

Ruthless: Thriller that sounds creepy and good!

Rebel Mechanics: Alternative history with spies and magic

Silver on the Blood: New series about society girls and shapeshifters

The Fixer: Perfect for fans of Scandal!

Our Song: Falling in love over music at summer camp

Million Miles Away: How do you get past your twin dying?

Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls: Suicide or murder?

Hollywood Witch Hunter: Hunting witches (or Charmed from the other side)

Grace Cries Uncle: Grace's sister turns up and could be in the middle of a deadly plot

Death of an English Muffin: Living in a castle can be deadly

Fatal Reservations: With Lorenzo in trouble, Hayley hopes to help clear him of murder

What books are you waiting for?

Top Ten Tuesdays: Meeting Authors

This week's topic is  Ten Authors I REALLY Want To Meet - thanks for library conferences, BEA, and RJ Julia's I've meet a ton of fantastic authors. It's a mix of YA and Adult authors, Left to meet are...

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

JK Rowling

George R.R. Martin

Jennifer E. Smith

Sherryl Woods

Jill Shalvis

Jenn McKinlay

Sophie Kinsella

Julie Hyzy

Shannon Messenger 

Lisa Schroeder 

*  I had to look at my most read books from Goodreads to make this list.