Saturday Snapshopt - a little late

Saturday Snapshot is a weekly meme hosted by Alyce, At Home With Books.  All we have to do is post a favorite we’ve snapped, or one captured by family or friends.


I'm running behind this week. (It's really Sunday.)

This is me with one of my favorite mystery authors, Maggie Sefton.  Check back on February 1st for information on my Cozy Mystery giveway - it includes an autographed copy of one of Maggie's books.

Upcoming Cozy Mystery Giveaway

I LOVE Cozy Mysteries. And since February is the month of love, I thought I'd celebrate my love mysteries.  Check with me on February 1st, for more information on how to win some of my favorite cozy mysteries - some are even autographed.

Shoots to Kill by Kate Collins

Summary:

When she was younger Abby Knight was Elizabeth’s babysitter. Back then Elizabeth, frustrated Abby by trying to be just like here.  Elizabeth, now known as Libby is back and mothering has changed.  In fact it’s worse. Not only has she changed her name to resemble Abby’s, but she seems bent on stealing Abby’s identity as well. She’s even after Abby’s boyfriend Marco. But imitation really becomes the sincerest form of trouble when Abby finds herself the accused dupe in a bizarre murder plot. It’s up to Abby to find the real killer and shine the light on Libby’s scheme.

It’s been a while since I read a book from this series. I don’t know how I managed to lose track of the new books because this is a series I truly enjoy.  Abby is a strong and likeable character.  She even has a good relationship with her mother (though not a perfect one – anyone would find it difficult to handle the crafts that Abby’s mom keeps creating for Abby to sell in the flower shop.) Abby’s hunky love interest, Marco,  is a delight to read about.

Even though I enjoyed this 7^th installment in the series, at times it was a frustrating read – not because Collins isn’t a masterful storyteller. She is. It’s just that I felt Abby’s frustration over the fact that everyone, including Marco and Abby’s mom seemed to think Libby was harmless – that Abby should be flattered by Libby’s attempts to be like Abby.  Gracious people! Libby fits the bill of a horror movie stalker. 

I have to admit there was some humor to the situation (though identify theft is a serious matter.)  That’s what I like so much about this series – the humor and light heartedness.  Yes, Abby is constantly finding dead bodies or being accused of murder. Collins treats death with reverence, but still the reader doesn’t finish the book feeling depressed.  Besides, who wouldn’t laugh at the idea of your mother purchasing a llama to live in the backyard so she can have homegrown yarn?  That’s just one of the crazy things she does.

If you are looking for a well thought out and humorous cozy mystery, this series is for you.

The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis

Goodreads Description:
Few can compete with Natasha Smith when it comes to entertaining, but her childhood rival, Sophie Winston, certainly tries. Natasha may have stolen the spotlight and Sophie's husband but Sophie is determined to rob her of the prize for the Stupendous Stuffing Shakedown. She just needs the right ingredient.

But Sophie's search for the perfect turkey takes a basting when she stumbles across a corpse. And when the police find her name and photo inside the victim's car, Sophie will have to set her trussing aside to solve the murder or she'll be serving up prison grub.

This book has been sitting on my To Read Shelf for quite a while. I can't believe I waited so long to read it. I love a good cozy  mystery. This series fits the bill: an intelligent, likable, and down to earth sleuth, a love interest, a few lovable if irritating relatives and a nemesis you love to hate.  Sophie is a well developed character that I look forward to reading more about. I think she shows incredible patience in dealing with all the distractions in her life.  She's far nicer to Natasha than Natasha deserves.  The one thing I did find irritating was the attitude of the police, even Wolfe, whom, I hope will be taking a more personal role in Sophie's life.  The police just seemed too pigheaded for my tastes.  However, that just made it more enjoyable when Sophie solved the case.

If you are looking for a great cozy series that includes some down to earth entertaining tips, you should give this one a try.

Books Complete Me: Delirium Blog Tour Day Two: An Excerpt & Giveaway

Books Complete Me: Delirium Blog Tour Day Two: An Excerpt & Giveaway: "Welcome to Day Two of the Official Delirium Blog Tour! Today we will be sharing an excerpt from chapter two of the book with you. Here is..."

This book was already on my to read list, but even if it wasn't already on my list I'd be adding it after reading this snippet. Blog tours are fun way to learn about a book and the book's author. Be sure to check this one out.

The Radleys by Matt Haig

Goodreads Description:


Meet the Radleys 

Peter, Helen and their teenage children, Clara and Rowan, live in an English town. They are an everyday family, averagely dysfunctional, averagely content. But as their children have yet to find out, the Radleys have a devastating secret 

From one of Britain’s finest young novelists comes a razor-sharp unpicking of adulthood and family life. In this moving, thrilling and extraordinary portrait of one unusual family, The Radleys asks what we grow into when we grow up, and explores what we gain – and lose – when we deny our appetites.


I'm never really sure what I'm going to find when I open a Matt Haig book, but one thing is for sure, I've never been disappointed.  I truly enjoyed this book. It is so not your typical vampire book.  The Radleys are a modern soap opera typical, slightly dysfunctional family, with one unique quality - they're vampires.  Haig has created a witty, engaging story that keeps the reader engrossed from the first page.  In a time when everyone is writing vampire stories, Haig has managed to join the game but with a unique twist.  The familiar family dynamics between Helen and Peter Radley, and between the parents and the children, Clare and Rowan keep it from too vampy.  It's a very good read and I, for one, would love to read more about the Radleys.


One of the reviews I read on Amazon suggested that there are two versions of this book: one written for adults and one for teens. I couldn't find any word elsewhere of there being two different versions, but I did find talk about a movie based on the book.  Hmm! I'm always skeptical of movies based on books, but I'm sure I'd add this one to my must see list.

It's Monday What Are You Reading (2)

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Persons Journey through a world of Books. Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

Currently Reading:
Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Into the Gauntlet  by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Animals of the Bible by Dorothy P. Lathrop

Currently Listening to:
Body Work by Sara Paretsky







Finished:
 The Radleys by Matt Haig
Family Affair by Deb MaComber
Fool  Moon by Jim Butcher
How Do You Count a Dozen Ducklings by In Seon Cha
Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Little Rabbit's New Baby by Harry Horse
Sophie's Secret by Nancy Rue
The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis
Audrey 100 by Ellen Fontana
Speak Easy by Jason Kosmos

Next In Line:
The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool