Cocoa Curses by Erin Johnson

This is a cozy mystery that has a conceit (being near Santa's workshop) and it runs with it. Of course, it assumes that there are witches that live near by and Rudie Hollybrook is one of them. She has always felt a little bit like an outsider as her magic has to do with death. And that comes into play when a woman is murdered. One who Rudie didn't particularly like, nor did the woman like her. So having her ghost around isn't exactly a fun time.

However, the way to get rid of the ghost would be to solve the murder. Rudie isn't exactly a detective so there is some bumbling. There is also the inevitable love interest, in this case a journalist.

Three stars

Follows Winter Wishes

Followed by Cherry Charms

Rudie next stars in Solstice Spirits

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Murder on Milverton Square by G.B. Ralph

I picked this book up on the recommendation of the Dear Author blog and I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. There wacere some parts where my suspension of disbelief was stretched a bit thin but I am definitely looking forward to the second book in the series as I really enjoyed Addison's character development. 

Addison Harper's uncle has died and left Addison something in the will. Summoned to Milverton by a rather abrupt lawyer, he at first enjoys the adventure. He's astonished to find out he'as inherited quite a large estate including Milverton Manor which looks like it hasn't been redecorated since the 60s. It's just too darn bad that the best-looking guy in town happens to be Sergeant Jake Murphy who is investigating Addison in the death of the aforementioned lawyer. 

Of course, as mysteries are wont to do, this book has the lawyer as a villainous sort who has made a number of people in town angry so the mystery is slow going in the solving department.

Four stars

This book came out November 8, 2022

Followed by Poison at Penshaw Hall

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

48 hours of listening. 48. hours. It was a very interesting read and really inclusive of all of Streisand's work which, as most of us know, is extensive. I did finish the whole book before it needed to be returned to the library but it did start to drag a bit. In an effort to include everyone she worked with, Streisand name drops everyone. Ev. Er. Y. One. So many names. A really interesting look at her life from her side and most of the stories, especially those that set her up to look like a high strung diva are shown to have been untrue. Like so many women, she was vilified to make others look good. 

Four stars

This book came out November 7, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Wisteria Wyverns by Angela Pepper

In the last book, Zara's father returned. It was a surprise because he had generally been an absentee father. A the end of the book, someone else from her past had returned. Her mother. The one who was dead. 

This book gives Zara a chance to get to know her mother again. They're going to be spending a lot of time together in the castle in the next town over because, as they are sitting there, a new ghost enters Zara's body. It's someone that we know if you've been reading the series. Dead body means nobody gets to leave for a while so Zara's going to be spending time with her mother.

Throw in a man who looks just like her neighbor and has the ability to disappear, a wyvern named Ribbons who can communicate with Zara telepathically, and the water district team and you've got another screwball mystery. Not very deep but a fast, fun, and fluffy read.

Three stars

This book came out October 31, 2017

Follows Watchful Wisteria

Followed by Wolves of Wisteria

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan

I had a friend recommend this book to me and I thought it sounded like me. Same first name, same nature? Yes, let's do this thing. It was an okay book but reminded me like The Year of Yes and several other books where the author steps out of their comfort for a year and chronicles the journey. Pan didn't end up with a husband like Rhimes (she already had one) but it was still an entertaining read about one introvert's search for how to be more extroverted including improv classes, hosting events (her point about introverts hosting really resonated, you don't have to interact when you are busy being a hostess), and going on a  surprise trip while trying to make friends.

Three stars

This book came out May 28, 2019

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Heartwishes Edilean by Jude Deveraux

Seriously, what is it with normally good romance authors deciding that it's perfectly okay to write sex scenes without condoms? Would have been a four star book if the characters had decided that they loved each other enough to protect each other rather than just fall into bed because Gemma is on the pill?

Otherwise, really liked her character (hiring a historian instead of an archivist to organize your family papers aside). Devereaux often writes about physically strong women and Gemma is one of them. She isn't necessarily beautiful but she certainly captures the attention of Colin Frazier, a descendant of one of the seven founding families of Edilean. He's super rich (like all good romance heroes?) but works as the local sheriff, and oh, he's a Pied Piper with children.

It might seem a little too good to be true but they'll have to deal with Colin's not-so-ex-girlfriend, many small emergencies, a magical wishing stone, and even an international thief.

Three stars

This book came out August 30, 2011

Follows Scent of Jasmine

Followed by Moonlight in the Morning

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Spy x Family: Family Portrait by Aya Yajima

Okay, I did not realize that this was a novelization and got so thrown off. It took a while to get into the book but, once I did, I settled in to the familiar characters. I don't think there was enough character building for a person who hasn't read the comics to jump in but I could be wrong.

In the first story, Anya is going camping. The good news is that Damian, the boy her adopted father would like her to make friends with, is going too. And they are put on the same team. Of course, there is bad news and Anya gets the two of them lost during a storm.

The second story has Yor's brother Yuri finally taking a day off. He hopes to spend it with Yor but she has to work also. Instead, he ends up taking care of Anya for the day, taking her to a place where children can pretend to different jobs. Yuri has to get involved as well and maybe gets a little too invovled. 

Franky learns about love in the third story. He is beating himself up for not having a girlfriend and feeling jealous of Loid's good looks. Then he hears a young woman singing and meets a beautiful nineteen-year-old. She's blind but part of a musical family so is practicing her music. Franky spends time with her and begins to get even closer to Franky. When Franky hears she's about to have eye surgery, he reacts about how you'd expect. 

The final story has Loid and Yor playing in the park with Bond and Anya when a young man offers to paint them. While Loid is suspicious, he is backed into agreeing to the painting when the artist offers Anya his bag. The artist turns out to be Felix Curtis who is very well known. As a professional spy and an assassin, neither Loid nor Yor can have their faces anywhere in public in case they are recognized. But how can they get out of this painting without acting suspicious?

One final short story rounds out the bunch. Two servers are talking about their dating lives. Their discussion veers to the families they see in the restaurant. One happy family they admire is our very own Forgers. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out December 26, 2023

ARC kindly provided by VIZ Media and NetGalley

Opinions are my own