Susie's 2015 Challenge

[Susie]

I think I can, I think I can... :)

[Susie]

Here is my list to read in 2015...so far!
Some have been on my 'to read' list for quite a while, so looking forward to finally getting to them! :)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Susie]

I'm actually listening to it, something pretty new for me. I was looking for something to hold my attention but not too heavy...so far, so good! I always try to read in order, so thanks for the review!
Some of the authors on my list are new for me too...I want to check them out!

[Yvonne]

Welcome Susie! Enjoy!

[Susie]

1. by Diana Killian. This is the first book in the Mantra For Murder series.
I enjoyed this book...it was an easy read and I like the main characters. I was able to get a real feel for them, without the descriptions going too long. I like that the primary setting is a yoga studio/center. Not too original that the love interest just happens to be the police officer investigating the murder, but I'll get over it! I will definitely continue reading this series

[Susie]

2. by Diana Killian. This was second in the series and I liked it almost as much as the first. We learn more about the characters which I liked but the main storyline about the murder victim, got a bit tedious at times, the stereotyping was a bit much in my opinion. But they're now dead, so that solves that issue for me! ;)

[Susie]

3. by Heather Webber. Here the review I posted:

I really like this series and enjoy all the characters as crazy as some of them are. This is not my favorite book in the series. It seemed more contrived and the ending was a little too abrupt for my liking. With that said, if there another one in this series, I would read it.

[Susie]

4. by Claire Donally. This is book 1 in the Sunny and Shadow series. I really enjoyed this book... 4/5 stars. I don't always go for the pet being so humanized, but like how Shadow' s view was portrayed from the cat side of things. Having had cats and I do love them, they can be very quirky so this book worked for me! I do like the characters and storyline and while I wasn't sure I would want to continue the series, I was sucked in by the end! I have added books 2 and 3 to my TBR list... :)

[Susie]

5. Just finished by Karen MacInerney I have really enjoyed this series until now, but this one was way too predictable and boring for me. It seemed mostly repeats of stories from previous books with nothing new or interesting. Hopefully just a lapse for the author but time for a new series for me!

[Susie]

6. by Sheila Connolly. This book was just so-so for me. The setting was nice, the characters were ok, but nothing really stood out or grabbed me. I have several other books from this author so I hope I like them better.
I'm halfway through my challenge...whoohoo!

[Susie]

7. by Dianne Harman. I liked this book enough I'll probably read the next one in the series. Enjoyed the characters, though they could use some more development. Love the setting of the story, at a reclusive spa north of San Francisco, and love her guard dog, Winston. The story moved right along, almost too fast, but overall an enjoyable read.

[Susie]

8. by Sara Rosett
I'd give it 3.5/5 stars. I enjoyed this first in a series cozy and will most likely read the followup. I love the premise that the main characters are people who scout locations for movies and this takes place in the...see title... English countryside. To mix Pride and Prejudice with a cozy is good fun!

[Britney]

Never heard of it. I'm going to have to check it out

[Susie]

9. by Leighann Dobbs. This is the second book in the series...I like the characters, both people and animals, and their continued development in the series. This story actually involves 3 murders...2 from a long time ago and how they may be/are related to a very current one. Never thought I'd go for the cozies with a paranormal bend to them but I really am enjoying these!

[Susie]

10. by Donna Ball. 4/5 stars.
I really liked this book (1st in the series) and will continue reading the series. The premise of a woman and her Search and Rescue (SAR) dog and the mysteries they get involved with is a great backdrop. The characters are well developed yet left me wanting to know more about how things would develop. Quick enjoyable read!

[Kathryn]

I enjoyed this series, although I read it quite a while ago.

[Susie]

11. by Donna Ball. 3/5 stars.
This is the second book in the series. The adventures continue for Raine Stockton and her SAR dog, Cisco. The antagonist in this one was a liitle farfetched for me, but I still enjoyed it.

[Susie]

WhooHoo...hit my goal!
12. by Ellery Adams. 4/5 stars. It is the sixth book in her Books By The Bay series. The characters are just different enough to be interesting, but still realistic. This story involves finding a time capsule that holds many secrets from the past, which in turn lead to murder and cover-ups. A very enjoyable read and probably one of my favorite series.

I will be graduating to Level 3 next year, but will continue to add to this list. :)

[Susie]

13. by Lynn Cahoon. 2/5 stars.
There were parts I liked and there is a lot of potential for character development and plot lines but this first one fell short in that the characters felt too predictable in so many ways. I may give the 2cd one a chance to see if the author gets more creative...

[Donna (weegraydog)]

Susie wrote: "WhooHoo...hit my goal!
12. by Ellery Adams. 4/5 stars. It is the sixth book in her Books By The Bay series. The characters are just differen..."

Congrats on hitting your goal!

[Susie]

14. by E.J. Copperman. 4 stars. This was a Halloween read complete with ghosts and a haunted house. I enjoyed the characters and the plot development. I will probably read more from this series.

[Susie]

15. by Heather Webber. 4 stars.
I really enjoy this series and the 6th one has a Christmas theme so perfect for the season.

[Susie]

That's right! I totally missed that and I watched GH at that time! Good catch...

[Britney]

Susie wrote: "5. Just finished by Karen MacInerney I have really enjoyed this series until now, but this one was way too predictable and boring for me. It se..."

I have only read the first one in this series, but really enjoyed it. Maybe when I come to that one I should skip it.

[Susie]

I don't want to discourage you because I really enjoyed this series...perhaps my expectations were too high, but just didn't move me like the others...

Refreshed my memory of this series and is/was the last (so far) in the series, at #6,
and # 5 , was probably one of my favorites, fyi...

[Susie]

16. by Jennifer Chiaverini. 4 stars.

I squeezed in one more! I wanted to read my last 2 at the appropriate time of year so I'm glad I got to them!

The Elm Creek Quilters series is/was my introduction to cozies and probably one of my favorite series still. The characters are well developed and each of them contributes to the overall storyline(s) and although I am not a quilter, I love learning about them and their deep, rich history. They also offer a nice break from the usual storylines of murder mysteries.

So wait...these are considered cozies aren't they? I always assumed they were because of the non offensive stories with no curseing, violence, sex, quaint settings, etc...