Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion
2021 Challenge Participants
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2021 Level 4 (Sleuth Extra): Karen's Kozies - 2021
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Good luck in 2021 and Happy New Year!
Looks like I can find lots of cozies just by reading your post! :)
Good luck, Karen! Everything on your list so far are ones I still need to try out or get back to. I am excited to see what else you add! :)
Changing things up this year. Working with how many of you show your reads, below find my list of reads in cover view. Updates with comments, mini-reviews, etc., if any, will be in the posts below. (Next year I need to remember to post this right after I join so it's on top.)My 2021 Sleuth Extraordinaire (40+ reads) challenge journey via cover:
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-- YAY! Finished.On to the gravy (if there is any!).
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Happy New Year!!My Dad always warned being careful about what you did on New Year's Day because it would be what you did all year and, just like last year, my sleep pattern is turned around. I was up until 9a, read/played Sudoku before I went to sleep and slept until late afternoon (which wasn't entirely my fault since the online alarm clock I set was somehow muted -- again!! -- so I wound up waking naturally. Thankfully I didn't have to be up for anything extremely important.)
I did, however, want to finish my first book on January 1 (stupid clock... there isn't even a mute button on the site! And, my music sounded just fine. Whatever!) Anyway... by the time I got rolling and sat down to read, get distracted, read again, repeat... I didn't finish book 1 until after midnight (12:20a!)
Still, I'm up (and may be for quite a while) so why not post the start of my 2021 Sleuth Extraordinaire list... Without further ado:
I rounded out 2020 with reads from Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon) series. There were three (one of which I'd started) left to go when one year ended and the new one began. My first read for 2021 is from that series.
1. Addison Moore - Pecan Pie Predicament (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal] (210102)
I have the next, Eggnog Trifle Trouble, started on N1. Barring me picking up the other two Nooks, queued with other cozies, that and Waffles at the Wake will be my two next cozy reads.
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, including two more (!!!) Lottie Lemons.
On the plus side, I slept late. I ate good food. I read. I read a mystery! My year is set.
On the minus... I may have to have backup alarms! :o)
I love your listing of the series your reads come from! It is so helpful in looking for new reads or remembering series I have started.I am very much a 'read in order' person even if I skip around between many, many series!
Susie wrote: "I love your listing of the series your reads come from! It is so helpful in looking for new reads or remembering series I have started."
Thank you.
Susie wrote: "I am very much a 'read in order' person even if I skip around between many, many series!"
A reading soulmate!! It's my reading OCD.
Before I curbed my buying, I would hit used book stores (okay, some new, too!) and buy every book in new-to-me series. I'd even hit a few more stores looking for what I was missing to date -- like I'd read 10 books so fast.. I just had to have them on hand just in case. That's how I "collected" boxes of TBRs (which now clutter my shelves). A job loss forced me to curb that inclination and drove me back to the library, which made it a bit easier to read in order even if I had to wait-list stuff.
Now I do mainly digital from the local library systems and Hoopla. I pick up freebies, but don't read them unless/until I'm able to get the first few in a series.
The good news is that there's so much I have that I don't have to read out of order if I don't want to. And, I don't really want to. ;o)
As usual, I'm beind in my updates. Here are my January and February reads (though, I will probably finish at least one more before the 28th).Continued playing catch-up with Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon) series.
2. Addison Moore - Eggnog Trifle Trouble (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Holiday (Christmas). Animal (mouse)] (210117)
3. Addison Moore - Waffles at the Wake (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal] (210117)
Then it was on to five books by Emily James. I caught up her Maple Syrup series (read 7) and I read the four books (to date) in her Cupcake Truck series (reads 4-6, 8).
4. Emily James - Sugar and Vice (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career] (210117)
5. Emily James - Dead Velvet Cake (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career] (210120)
6. Emily James - Gum Drop Dead (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career] (210202)
7. Emily James - Guilty or Knot (3.5) [B=Career] (210210)
8. Emily James - A Sampling of Murder (3.5) [B=Culinary, Career] (210212)
The protagonist from the Cupcake Truck series, Isabel Addington, was introduced in James' End of the Line, book 9 of the Maple Syrup series (a series I really enjoy!). For some reason, I really love the character of Isabel. She's on the run from her abusive, FBI husband and has to fly under the radar lest he find her and drag her back -- or worse. That's a hard thing to do when you find yourself around dead bodies for one reason or another and the police want you for statements, etc. The food truck gives her not only a way to make money, but keeps her mobile. It's not a great life, but at least she's alive and relatively safe. Though wary, Isabel winds up parking her truck and remaining in one town.
Sadly, the author notes the next book will wrap up the series. That disappoints me because I have been enjoying it. I hope she changes her mind and adds more. I want to see where the "cozy" story leads all the characters. The mysteries have all been good. The development of Isabel and the strength and courage she shows is very believable. I can't wait for the next. (Please don't let it be the last!)
My only negative at this point is minor, a pet peeve... Isabel's father was an English professor. She makes note in one of the books that she finds herself correcting people at times. However, the author continuously uses "I" objectively. (e,g, "...after Mark told Dan and I that..." -- Mark doesn't tell "I" anything; he tells me... -- if you're going to make note of correcting others, you should get it right). Again, a pet peeve, (me really hates it!). However, I don't let it stop me from enjoying the series. I anxiously await the next.
Then it was back to Lottie Lemon and the early February release. (Another came out a couple of days ago and is my next read.)
9. Addison Moore - Raspberry Tart Terror (3.0) [B=Culinary, Career, Paranormal, Holiday (Valentine's Day). Animal (koala)] (210217)
I guess you never know what going to grab you and take you away from your planned reads... I saw a posting on one of the boards featuring the first book of Sadie Hartwell's Tangled Web series. I went to add it to my TBR and wound up checking it out of the elibrary. I loved it. So, I did the same with book two the next day. So good!
10. Sadie Hartwell - Yarned and Dangerous (4.0) [B=Craft-related, Career] (210224)
11. Sadie Hartwell - A Knit before Dying (4.0) [B=Craft-related, Career] (210226)
Josephine (Josie) Blair is using her Masters in Fine Arts as a designer working in New York. She winds up heading back to her mother's Connecticut hometown -- and the one she and her mother had moved to when her mother was widowed -- to care for and help her great uncle who was in a car accident that killed his wife. Josie spent her high school years living in the small town and hasn't been back since.
She is tasked with assisting her uncle with some chores on the farm as well as inventorying and clearing for sale the yarn shop owned by his deceased wife. Josie renews a friendship, makes new friends (and enemies), and finds a body...
I devoured the first book, reading it in its entirety the evening I downloaded it from the elibrary. I liked the characters right away, even the cantankerous uncle. The mystery was interesting, too. Though I enjoyed the second book, too, I found myself distracted. I still read it in an evening, but it "took longer," if you know what I mean. It also left a few open threads -- nothing to do with the mystery, but stuff I'd have liked answered.
I'm disappointed that there aren't any more entries to the series at this point. (The last one came in 2016.) I like the characters, the setting, the "cozy" parts of the stories, and the mysteries. I want to see what comes of the main street shops, the mayoral race, the budding romance, etc. I just want more!
That's where I am to date. I'm behind where I want to be, but a bit ahead of where I need to be to hit the challenge goal before the late-year holidays hit and my reading time gets limited.
Next reads...
I am currently reading Eryn Scott's Literally Stalked, book 5 of the Pepper Brooks series. (I will probably finish it later today.)
Next up is the latest Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon), Baby Bundt Cake Confusion. This will catch me up (again!) with this series to date.
Then it's on to Tonya Kappes' A Charming Deception to catch up her (Magical Cures series (again!).
Sadly, the rest of the pipe hasn't changed (though new reads have hit -- ack!) -- Barring distractions of other things that catch my eye my next reads should be...
* Lorna Barrett - Handbook for Homicide (Booktown series)
* Kate Carlisle - The Grim Reader (Bibliophile series)
* Victoria Laurie's - To Coach a Killer (Life Coach series)
* Jenn McKinlay - Pumpkin Spice Peril (Cupcake Bakery series)
* Jenn McKinlay - One for the Books (Library Lovers series)
At some point I need to get back to Kennedy Layne's Paranormal Bay series. I have book 2, Bewitching Blend, started.
And, I still have not gotten back to Jenn McKinlay's (Lucy Lawrence) Stuck on Murder, book 1 of the Decoupage series, which I started at the end of last year (in my want to reread the three-book series).
Four months since last update...Part 1
So, I finished the books I'd started when I last updated.
12. Eryn Scott - Literally Stalked (2.5) [B=Career] (210226)
This is book five in the Pepper Brooks series. Though they've been up and down with me, I enjoy the series overall. There hasn't been an addition since 2019. :o( I have Ms. Scott's other series TBRed.
Then back to Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon).
13. Addison Moore - Chocolate Chip Cookie Conundrum (3.0) [B=Culinary; Career; Paranormal; Animal (rooster)] (210313)
14. Addison Moore - Baby Bundt Cake Confusion (3.5) [B=Culinary; Career; Paranormal; Animal dog-Malteser)] (210313)
This caught me up at that point, but I'm now back to three behind, with a fourth coming mid-July. This story introduced a character sort of out of the blue. (The character showed up in the previous one or two books, but always in background glances--a did-I-just-see-what-I-thought-I-saw kind of thing.) I already don't care for the character. It's bad enough that Lottie's bio-mom is the train wreck that keeps on giving, but to add another???
I really like the main characters of this series and most of the secondary ones. I love the humor and while the mysteries aren't that involving, they have been interesting. With the mid-July release, there will 36 books!! (and a few short stories) in a series that is only three years old. That's a lot. And though cozy plots progress, parts are stagnant and certain characters haven't changed--or get worse (e.g., bio-Mom). This hasn't stopped me from reading the series--and I'll continue to do so at this point.
15. Lorna Barrett - Handbook for Homicide (Booktown series)
Another, A Deadly Deletion comes in July.
Then, I got two freebies in a new-to-me series, Whistler's Cover, that looked interesting...
16a. Cozy Cat Parker - The Art & Craft of Murder (2.0) [B=Career; Culinary] (210315)
16b. Cozy Cat Parker - A Well-Crafted Alibi (2.0) [B=Career; Culinary] (210315)
...but they turned out to be just (barely) okay. Misty Williams is the owner of a teahouse in Whistler's Cove, a small town famous for its community of artists and crafters. Though they have separate entries on GoodReads, they're so short that I just can't in good conscience count them as separate books for the challenge.
In the first story, Misty finds a body in her teahouse and turns sleuth to bring the killer to justice. However, there was little to no real investigation of the murders in either story. Things sort of fell into her lap. Figuring out the killer(s) was easy. There are two more in the series (to date). I'll zip through them if I find/get them as freebies (I can't see spending $1 for very short stories, especially ones that are only okay), but won't count them separately from these two. That is, all four would equal one "book" for the challenge. (BTW.., Not really actively seeking out the others. It's an if-I-see-them-I'll-read-them sort of thing.)
Continued...
Update part 2Back to catching up series...
17. Kate Carlisle - The Grim Reader (3.5) [B=Career] (210401)
This is one of my favorite series, Bibliophile. Though this read brought me current, a new addition, Little Black Book, hits shelves at the end of this month. TBR!!!
18. Emily James - Poison-Spiced Cupcakes (3.5) [B=Career; Culinary] (210404)
Ms. James says this is the last book in the Cupcake Truck series. As such, it brings Isabel's (Amy) story (the reason she was on the run) full circle. However, it does leave readers sort of dangling when it comes to the cozy story. (Do the main characters marry? Does the shop prosper? Etc.) As I mentioned previously, Isabel's development from the first book to this is very believable--especially as to how she reacts when faced with the person who victimized her. I will miss Isabel and the other characters. And while I'm not unhappy with the way the series ended, I think it could continue...
19. Tonya Kappes - A Charming Deception (4.0) [B=Career; Paranormal] (210408)
Another supposed last-of-series. :o( This was one of my favorites entries in the Magical Cures series. June and hubby Oscar are having a baby--and either the baby is messing with June's intuition or the hormones are, maybe both! While the mystery was good, it was the cozy part of the story that got to me. As June deals with upcoming motherhood, she connects with her deceased mother, Darla, through buried memories and Darla's journals. June comes to appreciate the sacrifices Darla made after June's father passed away--some of which June took for granted or saw as personal hardships. Sacrifices that allow June to do what she currently does. I was also warmed by the love shown between June and Oscar, even when they were arguing. And, I loved how the end brings things full circle with Mr. Prince Charming. As an end-of-series story--if it truly is--it was great. However... It leaves me wanting more. :o)
On to a new-to-me series, Hillcrest Witch...
20. Amorette Anderson - The Case of the Love Spell (3.5) [B=Career; Paranormal] (210416)
More later...
Since I have different series/books started on different devices, more catch-up...
21. Victoria Laurie - To Coach a Killer (4.0) [B=Career; Paranormal] (210418)
Man! I love Ms. Laurie's series. This is book two in the Life Coach/Cat Cooper series. Loving Cat. Still love Gillie! Heath (from Laurie's Ghost Hunter series cameos (so we get updates on him and MJ). The third entry comes this August. I can't wait!
22. Jenn McKinlay - Pumpkin Spice Peril (3.5) [B=Career; Culinary] (210423)
One more to go (to date!) in the Cupcake Bakery series to be current, For Batter or Worse.
Then, I caught up with an old favorite, Victoria Square. I am so glad this series was continued. I like the setting. I like the characters. The mysteries are good. One more to go (Dead Man's Hand) to bring me current (to date, of course).
23. Lorraine Bartlett - Yule Be Dead (3.5) [B=Career] (210427)
24. Lorraine Bartlett - Murder Ink (3.5) [Career; Culinary] (210428)
25. Lorraine Bartlett - A Murderous Misconception (3.5) [Career; Culinary] (210429)
Katie purchases, remodels, and reopens a tea shop, Tealicious, on Victoria Square. While she still runs the craft co-op, (B=Career), she also now runs her tea shop (B=Culinary).
Then, another new-to-me series, Chef-to-Go by the author of the two Scumble River series (Scumble River and Welcome Back to Scumble River) and one of my all-time favorite series (Devereaux's Dime Store, Denise Swanson.
26. Denise Swanson - Tart of Darkness (3.5) [B=Career; Culinary] (210501)
27. Denise Swanson - Leave No Scone Unturned (3.5) [B=Career; Culinary] (210505)
Dani Sloane lives in the small college town of Normalton, IL. She's making some changes her life. She broke it off with her cheating boyfriend. She quit the job that had her "turning into someone I hated" and is looking to do what she really loves, cooking. Serendipity enters when she inherits a Victorian mansion from one of her grandmother's college friends, one the woman was turning into a B&B. Added to the cast are a trio of college students (sidekicks!) who lived in the apartment across the hall. When their strict landlord evicts them, they turn to Dani for housing. Since Dani doesn't really want to deal with running a B&B but needs the income, she takes them on. Rounding out the main cast is Spencer Drake, former cop and current head of college security. Spencer, the uncle of one of the girls, is tasked with checking up to make sure the girls are behaving.
(BTW... Spencer made an appearance in Scumble River. There's also a reporter who shows up who also appeared in Scumble River. While this series isn't really part of that series, I guess it's kind of a spin-off.)
I've started the third-in-series, Winner Cake All, which will bring me current (to date).
And still continuing...
Update part 3...and back to Hillcrest...
28. Amorette Anderson - The Case of the Power Spell (3.5) [B=Career; Paranormal] (210508)
29. Amorette Anderson - The Case of the Banishing Spell (3.5) [B=Career; Paranormal] (210518)
30. Amorette Anderson - The Case of the Desire Spell (3.5) [B=Career; Paranormal] (210525)
31. Amorette Anderson - The Case of the Trust Spell (3.0) [B=Career; Paranormal] (210613)
Penelope (Penny) Banks, 27, has lived in Hillcrest her whole life. She flunked out of the police academy after accidentally shooting her instructor (and boyfriend at the time, Captain Christopher Wagner). She then took an online personal investigator program and is now a "certified" PI. (Her office is a closet in a yoga studio.) She follows the advice of personal development guru Jumper Strongheart as she tries to get a handle on her life. (Thus she wears fake glasses to look smarter because Jumper says to wear "piece of clothing or accessory that makes you feel like the person you want to become. Since Penny is self-conscious about her intellect, wearing glasses gives her "a confidence boost in the intelligence department."
Penny is hired for her first big case in the five years she's been a PI, find out who murdered the wealthiest woman in town, whose death was ruled natural causes. (This puts her at odds with her police officer ex.) Payment comes in the form of items from the woman's estate left to Penny's client, including a book called The Art and Science of Becoming a Witch. (Turns out the deceased was a witch!)
Rounding out the main cast are Penny's knitting and book club friends, Annie, an older widow who owns and operates the newly named Death Cafe (where they usually meet); Cora, an administrative assistant in her mid-30s; and Marley, Penny's best friend from childhood. Oh, and Turkey, excuse me, Thomas Edison Fullbright (he named himself; doesn't like to be called Turkey), Penny's cat (and, now, familiar), They "speak" telepathically. He spends a lot of time on the internet.
Penny brings "ASBW" to the book club and the ladies decide to do the 13 lessons within and become witches. Their "coven" is tasked with protecting the portal to the earth realm, which was left unprotected after the old lady's death. Each book in the series has the women learning a new spell as Penny (and her sidekicks) solve crimes and protect the portal as best they can as novice witches. While Penny's life and career are a mess and she's not a by-the-book investigator, she works intuitively and gets the job done.
These books are fun and funny. Although your brain won't be taxed trying to solve the mysteries, they are involving. I'm about a third of the way through the series and will be sad when I hit lesson 13 (assuming it's the end). There are a few holiday short stories (featuring Turkey) thrown in. It's great to see Penny's confidence and abilities grow with each case and each spell. I've started on fifth-in-series The Case of the Vision Spell.
Finally (for now), I picked up a paperback I've had for (more than) a few years...
32. Laura DiSilverio - The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco (3.5) [B=Career] (210626)
This is the first in the Readaholics Book Club series. I like the characters. Like other series with book clubs, the read mirrors the mystery in certain aspects. That's what helped me solve the mystery pretty early on, even with the red herrings thrown in. However, the book held my interest throughout. There are two more (to date) in the series. I plan to read both and look forward to more (though the last one came in 2016 so this could be a three-and-done).
Well, that's it for now. I have 8 to hit the minimum and 4 months (and 2 restricted-reading holiday months!) to get them done. As for option "B," I'm pretty sure I'll be falling short a couple of categories. We'll see.
Upcoming... N3's battery bit the dust. Trying to replace it is turning out to be a nightmare. Why must things be built as if we live in a throw-away society--just toss it and get a new one?? Really! (Since B&N stopped selling their 7" Nook Tablets, I can't "replace" it anyway--and I find 10" tablets too unwieldy as readers. Boo, B&N. Boo!) Anyway... I still haven't updated the files on the others, but I need to! I have new additions for my catch-up-the-series file as well as some TBRs I need to move over. Let's see...
** I picked another paperback off the shelf, Janet Bolin - Dire Threads (from the Threadville series). I started it a while ago but only read two or three chapters before I got distracted with other reads. I'll work away at that while reading other things.
** I have the latest three (soon to be four!) Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemons) to again bring me current
** The rest of Amorette Anderson's Hillcrest Witch series
** Denise Swanson - Winner Cake All (Chef-to-Go)
** Denise Swanson - Fly Me to the Tomb YAY!! a new entry into one of my favorite series, Devereaux's Dime Store; I haven't been able to find this at the libraries as of yet. I may have to break down and buy it. I love Dev Sinclair!
** Lorna Barrett - A Deadly Deletion (Booktown series)
** Kate Carlisle - Little Black Book (Bibliophile series)
** Victoria Laurie's - Coached in the Act (Life Coach series)
** Jenn McKinlay - One for the Books (Library Lovers series); and, Killer Research, hits shelves in November!
** Jenn McKinlay - For Batter or Worse (Cupcake Bakery series)
** Jenn McKinlay's (Lucy Lawrence) Stuck on Murder, book 1 of the Decoupage series (on the broken N3 right now)
** Kari Lee Townsend - Hazard in the Horoscope (Fortune Teller/Sunny Meadows); another YAY!! I so enjoy this series. This is the first book in it since 2015!
** Emily James - Stumped (Maple Syrup series) This is supposedly the last-in-series. :o( I will be sad to see this series go. I haven't been able find this at the libraries as of yet, but I'd like to read it.
I'll see what else there is when I reload. :o)
BTW... Townsend has two more series that I hope get new entries.In 2013-2014, she had two books, Kicking The Habit and Peril for Your Thoughts, respectively, issued as "Kindle Serials," something I hadn't heard of until I read these a couple of years later (and was able to get the entire story at once).
She has now retitled the books and reissued them labeled as firsts-in-series.
** Kicking the Habit is now Harmful Habits, Cece Monroe, Book 1
** Peril for Your Thoughts is now Mind Over Murder, Kalli Ballas, Book 1
I don't think the text has changed, but??? Below are links to the reviews I posted:
** My review of Kicking the Habit || Harmful Habits
** My review of Peril for Your Thoughts || Mind Over Murder
Again, I hope this means there will be more coming in both series. I really liked these characters.
I'm kind of ashamed I haven't updated since June -- "kind of" being the operative words. :o)Am I here to update... I should be, but no. I came to respond to someone else but thought I'd stop by. I do have reads to add but not many at this point. And, at this point I think I'm barely going to hit my goal. :o(
I haven't been reading as much as I could/should and have mainly been hitting short romance freebies I read right when I download them. A combination of things hit at the same time. As mentioned above, N3 stopped working or charging or both. I still need to move the files from that memory card to N1 and N2. I worked a contract in Jul/Aug that put me behind (moving files, reading, downloading reads, etc.) I'm trying to catch up, but then the holidays hit...
I'll update soon.
Update!33. Janet Bolin - Threaded for Trouble (3.5-3) [Career, Craft-related (sewing/needlecraft)] (210721)
This is part of Bolin's Threadville series. I had started this paperback more than a few years ago but for some reason shelved it -- figuratively AND literally (my Post-it "bookmark" was still stuck in it). I pulled it off the shelf when I quickly needed something to read. Anyway, I found out after reading it that it is book TWO in the series (a couple of things mentioned made me wonder, but I didn't check until I finished it and went looking for the next-in-series). I guess what I don't know doesn't affect my series-in-order OCD (???). (Though, I am itching to get book one read!)
I like the characters, but didn't really like the "cozy" part of the book other than the sewing/crafting aspect. Maybe it would have been different had I read book 1 first?? Also, though the mystery was involving, I knew who the killer was right after the character was introduced. I obviously didn't know the why and wherefores, but did know the who. Meh...
There are five books in the series (to date??). According to an author's note I saw, no further entries are planned for the series. I do plan on reading them.
Bolin writes another series under the name Ginger Bolton, Deputy Donut. Time allowing, I'd probably read these, too.
34. Addison Moore - Wicked Whoopie Pies (3.0) [Culinary, Paranormal, Animal-related (skunk)] (210916)
Another entry in the Murder in the Mix/Lottie Lemon series. I really enjoy this series, the humor especially, but am so tired of the shenanigans of several secondary (??) characters. The mysteries are fine and still interest me and I do love Lottie, so I'll keep reading the series. Currently I am SEVEN!! behind, with one more on the way (Feb '22). Eleven books came out in 2021.
Moore writes several other series, one book of which I've read because it was a "Lottie" crossover. Two of the series are "Lottie"-adjacent (crossover characters and/or locations), Country Cottage (20!! books to date) and Meow for Murder (7 books to date). I'm sure I'll get to them at some point, but with so many "Lotties" to get through...
35. Jenn McKinlay - For Batter or Worse (4.0) [Career, Culinary] (211213)
The latest in McKinlay's Cupcake Bakery series, one of my favorites! This is one author who writes mysteries with humor and knows how to keep the shenanigans of secondary characters from taking over (and ruining??) the entire story. Can't wait for more.
That's it for now. Ack! I need five more to hit this year's goal and only two weeks (or so) to get it done! Good news is I'm in the middle of two books now, I think I will squeak by hitting the 40.
Maybe I should spend more time reading and less time playing Angry Birds! :o)
Looking forward to 2022's challenge!
YAY!!! Finished the minimum.So... I got out of my funk (sort of), I stopped playing Angry Birds, and started reading. I finished six books in eight days, five of which were mysteries. Anything I finish before the new year is gravy now. Phew! I really thought I'd have a tough time finishing this year because of the funk I was in.
Anyway, to close out the minimum:
36. Denise Swanson - Winner Cake All (3.5) [B=Career; Culinary] (211216)
This is the third and latest (to date) in Swanson's Chef-to-Go series. I started this back in May on N2 (the battery of which is having issues) and finally finished. I really enjoy this series and am looking forward to the next.
Then... I finally got back to the Lucy Lawrence Decoupage series. I've been wanting to reread it to complete my read-the-Jenn McKinlay-series (the mysteries, at least). I've caught up everything but the latest in the Library Lovers. The Decoupage series is similar to McKinlay's other mysteries -- two friends who work together, one of whom is a body magnet; light romance throughout; etc. (It reminds me of her Hat Shop series. In fact, a couple of the Decoupage characters cameo in Hat Shop Book 5, Assault and Beret). I wish there were more than three in the series. Just as we're getting to know the characters and townsfolk the books stop. :o(
37. Lucy Lawrence - Stuck on Murder (3.5) [B=Career; Craft-related (decoupage)] (211221)
38. Lucy Lawrence - Cut to the Corpse (3.5) [B=Career; Craft-related (decoupage)] (211221)
39. Lucy Lawrence - Sealed with a Kill (3.5) [B=Career; Craft-related (decoupage)] (211222)
Rounding out the minimum, I got back to a book I'd started in June...
40. Amorette Anderson - The Case of the Vision Spell (3.5) [B=Career; Paranormal] (211223)
This is book 5 in the Hillcrest Witch series, This is a fun and funny series. I have eight books and a few short stories to go in the main series.
I've started Addison Moore's Key Lime Pie Perjury, number 34! in the Murder in the Mix/Lottie Lemon series. It referenced that it had been two years since Lottie started solving murders -- 34 murders in two years! However, I think it's been longer. Some of the murders happen around holidays and I'm sure there have been more than two years of holidays. ???
Anyway... This might put me over the minimum if I finish it before Jan 1. Fingers crossed! (I'll then start book 35, Red, White, and Blueberry Muffin Murder. There are five more after that, with one due in February. If I'm lucky, I may get a couple in.)
I also have started on N3 (the battery of which has died and won't charge) Kennedy Layne's Bewitching Blend, book 2 (of 20!! to date) in her Paramour Bay series. Don't know when I'll get back to it.
As for the "B" version of the challenge I will fall short the following categories (unless Lottie travels through time to a series set overseas!):
* Series based outside the US
* Travel mystery (character could be on a cruise, touring another area, etc.)
* Historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
Looking forward to 2022's Challenge.
I got three more in. I don't think I will get any more completed before Jan 1, 2022, so this is the cozy list.I kept going with Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix/Lottie Lemon series. I had seven to read to catch up. I've read three. I don't know when I'll get to the other four -- I may be "fluking" this series for a while.
41. Addison Moore - Key Lime Pie Perjury (3.0) [Culinary, Paranormal, Animal-related (Bichon Frise)] (211229)
42. Addison Moore - Red, White, and Blueberry Muffin Murder (2.5) [Culinary, Paranormal, Animal-related (Bengal cat)] (211229)
43. Addison Moore - Honey Buns Homicide (2.5) [Culinary, Paranormal] (211231)
So... I've rated the three books 2.5-3.0, all rounded to three for GoodReads -- at least for now. This is a favorite series of mine. I love Lottie and her two men, Everett and Noah. I love the humor, or I used to. The "comic relief" is now just ridiculous to the point that I what I can't stand is overshadowing what I love(d) about the series.
I'm not tired of the never-ending not-quite-a-throuple that is Everett, Lottie, and Noah. The mysteries are still interesting (for the most part). It's the not-so-cozy crap surrounding things that's getting to me. I note a few below.
** Bio-mom Carlotta is a train wreck. She is a bully and treats her newly-introduced daughter (Lottie's younger lookalike sister) like dirt just as she continues to wreak havoc in Lottie's life, Lottie needs to stop enabling her misadventures, cut her off financially, and cut her out of her life.
** When did Noah become such a dick? I know he and Everett are both in love with Lottie, but start respecting the fact that Everett and Lottie are married -- just as Everett respects Noah's relationship with Lyla Nell -- and quit trying to bust up their marriage. Either go throuple, or love her from afar. [And now they're setting up some drama with Noah and the nitwit that is Cormack??? I can't take it!]
** Noah's father, Wiley Fox, has got to go. He's running Miranda's business into the ground (stealing money??) and causing Noah issues with the mobster families from Leeds (and Jersey) with his underhanded ways.
** Speaking of which, I am so tired of the "comic relief" mob families threatening Everett and Noah and trying to corrupt them and the whole mess of the story surrounding that. Ugh!
** When did Miranda (Lottie's mother) become such a dimwit? Has her love (lust) for Wiley Fox blinded her to her (former) good taste and smarts? She was always flighty, but I don't think she was ever stupid. The character has become a shallow shell. (In one of the stories, she takes Lottie's infant daughter and get her ears pierced without asking Lottie. Everyone thinks it's so funny and that Lottie shouldn't be upset. It's not funny and Lottie has every right to be upset.)
** And, why do Lottie's friends and family make her the butt of their jokes? Kidding is one thing, but even "light" bullying from those closest to her is still bullying. So what if your lookalike sister strips for a living under a nickname you were given. So what if we take pictures and video of your most embarrassing moments and post them on social media. It's funny. They just expect her to take it and not allow it to hurt her feelings. How would you like finding out you almost weren't invited to a family event? Then, how about saying something about it only to have people look to one another before saying of course she should come. Gee, thanks.
** When will the bad luck cloud that seems to hang around Lottie go away.
I understand you need ongoing stories for the "cozy" part of the series. I get that a lot of cozies have quirky characters. I usually don't have issues with this. But when the over-the-top ridiculous becomes the norm... I don't know. As mentioned, I have four to catch up the series, with another one due in February. I don't think I'm going to start the new year with Lottie.
Oh well, off to update my GoodReads book list for 2021. I haven't done a main update since June!
Tasha wrote: "Looks like I can find lots of cozies just by reading your post! :)"I was just thinking the same! :)
Anastasia wrote: "Tasha wrote: "Looks like I can find lots of cozies just by reading your post! :)"I was just thinking the same! :)"
Thank you. I'm glad to assist. One of my favorite things about this challenge is getting reads from other people's lists, too. :o)
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Honey Buns Homicide (other topics)Key Lime Pie Perjury (other topics)
Red, White, and Blueberry Muffin Murder (other topics)
Honey Buns Homicide (other topics)
Key Lime Pie Perjury (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Addison Moore (other topics)Denise Swanson (other topics)
Amorette Anderson (other topics)
Lucy Lawrence (other topics)
Addison Moore (other topics)
More...
As usual, I'm doing version "A." I'll read what I read and see where they fall for "B." I will, however, continue to list (and track) sub-genres when I post updates to see if I can -- by some slim chance -- hit the "B" goal (dang those "historicals" and "out-of-the-countrys"!! -- though it was historical and crafting that did me in for 2020). :o)
So... Level Four (Sleuth Extraordinaire)
A) Read 40 cozy mysteries of your choice
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 of 9 specific sub-genres; 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)
What I'm reading (or have in the -- current -- pipe):
I started playing catch-up and am working my way through the last four (to date!) in Addison Moore's Murder in the Mix (Lottie Lemon) series. I should (okay, hope to) get at least one more of those done before year's end.
Then it's on to more 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 series)
Then for multi-read catch-ups...
* The rest of Kennedy Layne's Paranormal Bay series. I've started the second, Bewitching Blend (N2). If no more come between now and when I get to these, there are still 12(!!) more after that.
* 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 rereading Jenn McKinlay's (Lucy Lawrence) Decoupage series with Stuck on Murder months ago when two of the characters cameoed in one of her London Hat Shop books. I have not gotten back to it. I want to finish the set (again!).
I "fluked" Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson series down my TBR list a couple of years ago (angered with where the cozy story went). 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 "fluked" for now. To be fair (to me!) there are a lot things to read instead. ;o)
On to the 2021 challenge!!