Party Planning Can Be Murder - Early Book Review

 

Party Planning Can Be Murder: A Party Planner Mystery

by Kerry Schafer/Kerry Anne King

What is it about:

Wish List: pick up my pills from the pharmacy, plan my party, be there when I die…

Despite a few harrowing incidents with nervy Bridezillas, Addy Winters’ small town party planning business has been murder free – until now. But then, she’s never before been hired to throw a star-studded after-death party for a client who has their death scheduled on their calendar.

When Leno Masterson—former classmate, now legendary rocker with a flair for drama—turns up dead four days earlier than he’d planned, Addy suspects that someone helped him along. Sure, he left a melodramatic goodbye letter and his right-to-die paperwork is all in order, but even when the coroner rules natural causes, Addy isn’t buying it.

Addy’s family and friends – and Leno’s smolderingly hot brother Owen – warn her that she’s diving in over her head, and they’re right. She’s woefully unprepared for either the media onslaught or the secrets the people she thought she knew are hiding. But nothing is going to stop her from getting justice for Leno – and throwing a killer party while she’s at it.

If you love your mysteries with humor, heart, and a side of romance, this is your next must-read. Perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan and The Thursday Murder Club!

What did I think of it:

There are some authors you follow to whatever genre they decide to write next. Kerry Schafer is one of those authors. When she switched from Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Thrillers to Women's Fiction as Kerry Anne King, I followed and loved those books as well. Her next release will be by both pen names and is a Murder Mystery!

You bet I jumped on the chance to be an early/ARC reader and let me tell you I devoured this book!

I was drawn in and emotionally invested from the first chapter. I fell in love with Addy and wanted her to succeed in everything she does. (I also thought some very not nice things about her family, apart from her brother and grandmother.)

I was already enjoying myself very much with this story when Leno turns up dead and the mystery begins. And I can tell you: there's tons of things Addy has to figure out to discover what happened to Leno. I couldn't stop reading: I needed to know who or what caused Leno's death.

The writing (as with every book Kerry has written) is so good in my opinion. There's lots of humorous situations and the writing fits those perfectly.  

Voodoo Bride wants me to mention Owen: according to her Owen was the dreamiest and coolest character in the book. I myself can't say if he is indeed the dreamiest, but he for sure was a character I really didn't want to see ending up as the killer.

I'm not going to spoil the ending of course, but you can bet I want more books in what I hope will become a long series. I'll also grab the print version to hug and reread once this releases next month.

Why should you read it:

It's an awesome Mystery read!

Expected publication: March 11, 2025

Teaser Tuesdays - The Spellshop

 

Kiela never thought the flames would reach the library. She was dimly aware that most of the other librarians had fled weeks ago, when the revolutionaries took the palace and defenestrated the emperor in a rather dramatic display.

(page 1, The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Wizard of the Pigeons - Book Review

 

Wizard of the Pigeons

by Megan Lindholm/Robin Hobb

What is it about:

Seattle: a place as magical as the Emerald City. Subtle magic seeps through the cracks in the paving stones of the sprawling metropolis. But only the inhabitants who possess special gifts are open to the city's consciousness; finding portents in the graffiti, reading messages in the rubbish or listening to warnings in the skipping-rope chants of children.

Wizard is bound to Seattle and her magic. His gift is the Knowing -- a powerful enchantment allowing him to know the truth of things; to hear the life-stories of ancient mummies locked behind glass cabinets, to receive true fortunes from the carnival machines, to reveal to ordinary people the answers to their troubles and to safeguard the city's equilibrium. The magic has its price; Wizard must never have more than a dollar in his pocket, must remain celibate, and he must feed and protect the pigeons.

But a threat to Seattle has begun to emerge in the portents. A malevolent force born of Wizard's forgotten past has returned to prey upon his power and taunt him with images of his obscure history; and he is the only wizard in Seattle who can face the evil and save the city, his friends and himself.

What did I think of it:

This is a reread. First time reading it has to be between 2001 and 2009 somewhere. 

I borrowed it and now finally have my own copy.

And even though I mainly remembered atmosphere and vibes, this is indeed as beautiful a read as I remember. The writing is beautiful and vivid, painting a clear picture of a Seattle full of magic. This is as much an ode to the whimsical history and hidden places of this city (which I hope are all real) as it is a powerful, emotional story about a man who when down on his luck discovers he's a wizard.

I loved Wizard, and I could understand him when things start getting dicey and he stumbles. I will say I had forgotten about one character he encounters, and how super annoying I found this character, but it all fits perfectly. 

It was wonderful to revisit and rediscover this story, and you bet I will reread this again, especially now that I have this beautiful copy of it on my Keeper shelves.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautifully written and emotional read.

On McPig's wishlist - Night's Master

  

Night's Master (Flat Earth  #1)

by Tanith Lee

A DARK FANTASY CLASSIC: 18 seductive stories inspired by fairy tales, mythology, and the Arabian Nights, starring Azhrarn, Prince of Demons.

“Storytelling at its best and fantasy in its purest and strongest essence”—(SFSite)!

Rediscover master fantasist and World Fantasy Award winner Tanith Lee’s classic dark fantasy series, Tales from the Flat Earth, where demons and gods grant wonders and wreak havoc. Visit the Upperearth, where dwell the gods; the Underearth, the realm of nightmarish demons; the Innerearth, domain of the dead; and the Flat Earth itself, the home of mortals.

Supreme amongst them all is the demon god Azhrarn, Night’s Master, whose deadly whims could change the lives of those in the Flat Earth. Azhrarn holds in his heart a mystery which could alter the very existence of the Flat Earth forever.

Nominated for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, the first Flat Earth epic fantasy introduces a fascinating world reminiscent of the Arabian Nights.

The Chaos Weaver - Book Review

 

The Chaos Weaver (The Chaos Chronicles #1)

by Aubrey Winters

What is it about:

A dragon took my brother.

I’m going to get him back.

My entire world changes when a scheme-gone-wrong results in my brother being taken by a dragon.

I’ve followed them into a strange and dangerous world filled with magic and enemies, but its handsome king has promised to help me hone powers I never knew I had.

Can he help me find my brother, or will I lose my heart—and everything I ever knew—in the process?

What did I think of it:

So on social media the author was giving people the opportunity to sign up for an Advance Reader Copy. At her mention of necromancy and a mysterious king, I immediately signed up. And I got an ARC!

This is a really cool read!

I loved Everly from the start. She and her twin brother had a bad start in life and are surviving by conning people and stealing. I didn't really like her brother, but to Everly he is the world. So I could understand she follows and wants to do anything to get him back when a dragon drags him off to another world.

I really enjoyed getting to know this other world together with Everly. She immediately lands in trouble, manages to get out of it, to fall in the next mess. At times she is a bit too trusting, but as the world she landed in has very different rules and she's on her own for the first time in her life, I could understand .

And then there's the mysterious king! 

Without giving away too much I can tell you he was my favorite character (although long time blog followers might be fearing for his life now, I know I do). 

The ending although not a complete cliffhanger was exciting, leaving lots of questions, and made me hungry for more!

I might need to get this in print when it releases (ebook releases January 31st, go preorder!), and I already got a book from another series by this author to try soon.

Why should you read it:

Necromancy and a Mysterious King!

Need I say more?!

Teaser Tuesdays - The Queen's Blade

 

Our realm, splintered and broken, yearned to be united under a single ruler. The Witches may have won and put one of their own on the throne, but even they had suffered.

(page 1, The Queen's Blade by Evelyn Ward)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Teller of Small Fortunes - Book Review

 

The Teller of Small Fortunes

by Julie Leong

What is it about:

Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences…

Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat.

Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.

What did I think of it:

This is such a good read!

I will confess I fell in love with the cover, and that's why I bought tis book. It turned out to be a Cozy Fantasy: as if your read is giving you a hug by being mostly nice, comforting, and happy.

I loved Tao and the people she meets and befriends. Especially Mash, the ex-mercenary is so awesome (and bearded mostly, although he should stop shaving entirely Voodoo Bride wants me to add).

There are of course some stakes to keep everyone moving, but I never worried, trusting that this book wouldn't disappoint me by suddenly being mean to me. 

All in all a wonderful read, and I immediately bought an extra copy to gift a good friend for her birthday (because nobody gets to borrow mine!).

Why should you read it:

Cozy Fantasy! So nice and huggable!