Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion
2020 Level 4 (Sleuth Extra)
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Karen's Kozies - 2020 (Sleuth Extraordinaire)
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I am a selfish reader too. I don’t want to spend the time reading something I really didn’t want to read in the first place. So I like your idea. I will read what I want and see where they fall. This is my first reading challenge ever! I am so excited!!!
Kim wrote: "This is my first reading challenge ever! I am so excited!!!."Welcome!!
This was my first reading challenge, too. I love cozies and joined a couple of GoodReads cozy groups. I was invited to the challenge years ago by someone I "met" on the boards. I've been in it since.
Actually... I missed the year when challenge B was the only offered challenge. I knew there was no way I'd hit it naturally. I really missed taking part in the challenge that year and was so happy they started doing the either/or (or both!) again. I don't know if I would have broken down that next year or not. (It's still a challenge if you don't make it, right?)
Best of luck!
Mod
Welcome Kim! Hope you have fun with this!
Happy New Year!!My sleep pattern is turned around -- up all night -- so I figured I'd hit the boards and post my first read of 2020.
Without further ado, my 2020 Sleuth Extraordinaire list starts:
1. Ellen Byerrum - Lethal Black Dress (4.0) [B=Career] (200102)
I wanted to finish it on the first, but by the time I got to bed (after noon) and woke up, I didn't get done by midnight (12:13a on Jan 2). :o(
Anyway... It's from the Byerrum's Crimes of Fashion series, all of which I've enjoyed. This one literally involved a lethal black dress. I liked learning the history of both the design of the dress as well as of the item that made it a "killer."
On to Byerrum's The Masque of the Red Dress on N2. That will catch me up on the series to date. I'm hoping more are coming, but the last book was published in 2017. I don't see anything about a newer addition, but two years isn't a long time, and there were three years between books 10 and 11, so maybe...
In my ever-changing pipe...
* I've still have Rita Lakin's Getting Old Will Haunt You started on N2. Even though I'm not enjoying it, I will get back to and finish it. That will be current with that series
* A Charming Misfortune to bring me up to date with Magical Cures
* Victoria Laurie's Fated for Felony
* Laura Levine's Death of a Gigolo
* Jenn McKinlay's Word to the Wise
* Addison Moore's two series, Country Cottage and Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon)
And, I still want to get to:
** Jenn McKinlay's Hat Shop series
** Heather Blake's Wishcraft series
** Bailey Cates' Magical Bakery series
** Kathleen Brooks' Moonshine Hollow series
** Nancy Warren's Vampire Knitting Club series
AND... everything else in my TBR boxes/files!
January also brings new additions to series I read. Will have to read those to stay current. Isn't that how it always goes.
Guess I see what catches my eye and drags me to read.
Mod
Mod
Back so soon?? Yes. Though I'm not usually so good at posting, I came on tonight to post a review and thought I'd add it to my list sooner rather than later.2. Rita Lakin - Getting Old Will Haunt You (2.5) [B=Paranormal, Travel, (Career, of sorts???; the ladies are unlicensed PIs] (200105)
This is the 9th book in the Gladdy Gold series. I started it last year, but didn't finish it. As with book 8, Getting Old Can Hurt You, published 7 years after book 7, I just didn't enjoy it and let other reads distract me. Maybe it's me...
Anyway... I got back to it yesterday and finished it. (My Review) This catches me up on the series to date.
Looked up the book I started (also last year) on N1. It's called MacDeath by Cindy Brown. It's book one of her Ivy Meadows series. I'm only a couple of chapters in, but so far so good.
Other stuff on the list as noted above.
Like they said, there are categories I struggle with (not a fan of paranormal in particular) but I feel like option B pushes me to branch out a little and I've found some really good authors this way. Though I do tend to stretch it to make a book fit the different categories sometimes :)I hadn't ever thought of just doing A and seeing if it fits into B. Maybe I'll do that next year!
Yvonne wrote: "I'm pretty much the same. I want to read whatever I whenever I want. That's why I always go with option A, but I made the challenge so everyone can do what they want :) Enjoy!
Welcome Kim! Hope yo..."
Two months since last update. Not too bad... for me, anyway. I have been reading, of course, just not posting updates. (What else is new?) ;o) I'm adding number ratings starting with this update (and I'll go back and add them above). Since it's something I've started keeping on my what-I've-read spreadsheet (I don't list all I've read on GoodReads), I decided what the heck.
Onto the update...
I started catching up files on N1. First up, Cindy Brown's Ivy Meadows series. Olive Ziegwart (stage name Ivy Meadows) is a young actress/singer living in Phoenix, AZ (my home town!). To supplement her inconsistent (and low!) income from the theatre, she apprentices with her PI uncle, Bob Duda. Rounding out the regular cast is Ivy's brother, Cody. Cody, who calls her "Olivey," suffered a brain injury when he and Ivy were kids. He currently lives in a group home where Ivy's boyfriend, Matt, works. Last but not least is Pink, Detective Pinkstaff, Bob's cop friend.
I say Ivy is an apprentice, but really she winds up investigating the murders she happens upon in the course of her theatre work. And, what theatre! A musical version of Macbeth in a three-ring circus setting!; a musical version of The Sound of Music a la Cabaret; a musical version of Oliver Twist from aerial dancing silks... You get the picture. The mysteries are crafted well and parts of the stories are laugh-out-loud funny. And, I love the familial love between Ivy and Cody and Uncle Bob. I also like knowing where Ivy is when she talks about areas and streets of the city -- even if some of the places are fictional. There are six in the series, to date.
3. Cindy Brown - MacDeath (3.0) [B=Career] (200113)
4. Cindy Brown - The Sound of Murder (3.0) [B=Career] (200201)
5. Cindy Brown - Oliver Twisted (3.0) [B=Career, Travel (19th Century-costumed Cruise)] (200203)
6. Cindy Brown - Ivy Get Your Gun (3.5) [B=Career] (200206)
Interrupted Ivy for Lottie...
7. Addison Moore - Bobbing for Bodies (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (squirrel) Holiday (Halloween)] (200211)
This is a reread. I started book 3 (see below), but wanted to remind myself of the basics when the main character mentioned something. I almost went back to book 1 in the series, Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies, thus starting over, but as I started this one, there was no need. Once started, I finished.
Then, back to Ivy! Thankfully, the ones I was missing were available via Hoopla. I love the library!
8. Cindy Brown - The Phantom Of Oz (4.0) [B=Career] (200212)
9. Cindy Brown - Killalot (4.0) [B=Career] (200213)
And... back to Lottie. I started this series in 2018 and got two in before being distracted by catching up other series. Anywho... Addison Moore, an author who also writes contemporary romance, has two cozy series (thus far!). The first, Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon), is the one I'm working my way through now. There is a romance component to these stories, but the scenes have been PG so far -- implicit rather than explicit.
Lottie lives in Honey Hollow, VT. She was left at the local firehouse the day she was born and adopted by the fire Captain and his wife. She left her hometown after a broken romance and returned for the same reason. Lottie is a baker and owns/runs the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery. Lottie sees the dead. As noted in the books, she's "transmundane, further classified as supersensual, which means I can essentially see the dead. When the dead first started appearing to me—it’s almost always an adorable furry creature that has long since crossed that rainbow bridge—they would come back for someone they had a strong adoration for before they passed—usually their old owner—and almost always their earthly reprisal was a harbinger for that very person.
It used to mean nothing more than a scraped knee or a sprained ankle at best, but as of late it has consistently meant death."
In order to get the ghost back to paradise, Lottie must bring the murderer to justice -- a karma thing. She is assisted in her endeavors by Noah Fox, a detective and her sometime boyfriend; Essex Everett Baxter (whom she calls Everett), a judge and Noah's ex-stepbrother, and her sometime boyfriend (YES, a triangle of sorts); her best friend Keelie; her mother and two sisters; and the ghosts.
There are others who add to the comedic drama. Honey Hollow is a nice, sweet town. So far, most of the stories also involve the nearby town of Leeds, a den of seedy bars, clubs, etc. where the criminal ilk tend to gather.
The books have a formula -- there is a town or family event of some sort for which Lottie has provided baked goods; Lottie sees a ghost; someone dies, usually with one of Lottie's baked goods close (mouth, hand...); Lottie with and without Noah and Everett and various member of her "gang" investigates, which sometimes takes her/her gang to Leeds; there's another event of sorts where Lottie winds up face to face with the killer who is apprehended; the ghost dissipates -- but I enjoy the series too much to care. The mysteries, though not involved, are just puzzling enough to be interesting. But, the main thing I love is the characters, who are fun and funny. I love Lottie and I love her with both Noah and Everett. Neither treat her like she's incapable and neither is condescending. (Maybe we'll see the first ?? cozy thruple!!) Even the secondary characters, which includes the ghosts, don't really annoy.
Though each story is a standalone, I'd recommend reading them in order so you get the relationship(s) as they unfold. One thing I have to say I really like about these as standalones is that usually within the first chapter Ms. Moore catches us up on who Lottie is, what she does -- sometimes including references to her latest or previous cases -- and her relationship statuses with Noah and Everett, etc. so if you haven't read any of them, you won't be lost. On the negative side... Each seems to end with a personal relationship cliffhanger. Murders are solved, but Lottie's life is up in the air in some way (usually romantically!). Still... I really enjoy the series.
Currently, there are 22 books in the series (!!) with another due in a couple of weeks. I am up to book 14, Killer Cupcakes.
10. Addison Moore - Pumpkin Spice Sacrifice (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Holiday (Thanksgiving)] (200220)
11. Addison Moore - Gingerbread and Deadly Dread (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (Golden Retriever). Holiday (Christmas)] (200229)
12. Addison Moore - Seven-Layer Slayer (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (Black Bear)] (200306)
13. Addison Moore - Red Velvet Vengeance (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (chihuahuas), Holiday (Valentine's Day)] (200308)
14. Addison Moore - Bloodbaths and Banana Cake (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal] (200308)
15. Addison Moore - New York Cheesecake Chaos (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (macaw)] (200310)
16. Addison Moore - Lethal Lemon Bars (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal] (200313)
17. Addison Moore - Macaron Massacre (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal] (200317)
18. Addison Moore - Wedding Cake Carnage (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (tiger)] (200320)
19. Addison Moore - Donut Disaster (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (dog-Newfoundland)] (200329)
20. Addison Moore - Toxic Apple Turnovers (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (Owl)] (200402
That's my list to date, a few ahead of the curve if I want to read at least one a week.
In the pipe...
* The rest of Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon), including this month's addition.
Then, catching up series and stuff I still haven't gotten to:
* Byerrum's The Masque of the Red Dress, which I opened on N2 at the beginning of the year but haven't gotten back to
* Tonya Kappes' A Charming Misfortune and A Charming Deception
* Victoria Laurie's Fated for Felony
* Laura Levine's Death of a Gigolo
* Jenn McKinlay's Word to the Wise
* Cleo Coyle's Brewed Awakening
Ack... And more will be coming in my regular series.
Okay, I wasn't planning on posting again so soon, but I just finished an entry in Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon) series and it angered me so I came here to vent (in spoiler!). Figured I may as well update while I was here.21. Addison Moore - Killer Cupcakes (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (black cat)] (200405)
22. Addison Moore - Pumpkin Pie Parting (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (llama)] (200406)
23. Addison Moore - Yule Log Eulogy (2.5) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (reindeer)] (200411)
I do really like this series. Until that last entry (16!), characters and their actions have never annoyed to the point they did in this story. This one did me in to the point that if the next one or two is similar, I will be back-burning this series -- and I hate that! I will put my rant into a spoiler tag so I won't divulge if you're reading the series (or if you don't want to read it at all). Note that it contains spoilers that affect not only book 16, but a few may spoil events from books 14 and 15 because the continuing part of the story started there. The rant doesn't spoil the solution to the mystery, just the "personal" story(ies).
Lottie seems to be acting out of character. I understand the reason, but it's annoying. Her bio mom is a mess and, more so than usual, messes things up, throwing wrenches. She never professed to love Lottie, but really!
(view spoiler)
I have 7 more available to read. There's another due in a couple of weeks and another in June. I'll keep reading the series at this point since I have them, but if things go on as they are, I may "Fluke" this down my TBR list.
END RANT! :o)
Okay... Back with one more -- another Lottie Lemon. I'm still annoyed with the last entry -- not changing my note above! -- but this one was pretty much back to somewhat normal.24. Addison Moore - Pancake Panic (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal] (200412)
The series has redeemed itself, but I don't want to get my hopes up. I'm taking it one book at a time. At least the bitter taste of book 16 is gone (sort of!).
Onward to book 18, Sugar Cookie Slaughter.
Just finished Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon) series, to date. There’s another due in June (and another in the fall; and most likely another at Christmas – sheesh!).So, adding to my list:
25. Addison Moore - Sugar Cookie Slaughter (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (snake, fluffy white kitten)] (200417)
26. Addison Moore - Devil’s Food Cake Doom (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (Doberman)] (200419)
27. Addison Moore - Snickerdoodle Secrets (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (rabbit)] (200422)
28. Addison Moore - Christmas Fudge Fatality (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Holiday (Christmas)] (200421)
29. Addison Moore - Strawberry Shortcake Sins (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (Corgi)] (200424)
At this point, I had to read something in a new-to-me series, Addison Moore's Country Cottage Mysteries (Bizzy Baker), written with her writing partner, Bellamy Bloom. At the end of Strawberry Shortcake Sins Noah wants to take a vacation to get his head straight. Coincidentally, Lottie’s been invited to Cider Cove, Maine to judge a bake-off. She invites Noah and Everett to join her. (view spoiler) The bake-off is being held at the Country Cottage Inn run by Elizabeth (Bizzy) Baker. As usual, Lottie sees a ghost or two and mayhem ensues.
So the “next”-in-series is a crossover as Lottie and gang visit Bizzy and gang…
30. Addison Moore - Felines and Fatalities (3.0) [B=Career, Paranormal, Animal (pig)] (200424)
Bizzy, like Lottie, has run into her share of murders as of late. She and Lottie become instant friends and team up to solve the crime. And like Lottie, Bizzy is transmundane. However, she’s further classified as telesensual -- that is, she can read minds. As she says, “not every mind, not every time but most of the time.” And, if she can’t see the person whose thoughts she hears, it can be hard to make out who’s mind she’s reading because what she hears comes in monotones. Bizzy can also communicate with animals.
Then it’s back to Honey Hollow for the latest two books…
31. Addison Moore - Cake Pop Casualties (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (goat)] (200426)
And another crossover as Bizzy and gang visit Lottie and gang…
32. Addison Moore - Flag Cake Felonies (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (piglet)] (200501)
NOTE: Some of the books in the Murder in the Mix series take place around holidays, but if the holiday itself doesn’t really “feature” in the story, I don’t list it as “B” Category “Holiday.” For example, the above story opens on the Fourth of July (and there are fireworks), but the investigations, etc. take place after the holiday. It’s more of an early summer book than a “holiday” book; the Fourth really wasn’t a feature of the story.
And, I guess neither crossover counts as Travel for the Sleuth Extraordinaire “B” challenge since it’s the “guest” characters doing the traveling. The main characters are “home.” Oh well.
As part of the Country Cottage series, Felines and Fatalities is told from Bizzy’s point of view so we get to “hear” the thoughts of others (including the animals). And, since Lottie can act as a conduit between ghosts and people, we get to hear what they say now and then when Lottie touches Bizzy while conversing with their visitor(s). Otherwise, Lottie narrates what she hears. Obviously it's vice versa for Flag Cake Felonies of the Murder in the Mix series. Since it’s from Lottie’s point of view, readers have to rely on Bizzy to pass along the thoughts she hears so there are times we’re left in the dark as to what that is.
And yes… I had to fight my read-series-in-order OCD to read Felines and Fatalities. I justified it by saying it was really Lottie Lemon book “21.5” rather than Bizzy Baker book 6. Though I have to admit, I came so close to giving in to the urge to read that entire series to get to the one I needed before hitting the final Lottie Lemons. I forced myself not to do it (though, with only having to read 6 that itch to start at the beginning was really strong). I don’t know if that was a good thing or not because…
I don’t know when I will get back to the Country Cottage series. It’s TBRed, obviously, and since I like her other work, I will get to it at some point; I’m just not in a rush. Though I liked most of the characters and the setting in Felines and Fatalities, there was just something about it… I don’t know. Maybe it was jumping in at book 6. The stories in the series can be read as standalones and, as with Murder in the Mix, Moore does a decent job of filling in gaps to explain who’s who and what’s what -- even with the visiting characters -- so readers aren’t completely in the dark. I don’t know if starting at the beginning would have made a difference or not. Guess I’ll find out what put me off when I get back to it. (Dang it! That’s why I prefer reading series in order!!) There are seven books in this series, to date, with book 8 due mid May and book 9 in the fall. I’m not tempted at this point, but if there’s another crossover…
Anyway... It’s May. New additions to my regular series hit in April and more are due in June and July. Now that I’ve caught up the Lottie Lemons, I’m catching up other series. The catch-up files on my Nooks (just ignored freebies sitting on the Kindles right now) include the following nine books (and, I'm only eight away from my minimum!):
* Ellen Byerrum's The Masque of the Red Dress (a few chapters in on one of the Nooks)
* Lorna Barrett’s A Killer Edition (just started on a different Nook; a new entry, Handbook for Homicide hits the series in July)
* Cleo Coyle's Brewed Awakening
* Jenn McKinlay's Pumpkin Spice Peril
* Jenn McKinlay's Word to the Wise
* Laura Levine's Death of a Gigolo
* Victoria Laurie's Fated for Felony
* Tonya Kappes' A Charming Misfortune and A Charming Deception (yes, still sitting there unread!)
* Plus… Addison Moore's Country Cottage and Meow for Murder (see next message) series -- when I get to them???
More than enough to keep me busy mystery-wise.
BTW… Addison Moore and Bellamy Bloom have three more cozy series coming soon. Book 1 of Meow for Murder, An Awful Cat-titude, was available on April 29, 2020. There are two others listed on the series page, but I saw on Addison Moore’s “coming soon” page there’s a fourth. This series also “stars” a psychic, Bella Binx (née Stella Santini), originally from Chicago, but now (on the run from the mob and) living in Starry Falls, VT. She “sees” the future, but doesn’t seem to interpret her visions correctly. (Wonder how soon she and Lottie and/or Bizzy will get together.)Also, I’m having a book déjà vu… The names Stella Santini and Bella Binx, the fact that she’s psychic, and even the premise sound familiar to me, but I don’t know why (and nothing came up when I googled it). Oh well… maybe I’m psychic and I’ve “pre-read” the book. HA! There was a preview of book 1 at the end of the latest Lottie Lemon, Flag Cake Felonies. I skimmed part of it. It looks like a hoot. However, I’m not a cat person. I won’t know until I read them how prominently cats figure into the stories. I don’t know when I’ll get to it, though I’m thinking I’ll start it before I get to the Country Cottage series. ???
Moore’s site also shows two more cozy series, Murder She Barked (five books listed; covers feature a chihuahua, not my favorite of dogs) and Murder Made Delicious (three books listed; covers feature a cat). That’s a lot of writing!
Of course, I’ve TBRed all three series. (I’m so weak!)
Been a couple of months, but I'm back with a long update. I really should be better about updating (but, sadly, I know I won't!). I'm happy as long as they get on the list.I've been catching up on series (to date!) with a couple of new things mixed in.
33. Ellen Byerrum - The Masque of the Red Dress, The (4.0) [B=Career-based] (200509)
Finally got back to finish the Crime of Fashion series. It's one of my favorites. As I mentioned previously, I'm hoping there are more to come. Though I liked this one, it was not as good as the previous book in the series, Lethal Black Dress (my first cozy of 2020). As of now, I'm up to date with this series.
34. Lorna Barrett - A Killer Edition (4.0) [B=Career-based] (200512)
This caught me up on this series -- that is until July when a new one came out. :o) I have that in my catch-up queue for the next time I change out the books on my Nooks.
34.5. Lawrence Block - The Burglar in Short Order (2.0) (200521)
I have this in the list, but am not counting it. I consider Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr/Burglar series cozy, just a series that stars a burglar. This is listed as book 12 and I was excited thinking it was another novel. It is not. It's a collection of previously published material (excerpts, short stories, articles, etc.) -- most of which I have and/or had already read. What a let down. I still read through it. I love Bernie, but was disappointed that there was really nothing new here. :o(
35. Cleo Coyle - Brewed Awakening (4.0) [B=Culinary] (200523)
Love Love Love this series! I can't wait for the next.
36. Mary Daheim - A Case of Bier (3.5) [B=Career-based, Travel (Seattle)] (200529)
This catches me up with Daheim's Bed & Breakfast series. Also, it gives me a "Travel" book for the "B" version of the challenge. YAY!
37. Mary Daheim - Bitter Alpine (3.5) [B=Career-based] (200607)
This catches me up on Daheim's Emma Lord Returns / Emma Lord/Alpine series. I so enjoy the characters in this series.
Then on to a couple new-to-me series...
First, Beyond the Page Bookstore.
38. Lauren Elliott - Murder by the Book (3.0) [B=Career-based] (200608)
Addie Greyborne, an antiquarian book archivist and librarian, has has a rough year. First her fiance is killed (unsolved), then her detective father is in a fatal car accident that she doesn't believe is an accident even though the police have ruled it one. A bit of salvation comes when Addie inherits her great aunt's estate. She decides to move to the town named for her family and to open a book store. She makes an instant enemy of Martha, the woman who runs the bakery next door, and an instant friend of Serena, the woman with the tea shop on the other side of her book store. She meets the local police chief, Marc (Serena's older brother) after someone vandalizes and breaks into her book store and then her house.
I don't know how I feel about this series at this point. I liked the mystery. It's the non-mystery stuff... There are some inconsistencies -- at least to me -- and I don't like how there wasn't an after-the-solution wrap-up, leaving a couple of threads dangling. The author sprinkles red herrings and clues throughout, but the heroine and her gang never seem to pick up on them making them appear stupid. I'll put some of my observations in a spoiler tag. None spoil the solution to the mystery.
(view spoiler) ???
39. Lauren Elliott - Prologue to Murder (3.5) [B=Career-based] (200611)
Marc's ex, Lacey, arrives and throws a wrench Addie and his budding relationship. Lacey is a reporter from LA back in town and now working at the local paper. When there's a murder, the local gossip reporter snidely links Addie to it and Lacey runs with it. Plus, Lacey is undermining Addie's relationships with not only Marc and Serena, but her other friends in town. On top of that, Addie still has to deal with Martha's continuing disdain, and now, with the gossip rag's insinuations, other townspeople are giving her the stink-eye, too. This book also introduces the cozy love triangle (I think) -- Ugh!
Even after reading book 2, I don't know how I feel about this series. Again, the mystery is really good. It's the other stuff. Like the previous book, there are threads left open -- and I hate that! (view spoiler)
And, no, there was no update on the doings of the last book, so the dangling threads from that book are still dangling.
I'll stick with the series; the mysteries have been worth it. The characters are growing on me. I have two books to add to my catch-up files and another comes March 2021. However, I don't know when I'll get to them.
Then...
40. Victoria Laurie - Coached to Death (4.0) [B=Career-based] (200613)
This is the first -- I hope of many! -- in a new series, Life Coach/Cat Cooper. Catherine (Cat) Cooper is the older sister of Laurie's Psychic Eye herione, Abby Cooper. Cat recently sold her very successful marketing firm and found herself unexpectedly divorced. With her twins in boarding school, she moves to the Hamptons and starts a new business as a life coach. Even better, her BFF and assistant is Gilly Gillespie from Laurie's Ghost Hunter series!!
Cat moved into an estate next door to local mean girl socialite Heather Holland and instantly finds herself on Heather's bad side. After a very public run-in with Heather, Cat finds herself accused of Heather's murder.
I really enjoyed this. Cat and Gilly are great together. The mystery was involving. I like getting updates on the characters from Laurie's other two series through Cat and Gilly. I can't wait for more -- which is good that one is due in a few days. :o)
YAY... Hit the minimum!! And, I'm so glad I hit it with a new series from a favorite author.
The rest is gravy.
Part two, the "gravy" starts...Back to catch-ups...
41. Laura Levine - Death of a Gigolo (3.5) [B=Career-based] (200614)
Better than the last couple I read from the series. This brings me current (to date).
42. Tonya Kappes - A Charming Misfortune (3.5) [B=Paranormal] (200615)
This caught me up on this series -- at least until a couple of weeks ago! Next-in-series, A Charming Deception, is in the catch-up file.
Then I binged through Kappes' new-to-me (sorta) Killer Coffee series (to date) -- a good thing and a bad thing. On the positive side, reading several books in a series makes the reading go faster. On the negative, story and editng inconsistensies stand out (see below). I first met Roxy, the heroine of the series, in A Charming Blend (a Magical Cures/Killer Coffee Crossover) when she visited Whispering Falls, Kentucky, home to the Magical Cures series, which in this series' order would be book 5b (so yes, I read the series out of order). Roxy is a lawyer who moves to her aunt's small town after getting a divorce. Her aunt tells her to follow her dream of opening a coffee shop. She does, but her shopkeeping is interrupted by murder. Also, she keeps her law degree dusted off to help her friends and family.
43. Tonya Kappes - Scene of the Grind (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career] (200620)
44. Tonya Kappes - Mocha and Murder (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career] (200624)
45. Tonya Kappes - Freshly Ground Murder (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career] (200626)
46. Tonya Kappes - Cold Blooded Brew (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career] (200628)
47. Tonya Kappes - Decaffeinated Scandal (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career] (200703)
48. Tonya Kappes - A Killer Latte (3.0) [B=Culinary] (200705)
49. Tonya Kappes - Holiday Roast Mortem (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career] (200708)
50. Tonya Kappes - Dead to the Last Drop (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career] (200715)
As mentioned above, there are positives and negatives when binging series. The negative being story/editing inconsistencies stand out. For example (I'll spoiler-tag; none of my observations spoil the solutions to the mysteries, just the personal stuff): (view spoiler) ???
Binge reading also makes one roll their eyes when the characters do stupid things. For example (again no mystery solution spoilers): (view spoiler) ???
There are also typos here and there, names get mixed up, etc.
That's not to say that I don't enjoy the series. I do. I'm looking forward to more. Even with the issues noted. It's a fun series with good mysteries and enjoyable characters. I like Kappes' works. It's just that I notice things when I read.
Then on to another new-to-me series, Kathleen Brooks Moonshine Hollow, which I thought was a cozy mystery series. There was a murder in the first book -- so I'm counting it -- but after that, the books deal with a battle between good and evil witches. I read and list below the whole series (to date), but only count the first book toward my 2020 total. I really liked Zoey Matthews, the protagonist, and the little town she makes her home. Zoey is a lawyer who was partner-tracked until she tried assisting a drunk client visiting a strip club. She was caught up in a fight that broke out. Video of the fight went viral and her career went down the tubes. Fate took her to Moonshine Hollow where she opened a bakery -- and became an accidental witch. The series is sweet and funny and romantic and so enjoyable. Fun, fun, fun!! -- AGAIN, at this point, only book 1 can be considered a cozy mystery.
51. Kathleen Brooks - Moonshine & Murder (4.0) [B=Culinary, Paranormal] (200716)
51.25. Kathleen Brooks - Moonshine & Malice (4.0) (200717)
51.50 Kathleen Brooks - Moonshine & Mayhem (3.5) (200718)
51.75 Kathleen Brooks - Moonshine & Mischief (3.5) (200718)
More gravy in the next post...
Update part three... more gravy:Back to Jenn McKinlay to finish the Library Lovers series (to date, though a new one, One for the Books, comes in September) and to start her new-to-me Hat Shop series.
52. McKinlay - Word to the Wise (4.0) [B=Career-based] (200722)
Hat Shop, which gives me books for the "B" category of Outside US -- YAY! I've read all in the series (to date). The series stars Scarlett Parker, an American, who moves to London to live with her cousin Vivian Tremont. Scarlett, whose mother is British, spent her summers in London working with Viv in their grandmother's Hat Shop, Mim's Whims. She and Viv inherited the shop when Mim passed away. Since Scarlett is looking to lay low after the infamy of a viral video, she moves to London to help run the shop. Rounding out the main characters are Harrison Wentworth, their business manager and childhood friend; neighbors Nick Carroll and Andre Eisel; and Fiona Felton, an apprentice in the shop.
The events of the first five books take place over 10 months of "story" time. The last book, 6, (to date) came out three years after book 5 and its events also take place two years or so after those of book 5 – which is good and bad.
53. Jenn McKinlay - Cloche and Dagger (4.0) [B=Career-based, Outside US (London)] (200729)
54. Jenn McKinlay - Death of a Mad Hatter (4.0) [B=Career-based, Outside US (London)] (200805)
55. Jenn McKinlay - At the Drop of a Hat (4.0) [B=Career-based, Outside US (London)] (200809)
56. Jenn McKinlay - Copy Cap Murder (4.0) [B=Career-based, Outside US (London), Holiday (Guy Fawkes Day)] (200811)
57. Jenn McKinlay - Assault & Beret (4.0) [B=Career-based, Outside US (London), Travel (France)] (200816)
58. Jenn McKinlay - Buried to the Brim (4.0) [B=Career-based, Outside US (London)] (200819)
Another series binge with inconsistencies. As with Kappes' series, these didn't diminish my enjoyment of the series, just things I noticed as I read. (None spoil the solution to the mystery; they just deal with the personal stuff.)
(view spoiler) ???
Fun stuff... Elle and Marie Porter from McKinlay's (Lucy Lawrence) Decoupage series make an appearance in Assault & Beret. I hope this means there are more to come in that series! (I am rereading it now.)
Lastly (for now!), I started a new-to-me series by Kennedy Layne, Hex on Me. The series stars Tempest Lilura (Lou), a college sociology teacher (and witch) who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was hexed by a powerful immortal undead creature. Her misfortune is to see a murder about 24 hours before it happens and may not be able to do anything to stop it. She is seeking a cure to the hex while trying to prevent the murders. In the event that she can't save the victim(s), she works to bring the murderer(s) to justice. Lou is assisted in her joint quests by Orwin Cornelia, a genius warlock; Piper Allifair, a healer witch; and Pearl, Piper's familiar, a cat who once served Cleopatra.
I've only read one. The mystery is light. And, I have to admit I kept wondering if I'd missed books previous to this one because of how some story bits were dropped. Once things were explained to others in the story, things were clear to me. There are five more books in the series (to date). I hope the hex thing is cleared up soon because it could get old fast. However, I'll see how it goes.
59. Kennedy Layne - If the Curse Fits (2.5) [B=Paranormal; Travel (Pennsylvania)] (200823)
In the pipe (for now at least!)…
* Jenn McKinlay's (Lucy Lawrence) Decoupage series. I’ve started book 1, Stuck on Murder on N2.
* Kennedy Layne's Hex on Me series. I have book 2, Cursing up the Wrong Tree, started on N1.
Then it's catch-up for all the new additions in my regular series that have come in the last couple of months or are coming in the next couple -- and there's a lot!
Phew... I can't believe I had to divide this update into three posts -- I guess I should though because I'm not good at getting here to update. Oh well... They're in. (Now I've got to enter them into my GoodReads list... now or later, hmmm...)
I've hit this year's minimum goal and then some. YAY ME! I think this is the best I've done over the past couple of years. Now to see how many I get to through the end of the year.
Just finished (to date) Kennedy Layne's Hex on Me series. As mentioned previously, the mysteries are on the light side, but have been interesting. The premise -- Lou "sees" the murder before it happens; the gang sets out to prevent it or bring the killer to justice -- makes it a bit different from other cozy series. Like a lot of cozies though, the stories have all taken place in small towns (so far, at least). Since Lou and gang are on the road traveling and get sidetracked from their main mission to where Lou's visions take them, they have to find ways to prevent/solve the crime(s) while keeping the locals from becoming suspicious of the (real) reason they're in town. I like the main characters. I enjoy how they insert themselves into the towns and mysteries without looking like they're involving themselves in the mysteries (for the most part!). And, I like the humor. It's a fun series. Again, the mysteries are light, but haven't been horrible. And, they're all "travel" books for the "B" version of the challenge. (Though, can they be "travel" books if traveling is part of what they have to do?? I'm saying yes!)60. Kennedy Layne - Cursing Up the Wrong Tree (3.0) [B=Paranormal; Travel (Wyoming)] (200830)
61. Kennedy Layne - The Squeaky Ghost Gets the Curse (3.5) [B=Paranormal; Travel (Minnesota)] (200906)
62. Kennedy Layne - The Curse that Bites (3.0) [B=Paranormal; Travel (West Virginia)] (200911)
63. Kennedy Layne - Curse Me Under the Mistletoe (3.0) [B=Paranormal; Travel (South Dakota)] (200912)
64. Kennedy Layne - Gone Cursing (3.0) [B=Paranormal; Travel (Michigan)] (200919)
I have yet to update the files on my Nooks so am relegated to reading what I loaded a few months ago (which means no new additions to my regular series for now). Still, I have the loaded "catch-up" TBRs, and currently have started:
* On N1: Victoria Hamilton's A Deadly Grind from her Vintage Kitchen series. I really like the heroine, Jaymie Leighton, a lot so far. I have the series (to date) loaded.
* On N2: Kennedy Layne's Paranormal Bay series. I'm in the middle of the first, Magical Blend; it's pretty good so far. There are 12 in the series (to date).
* On N3: Lucy Lawrence's (Jenn McKinlay) Decoupage series. I started book 1, Stuck on Murder, in August. Have I gotten back to it since then? No... The series is a reread. so the others are taking priority right now. I'll get back to it because I really want to enter it into my GoodReads list (thus catching up my Jenn McKinlay series -- except for the two that came out in the past couple of months). Though I've read the three books in the series -- hoping for more!! -- it was before I started entering books and I can't guess at the date other than it was around 2011/12.
Then...
** I need to catch up -- AGAIN! -- on Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix series. There are three available now and two more coming before the end of the year (Ack!).
** Loading the Nooks with the new additions to my favorite series.
** Hitting Amazon freebies on the Kindles, if I have time and find myself without a Nook near.
BTW... That leaves me only two categories short of the "B" version of this challenge (which I'm not going to hit -- no historicals on the horizon).*** B categories needed ***
* Craft-related (knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
* Historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
I'm surprised I haven't hit the "craft-related" category because I usually have a couple each year. Guess that means I need to get back to the Decoupage series sooner rather than later. That would leave only the historical category -- once again -- unfulfilled. Though, the any mystery not set in the present description might make it easier than I thought. (Still, none of those on the horizon either.) I think this would be the closest I get to hitting the "B" goals.
No matter... Back to what I want to read when I want to read it. :o)
Well, I knew the holiday would slow my reading. I only have 10 cozies to add. However, I started and finished Victoria Hamilton's Vintage Kitchen series. (YAY!!) I'm still sort of deciding how I feel about it. The mysteries have been involving -- some more interesting than others -- and I like the setting and most of the characters to date.There's just something... It's not that they're bad, -- I've rated them 3-3.5, with a couple rolled up to 4 for GoodReads -- there's just something "off" to me. I'll keep reading the series because what I don't know I don't like is not enough to keep me from reading what I do like.
And, they don't fit the B categories well. For a while, protagonist Jamie Leighton has several part-time jobs. However, most of the mysteries actually revolve around her hobby (collecting vintage/historical kitchen- and cookware) and her volunteering. She's trying to get a cookbook of her grandmother's "vintage" recipes published so she works on that. She begins a blog about vintage cookery and the tools used in historical kitchens and vintage cookery. She also writes a column (no pay!) for the local paper. The books contain at least one recipe with a few "how-tos" tossed in as she cooks for family and friends.
I can't say they're culinary, really, because she doesn't work in the culinary industry and though the murders usually involve a vintage cookware item, the books are not "culinary" in their nature. Her hobby is not related to crafting, so "no" to the crafting category. And, though she has oodles to do from her jobs to her volunteer work, they're not really "careers." Basically, the reads are all "freebies," with a holiday thrown in here and there, for the "B" option.
I started them on N1 around the same time I started Kennedy Layne's Paranormal Bay series on N2.
So... First a Vintage Kitchen...
65. Victoria Hamilton - A Deadly Grind (3.5) (B=Freebie] (200927)
Then I finished a Paranormal Bay.
Raven Marigold is having a bad "hair life." To make a change. she moves to Paramour Bay, Connecticut to take over a tea shop she inherited from her estranged grandmother -- but doesn't tell her mother. (Raven's mother moved them from Paramour Bay to New York City, breaking them away from her mother when Raven was young,)
On Raven's first day in the shop she and her best friend find a dead body in the back room. Uh-oh... Then Raven keeps getting glimpses of a cat (or cat-like something) and then hears it talk! Uh-oh... Then, Raven makes a big discovery... Oh, and her mother finds out Raven's returned to Paramour Bay.
Though I'm only one and a half in, I'm enjoying this series. Raven and the quirky town residents are fun and funny. Toss in a bit of magic and romance...
66. Kennedy Layne - Magical Blend (3.0) [B=Career, Paranormal] (200930)
Then, back to the Vintage Kitchen to finish out the series to date.
67. Victoria Hamilton - Bowled Over (3.5) (B=Freebie; Holiday (July 4)] (201006)
68. Victoria Hamilton - Freezer I'll Shoot (3.5) (B=Freebie] (201011)
69. Victoria Hamilton - No Mallets Intended (3.5) (B=Freebie] (201014)
70. Victoria Hamilton - White Colander Crime (3.0) (B=Freebie] (201024)
71. Victoria Hamilton - Leave It to Cleaver (3.0) (B=Freebie] (201029)
72. Victoria Hamilton - No Grater Danger (3.5) (B=Freebie] (201107)
73. Victoria Hamilton - Breaking the Mould (3.0) (B=Freebie] (201120)
74. Victoria Hamilton - Cast Iron Alibi (3.5) (B=Freebie] (201207)
That's it for now. My reading time was cut by the Thanksgiving holiday (pre, day, and post!) and will be cut again for Christmas. I'd like to hit 80 books, which doesn't seem undoable, but that's going to depend on the time I have.
Though there are a few series I'd like to start, I'm reloading N1 with catch-up-the-series reads:
* Lorna Barrett - Handbook for Homicide (Booktown series)
* Kate Carlisle - The Grim Reader (Bibliophile series)
* Jenn McKinlay's - Pumpkin Spice Peril (Cupcake Bakery series)
* Jenn McKinlay's - One for the Books (Library Lovers series)
* Tonya Kappes' - A Charming Deception (Magical Cures series)
* Victoria Laurie's - To Coach a Killer (Life Coach series)
* Emily James - Guilty or Knot: Maple Syrup Mysteries (Maple Syrup series
Then for multi-read catch-ups...
* The rest of Kennedy Layne's Paranormal Bay series. I'm in the middle of the second, Bewitching Blend, and there are 12(!!) more after that.
* I'm five(!!) behind in Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon) series
* Emily James' Cupcake Truck series. I enjoyed two prequel books, but there are now are three books in the series I haven't read.
* I started Jenn McKinlay's (Lucy Lawrence) Decoupage series, a reread, with Stuck on Murder on N3 but haven't gotten back to it. (They were supposed to help me hit the "crafting" category of the "B" challenge. -- I don't think that's going to happen.)
Finally, I moved Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson series to the back burner a couple of years ago. I'm now five behind, I'm trying to decide if I want to put aside my anger with the series and catch up (another is due in January) or continue seething and leave it on the stove for now.
Again, glad I finished the challenge and then some, but hoping to hit 80. I won't hit the "B" categories, but will leave max two categories. Though I'm still reading, I'm looking forward to 2021!!
Congrats on finishing your challenge and good luck on getting to 80! Of course, reading through your comments has made me add some more to my ever growing TBR pile.
I have been wanting to check out Joanne Fluke's series for a while, but I have seen a lot of people mention that it starts to go downhill, so I wasn't sure I should even start it. I know there are a lot of books in the series to date. Is it still worth it?
Stefanie wrote: "Congrats on finishing your challenge and good luck on getting to 80!"
Thank you on both counts!
Stefanie wrote: "Of course, reading through your comments has made me add some more to my ever growing TBR pile."
That's the joy of this challenge and reading people's lists. I always wind up adding more to my TBR than I'll ever read, but it's so fun!!
I saw a lot of Ellie Alexander on your list and wound up TBRing her. (Now to read them!)
Stefanie wrote: "I have been wanting to check out Joanne Fluke's series for a while, but I have seen a lot of people mention that it starts to go downhill, so I wasn't sure I should even start it. I know there are a lot of books in the series to date. Is it still worth it?"
Even if I hated a series, I wouldn't try to dissuade someone from reading it. The joy of books is that what appeals to one doesn't always appeal to others and vice-versa. Though, I would give my opinion of the series. ;o)
So here goes... I apologize in advance for the long (-winded) response.) I'll spoiler-tag it for those who don't care to read it.)
(view spoiler)
That being said... Though my sister-in-law thinks the series peaked years ago, I find it hard to give up a series I've put a lot into -- and used to enjoy. Since I haven't read the latest entries (20, a "prequel" story, and 22-26), I really can't say whether or not they're bad, I just "heard" spoilers that angered me enough to keep me away from the series for a while -- not that I don't have tons of other stuff to read. :o)
I don't mind putting it on the back burner for a while (which, by the way, I now call "fluking" a series!), but I'm pretty sure I'll get back to it and hope that things aren't as bad as I think they are.
Even after all that... I'd say give it a go and see what *you* think. Again, I enjoyed the series -- and may still when I get back to it. I continue reading reviews about the books and more people seem to like them than don't, so it's still appealing to readers.
Still... If you have a lot of interesting reads on your TBR, maybe "fluke" this series until nothing else sparks your fancy. :o)
I was interested to read this, Karen, because those have been my exact thoughts on the series! It's my opinion that Joanne Fluke is putting together short outlines and having someone else write the books... and that person is not a cozy writer, and probably not a woman (either a man [who doesn't respect women] or a young girl). I actually read the first book and didn't care for it and waited something like 3 or 4 years to read book 2. Book 2 I really enjoyed and then I read them one after the other in spring of 2015. for me it looks like book 18 was the first one that I really didn't like. Book 19 I felt like Fluke embarrassed herself by letting it be printed. Book 20 read like it was a 40 page short story that had been stuffed with fluff and recipes to try to make a full book out of it. Book 21 made me want to send Fluke a bill for having stolen time from my life and I vowed never to read another book by her again. And I agree 100% on the love triangle thing. I was rooting for Norman and Fluke's choice for resolving that conflict was absolutely ridiculous.
BUT. The publisher is still printing the series and some people are still giving the books good reviews so there are people out there who don't share our opinion.
In a nutshell I would tell anyone to give the series a shot, but proceed with caution :)
Karen wrote: "I saw a lot of Ellie Alexander on your list and wound up TBRing her. (Now to read them!)"That is one of my favorite series! I ended up binge reading the whole series because I liked it so much, then I was sad that I went through them so fast. But there is a new one coming out at the end of this month, so I am looking forward to it. I actually liked the romance element as well, it was different then what is typically in cozy mysteries, and didn't take up too much of the story. I will be interested to see what you think!
Karen wrote: "So here goes... I apologize in advance for the long (-winded) response.)"
Not at all, I appreciate all the info! It sounds to me as though perhaps the series has just gone on far too long, and she is losing steam with it. But because it is so popular, she keeps it going.
Lena wrote: "I was interested to read this, Karen, because those have been my exact thoughts on the series! It's my opinion that Joanne Fluke is putting together short outlines and having someone else write the..."
Thank you for your input as well, Lena. I like to know exactly what I may be getting myself into. You also made me laugh out loud! =)
I am glad I asked and got some feedback into this series. It is a long one, so I didn't want to just jump right into it. I think I will give it a shot sometime in the near future, but with the knowledge that I may want to give up on it eventually. Which is fine with me, it may be worth it if I enjoy the first few books. =)
Lena wrote: "for me it looks like book 18 was the first one that I really didn't like."
Hmmm,,, We both hit our limits around the same books. I had issues with book 17 and the minutia -- and I mean mi-noooooooo-sha! -- surrounding something other than the murder. I love cozies for the character stories, but when that becomes more important than the mystery, there's a problem. And, book 18's murder came so far into the book that I wasn't sure there'd even be one.
Lena wrote: "And I agree 100% on the love triangle thing. I was rooting for Norman and Fluke's choice for resolving that conflict was absolutely ridiculous."
Actually, that was what I thought could have rejuvenated the series. Finally, no triangle. I thought it would free Hannah to travel with said resolution -- at least now and then -- run into dead bodies, and work to solve the crimes. For recipes, she could visit different bakeries, coffee houses, and restaurants wherever she went and wheedle recipes from other bakers, or offer ways to improve this or that, etc. She could try some food or whatever that inspires her to create recipes for her bakery. She could even get some from victims' families and friends or suspects while questioning them (and drinking the tea or coffee and snack offered).
Lena wrote: "It's my opinion that Joanne Fluke is putting together short outlines and having someone else write the books..."
And, if you're right about this, the triangle resolution book would have been the best place to start this. The series could have headed in a different direction and no one would be the wiser. Any change in character, etc. could be explained away by the new direction.
Lena wrote: "In a nutshell I would tell anyone to give the series a shot, but proceed with caution :)"
I agree. As I said. I'll probably get back to it at some point. I just don't know when. It's not that I hate or dislike the series; I enjoyed most of what I read. I'm just disappointed with it at this time. Plus, I have a lot of catch-up reads to keep me busy, with new ones coming in January and February.
I am only a few books into the series, and it is one I do not binge on, so I should have a few years of reading before I hit the point it should have stopped. This sounds like my opinion of Janet Evanovich and the Stephanie Plum series. I think it should have been resolved in book 19 or 20, but they just keep getting pumped out. I will not buy them any more.
Susy wrote: "This sounds like my opinion of Janet Evanovich and the Stephanie Plum series. I think it should have been resolved in book 19 or 20, but they just keep getting pumped out. I will not buy them any more."I've seen that in other comments. Susy. I haven't read the series as of yet and comments like yours are one of the reasons. It's not so much the triangle issue as readers saying the series goes down in quality.
With Fluke, it wasn't so much the triangle as much as the characters' actions started annoying me -- like the thing I said about Hannah letting others run her (personal) life. I enjoyed so may of the books that I can't say the series isn't worth reading. I do hope you enjoy it.
That is much the same with the Plum series. The earlier books were a lot of fun, and I would suggest reading them. I just feel like Stephanie can't grow up and make up her mind. I got really annoyed after book 18 and stopped buying after 20. I have gotten a few later ones used, but they never got any better.I can see how the people around Hannah are always trying to run her life, even in the earlier books. At least I know that when it gets irritating, I can stop and not worry about missing good stories later. I really hate weak or stupid characters, so if a character starts acting wimpy after a couple of books, I am NOT going to read anymore.
Karen, that would have been fun to have Hannah traveling. I hadn't thought about that angle. I felt like Fluke was wimping out, people were divided on who she should end up with and the author wasn't willing to commit. But of course now we're right back in it.The minutiae drove me nuts too! There was one book where they must have spent 50 pages talking about how people's door knocking sounded and trying to predict who's at the door based on their knock. It was ridiculous!
I haven't tried Stephanie Plum and I've heard good things about it. It's on my TBR and I have a few. I've read some of her standalones and enjoyed them but it's been a long time. I'm going to have some time off around the holidays so hopefully I can make a dent in my pile :)
Her other series, which are much shorter are good. I just think that Plum has gone on too long, and it is probably at the publishers behest.
Welp... back for my final update of the 2020 challenge, I hit my goal on 06/13/20 -- A option, 40 cozies (freebies). I missed hitting the B option by two genres, falling short in historical (again!) and craft-related.As mentioned in my previous update post (12/08/20), my reading time was impacted around the holidays, even more so than I thought it would be. At the 12/08 update, I thought I'd be able to finish 2020 with 80 cozies; I needed six. I was only able to get three read. (Worse... I only read of total of six additional items from 12/08 to 12/31. Of course, if I'd traded three of those reads for cozies, I'd have my 80! Oh well...)
On to the update... I finished 2020 with more of Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon) series. Rounding out my 2020 list:
75. Addison Moore - Peach Cobbler Confessions (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal] (201217)
76. Addison Moore - Poison Apple Crisp (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (Pomeranian)] (201227)
77. Addison Moore - Spooky Spice Cake Curse (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Animal (Great Dane)] (201231)
I'm still enjoying this series (still rooting for the first cozy thruple!), but there are things in the books that annoy me. Sometimes things in the "cozy" part of the story are stretched out to point of annoyance. The character of Carlotta (Lottie's bio mom) is just ridiculous. I know she's there for comic relief, but I find her more exasperating than comedic. However, I enjoy them more than that character annoys me, so I'll stick with them.
The next one, Pecan Pie Predicament, which I've started, will be my first book of the new year. There are two more after that -- with two more due in February!
After that, it's more catch-up
* Lorna Barrett - Handbook for Homicide (Booktown series)
* Kate Carlisle - The Grim Reader (Bibliophile series)
* Emily James - Guilty or Knot (Maple Syrup series)
* Emily James' Cupcake Truck series
* Tonya Kappes - A Charming Deception (Magical Cures series)
* Victoria Laurie's - To Coach a Killer (Life Coach series)
* Kennedy Layne's Paranormal Bay series
* Jenn McKinlay's (Lucy Lawrence) Decoupage series
* Jenn McKinlay - Pumpkin Spice Peril (Cupcake Bakery series)
* Jenn McKinlay - One for the Books (Library Lovers series)
Then, of course, my series have new additions coming in January and February.
Now, I just have to get myself caught up enough to get my reading time back!
Onward to the 2021 Challenge!
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
One for the Books (other topics)One for the Books (other topics)
Peach Cobbler Confessions (other topics)
Poison Apple Crisp (other topics)
Pecan Pie Predicament (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Addison Moore (other topics)Tonya Kappes (other topics)
Lucy Lawrence (other topics)
Kate Carlisle (other topics)
Lorna Barrett (other topics)
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I'll list sub-genres when I post updates to see if I hit the "B" goal -- though I haven't hit the "B" challenge in three years (historical and out-of-US categories are the killer for me; everything else usually falls within the series I read), so I don't hold out much hope for this year -- but you never know.
So... Level Four (Sleuth Extraordinaire)
A) Read 40 cozy mysteries of your choice✅ (200613)
B) Read two books from each sub-genre in level one plus an additional 20 cozy books of your choice (total of 40 books)
B categories (two each; plus 22 of anything):
* ✅Culinary (restaurants, baked goods, etc.)
* ✅Animal-related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
* Craft-related (knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
* ✅Paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)
* ✅Series based outside the US
* ✅Career-based cozy mystery (housekeeping, wedding planner, etc.)
* ✅Holiday-based (set during any holiday)
* ✅Travel mystery (character could be on a cruise, touring another area, etc.)
* Historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- ✅Freebies (22 total) <<< I'm really good at freebies!! :o)
As for starting, if I don't get into a mystery reading jag after Christmas...
* I still have Rita Lakin's Getting Old Will Haunt You started on N2.
* I started the first book in a new series on N1, the name of which I can't remember I've only read three chapters. It's cute so far (no murder yet, though I think I know who the victim will be). It's set around a local production of "the Scottish Play." And, it's set in my hometown! I'll most likely finish this before Lakin's Gladdy Gold book.
Then...
* A Charming Misfortune to bring me up to date with Magical Cures
Then (or while!)...
* Victoria Laurie's Fated for Felony
* Laura Levine's Death of a Gigolo
* Jenn McKinlay's Word to the Wise
* Addison Moore has started a new mystery series, Country Cottage. I'm already three behind there. And, I haven't gotten back to her Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon) series as of yet.
Plus, January sees new additions to series I read. My list runneth over!