Hi there, guys and dolls! Hope the new year is treating you right. I thought I would start out the year with a few reviews from some of my fellow Cozy Cat Press authors. Although it’s a summary of some reviews I have posted in the past year or so, they may be new to you and give you some great entertainment on the long winter evenings, or refresh your to read list if you haven’t gotten to them yet. Just click on the title and/or cover to be taken directly to their Kindle link, meaning you don’t even have to get up (unless it’s to refresh your hot buttered rum). I’ll have another if you are making one. Thanks!

ROLLER RUBOUT by Joyce Oroz –
“You put your right foot in
You put your right foot out
You put your right foot in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about”
Well that’s enough of that! Yours truly knows that’s ‘not’ what ROLLER RUBOUT, the latest installment in the Josephine Stuart mysteries, is all about. I was jumpy and downright scared as I read nervously along in some parts of this story. Someone is trying to scare Jo and others away from discovering the truth and digging up the past. I’d say they were doing a good job, making it difficult to sort out the facts from the fiction.
There’s murals, murder and many mysterious events! Jo even has a new house guest who is proving to be a handful, however her Bassett Solow is much taken with the little terror. A romantic tiff between Josephine and her main squeeze David adds tension, when he makes it very clear that he does not like her sleuthing and putting herself in danger’s path. In steps Officer Fishburn, who seems to have taken a shine to Jo and one begins to wonder if this handsome man will come between our heroine and her beau. I will let you know if any scoop comes my way, but for now relax, read, and enjoy ROLLER RUBOUT.
Bottoms-up to Joyce Oroz, the Hokey Pokey and roller derby queens everywhere!

DEATHBED & BREAKFAST by Bart J. Gilbertson – Welcome to Pleasant Lake, Oregon where hospitality is the first order of business. When thinking about the friendliness of the town, the first two ladies that come to mind are the Pookotz Sisters, Edna and Mildred who run their family bed and breakfast by the lake. If you stop by for the night you are sure to get a fine home cooked meal served up by Felix the head cook, waiter, and a funny, hard of hearing old coot to boot. There are old fashioned board games in the parlor, and it appears there may be games being played outside and in dark corners. There’s whispers of romance and death in the air, take a deep breath and read if you dare…
It’s a full house with a cast of characters that rivals the best round of “Clue” yours truly has ever played. Everyone’s there for their own reason, with their own motive, so watch out!
Be sure to bring your flash light, a thermos with a hot toddy of course, tuck yourself up in your favorite blanket and begin. Author Bart J. Gilbertson, the lovely Pookotz Sisters, their staff and the townsfolk of Pleasant Lake are inviting you to turn the pages for your own good. See, I knew you would! Find out what mischief and mayhem is afoot. I know yours truly can’t wait for her next visit to this charming little town and all its inhabitants.

THE BLACK DOG by Glen Ebisch – Now I know what you might be thinking, what harm could a cute, cuddly little black dog do? Yours truly is here to tell you plenty! When Marcie Ducasse investigative reporter turned amateur sleuth is called to look into a mysterious death in the wilds of New England, it turns out that there’s much more going on than first appears.
When climbing West Peak the Black Dog you do not want to see for it is said that if you do, an ill wind blows your way. Was the death of Jerome Kronenberg a supernatural event or a deed most foul? Danger and disaster are around every corner for Marcie and her colleague Simon in their investigation of this particular matter. The locals it appears have their reasons for not mourning the loss of the deceased and they are certainly not happy that Marcie is digging around in their business especially as she gets closer to the truth or uncovers any of their secrets. Will Marcie fall victim to the little Black Dog or will she discover the truth before more people meet with a fatal end? Be sure to curl up with a warm cup of tea with a little extra drop of something that will take away the chill that is sure to run down your spine as you are reading Glen Ebisch’s latest installment in his Marcie and Amanda mysteries. Be careful when you are climbing peaks, you don’t want to find yourself tumbling down into danger or death!

TIARA TROUBLE by Lane Buckman – Yours truly is certain that amateur sleuths everywhere will be wanting a sparkly head piece too, after they read Tiara Trouble by Lane Buckman. Destinee Faith is a real firecracker of a southern lady. Not only is she a super sleuth, but a well poised young gal to boot. She’s sure to have all of her little ‘dolls’ ready for the upcoming pageant and solve the case even if it’s the last things she’ll ever do. With humor, beauty tips, sparkles, a dash of romance, and pageant winning poise Destinee Faith will change her fortunes and save beauty pageants everywhere from extinction. You’re sure to be in the pink when you read this sparkling story from the pen of Ms.Buckman. So pour the bubbly, put up you perfectly polished toes and enjoy. I know I am ready for a tiara if there’s a pageant waiting to be won. Be careful though, you never know what kind of trouble it might bring!

WEDDING WIPEOUT by Jacob M. Appel – What happens when two rabbis investigate the suspicious death of an elderly Jewish lady? It would seem that the Eisenstein sisters Lorraine and Florence have had nothing but trouble throughout their lives and it doesn’t appear to be getting any better in their so-called ‘golden years’ .
When Florence decides to get married, all of their estranged family members are invited to attend the wedding and there’s a mysterious murder. The bride dies and more than one person believes it’s not just from asthma attack. Rabbi Jacob Kappelmacher and Rabbi Rudolph Steinmetz — his trusted side-kick who is also the perfect narrator for this tale full of family secrets and betrayals are asked to investigate.
Kappelmacher believes that there is a rational explanation for everything. The guilty party whoever they are will be found even if it takes eating a pastrami on rye in every Jewish deli within the community and interviewing all of the quirky cousins, nieces, nephews, husbands, lawyers, and doctors then so be it. The whole Jewish community and the family are scrutinized to find the ‘rational’ explanation and solve the case.
Yours truly is just a shiksah who can’t say no to a good mystery! Mazel tov to this tale of marriage, murder, and mayhem by Jacob Appel. Be sure to add a little something to your next egg-cream, I know I will. I’ll be toasting Kappelmacher and Steinmetz my two favorite rabbis whose next investigation I’m definitely looking forward to!

Toodles,

Barbara Jean