Review: “Nogged Off” by Barbara Ross

‘Nogged Off’ was not my first book by Barbara Ross and not my first book from the series, ‘A Maine Clambake Mystery.’ Precisely the reason I wanted to read it.

I will say that I was not overly thrilled about the beginning of the book. It seemed a bit contrived and even soggy. I re-read the beginning to see if maybe I had somehow missed a bit of information or clue. No, sadly, I had not.

Every book in the series before had drawn me in quickly. So I had higher expectations, maybe. The soggy start, the start in another city, both threw me off. As the plot moved towards the middle, it seemed to form more of a reason for being. I kept reading because I wanted to see if there was a reason our heroine was going through the hoops and some loops. (Also, this is a NetGallery review, and I wanted to complete my task)

There was a reason, and it made more sense once I read to the end of the book. Still, I wish the story would have flowed better in the beginning as it did near the end.

Ms. Ross usually has a good plot and a well thought out story, unlike ‘Nogged Off.’ Will, I read the next book in the series, yes. I expect the next book to be back to the series usual goodness.

Only (three green books): 📗📗📗

Book Review: The Blue Bonnet Betrayal by Marty Wingate

The Bluebonnet Betrayal is the second book I have read by Ms. Wingate. I can tell you she only gets better in my opinion.

Pru is delightful as ever and she is a trooper. She and Christopher have a deep relationship and one I think many people would envy.

The Bluebonnet Betrayal puts a little bit of Texas in England and with surprising results that just seems work well. The intrigue of the plot plus the whole mystery of the renown flower show itself makes the book worth a read. Yet having Pru be herself and take us on London journey.

I will certainly be reading more books by Ms. Wingate.

Book Review: “Brighton Belle” by Sara Sheridan

This book captivated me. There is just no other way to say it. I was and am quite taken by the Belle. By about 20% of the book I had become immersed in the story. Then I was always reading, and I could not set the book down.
Belle is not your average woman from the post-World War II era. She is surprising on many levels. There were twists and turns that I do not even think Belle knew coming.
Read this book and you will thank me later. I will most assuredly be reading more books by Ms. Sheridan and I know you will too after you read about Brighton Belle.

Book Review: “The Big Kitty” by Claire Donally

This book was my Cozy Mystery book for January 2016.

I almost gave up on this book. I am glad I did not.

I am not sure why but the book seemed to go at a snail’s pace in the first 120 pages. I will allow it could have been me and not the writing/book. So you may think, ‘wow! Why did you not give up on this book earlier than 120 pages?’ Here is your answer, I wanted it to get better. I wanted to like the characters sooner than later. And I did, finally, find my emotional attachment that we all seek when reading a book.

The setting is in Maine (many cozies are in Maine) yet the town is fictional. You won’t find trivia about a small town that you may have heard about nor will you have much to go on about how this building or that building looks. And maybe that was a part of what threw me off in the first 100+ pages. For me, it was hard to picture where Sunny was. An example, a park where Sunny goes to eat lunch. Okay, so describe the park to me. Make me understand ‘why’ this park is a park Sunny would want to eat her meal. That did not happen. I can only assume there was only one park, therefore, no other choice but to eat in that park. Even so, I would still like to see what Sunny saw/felt, etc.

I did like the book and will go on to the next book in the series. I am hoping the next book develops well and sooner.

Before I forget, there is Shadow. Shadow is certainly worth my attention. Cats are one of my favorite animals in cozies. So I was hoping Shadow developed quickly, and he did. By the end of the book, he was, oops, I can’t tell you as that will spoil it. Now you have to read and find out yourself.

Book Review: “Shivaree” by J.D. Horn

I have read J.D. Horn’s ‘Witching Savannah’ series, so when the opportunity to read/review his new book “Shivaree” came about, well I jumped at the chance.

The author has written a note before the story even begins, making you aware that this book is ‘a work of Southern Gothic fiction’. In case, you may not know what ‘Southern Gothic’ means, here is a definition: “Southern Gothic literature is a genre of Southern writing. The stories often focus on grotesque themes. While it may include supernatural elements, it mainly focuses on damaged, even delusional, characters.” Fair warning, indeed.

“Kudzu vine, rapacious and never sleeping, had nearly swallowed the old Cooper house whole.”  Shivaree has an ‘Edgar Allen Poe’ feel about it. You can feel the story beating like a ragged heart even though you do not see that heart clearly. It is in every little tidbit that you read. Each line brings you closer to knowing and understanding what lurks just out of your view. As you read deeper into the world that is Conroy, you realize that every person in the book has more than a casual knowledge of what goes on in this sleepy, dirty little Mississippi town.

“Fog, denser than any she had ever witnessed, had descended on the train, swallowing it whole.” Yes, I do recommend you leave a light on should you read at night.

If you like depth to your characters, and undercurrents that move you along at a steady

Shivaree by JD Horn

pace, read Shivaree.*I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review*

The review is also here, GoodReads Review ~ Shivaree by J.D. Horn