Geri Krotow

"Part-tine treasure hunter Daniel Sturges's secret assignment was simple - find a wrecked WWI B-17 and recover the artifacts inside. But now he's stranded with fellow crash survivor Cassie Edmunds, who;'s searching for the same plane, and they'll have to trust one another with their lives." This book tells a story of courage, trust and faith in God. I enjoyed how the characters explored their own feelings in situations and diving deep into the reason for their doubts about each other and themselves.… (lisätietoja)

This was a fun, cozy mystery that hooked me quickly and kept me intrigued to the end. The scene is Buffalo, New York, in the early 1980s, and a Polish-American café owner who stumbles over her second dead body in a few months. Though I haven't (yet) read the first book in the series, enough backstory is provided for the references to make sense.

Lydia returned to her home and family in Buffalo after leaving pastry school in Ottawa over differences with her instructor, Madame Delphine. She splits her time between helping her father with his butcher business and running her newly opened café and bakery, with little left to spend with her boyfriend, Stanley. I like Lydia's close relationship with her family; the love, respect, and support are clearly there.

The story begins with an unexpected visit from Madame Delphine and others from the pastry school. Lydia is wary, as they did not part on the best terms. But the visit is surprisingly cordial, with both admitting to mistakes made. I liked the prospect of a friendly and professional relationship between the two former adversaries. Matters become complicated the next morning when Lydia discovers Madame's dead body in the lake behind the café.

I enjoyed Lydia and Grandma's investigation into the murder. Though the local cop writes it off as a suicide, Lydia is sure it was murder and sets out to prove it. The clues are few and far between, and there is a wide range of suspects, from Delphine's husband or son to students from the pastry school. Despite warnings from the local cop to stay out of it, Lydia is determined to solve the mystery before it impacts her business. I liked following her thought processes, though sometimes they led her to take risky chances. The final confrontation was well done, with enough intensity to keep me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

The story's characters were well-portrayed and unique enough to keep them straight. Lydia was fervently family-oriented but also looking for her place separate from them. She has her moments of unlikeable behavior, but it is easy to see the changes she undergoes during the book. Her boyfriend, Stanley, is a law student who is as busy as she is. I liked how they worked at their relationship. I loved his support and protectiveness as she got more involved in the investigation. I adored Grandma Mary. She reminds me a lot of Grandma Mazur in the Stephanie Plum books. She is feisty and outspoken, making me laugh at some of her comments.

#netgalley… (lisätietoja)

This was another fantastic visit to Stonebridge, Pennsylvania, and the intriguing shop owned by Angel Warren. Not only am I fascinated by the merchandise Angel carries in her shop, but I am equally fascinated by her propensity to attract trouble in the form of dead bodies. It's only been two months since the last murder she solved, and her sales are still suffering. To help bring business into the shop, Angel plans a local walking history tour with a spooky element for the upcoming Halloween season. Her most recent recruit is fellow veteran Mariah, who will join the tour as the Headless Horseman, with a trial run scheduled for that night. The last thing she expects is to find Mariah's wasp-stung body as they reach her assigned spot.

This time, Angel has the full approval of the Stonebridge Police Department behind her, thanks to her friend and detective Trinity encouraging her to become a consultant. Something about Mariah's death doesn't sit right with either woman, and it isn't long before the evidence points to murder. As in the previous books, I was immediately engrossed in attempting to figure out the killer. Angel has a knack for getting people to talk, and sorting through people's theories was challenging. I liked seeing her thought processes, especially as she came closer to the truth. I loved how the final puzzle piece was revealed, and the confrontation kept me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

I also enjoyed seeing more of Angel's relationship with Nate, the coffee shop owner. His more laid-back personality complements her intensity and keeps her on an even keel when events spiral. It is easy to see their love, from cozy dinners to morning coffee dates.

Angel's family plays a big part in the book. The murdered woman is her sister Crystal's employee, and her brother Bryce's dog is the one who led Angel to Mariah's body. I love the closeness of the three siblings, especially since Angel's return to Stonebridge from her time in the Navy. It's a realistic portrayal of sibling relationships, too, as there are times when each gets on another's nerves. However, they also have each other's backs in a crisis, and that support is evident here.

#ARC… (lisätietoja)

Terrific second installment in the author's Shop 'Round the World series. This one picks up a few months after A Santa Stabbing. Summer has come to Stonebridge, and the tourist traffic has the cash register at the shop ringing. Angel also has some steady local customers like Verity Price. As the book opens, Verity is in the shop with her husband, Hank, checking on an order she placed. Angel is disturbed by the argument she witnesses between the couple but is distracted by the arrival of her boyfriend, Nate.

Later that day, Angel is set to spend quality time with her brother Bryce, tubing on the local river, Jacob's Run. I laughed at the unicorn float Bryce brought along for the cooler and munchies they took. The author's description of the setting was so vivid I could practically feel the cool breeze coming off the water. The trip is quite relaxing until the unicorn float gets caught on something in the water - and Angel discovers her second dead body since moving back to Stonebridge. What's worse, the body belongs to Hank Price, the man she'd seen just a few hours earlier.

Angel's connection to the deceased, her natural curiosity, and her earlier experience propelled her to want to know the truth behind this death. Fortunately, this time she has the willing permission of her best friend, Trinity, the town's lead detective, to involve herself in the investigation. The only catch is that she must keep Trinity informed each step of the way. I loved following Angel's progress as she put her intuition and logical mind to work. The investigation has some intriguing twists, including surprises about the chiropractic business and Hank's leisure activities. But when Angel stumbles over a vital clue, it puts her in the killer's sights. The final confrontation was a nail-biter but ended successfully. I liked the around-the-kitchen-table wrap-up that filled in all the blank spots.

Angel's family plays a more prominent role in this book. Her daughters are home from college for the summer and are involved in Angel's shop. Their love and concern for Angel are evident in their pleas for her to be careful. I liked the bits of their history as a Navy family that came out during the book, especially the benefits of their worldwide travel. There is also some concern about Angel's mother when she is the victim of a mysterious shooting. Is it related to Hank's murder or the archeological investigation into an ancient weir she is involved in?

Angel's BFF, Trinity, gets some extra page time, also. A visiting professor involved in the weir investigation makes quite the impression on her, which appears to be mutual. It will be interesting to see if that develops further in the next book.

Meanwhile, Angel's relationship with Nate is perking right along. Seeing the little things he does to brighten her day is very sweet. I had to laugh at the dinner he shared with Angel and her daughters, as he is not used to their teasing ways. He handled it well, and it is evident that both girls liked him. I enjoyed the last scene in the book, where Angel takes Nate flying.

#ARC… (lisätietoja)