Search

Search only in certain items:

Essentials of Murder
Essentials of Murder
Kim Davis | 2021 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Essential Series Debut
After a scandal in San Francisco sent her packing, Carissa Carmichael has returned home to Oak Creek Valley in Southern California and has decided to open Aromatherapy Apothecary, a store specializing in essential oils. She is planning to work with her neighbor, who owns a candle shop, but the neighbor’s son, Russ, is certain that Carissa is going to steal business from his mom’s store. After a particularly nasty scene with Russ, Carissa enters her shop the next day to find his body in the back of her shop. Already convicted of the crime by local gossip and with the detective in charge of the case determined to find evidence to arrest her, Carissa sets out to prove her innocence. Can she do it?

I always love it when a debut cozy has characters who already feel like old friends, and that’s the case here. As we slowly meet Carissa’s family and friends, they form a great group I can’t wait to hang out with again. The suspects? They are great at keeping us confused. The mystery is good. I had some guesses on part of it, but I wasn’t sure until the end. The climax could have been stronger, but it did answer all our questions. As a Southern California resident, I loved recognizing some of the locations mentioned even if Oak Creek Valley is fictional. This is a fun debut you won’t want to miss.
  
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Suzanne Collins | 2020 | Young Adult (YA)
10
7.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Quite often after the success of a series when the author comes back to write more, it falls flat. This did exactly the opposite for me! I was hooked from the first couple of pages.
We follow Coriolanus Snow during the tenth Hunger Games as he becomes a mentor to an underdog, the female tribute of district 12 - Lucy Gray Baird. What follows are a series of disastrous events following the tributes and their mentors, which makes you wonder how the Games were still around when it came to Katniss’s Hunger Games.
It was perfect finding out more about Coriolanus Snow, and what made him the way he is when it came to the Hunger Games trilogy. We find out where his love or roses comes from and whether he has always been as ruthless throughout his life or if something made him that way.
Whilst the book seems a bit long when you pick it up, I loved every minute of it and when I was coming to the end I really didn’t want it to end at all! I would love to carry on reading about Coriolanus and what happened after this book and how that shaped him into President Snow.
This has renewed my love for the Hunger Games series, and I hope that Suzanne Collins has more plans for the series as I would love more. An easy 5 star rating from the start.
  
TE
The Ex Hex
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
8 of 235
Kindle
The Ex Hex
By Erin Sterling
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

This was a fun light read. Inoffensive and such a joy to read. Funny in places too. It was a very hyped up book and for once I was glad I actually lived up to expectations.
  
Guarding Her Heart (Willow Creek Romance #3)
Guarding Her Heart (Willow Creek Romance #3)
Colby Quinn | 2025 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
GUARDING HER HEART is the third book in the Willow Creek series, but you don't have to have read any of the others to enjoy this one.

Sophia was widowed less than a year ago and is struggling. After a dream, she decides on a new start for her and her daughter, Emma. She buys a shop in Willow Creek and turns it into a bistro. Willow Creek provides friends and a support system she didn't have in Boston. And when a s3xy deputy takes an interest, everything is as good as it can be, right?

Nope! After thinking she saw someone from her past, Sophia mentions it to Michael. He does some digging and unearths a whole tin of worms, which ends up with Sophia and Emma having to have protection.

This was fairly fast-paced, with the relationship between Sophia and Michael, and Emma and Michael, evolving naturally in the circumstances. Although given the reputation as a hardcore bachelor, you don't see Michael with anyone else. Plus, it's always fun to see how far they can fall!

An easy read that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 3, 2025