Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death by Mark Reutlinger

Description
Move over, Miss Marple—Mark Reutlinger’s charming cozy debut introduces readers to the unforgettable amateur sleuth Rose Kaplan and her loyal sidekick, Ida.
Everyone knows that Rose Kaplan makes the best matzoh ball soup around—she’s a regular matzoh ball maven—so it’s no surprise at the Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors when, once again, Mrs. K wins the honor of preparing the beloved dish for the Home’s seder on the first night of Passover.
But when Bertha Finkelstein is discovered facedown in her bowl of soup, her death puts a bit of a pall on the rest of the seder. And things go really meshugge when it comes out that Bertha choked on a diamond earring earlier stolen from resident Daisy Goldfarb. Suddenly Mrs. K is the prime suspect in the police investigation of both theft and murder. Oy vey—it’s a recipe for disaster, unless Rose and her dear friend Ida can summon up the chutzpah to face down the police and solve the mystery themselves.
Publisher: Alibi (November 18, 2014)
Sold by: Random House LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00KK0PJJ2

My review: Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death by Mark Reutlinger

4 STARS

I enjoyed the book. I had no idea what Matzoh ball soup was. I thought the Jewish traditions was explained very well from someone who really knows not a lot about it. The story is good, I was kept in the dark about who the guilty parties were. It is a clean cozy.

I enjoyed the humor Of the story. One scene as the 70+ Rose breaking into a room through climbing in a window and the room was not empty and what happens you will have to read about it.

The setting for the book is a Jewish Senior home. It is a seder and they have Matzoh ball soup and a big contest to see who makes the best and that person makes it for the whole home. Rose won and makes it all by herself in the kitchen right before the dinner. Someone dies by choking on a diamond earring from eating the soup.

Rose Kaplan becomes the major suspect. So Rose and her friend Ida decide to find the thief or murder and clear Rose before she gets arrested.

Rose and Ida are in their 70's. Ida is telling the story about what happened. Ida compares herself to Watson and Rose to Sherlock.

It has some Jewish words I was not to familiar with in the story. Others they explained.

I never was able to stay into the story as much as I would like but I had a lot of interruptions and that could be the reason I did not connect to the characters as much as I would like.

I would read another book by Mark Reutlinger in the future.

I was given this ebook to read from Net Galley and Alibi and I agreed in exchange to give honest review of it.

Tagged for Death: by Sherry Harris (A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery )

Description

Starting your life over at age thirty-eight isn't easy, but that's what Sarah Winston finds herself facing when her husband CJ runs off with a 19-year-old temptress named Tiffany. Sarah's self-prescribed therapy happily involves hitting all the garage and tag sales in and around her small town of Ellington, Massachusetts. If only she could turn her love for bargain hunting into a full-time career.

One man's junk is another man's treasure


But after returning from a particularly successful day searching for yard sale treasures, Sarah finds a grisly surprise in one of her bags: a freshly bloodied shirt…that undoubtedly belongs to her ex, CJ, who now happens to be Ellington's chief of police. If that's not bad enough, it seems Tiffany has gone missing. Now it's up to Sarah to prove that her cold-hearted ex is not a cold-blooded killer…


But finding that treasure can be murder.
Series: Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (December 2, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1617730173
ISBN-13: 978-1617730177


My review: Tagged for Death: by Sherry Harris (A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery )

4 stars

Good cozy mystery. Had some twists I did not see coming. Was a clean read. I liked the characters, the community. I was not sure who to trust.

Sarah Winston is 38 and divorced. She is still hurt and mad that she did not see it coming. She is also being harassed by the police.
Her ex-husband is the police chief.

C.J. Hooker just got a dishonorable discharge. He was the former Fitch Air Force Base Security Forces squadron commander. Now the Police chief of Ellington, Massachusetts. He did not want the divorce. His girl friend is pregnant.

Now Tiffany has disappeared. Sarah found a plastic bag with Tiffany's blood on her uniform and her ex-husbands old one. She calls C.J. and gives him the clothes. Sarah starts asking questions to try and find out what is going on. She does not believe that C.J hurt anyone.

Sarah likes to go to garage sales. She also asks for donations after the garage sale for the base thrift store. She also finds some bones by the base thrift store.

Sarah helps her friend get ready for a garage sale and she is thinking of seeing if she can make it a job. Everyone asks her why she is staying and not moving away.

The setting is on Fitch Air Force Base, and Ellington surrounding area.

I sure would like to know what happens next in Sarah's life. I will be waiting for the next book.

Her Christmas Guardian by Shirlee McCoy (Mission: Rescue #2)

Description

TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER

Former army ranger Boone Anderson immediately senses danger when he spots Scout Cramer and her precious little girl while holiday shopping. Then two cars suddenly give chase in the parking lot —kidnapping the child. His worst suspicions are confirmed, and professional instincts propel him into action. Having lost his own infant daughter years before, Boone is determined to reunite the beautiful single mother and her missing child. But when a secret from Scout's past finally catches up to her, she must work with her self-appointed guardian to save her daughter. Before the kidnappers cancel Christmas for all of them… permanently.

Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes
Series: Love Inspired Suspense\Mission: Rescue

Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (December 2, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373446365
ISBN-13: 978-0373446360


My review: Her Christmas Guardian by Shirlee McCoy (Mission: Rescue #2)

4 STARS

A parents worse nightmare something has happened to your child. Both Boone and Scout have a child missing. Her Christmas Guardian is full of drama, action suspense that will keep you glued to the story.

Scout Cramer and her daughter notice somebody following them. She makes it to her car and cars follow her and take her daughter. Scout is a single mother. She has lived in the same town for three years. Scout has no family except her three year old daughter.

Boone Anderson has had his daughter taken 5 years ago while he was overseas fighting. He can't find his daughter but he helps others reunite with theirs. He notices Scout scared in store and tries to help her. He realizes three cars are following her so he joins in.

Scout will do anything to be with her daughter again. Boone convinces his boss that they can help her at no charge and they step in to help protect Scout even from herself so she can be with her daughter.

This is the second book in the Mission Rescue series. A few of the characters are back to help Scout.

This is a fast read. I wish it was longer story more in depth but it is a good action packed clean story. I hope we get to see more about Boone's past get resolved.

I like Shirlee McCoy's writing style. Will read more stories from her in the future.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give honest review of Her Christmas Guardian.

Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire by Michelle Douglas

Description

All she wants for Christmas…

After a difficult year, and the loss of her father, festive cheer is the last thing Addie Ramsey is feeling. She's just planning a quiet one on her Outback farm. Until her new boss, billionaire Flynn Mather, offers her the perfect distraction —to spend the holiday with him in Europe as his temporary PA!

Christmas hasn't always been magical for Flynn, either, yet with vivacious Addie by his side, and seeing the joy through her eyes, things feel different this year. Could Addie be the Christmas present Flynn never knew he needed?
Series: Harlequin Romance (Book 4451)

Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harlequin (December 2, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373743165
ISBN-13: 978-0373743162

My review: Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire by Michelle Douglas

3 STARS

I really enjoyed Addie's character. She brings hard work, joy, giving to others, caring about everyone & loyal. Flynn is harder to like all the time.

Addie is from Australia and most of the book takes place in Germany. Addie really enjoys seeing the sights, snow, & Olympic venue. Me I have a hard time liking snow when I have to be out in it all winter. Makes you want to appreciate it too.

I think it sounded like fun to go to Olympic venues than I think I need to appreciate all the ones in my backyard that I don't take advantage of.

Addie and her neighbors want to sale their ranches all together. Addie wants to travel and see the world and be free. But condition of the sale is her staying two years to help the new owner with her experience. Flynn throws in a month paid vacation every year and airlines tickets too.
He also asks her to go to Germany over Christmas and be is PA for a few weeks there.

Flynn has a deal to make in Germany. He wants revenge on someone from his past.

This is a nice romance, that takes you away to explore Munich. It is a clean read.

I would read more of Michelle Douglas in the future based on this book.

I was given this ebook from Net Galley and Harlequin and in exchange agree to give honest review of Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire.

A Texas Holiday Miracle by Linda Warren

Description

CHRISTMAS IS FOR REAL

Moving to Horseshoe, Texas, to become guardian of her half sister has been rewarding for Lacey Carroll. But raising a six-year-old—especially one who has stopped believing in Santa Claus—has its challenges. Lacey's goal is to bring holiday wonder back into the child's life, which isn't going to be easy with a grinch like Gabe Garrison next door. The man is mean, rude …and hurting.

After losing his son, Gabe shut out the world. But his privacy is invaded by the quirky, dynamic blonde and her kid sister, who are single-handedly filling his solitary life with love. When Lacey enlists him in a holiday campaign for Emma's sake, he can't resist. Will Lacey's unique brand of healing magic make this a season of second chances—for all of them?
Series: Harlequin American Romance (Book 1526)

Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin (December 2, 2014)
Language: English


My review: A Texas Holiday Miracle

4 STARS

Need tissue handy! Linda in front of her book warns that it deals with some sadness and hang in their for the happy ending. Well I cried a lot the first 40% of the book. I personally identified a lot with the characters, I mourned with them and was rooting for them. Lots of drama, trials & tears. Lots of love and miracles that leave you feeling good but wiped out. Their is one love scene that I skipped over.

Lacey Carroll is raising her six year old sister by herself in a new town for her. She gives up her friends, job to take care of her after her father looses the battle to cancer. Her mother does not want Lacey to take her half sister in.

Emma is six. She lost her mom when she was a baby. Now her father lost the battle to cancer. She is scared that she will lose Lacey too. Someone told her Santa is not real. Now she has lost that too.

Gabe Garrison is dealing with the lost of his son. All he does is take care of his son's dog pepper. He gets angry when Emma keeps coming over to his yard and playing with Pepper. Pepper is really sick with cancer.

Lacey is trying her best to be everything for Emma. She is so scared. Lacey wants Emma to get over her anger and have the joy again in her life. Lacey gets angry at Gabe and gets him to look at what he is doing with his life. She is also willing to help him with Pepper.

If you can handle the sadness this book does bring out the joy, helping them to deal with their problems and reach out to others. I liked watching them heal. I would read more books from Linda Warren in the future I just hope they are not so sad. I know I was too close to this book. I lost my husband when my girls were 2 1/2 and 11 months and the anniversary is tomorrow. My dog is 15 years old and I would be surprised if she made it too 16. We all have loved ones that we mourn especially around the holidays. May we help others to heal too.

I was given this ebook to read from Net Galley and Harlequin. I agreed in return to give honest review of A Texas Holiday Miracle.

The Mansfield Rescue by Beth Cornelison (Mansfield Brothers #3)

Description

A single father discovers the price of revenge and the power of love

After his wife's murder, Grant Mansfield vowed to stay true to her memory and to protect their children. But fate has other plans. His temporary houseguest, injured smokejumper Amy Robinson, has him burning with a white-hot attraction, and the single dad's nightmare comes true when his older daughter is kidnapped.

Grant is just the man the adventurous Amy never knew she needed, his children the family she never knew she wanted. Before she can rescue his lonely heart, the handsome widower must become a hero. Only Grant can rescue his little girl. But time is running out…
File Size: 413 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense (December 1, 2014)


My review: The Mansfield Rescue by Beth Cornelison (Mansfield Brothers #3)

4 stars

I have liked the Mansfield brothers. Grant is a single father after his wife was killed. He works for the family construction company and works on cars in his spare time. He is still mourning what he lost.

Amy Robinson is a smoke jumper who had a bad landing and broke her ankle on a jump. So she can't work the rest of summer. She decided to go visit her mom and finds her step-father out of jail back there. Amy takes her classic car and leaves. She doesn't get far before it quits.

This book is full of flirting, drama, cute kids and dealing with a fathers worst nightmare. I laughed, I cried happy tears and part of it was sad. I was drawn into the book and wanted things to work out for the best. I even wanted to yell at a few characters too. This was a good fast read that had a bit of hard topics to deal with. It was also a clean read. The suspense part of the book was short but good.

I would love to read the first book of the three brothers that I had missed reading. I would read more books by Beth Cornelison in the future.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give honest review of the Mansfield Rescue.

Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley (Undercover Ladies, #1)

Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne is no stranger to undercover work. But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a first for her. She’s finally landed a high-profile case and is on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian’s girls essential to her investigation meets an untimely demise. Only a handful of people are in the house at the time of her death, including handsome Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger determined to clear his brother’s name. Amy has many reasons to suspect Tom of murder and one very personal reason to hope that she’s wrong about him.
Series: Undercover Ladies (Book 1)

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press; Gld edition (December 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1628366265
ISBN-13: 978-1628366266

My review: Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley (Undercover Ladies, #1)

4 STARS

I thought this book entertaining. It was funny, romantic, western, Christian and mystery. I was guessing wrong on who I thought was the thief. I like the characters especially Jennifer/Amy.
The scene where they catch the bandit was so funny. I don't want to say anything else about it so I won't give it away.

Jennifer is a Pinkerton detective agent. She has to go undercover as Amy in a upscale red light business. She learns some important lessons about judging that we all do. She has a problem with modesty and holding her beliefs in. Jennifer is tired of reaction she gets about being a lady detective.

Tom Colton is following a lead about his brother's murder and leads to Rose at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots. He is their when she is murdered. He hates being their. He is attracted to Amy but fights it hard. Tom used to be a Texas Ranger. He is raising his nephew now on a ranch.

Most of the women working for Miss Lillian are their because they have no other way to make money. There was not a lot of options back then.

Some of the church ladies were really mean. Others were nice and wanted to really help. Just like some of the guests at Miss Lillian's were married men. In any group you will find both mean and nice. Those who say one thing and act another. It is really easy to judge and blame others.

I thought the book did a good job with the mix of church ladies. Also with the bible scriptures it all fit in really well with the story.

I will look for more books in this series to read in the future. I am really curious about it now.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. In return I agreed to give honest review of Petticoat Detective.