A Royal Affair

Title: A Royal Affair
Author: Allison Montclair
Published: July 28th 2020 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 320 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Series: Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery #2

Starting a new series is always a gamble, but when the second installment is just as entertaining as the first, you know you have come across a keeper that you hope will have a long life.

From the previous book, The Right Sort of Man, you met ex-military operative Iris Sparks and debutant Gwen Bainbridge. Gwen is still fighting for full custody of her son, and Iris is still delighting the readers with her history and knowledge. As co-owners of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau, their days are full of meetings and matches. Yet one afternoon, what they hadn’t anticipated was Gwen’s cousin, Lady Patience Matheson, an employee of Queen Elizabeth, walking through the door with a request to run a background check on Prince Philip. Yes, that Prince Philip, the man who is about to propose to the future Queen Elizabeth II. It appears there are letters that question Philip’s legitimacy and Lady Patience needs this sorted out before the Crown is embarrassed.

At times, there are characters and places that are a bit farfetched, but with the humor and carryings-on, the reader can’t help but to laugh out loud and shake their head. When you think that you must keep your eye on Iris, Gwen steps up, and out of character, saves the day, all with enough time to spare to make it home in time for tea.

To Coach a Killer

Title: To Coach a Killer
Author: Victoria Laurie
Published: August 25th 2020 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Format: eBook, Hardcover, 304 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Cat and Gilly Series or the Life Coach Mysteries #2

Cat and Gilly are back at it with book number two in the Cat and Gilly series or the Life Coach Mysteries, depending on where you look, there are two different names. Book number two still has Cat Cooper running her life-coaching business with an occasional client and Gilley Gillespie being her only friend and main-source of entertainment.

Things do begin to spice up when Willem Entwistle, a little man with a big curse, shows up for his appointment, and objects go haywire in the building. Is it possible that he carries a curse? Only one way to find out which entails a call to an old friend who confirms that it is a very distinct possibility. Little did they know that hot air balloons and alpacas would be in their future. But that is not the oddest part. Both professionally and personally, Maks Grinkov is back in Cat’s life. There is chemistry there but is she willing to put her life in danger when a known assassin comes with him. Or is this a step she must take to help Det. Steve Shepherd answer the questions that have plunged him into a dark hole since the death of his ex (or almost) ex-wife.

Thankfully, Victoria Laurie is taking a step back from the usual scooby-do feel that comes with Gilley. Next, if she could step up the presence and humor of her in-house AI, this series (whatever it’s called) would be an automatic purchase for me.

The Book of CarolSue

Title: The Book of CarolSue
Author: Lynne Hugo
Published: August 25th, 2020 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Format: eBook, Paperback 224 pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

For me, Lynne Hugo's books usually start a bit manic, and either I settle into her rhythm, or she calms down, but eventually, we get to a middle ground. While there are so many aspects of this book that did not make sense, I continued to read and loved every bit of it.

The Book of CarolSue takes place a few months after The Testament of Harold's Wife. The reader met Louisa in the previous book, and now we are introduced to CarolSue, Lousia’s sister and recent widow, who was bullied into moving from her upscale life in Atlanta to the family farm in Indiana. It is hard to believe that two sisters could be any more different, but still love each other deeply. Through thick and thin they are bonded, and when Louisa’s son Gary gets into a mess that threatens his church and standing in the community, Louisa and CarolSue form a plan and a united front that will have readers and local authorities, shaking their heads.

Gary has appeared on Louisa’s doorstep with an abandoned baby and an unlikely story. CarolSue does not care about the child’s background, she has connected to her in a way that will have everyone rethinking what laws they are willing to break while Gary desperately tries to find the child's mother. Yet, this is not Gary’s only mistake. He has once again fallen victim to a traveling charlatan who is threatening Gary with IRS fines and will alert the authorities as to what is going on at Louisa’s farm if money is not paid. But there is a plan, with Louisa, there is always a plan, and with this strength, they are willing to sacrifice everything for the one thing that matters.

When I finished this book, I realized that there are many more characters to explore, and I certainly hope that Lynne Hugo continues to entertain her readers with Louisa, CarolSue, Gary, and the ridiculous goings-on at the little farm in Indiana.

Chili Cauldron Curse

Title: Chili Cauldron Curse
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Published: August 25th 2020 by Kensington Books
Format: eBook, 100 Pages
Genre: Novella, Cozy Paranormal
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Kitchen Witch #0.5

The whole time I was reading this book, I kept referring to it as Chili Con Cauldron, which I thought would have made a better title.

This short novella will introduce the reader to Mia Malone, a woman with a legacy of witchcraft, but prefers to live a quiet life away from the community. That is until her grandmother asks her to come to Magic Spring, Idaho, to help organize the local food bank. Of course, Mia will do anything for her Gran. What she wasn’t expecting was the inner turmoil and fighting at the center of the coven. The upheaval that has left its leader, Dorian Alexander dead and Mia destined to be the next victim.

There is potential for this series. It follows the usual cozy/paranormal footprint. Hopefully, Lynn Cahoon will introduce additional characters that will stick with the reader without trying to overwhelm them with rabbit trails of shenanigans.