A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts - A Review

 Review

A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS
By Leanna Renee Hieber & Andrea Janes

A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS looks at the history behind many female ghosts and hauntings throughout the United States. Broken down into various tropes, each section begins with an introduction before branching into stories of the women who fall within the purview of said category. Highly researched, but with the authors' own opinions willingly shared, the book is part ghost story, part folklore, part history, and part women's studies. 

If you're looking for spooky stories to tell around the campfire or to scare your friends, this may not be the book for you. However, if you're looking for interesting tales about real people who have a haunted history, this book may be right up your alley. I always enjoy learning the true history behind real hauntings and enjoyed reading about the women here, some I knew about, many I did not.

While I enjoyed reading about these ghostly women, I do have some issues with the book. The problem is that the authors fall into a common trap. They look at the lives of these women of the 18th, 19th, and even the 20th century, through the lens of a woman of modern times. Yes, these women from the past had hard lives, some hated the limitations placed on them, but others didn't see life as a drudgery. You simply can't frame the past with the eyes of the present, which is what the authors do here.

While the book is undeniably well researched with footnotes and endnotes to prove it, I discovered one major inaccuracy. In one section they discuss Mother Ann Lee and the Shakers. It concludes saying that their numbers dwindled and they faded away. While it's true that the number of Shakers dwindled and may have faded, they have not faded away. There is still a functioning Shaker community in Sabbathday Lake, Maine. It's true that there are only two members of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Coming-but they are still here.

 

A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS is an intriguing book filled with stories of women who deserve to be remembered.

A Doomful of Sugar - A Review

 Review

 

A DOOMFUL OF SUGAR by Catherine Bruns
The First Maple Syrup Mystery

Leila Khoury's father was bigger than life, a wonderful man and a staple of the Vermont community he called home. She was stunned to find out he was murdered, shot at the family maple syrup farm and shop. Returning to Vermont for the funeral, her plans to return home to Florida get sidelined when she learns her father has left her the family business. As Leila gets familiar with Sappy Endings, she discovers things aren't adding up with her father's murder. Frustrated at the sheriff's lack of progress, despite his being a close friend of the family, Leila starts to look into the matter herself. A contentious relationship with her mother, a know it all basically running Sappy Endings, and a brother under suspicion leave Leila in a sticky situation. Will she be able to solve her father's murder or will she wind up being Sugar Ridge's next victim?

I really loved the first Maple Syrup Mystery. The characters are believable, the scenic location sublime, and the mystery full of surprises. I like the friendship between Leila and her best friend, Heather and I have a feeling these two will continue to find trouble together as the series progresses. Despite the fact that Leila has her own faults, she makes hasty decisions and she's somewhat presumptuous, she is a likable protagonist who is able to admit her own mistakes. I enjoyed the variety of action scenes and the ratcheting up of suspense on several occasions. I do like the romantic angle, but feel it should have been more drawn out, not being so obvious by the end of the first book in the series that a romance was indeed on the table.

A DOOMFUL OF SUGAR is a mouthwatering mystery with twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat. A memorable start to a new series I look forward to seeing what happens next as I seek to satisfy a craving for maple syrup!

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts by Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes.

A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts looks at the history behind many female ghosts and hauntings throughout the United States. Broken down into various tropes, each section begins with an introduction before branching into stories of the women who fall within the purview of said category. Highly researched, but with the authors' own opinions willingly shared, the book is part ghost story, part folklore, part history, and part women's studies.

A Christmas Candy Killing - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Christina Romeril to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Christina writes the Killer Chocolate Mystery series. A CHRISTMAS CANDY KILLING is the first book in the series and was released last week.

Kathy: In A CHRISTMAS CANDY KILLING we meet identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah. Why choose twins to be the protagonists of your series?

CR: Originally, Hanna was Alex’s BFF, but it was my editor, Tara Gavin, at Crooked Lane Books that requested I give Alex a twin. So I turned the BFF into Alex’s twin sister. The change definitely helped improve the story. I love the relationship Alex and Hanna have, especially the way they can tease each other, the way my brother and I do.

Kathy: The twins own a mystery bookshop that sells poison-themed Killer Chocolates. Usually people don't want the word poison even whispered around the food they sell. What made you have the twins embrace this unusual concept?

CR: I’ve been a huge mystery fan since third grade. One of my (and Alex’s) favorite ways for an author to kill off their victim is with poison. When I was trying to decide how to pair the mystery bookshop the twins own with something sweet, chocolates came to mind. It seemed like a fun idea to name the chocolates after poisons to tie them more closely to the mystery aspect of the business. It also seemed like something fun for the shop’s customers. If you’ve got someone you don’t especially like, but need a gift for why not let your imagination run away with the idea of poisoned chocolates.


Kathy: A neighbor tells Alex that a murderer from a true crime show has moved to town. Do you enjoy watching or reading true crime?

CR: My husband is actually the true crime fan in our family. But I have watched quite a few shows with him. I’ve even watched a few episodes about women poisoners. Right up my alley. While I find many true crime shows fascinating, I prefer to live in a world of pretend murder.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

CR: My mother bought me a Trixie Belden book in third grade. I was hooked from the first chapter. I devoured that series before moving on to Nancy Drew, and Agatha Christie. As a teen I started watching Murder She Wrote and loved it. When I read those early books, I imagined myself as the sleuth puzzling out the mystery. For me it’s always been the puzzle that draws me in.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

CR: A CHRISTMAS CANDY KILLING is the first thing I’ve written. I have read in a wide variety of genres over the years, but mysteries are my happy place.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CR: A CHRISTMAS CANDY KILLING is the first in the Killer Chocolate Mystery series. Identical twin sisters, Alex and Hanna, go from selling mystery books and making poison-themed chocolates to channeling their inner sleuths to find a killer. The twins use their sweet confections to loosen tongues and get villagers to share their secrets.
 

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

CR: I love writing one of my side characters, Drew Fletcher. He’s a retired pharmacist and major hypochondriac. It’s the quirky or nasty characters that I find the most fun to write. Drew is definitely on the quirky side. He’s also a little unpredictable and that gives me leeway with what he might do.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

CR: When I moved to the village where I now live I knew I wanted to write a cozy mystery set here. While the book is set at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, you could wander the streets where I live and recognize landmarks. 

 

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CR: I’ve wanted to write a book and have it published for decades. Being an author has been a dream since my teens. I wrote A CHRISTMAS CANDY KILLING with every intention of sending it out to agents.
 

Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

CR: Definitely Jane Austen. The next three are tricky. While I love lots of authors, I think for a dinner party I’d want a lively group. Libby Klein, M.C. Beaton, and Ellie Alexander. I think we’d have a riot.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CR: Right now I’m reading Kate Khavari’s, A BOTANIST'S GUIDE TO PARTIES AND POISONS.
 

Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

CR: Aside from reading, I enjoy doing crafts, usually with paint. I create mostly signs these days.
 

Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

CR: Spinach, and chocolate protein powder for the smoothies I have most days. Plus, eggs, I eat lots of eggs because I don’t like to cook during the week, and dark chocolate, of course.
 

Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

CR: Book two in the Killer Chocolate Mystery series is with my editor. I expect to get it back for revisions any time. I’m working on Book three in the series. I also have an idea for another series I’m working on in my spare time.

Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

CR: I love the creative process. Coming up with the idea for a new book and figuring out the clues, red herrings, motivations, and subplots is just so much fun.

*******************************************************************

Review

A CHRISTMAS CANDY KILLING by Christina Romeril
The First Killer Chocolate Mystery

 

In the small town of Harriston, Montana everyone knows everyone else's business. Jane Burrows, who loves true crime and horticulture, has a habit of watching true crime shows and accusing townsfolk of being the wanted murderer. Though everyone scoffs, this time she's certain that a killer is hiding amongst them. Confiding in her friend Alex Wright, the co-owner of Murder and Mayhem, the towns bookstore and chocolate shop, Jane insists Alex come over to see the show. When Alex arrives, however, she finds Jane's body...murdered. Who could have killed the sweet older lady? Everyone loved her, or did they? Could Jane have been right, is there a murderer in town desperate to keep their identity a secret? Or was there another reason to want Jane dead? Between running her bookstore, helping her twin create poison themed chocolates, and preparing for Christmas, Alex will also try to find a killer!

 

Christmas in snowy Montana with a bookshop that also sells handmade chocolates? Yes, please. Most of the characters were personable and I enjoyed getting to know them. Drew was a hoot and it's too bad that Jane was killed as I feel she would have been a great character throughout the series. I liked the variety of suspects although I cottoned on to the killer fairly quickly, even before the clues really pointed out who it was.

While I enjoyed the story the pacing seemed off. The book just seemed to drag on for way too long. I was waiting for something to happen, but the storyline just plodded along, gradually adding clues and red herrings by slow increments. I did enjoy the final confrontation, which was exciting. 

 

A CHRISTMAS CANDY KILLING is a cozy holiday mystery and a promising start to a new series.

 

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 A Christmas Candy Killing (A Killer Chocolate Mystery) by Christina Romeril

About A Christmas Candy Killing

A Christmas Candy Killing (A Killer Chocolate Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
The book is set in a fictional town, Harriston, Montana.
Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022)
Hardcover: ‎ 304 pages

Their chocolates are to die for—but things aren’t so sweet when a real killer comes to town, in this debut mystery perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Laura Childs.

Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead discovers Jane's body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby.

The sheriff quickly zeroes in on two suspects: Alex, a beneficiary in Jane’s will, and Zack, a handyman who was seen leaving the crime scene. But Alex maintains her innocence and sets out to draft a list of other potential suspects—townsfolk who’d recently been seen arguing with Jane.

When Alex gets hold of Jane’s journal, she begins to understand the truth. But a bearer of ill tidings is arriving early this year—and Alex just might not make it to Christmas.

About Christina Romeril

Christina Romeril loves to plot murders, especially by poisoning. When she’s not plotting how to kill one of her characters she’s coming up with ways to dispose of the body. Since writing her debut novel her husband’s friends have been regularly checking on his well-being.

Christina also loves to read, eat chocolates, and travel when she’s not in her she shed writing. She grew up in Southern Ontario and spent most of her summers in Muskoka swimming, boating, and generally getting into mischief. She’s lived on both coasts of Canada and has a love of being near the water and close to a forest. Thus, it makes perfect sense that she moved to the prairies of Southern Alberta over twenty years ago.

During the warmer months you’ll find her escaping to nearby Waterton Lakes National Park with her cooler stocked full of chocolate and pastries. Occasionally, the once avid hiker will even set out on one of the many hiking trails and hope she doesn’t run into a hungry bear.

Christina is a member of Sisters in Crime and enjoys interacting on social media.

Author Links:

Webpage https://christinaromeril.com/

Blog https://christinaromeril.com/blog/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/christinaromerilwriter

Twitter https://Twitter.com/romerilchris

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/christinaromerilwriter

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22222730.Christina_Romeril

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - 

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Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves - A Review

 Review

MRS. CLAUS AND THE EVIL ELVES by Liz Ireland
The Third Mrs. Claus Mystery

It's crunch time in Santaland. It's Christmas week and festivities abound in preparation for the big night. April Claus is thrilled that Claire, her best friend from Oregon, has come for a visit, even though Claire still doesn't really believe April is married to the real Santa Claus, despite seeing elves and talking reindeer. Though this should be a jolly time, it's not. A drone just took out the best ice sculpture in the town's annual contest, that of Blitzen. Was it an accident or a message? With the reindeer on strike, a missing elf, and tea cozies to make, Mrs. Claus has her work cut out for her in order for Christmas to be merry.

Charming, funny, and totally unique, the Mrs. Claus Mystery series is an utter delight and easily one of my favorite mystery series of all time. You can't help but like April Claus as she tries to fit into Santaland, but bungles many of the tasks a Mrs. Claus should easily handle. What she doesn't bungle, however, is solving mysteries-although she gets herself in a pickle this go around!

The mystery is multilayered with a missing person, er, elf, vandalism, and eventually murder. It's uncertain what is actually behind the crimes making it a captivating puzzler. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the humor. I am still laughing at what happened at the tea party. I also love the relationship between April and Nick and the new romance that develops later in the book. I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds Jake Frost hot.

While the third Mrs. Claus Mystery is great fun, there are also some serious themes at work, primarily love, friendship, and dedication. When push comes to shove everyone rallies together for the common good. The heart found within the story makes it more than just humorous fantasy. There are serious themes here as well as the honest good will found amongst its characters.

MRS. CLAUS AND THE EVIL ELVES is a holiday mystery jam packed with action and fun. So grab your cocoa and get ready for a rip roaring sing a long as the joy of Christmas surrounds you.

Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold - A Review

 Review

 

MRS. MORRIS AND THE POT OF GOLD by Traci Wilton
The Sixth Salem B & B Mystery

 

It's St. Patrick's Day in Salem and Charlene is bringing all of her B&B guests out to celebrate. Although the reservations are muddled and the woman in charge seems a bit overwhelmed everyone seems to be having a good time. That is until a drunk relative of the organizer forces his way in and makes a scene. Determined to ignore him, Charlene has fun with her guests until the event ends. A scarf left by one of her guests leads Charlene back inside only to be pushed aside by someone in a hoodie as she discovers the family black sheep on the floor. At least no one is dead...yet. 

 

I love mysteries set around the holidays. While Christmas and Halloween themed ones are great, I appreciate when an author picks a less popular holiday. I was excited to discover the sixth Salem B & B Mystery is set during St. Patrick's Day! I enjoyed learning about the Irish influence in Salem as well as meeting new characters, the Gallagher and O'Brien families as well as the new B & B guests. I was especially amused at Charlene's attempt to make friends with the one guest who refused to be part of her happy hospitality family.

The mystery was complex with lots of familial undertones, in both the major plot and subplots as well. The sheer number of family members, all of whom could be suspects, added to the intrigue and the complexity. I always enjoy the rapport between Charlene and Jack and love how they work together to puzzle out the mystery.

 

Corned beef and cabbage, a creepy leprechaun, and family dynamics make MRS. MORRIS AND THE POT OF GOLD fantastic holiday mystery.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril. This book is the first in the Killer Chocolate Mystery series and was released yesterday.

In the small town of Harriston, Montana everyone knows everyone else's business. Jane Burrows, who loves true crime and horticulture, has a habit of watching true crime shows and accusing townsfolk of being the wanted murderer. Though everyone scoffs, this time she's certain that a killer is hiding amongst them. Confiding in her friend Alex Wright, the co-owner of Murder and Mayhem, the towns bookstore and chocolate shop, Jane insists Alex come over to see the show. When Alex arrives, however, she finds Jane's body...murdered. Who could have killed the sweet older lady? Everyone loved her, or did they? Could Jane have been right, is there a murderer in town desperate to keep their identity a secret? Or was there another reason to want Jane dead? Between running her bookstore, helping her twin create poison themed chocolates, and preparing for Christmas, Alex will also try to find a killer!