Thursday, March 28, 2024

Audiobook Review: Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay

Sprinkle with Murder

Author:
Jenn McKinlay
Narrator: Susan Boyce
Series: Cupcake Bakery Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Dreamscape Media (November 29, 2016)
Length: 6 hours and 24 minutes

Description: Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are finally living out their dream as the proud owners of the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. But their first big client is a nightmare. She's a bridezilla who wants 500 custom cupcakes for her wedding.

When Mel stumbles upon the bride-to-be dead-by-cupcake, she becomes the prime suspect. To save themselves and their business, the ladies need to find the real murderer, before the cupcake killer ices someone else.

My Thoughts: This cozy mystery was a nice start to a new series. Mel Cooper and her best friend Angie DeLaura have opened a cupcake bakery with the help of their best friend Tate. They've been buddies since middle school despite having all attended different colleges and having vastly different careers. 

Now, Tate is set to marry a real bridezilla. She wants Mel to prepare 500 unique flavors of cupcakes for her wedding. She has also had Mel sign a contract saying that the bride will own the cupcake flavors and that Mel can't make them again for her store. 

When Mel goes to the bride's dress design business to talk about the cupcakes, she finds the bride dead on the floor. Then Mel finds herself the chief suspect in the woman's death. 

Meanwhile, another local baker is harassing Mel and Angie and wants to force them out of business. If Mel and Angie want to save their new business, they will have to find the real murderer. 

First published in 2010, the story is a little dated. Mentions of Blackberrys are the first clue. The biggest clue comes in the form of the murder weapon. Fentanyl is much more on everyone's radar than it was in 2010. 

Overall, I enjoyed the story and liked the main characters. I wasn't very fond of Mel's mother who just didn't seem to listen to her daughter even if her heart was in the right place. I liked the romance aspects of the story though one big one was unresolved. Luckily, this is the first book of a sixteen-book series. 

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Kris Longknife: Stalwart by Mike Shepherd

Kris Longknife: Stalwart

Author:
Mike Shepherd
Series: Kris Longknife (Book 19)
Publication: KL & MM Books (December 5, 2019)

Description: The foolish Iteeche clans that hauled Grand Admiral Kris Longknife back to the Iteeche Capital and interrupted her campaign against the rebels, are dead. Very dead. Their clans are disgraced and their palaces in ruin.

However, while Kris was handling that noise, the rebels took back one of the planets she had recently captured, Arteccia, and are planning to take more.

Now it's time once more again for Kris to kick butts and take names.

However, life is never easy for a Human in the Iteeche Empire.

The Clan Chiefs expect Kris to retake what the rebels took from the loyalists because that is the Iteeche Way. That is a tune she will not dance to. So, the Clan Chiefs play their ace: Do what we want, or we won't give you command of our ships.

To their consternation, Kris does not give in. She gives them a literal middle digit salute and invites every minor clan to join the fun and games of capturing planets and gaining plunder.

Unfortunately, the rebels have used their time well and they have their own plans for Kris, plans that should leave her fleet in ruins and the young Iteeche on the throne dead. Unfortunately for them, their plans can't really hold back Grand Admiral, the Stalwart Kris Longknife.

My Thoughts: Having settled business on the Iteeche capital planet, at least for a while, Kris needs to get back out into space to continue the battle against the rebels who are threatening the empire and the life of the teenager on the Imperial throne. 

She'd like to add to her fleet and the clans do owe her and their emperor their support. But when she gets nothing but excuses from the major clans, she bypasses them in favor of offering the minor clans a chance at gold and glory or, actually, land and plunder. 

But the rebels have not been standing still while Kris was dealing with problems on the capital planet. They have taken back one of the systems Kris had won. Kris plans to continue capturing the rebel planets that are the most able to support the rebel cause. She plans to do it her way. If the planet surrenders to Kris, she'll let the local overlords keep their places which irritates the young lordlings from the capital planet who have been promised land and jobs and opportunities for plunder of their own. 

A large part of this story, told both from Kris's point of view and from the Iteeche Admiral leading the rebel fleet, is concerned with a space battle for control of one of the rebel planetary systems. It was filled with action and warfare.

This was another excellent adventure in the Kris Longknife series. 

Favorite Quote:
"I always assume we win. If I ever face defeat, I prefer it to come as a surprise," Kris muttered as she studied her board. 
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Book Review: A Relative Murder by Jude Deveraux

A Relative Murder

Author:
Jude Deveraux
Series: A Medlar Mystery (Book 4)
Publication: MIRA; Original edition (March 29, 2022)

Description: Even the closest families have secrets hidden away.

Bestselling novelist Sara Medlar is skilled at sharing stories about other people, but she hoped the truth about her own family would never surface. Her home in Lachlan, Florida, is her refuge and she loves having her niece Kate and dear friend Jack Wyatt together under her roof. The Medlar Three, as they are known around town, have sworn off getting involved in any more murder investigations.

When the sheriff unexpectedly leaves on vacation, Jack is surprised to find himself appointed as deputy. So when Kate stumbles upon a dead body while visiting a friend, the Medlar Three are back in the sleuthing game. Kate also has a charming new real estate client with a mysterious past. He seems to be followed by trouble and that makes Sara and Jack uneasy.

It doesn’t take long to discover that the murder and the new man in town are somehow related—the question is how. When the stranger’s true identity is revealed, Sara realizes her carefully crafted story is about to unravel and she fears she’ll lose Kate and Jack forever. But she desperately hopes that love and honesty will win out over years of lies and deceit. And besides, family is family—even if you sometimes want to kill them.

My Thoughts: The fourth book in the Medlar Mysteries reveals a lot of secrets many of them centering around Kate. First of all, the father her mother told her was dead is released from prison early and has come to Lachlan to get to know his daughter. Kate's world is shaken. Her beloved Aunt Sara has been keeping secrets from her for years. 

And Sara is suffering from guilt of her own as she feels that she was instrumental in her brother Randal's incarceration. Kate also doesn't know that Aunt Sara is the one who provided all the money for her and her mother ever since her father went to prison. 

Then Kate's mother Ava, who has been insisting that Kate return to Chicago to take care of her, decides to show up in Lachlan too. She wants her daughter and her husband back and is keeping quite a few secrets of her own too. 

There is some element of slapstick to this episode with both Sara and Randal both doing everything they can to keep out of Ava's sight. And the sheriff who has his own reasons for staying away from Randal convinces Jack to become deputy sheriff and take over the department saying that he's going on a cruise with his wife but stays almost hidden in his home. 

This was an excellent episode in the series. I enjoyed learning some of the secrets and liked that the Medlar Three came through it all still a tight trio. 

Favorite Quote:
"There's no reason to be upset," he said. "Nothing has happened to you. Well, except your mother flaunting herself about town to make sure you know she's here--which is eating you with guilt. Sara's so angry that black mold is beginning to grow on the walls. And then there are a couple of dead bodies, but one's not dead. He's in a coma and may not ever wake up. And of course there's your not-dead father who's making you crazy by courting you like he's the Beast, and you're Beauty. If he doesn't  win you over to his side, he seems to think his life will be forfeit. And then there's..."

Kate's laugh cut him off. 
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Audiobook Review: Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey

Closer to Home

Author:
Mercedes Lackey
Narrator: Nick Podehl
Series: The Herald Spy (Book 1)
Publication: Audible Studios (October 7, 2014)
Length: 11 hours and 56 minutes

Description: Mags was once an enslaved orphan living a harsh life in the mines, until the King's Own Herald discovered his talent and trained him as a spy. Now a Herald in his own right, at the newly established Heralds' Collegium, Mags has found a supportive family, including his Companion Dallen.

Although normally a Herald in his first year of Whites would be sent off on circuit, Mags is needed close to home for his abilities as a spy and his powerful Mindspeech gift. There is a secret, treacherous plot within the royal court to destroy the Heralds.

The situation becomes dire after the life of Mags' mentor, King's Own Nikolas, is imperiled. His daughter, Amily, is chosen as the new King's Own, a complicated and dangerous job that is made more so by this perilous time.

Can Mags and Amily save the court, the Heralds, and the Collegium itself?

My Thoughts: Mags and Amily are back in Haven after their year on circuit. Both are ready to settle in with their new adult responsibilities. Mags will continue to apprentice as Royal spy under the tutelage of Nikolas, Amily's father and King's Own herald. Amily will be working as a chronicler in the Royal Archives. They are looking forward to a quiet period in their lives. However, that isn't what happens.

Nikolas has an accident during which he almost drowns. He dies but is revived by Mags who saw the accident. When he died, his bond with his Companion Rolan was severed and Rolan chooses Amily to be his new Chosen. That makes her the new King's Own which causes all sorts of chaos until Mags straightens out the thinking of the King and the Court. One of the first things the new King's Own has to deal with is a family feud that could cause all sorts of problems in Haven.

The story has a Romeo and Juliet vibe as the youngest daughter of one of the feuding families falls for the son of the other. This leads to a lot of discussion of the marriage customs of the high born in Valdemar which follow a medieval pattern. Young women are given in marriage by their fathers for reasons that have nothing to do with love. There is a lot of conversation about the role of women in this society. We also see Mags building his spy network in Haven and get a look at what life is like for the poor.

Both Amily and Mags are very busy keeping this feud from exploding but are still blind-sided when things they hadn't anticipated happen. 

This was a book that was more about social issues and about Mags and Amily learning their new jobs. There wasn't a big political plot in this one. Fans of the Valdemar books will enjoy this one because it explores topics not seen before.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Kris Longknife: Indomitable by Mike Shepherd

Kris Longknife: Indomitable

Author:
Mike Shepherd
Series: Kris Longknife (Book 18)
Publication: KL & MM Books (April 25, 2019)

Description: Grand Admiral, Her Royal Highness Kris Longknife, commander of the Iteeche Imperial Combined Fleets has the enemy on the run. Literally. The last time she entered a rebel system, every disloyal ship picked up its skirts and ran.

So why has she been ordered, as in requested and required, to make a formal report to the Emperor? Ron the Iteeche and his two young Iteeche Counselors have little to say on the subject except that some Iteeche think Kris is winning too much, too fast.

What human combat commander has ever heard those words?

Worse, when Kris returns to the capital, no one wants to sell her a ticket on the space elevator. Driving the streets is dangerous . . . not two roadside bombs but three detonate! Now she's got her embassy in sight and she can't get in!

What kind of games are the clan lords playing? What threats are being hatched against the young Emperor? Even more pressing, how does Kris get back into her embassy and back to her kids?

The Iteeche Empire claims it has a ten-thousand-year history and traditions for every possible situation. However, they've never run into Kris Longknife Indomitable.

My Thoughts: Kris Longknife has been running a very successful campaign against the rebels who want to take over the Iteeche Empire. Some think even too successful. No one thought it would be as easy to capture ships and planets as Kris Longknife makes it look.

Then she is called home to make a report to the emperor and finds all sorts of problems. First of all, she faces delays getting to her embassy in the form of bombs and armed troops. Then she has trouble getting into her embassy which is being surrounded by a million or so protestors who seem way to well organized to be an actual spontaneous demonstration. Bombs and having multi-story buildings dropped on her are not enough to keep her away from her duty which has become finding a way to keep the emperor alive.

I enjoyed seeing the way Kris deals with the Iteeche and life the way she keeps running into ways that the Iteeche are alien in thought and custom. Kris becomes concerned that she won't be able to do what she was brought to the empire to do unless she manages to find a way to change the culture of the Iteeche empire. But that won't stop this Longknife from doing her duty. 

This was an exciting episode in the long-running Kris Longknife series which lets everyone know that no one gets in of way of a Longknife who has a duty to perform. 

Favorite Quote:
"There's always the official reason, the real reason, and the actual reason why things happen," General Trouble said. 
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Monday, March 25, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 25, 2024)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

I had a nice, quiet late winter week. My two doctor's appointments went well and can now be checked off the list until next year. 

My upcoming dental appointment on Tuesday has just gone into the "iffy" category. The weatherbeans have been talking about a significant late winter storm starting later today and lasting through Tuesday. We are supposed to receive between 14" and 19" inches of snow between when I'm writing this on Sunday morning and Tuesday evening. Adding to the excitement will be strong winds and near blizzard conditions tonight through tomorrow noon. Then there will be the possibility of more snow or ice or freezing drizzle or rain through Tuesday evening depending on where you live in Duluth. 

Duluth is an interesting city. It stretches about 26 miles long along the shores of Lake Superior through the harbor and up the St. Louis River. However, it is only about three miles wide at its farthest from the lake. Think of it as a right triangle with the Duluth International Airport at the point of the triangle. It is also a city with quick elevation changes. The airport sits at 1397 feet above sea level. My house sits at 1247 feet above sea level since I'm nearer the airport than downtown. Downtown Duluth is at 626 feet above sea level. Those of us "over the hill" are expecting more snow and more blizzard-like conditions than those who live at the lower elevations. 

Luckily, I don't have to go anywhere during the storm - discounting the possible dentist's appointment. My brother is supposed to work on Monday at 9AM which is also supposed to be the worst part of the storm. He's already thinking about not going even though he drives a Subaru Outback with snow tires. You can't drive if the streets haven't been plowed and you can't see the road because of the blowing snow. 

My plan is to read and listen and watch Braves baseball. They start things for real on Thursday but have a couple of Spring Training games that I can watch earlier in the week.

Read Last Week
  • Apprentice in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread) -- In Death Book 43
  • Death in the Details by Katie Tietjen (Review; April 9) -- Post WWII mystery starring a widow who creates the field of crime scene investigations. My review will be posted on April 4.
  • A Body at the Dance Hall by Marty Wingate (Review; April 8) -- Third Ladies Murder Club Mystery set in London 1922. My review will be posted on April 4.
  • Echoes in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread) -- In Death Book 44
  • Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown (Mine since August 18, 2009) -- Romantic suspense starring a Late Night DJ and a police psychologist. When she gets a disturbing call, she contacts the police where she reconnects with a man from her past as they two try to track down a potential murderer who has her in his sights. My review will be posted on April 6.
  • Secrets in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread) -- In Death Book 45
  • Dark in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- In Death Book 46
  • Leader of the Pack by David Rosenfelt (Mine since November 2, 2022) --Andy Carpenter Book 10. My review will be posted on April 9.
Currently
Next Week
Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:
Bought:

None

What was your week like?

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Book Review: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Author:
Alan Bradley
Series: A Flavia de Luce Novel (Book 1)
Publication: Delacorte Press (April 24, 2009)

Description: It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath.

For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”

My Thoughts: This was an interesting historical mystery set in England in 1950. The mystery is told to us by eleven-year-old chemist Flavia de Luce. Flavia who lives with her father and two older sisters is a chemist with a particular interest in poisons. 

The story begins with her being bound, blindfolded, and thrown into a closet - by her two older sisters. She manages to escape but begins to plan her chemical revenge. Oil of poison ivy added to her rather vain oldest sister's lipstick will make an interesting experiment for Flavia.

However, events turn deadly when Flavia finds a man dying in the cucumber patch in her family's garden. She had recently overheard him arguing with her stamp-collecting father. The family's gardener Dogger was also listening in. Now, with the man dead, and her father accused of the murder, Flavia needs to find the true killer to save him.

The mystery leads Flavia to a missing famous stamp and a suicide that happened thirty years earlier to which her father was a witness. 

While I didn't like Flavia at the beginning who seemed quite a sociopath to me, I did come to like her and enjoy her using her great intelligence and knowledge of chemistry to help the police find out what happened to the man in the garden and the very valuable stamp. 

This is the first of a ten-book series. 

Favorite Quote:
"I found a dead body in the cucumber patch," I told them.

"How very like you," Ophelia said, and went on preening her eyebrows. 
I bought this one November 29, 2017. You can buy your copy here.