I’ve got three mysteries and a romance for you this month! Two are by authors new to me, and two are from familiar favorites.
Crossed by Death by ACF Bookens
Stitches in Crime, Book 1
This was a nice cozy mystery set in the mountains in northwest Virginia and featuring Paisley, a single mom who supports herself and her son by salvaging and selling items from buildings scheduled for demolition. While retrieving goods from an old store, she discovers a body, and the coroner determines the death happened while Paisley was in the building. Soon, other discoveries point to a connection with another murder in the same store twenty years earlier. The police chief just happens to be handsome, single, and interested in Paisley, and the budding romance was fun to follow. I liked this protagonist because she was believable. Other than one time when I nearly yelled at my iPad for her to stop and get back in the car, she didn’t make stupid choices. I’ve already purchased Book 2 to see if it’s as good as this one.
In for a Penny by Kelsey Browning and Nancy Nagle
Seasoned Southern Sleuths Cozy Mystery Book 1
I downloaded this free book just after our resident hound reviewed it back in April. I finally decided to read it and enjoyed it so much I immediately purchased Book 2. The four seasoned ladies are wonderfully entertaining, and I almost wish I could join them – but I know I’d chicken out. This book differs from most of the cozies I’ve read in a few ways. It doesn’t have a murder – in fact, I was a good way into the book before the characters learned what the problem was that needed fixing. The villain is indeed evil, but he doesn’t seem too dangerous, just disturbed. Still, there are a lot of funny moments, and I’m looking forward to finding out what adventures these ladies get into next.
Swamp Spirits by Jana DeLeon
Miss Fortune Mystery, Book 23
This most recent episode of Fortune Redding and her Swamp Team 3 – her PI service based in Sinful, Louisiana – kept me up far into the night because I just couldn’t bear to put it down. What amazes me is the way I was kept guessing who are the good guys and who are the bad until the very end. Harrison, Fortune’s former partner at the CIA has retired to Sinful, and he and his fiancée Cassidy have purchased a sprawling home that has the reputation of being haunted. Fortune and her friends help them move in, but then things start happening. A white gowned figure is seen moving through the house, and Cassidy is hospitalized after an “accident” has her falling down the carpeted stairs. Fortune investigates and finds a body, and the Swamp Team 3, with help from their law enforcement and underworld contacts, work to protect the couple and solve the mystery.
The Prettier Sister by Suzanne G. Rogers
I’ve been a fan of Suzanne G. Rogers’ sweet romances for many years, so when I learned about this new release, I had to purchase it immediately. One month later, I finally carved out time to read it. Set in rural England in 1886, Melanie Starhope is a bright young woman, an accomplished pianist and seamstress, but she’s always overshadowed by her younger sister. She takes the opportunity to stay with her widowed aunt at her estate in the country, where she immediately gets involved teaching piano lessons at the local orphanage. Her aunt’s neighbor, Lord Peyton, directs the boy’s chorus, and the two immediately clash. But when the orphanage is in danger of being shut down, they work together to help the children find new homes. As always, I was totally engrossed in this lovely story and finished reading it in two evenings, so I’ll be ready for the next one!
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
re: your comment about the first title here — that you nearly yelled at your device because of the irrational decision / action by the heroine. Yeah… I do that a lot. And if I do it too many times in the same book, I begin to wonder whether that character is worth saving.
Glad you also enjoyed the “seasoned sleuths” by Naigle & Browning. I thought it was a hoot and also intend to read further in that series.
I’ve read several of DeLeon’s books, but can’t remember which titles. But so far none of the ones I’ve read have been featured (by you) here. That lady must have scores of books out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I considered quitting the book after the one incident, but thankfully, there were no other that gave me that reaction, and I’m glad I finished it. The Seasoned Southern Sleuths are definitely a hoot, and I can’t wait to see what else they get into! And yes, DeLeon is incredibly prolific!
LikeLiked by 1 person
INTERESTING! All of them are books that I would read, well, as the younger sister who lived in the shadow of theolder one who was considered a beauty and everyone’s pet, I would read the last one last.
I also yell at characters in books, actually, I do a lot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Prettier Sister is the shortest of the lot, so it wouldn’t take you long to read it!
LikeLike
Thanks for the recommendations, Patty. Two of your books fascinated me. Crossed by Death is free (today, at any rate). I checked out Jana DeLeon’s series. I don’t like starting in the middle of a series, so I looked for book 1. To my surprise, I;d already bought it. Guess my TBR pile is so big I don’t know what’s in it. LOL .I’ll have to find it now. That’s the trouble with free books. You download then forget them. Hope you have a good week.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for stopping in, Diane! Hope you like the books! You’re not the only one who’s purchased a book and then forgotten it! I like to read a series from the beginning, too. I’ll admit I didn’t enjoy the first Miss Fortune book (Louisiana Longshot) as much as I have the succeeding ones. I guess I had to let the characters grow on me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the recommendations. The first one sounds especially interesting to me.
LikeLike
The Stitches in Crime series sounds pretty interesting, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she does next!
LikeLike