Defending Angels (2008), Angel's Advocate (2009), and Avenging Angels (2010) by Mary Stanton

Books: Defending Angels (2008), Angel's Advocate (2009), and Avenging Angels (2010) by Mary Stanton

Series: A Beaufort and Company Mystery

Extras: None

Plot (Goodreads):

Defending Angels:

With a long list of ethereal clients who need her help, Savannah lawyer Brianna Winston Beaufort's career choice is beginning to haunt her. An already dead businessman needs Bree's help to find his murderer and prove his innocence against the charge of greed, which comes from the mightiest hand of the law, the Celestial Court. And the verdict in this case could put Bree's life on the line-as well as her client's afterlife

Angel's Advocate:

Money's been tight ever since Bree Winston Beaufort inherited Savannah's haunted law firm Beaufort & Company along with its less-than-angelic staff. But she's finally going to tackle a case that pays the bills representing a spoiled girl who stole someone's Girl Scout cookie money. But soon enough she finds that her client's departed millionaire father needs help too. Can she help an unsavory father/daughter duo and make a living off of the living?

Avenging Angels:

Law school hasn't prepared Bree to appeal cases for the dead. After inheriting her great-uncle's haunted law firm, she must now represent ex-banker O'Rourke, who supposedly killed himself after losing a fortune. But with a merry widow and evidence mounting, it's beginning to look like murder. So Bree and her team of angels begin to investigate. But Bree soon discovers that someone would rather see her deceased than debriefed.

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Much to Briana Winston-Beaufort's surprise, the law firm she inherits from her great-uncle deals with celestial matters (mortals can't even find the building). While trying to balance the pieces of a normal life (her family, her mortal law clients, trying to date) and the haunted law firm, she is forced to solve crimes for her clients.

Rating: B

What worked: Bree is likable, as are all of her employees and friends. She reacts in a realistic way to most of her situations and the mysteries are interesting. I didn't figure any of the whodunits out before the end of the book, which is always a huge plus. The angel aspect is interesting and different.

What didn't: The whole "evil in the graveyard" thing and the haunted painting isn't working for me. I'm confused by it (feel free to explain it to me, readers!). I also don't understand why a lawyer is doing so much private investigation.

Keep reading? Yes but not at full price

Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinley

Book: Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinley

Series: A Cupcake Bakery Mystery

Published:2011

Extras: Recipes including Kiss Me Cupcakes, Mint Buttercream frosting, Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes, Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, Cupid's Bliss Cupcakes, White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, Raspberry Syrup, and Moonlight Madness Cupcakes

Plot (Goodreads):

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura's Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery is gearing up for Valentine's Day. Unfortunately someone has iced Baxter Malloy on his first date with Mel's mother. Now Mom's a suspect, and Mel and Angie need to find time around frosting to dig into the man's shady past and discover who served him his just desserts.

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Best friends Mel and Angie (along with their friend Tate) own a cupcake bakery. Mel's mother goes on her first date in years and, in an unlucky twist, her date is killed with her pantyhose on the date. Mel knows her mother didn't do it and must prove she is innocent. And, of course, the relationship turmoil between Angie/Tate/Angie's brother Joe/Mel and a new admirer.

Rating: B-

What worked: I liked seeing Mel's interaction with her mom. The sections with their rival cupcake owner, Olivia Pickett, were always funny.

What didn't: The constant and never-ending movie quotes. I know some people probably love these, I found them amazingly obnoxious. A few, fine. Almost every page? Come on. If I knew someone that talked this way in real life I would serious limit my time with them. The characters were less fleshed out than they were in the first book and I felt they were less likable.

Keep reading? I will give the series another chance to fold (haha!) me back in.

Town in a Blueberry Jam by B.B. Haywood

Book: Town in a Blueberry Jam by B.B. Haywood

Series: A Candy Holliday Murder Mystery

Extras? Recipes including Candy Holliday's Blueberry Whipped Cream, Herr Georg's Bavarian Blueberry Pretzels, Blueberry Lemon Shortbread, and Blueberry Gingerbread

Published: 2010

Plot (Goodreads):

In the seaside village of Cape Willington, Maine, Candy Holliday has an idyllic life tending to the Blueberry Acres farm she runs with her father. But, when an aging playboy and the newly crowned Blueberry Queen are killed, Candy investigates to clear the name of a local handyman. And as she sorts through the town's juicy secrets, things start to get sticky indeed...

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Candy Holliday is a blueberry farmer with her father in the small town of Cape Willington, Maine. An unprecedented two murders occur back to back, shocking the town, and casting suspicion on one of Candy's friends. Candy decides to investigate the mystery to clear her friend and gets a love interest and a second job along the way.

Rating: 8

What worked: As an intro to a new series, this was a great start. A lot of interesting, bizarre characters were introduced (always a good idea in a cozy), the blueberry theme was interesting and different (I knew nothing about blueberry production), and the backstory was believable. The mystery was solid and there were several twists and turns along the way. Plus the Blueberry Queen pageant is a hilarious trainwreck that anyone who has ever been to a small "Queen" pageant will totally get.

What didn't: It was a solid book, it just had some growing pains. I wasn't attached to any of the characters yet, which is the reason I always think first books in a series are usually weaker than the rest. So many mysteries seem to have that "girl moved to big city, failed, and moves to the country" theme that it's getting a bit old for me.

Keep reading? Yes

Howl Deadly and Never Say Sty by Linda O. Johnston

Book: Howl Deadly and Never Say Sty by Linda O. Johnston

Series: Book 7 and 8 in the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries

Published: Both in 2009

Plot of "Never Say Sty" (Goodreads):

Already an L.A. attorney and pet-sitter, Kendra’s taken on a third job, masterminding a new reality show called “Animal Auditions.” But things get messier than the show’s pot-bellied pigs when her hot new producer is suspected of murder.

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Kendra, both a pet-sitter and a lawyer specializing in animal cases, is involved in the new potbellied pigs-based reality show "Animal Auditions". When a judge is killed and a couple of Kendra's friends are implicated, she is pulled back in to detective work. Additionally, a wealthy animal-lover, Dante DeFrancisco, is introduced as both a suspect and a love interest.

Rating: 7

Plot of "Howl Deadly" (Goodreads):

Kendra's weekend getaway with gorgeous millionaire Dante DeFrancisco turns chilling when a mother she-wolf goes missing from Dante's pet sanctuary. Now Kendra must find her-along with a killer hiding right before her eyes.

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Kendra and Dante are heading out for vacation when they get word that a wolf is missing from Dante's rescue society. Kendra suspects everyone of the crime, including the HotRescue workers, Dante's best friend Brody, and Dante himself. Even though I only read this a couple of weeks ago, I'm having trouble remembering details (not a good sign).

Rating: 6

What worked: I'm a big fan of the Kendra Ballantyne mysteries. I like Kendra. She is a smart go-getter who makes realistic decisions. She gets drawn into mysteries in a realistic way (as realistic as cozy mysteries get) and I like all of her pet-sitting charges, along with all of the recurring characters (and there are a lot of recurring characters--two law firms worth of lawyers, all of her pet sitting and law clients, police officers, etc.). The books are interesting and have a great pace, plus I like the details about the animals.

What didn't: I actually like these two books the least of the series. I think it's partially because I don't like the character of Dante DeFrancisco and I think Kendra dramatically overreacted in ending her last relationship with Shiba Inu-owning private detective Jeff. I know the whole "HotRescue" "HotPets" "HotWildlife" thing was started partially to tie-in to Johnston's other series about a HotRescue worker but I just found it bland. I hope Kendra kicks Dante to the curb and gets back to her roots of pet sitting soon.

Keep reading? Absolutely and hope to try the new series soon.

Question for you: Who do you like better--Dante or Jeff? Any opinion?

Sucker Punch and Goody Goody Gunshots by Sammi Carter

Book: Sucker Punch and Goody Goody Gunshots

Series: A Candy Shop Mystery

Published: Sucker Punch (2009) and (Goodreads) plot:

Divinity Candy Shop owner Abby Shaw is enjoying her sweet life, until her friend is suspected of killing an actor. Now, Abby is determined to clear her name--before her new found happiness is totally fudged.

Goody Goody Gunshots (2008) and (Goodreads) plot:

No visit to Paradise, Colorado, is complete without a stop at Divinity candy shop for a little taste of heaven. For owner Abby Shaw, it's a sweet deal, too. When her aunt Grace passed away, Abby inherited Divinity--and with it the opportunity to leave her career as a corporate lawyer and dump her cheating husband. Now she spends her time serving up delectable treats--and performing the occasional deductive feat...

When Abby Shaw witnesses a stranger being gunned down on the highway, she's convinced she's seen a murder. Problem is, there's no body. But days later, when a body does turn up, wishy-washy witnesses make things sticky. Even elbow-deep in hot syrup, Abby is determined to find out the truth. And it's not as if she can take her sweet time figuring it out--she's busy running Divinity, training a new employee, and helping coach her nephews' basketball team. Not to mention that nosing around for too long could get her killed...

Extras: Candy recipes

My four-sentence or less take on the series: Abby came back to the Colorado small mountain town where she grew up to run her beloved great-aunt's candy shop. While back in town, she stumbles in to mysteries and trouble, as every cozy protagonist seems to do.

Rating: (For the series) B

What worked: Abby is very likable. I like her relationship with her family (troubled and realistic), her friends (hurt that she moved away but coming back to the fold), her employees (she likes some of them more than others, like in real life), her boyfriend (commitment issues!), and her adorable dog. She makes more good choices than bad (calls for backup, doesn't accuse everyone she thinks is guilty right off the bat)/

What didn't: The series started slow for me. I thought the first book in the series, Candy Apple Dead, was a little boring, and I only kept with the series because I had the rest of them. I'm glad I did.

Keep reading? Absolutely, but I don't know if they are still being published.

Hungry for You by Lynsay Sands

Book: Hungry for You by Lynsay Sands

Series: An Argeneau Novel

Published: 2010

Plot (Goodreads):

This vampire has been alone for far too long . . .

As one of the most ancient in the Argeneau clan, Cale Valens has given up on finding a life mate. His friends and family, however, have not. In fact, they believe they've finally found his perfect match. Getting them together, however, requires one little white lie . . .

Alexandra Willan is in a panic. Her restaurant is due to open in two weeks, but her chef just walked out. Then a highly recommended replacement arrives, an impossibly handsome culinary genius who sends electric tingles racing through her body . . .

Except he can't cook. In fact, Cale hasn't eaten real food in two thousand years. Yet he's determined to prove to Alex his prowess in the kitchen . . . and elsewhere. Because never has he hungered so for any mortal woman. And not just for a taste of her, but for the whole delicious feast!

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Alex is a chef and restaurant owner who is getting constantly plagued by a series of mishaps that put her restaurant's opening in jeopardy. Cale is a very old Immortal (read: Vampire) who gets word that Alex may be his mate (finally!). Cale and Alex work towards: opening the restaurant, falling in love, and solving the mystery of the cause of her restaurant woes. Many of your favorite Argeneau characters have cameos in "Hungry for you".

Rating: 7

What worked: This is one of the first paranormal romances that I've read where the male protag was very interested in finding a "mate" and is actively interested in being in a committed relationship (far more than the female protag). I really liked Alexandra's relationship with her sisters (who were featured in previous books). I actually like all the overlap between Sand's books. Once you enjoy a character, you can expect to see them (or at least hear about them) in future books. That being said, the books are easily read out of order.

I actually really like the explanation for Vampires in Sand's universe. It's interesting, different, and makes more sense than most other explanations.

What didn't: The book was a bit silly but Lynsay Sands books usually are rather silly. It was an easy read, which can be both a good or a bad thing. The plot was simple and the mystery wasn't very difficult to solve about half-way through the book. In fact, I would say the only one who didn't know whodunit was Alex.

Keep reading? Yes but I will probably get the books at the used book store

Non-Fiction Ninth--Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress by Debra Ginsberg

Book: Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress by Debra Ginsberg

Series: Nope! A memoir

Extras? No

Published: 2001

Plot (Goodreads):

A veteran waitress dishes up a spicy and robust account of life as it really exists behind kitchen doors.

Part memoir, part social commentary, part guide to how to behave when dining out, Debra Ginsberg's book takes readers on her twentyyear journey as a waitress at a soap-operatic Italian restaurant, an exclusive five-star dining club, the dingiest of diners, and more. While chronicling her evolution as a writer, Ginsberg takes a behind-the-scenes look at restaurant life-revealing that yes, when pushed, a server will spit in food, and, no, that's not really decaf you're getting-and how most people in this business are in a constant state of waiting to do something else.

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Debra was a server for most of her life, working in everything from a family-run pizza place to a five-star dining club. She experiences extreme highs (good money, great tips, dating a Chef, the trill of working a perfect shift) and lows (a shift where everything goes wrong, restaurants that just can't get traffic, and, above all,being treated as absolute dirt by your customers). If you ever waited tables or wanted to do so, this is the book for you.

Rating: 6

What worked: Debra writes a good story. She has lots of funny anecdotes about her customers and has great insight about what makes a customer/chef/server tick.

What didn't: The book is pretty ordinary. I expected a lot more personal stories than there actually were--the book wasn't very long and didn't have much of a wrap up. I expected more...of something. I've read similar stories (Waiter Rant by Steve Dublanica comes to mind) that are better. I think it's probably better if you've worked in the food industry and can nod along.

Would I recommend the book to someone who hates non-fiction? I don't know. If they worked in the service industry, than probably. Otherwise, I don't think this is the book to turn you.

Have you ever read this book? Were you blown away? Is the movie similar?