Queso de los Muertos by Nova Nelson

Eastwind, still reeling from the disappearance from the town gold, is still holding the annual Lunasa Fest. And Nora is ready. She plans on introducing chips and queso to the food contest. But something happens, right after the judges eat her food, a chill wind blows in leaving a host of ghosts behind. Was it something in her food?
Still struggling with her feelings for Tanner's best friend, Nora is conflicted. And, ugh. I really dislike romantic triangles and it seems like Nelson is going to draw that trope out throughout multiple books. Also, Nora is starting to be more reckless which is another trope I dislike. She purposely puts herself in dangerous situations that aren't really needed to further the story.

Three stars
Follows Third Knocks the Charm
Followed by Psych-Out
This book came out April 10th, 2018

Borrowed as an audiobook from the library

Opinions are my own

Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig

A guy and a gal shared a kiss. The guy went to the gal's house the next day to offer for her hand but her father denied having a daughter. Heartbroken, the guy 

went back to the army.

Seven years later, the guy, Thomas, has been called home. He is the last in line for an earldom. But there is a famous writer ensconced in his house. And the man's secretary (or, as she calls herself, amanuensis) is no one else but the gal, Jane. And her life is being threatened by anonymous letters.

I really liked that a lot of the potential misunderstandings were dealt with up front. Both the heroine and the hero were up front about their secrets (adulting!) The letter writer 

seemed more like a plot device than anything else but a nice opening to a series. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out August 18th

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles

Molly is a bookseller who finds books at places like the estate sale she is currently at. She is lightly flirting with a newcomer to the scene, Emma when Buck, an obnoxious bookseller who is known among the booksellers' group as a thief. When Molly later finds Emma in a cordoned off area standing over Buck who is dead from a blow to the head, she immediately believes Emma's innocence. She sees a piece of paper laying next to the body and instinctively grabs it and puts it in her own pocket. Together, the two start looking into why Buck was killed.
I really liked the description of this book. Booksellers? Awesome. Probably a budding relationship? My catnip. Between two females? That seems new.  But I have to admit that the author used one of my least favorite plot development devices, amateur detectives that put themselves into danger and that took away a lot of the enjoyment that I expected from this book. Emma and Molly hide evidence from the police, sneak into houses, and keep investigating a murder after they are in danger. I would have enjoyed this book so much more if they had already had some detective experience (i.e. some expertise in sneaking around) or had been more open with the police. And the fact that Molly just inherently trusts Emma because she's attracted to her doesn't make her seem any smarter. I'll probably give the series another try because I really do like the underlying premise and there was some realization of what they were doing at the end but I hope the author makes that carry over to the next book and the two ladies will have a little more common sense.

Three stars
This book comes out August 15th
ARC kindly provided by Black Opal Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

No Offense by Meg Cabot

There are a lot of tropes that I am not enjoying these days and one of them is definitely the bumbling amateur detective. I like amateurs well enough but not the ones who are hindering police investigations by trying to do their own sleuthing so I wish there had been a bit more in the blurb explaining that Molly was going to be one of those characters. This book has all of the trademark Cabot adult contemporaries though with a slightly dingy but professionally-proficient heroine and somewhat more long-suffering hero. However, the characters aren't as well defined as some of her other books (excepting the parts where Molly as a modern day librarian.) And what I loved about her "Boy" series (which did require a lot of suspension of belief) was the comedy. This book definitely did not have that. It was a pleasant read but more on the innocuous end than delightful.
I'm guessing the attorney general, John, who has never had a long-term relationship and the local news reporter, Michelle (sp? I listened to the audio), will be in future books. Perhaps with each other.

Three stars
This book came out August 11th, 2020

Follows No Judgments

Followed by No Words
Borrowed as an audiobook from Overdrive
Opinions are my own

Doom and Broom by Annabel Chase

Jolene, a werewolf, has been found dead. The immediate ruling is suicide but Daniel, the angel Emma adores, is also a suspect. She immediately helps him hide and starts investigating. All while taking classes to learn more about witchcraft.
The mystery is short but characters are starting to be fleshed out including Emma's classmates and a smattering of women who will be friends. We also get a bit more about the town's history as well as the mythology.

Three stars
Follows Curse the Day
Followed by Spell's Bells
This book came out January 21st, 2017
Borrowed as an audiobook from the library
Opinions are my own

Sweet Home Louisiana by Erin Nicholas

When they were teenagers, Madison "Maddie" Allain and Owen Landry got together and it ended in a fistfight and flames. Now, Maddie's brother has died and she's back in Autre for the first time in twelve years. And she doesn't want to be there. The heat, the humidity, and the memories all haunt her.
Owen doesn't want Maddie to come back either. But, according to the business charter of the shares she inherited from her brother, she has to spend 30 days helping out first. But Owen knows that if they get together at all, she will ruin him for all other women and he doesn't want that.
I didn't connect with Maddie or Owen as much as the first book. They were fine but there was so much emphasis on their original connection that the reason that they would work "today" sort of got lost.

Three stars
Follows My Best Friend's Mardi Gras Wedding
Followed by Beauty and the Bayou
This book came out May 7th, 2019
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Opinions are my own

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation by Momochi, Misaki, Sando

The book opens with Lizel in an alternate world. He recognizes it very quickly and assumes that his king has sent him there for a reason. He is not naive but appears so to the people around him. So he hires a B-level adventurer, Gil. Hanging out with Gill will help Lizel figure out the world more quickly as well as keeping him safe.
The story was absolutely adorable and I loved the idea of it. Lizel is so unfailingly optimistic and blithe but, when we see his skills, we realize that he has reason to be. Loved the references to MMORPGs. Not a ton of action but made me happy to read.

Four and a half stars
This book comes out August 11th
ARC kindly provided by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley
Opinions are my own