Sometimes you just want a quick and fun read. Up to Date by Susan Halter fits the bill perfectly. The 9th book in her Better Date Than Never series it is a fast paced contemporary romance novella about a girl with a dream she has never truly followed and a man that is in the same occupation as her somewhat ruined and disappointing father.

Included is the flighty younger sister, a mother who simply cannot see the reasoning behind taking a leap of blind faith in to a new career and a group of supportive friends. Really a story about letting go and following your dreams and having faith in someone else as well as yourself. I won’t spill anymore since with a novella there is always the worry you will give away the good stuff.

I have, over time, read multiple stories by Susan Hatler from this series HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE (no particular order). Each has been an enjoyable read with light hearted characters and interesting plotlines. This book, specifically, has some limited character growth… and an adorable kitten. If you are looking for a quick read without any sort of blatant sexual content or really profanity this is a good choice for you.

‘A rather timely cozy murder mystery as we have experienced our first canning this year with produce fresh from the garden. Mary Ellen Hughes’ The Pickled Piper is the first book in “A Pickled & Preserved Mystery” series. The main character in this story is Piper who owns her own pickle store. After breaking up with her fiance who has up and decided to travel the world himself, Piper moved to Cloverdale to follow her dream and live near her Aunt Judy and Uncle Frank.

The story begins with the start of the Cloverdale Fair where Piper has her own pickle stand complete with a giant barrel of homemade pickles. Everything seems to be going well until the following morning when Piper finds a local antique store owner dead… in her pickle barrel! With a cast of interesting small town people, some store owners, others friends this book has a wonderful flow to it.

Piper is a strong character with an interesting history. With a handsome Christmas tree farmer visiting occasionally and a murderer on the loose Piper balances pickling things (and suggesting some yummy and unusual items to do so with) with running her business and working to clear the name of her employee’s boyfriend. Nate, a newcomer to the town is a musician who had a run in with the deceased in the middle of the fair is only one of many who did not get along with the rather aggressive man.

This is a great light read. The romance is light, the mystery interesting and the main character a delight. To top it off, included in the back are two pickling recipes and some pickling tips! I would definitely suggest this first in a new series for any lover of cozy mysteries! I look forward to the next book!

Every once in a while I come across a freebie for the Kindle that is absolutely worth stopping and reading. Death Comes to Town by K.J. Emrick was most definitely one of these. This cozy mystery definitely came with a dose of paranormal all based in the small town Misty Hollow. Darcy Sweet has inherited a bookstore: Sweet Read from her great-aunt Millie who haunts her from time to time in a rather friendly, sometimes helpful way. 

One of my favourite characters is Smudge the cat. There is the love interest… new cop in town Jon, the ex-husband Jeff… Darcy’s sister (cop) Grace and more. The murder is early in the novel and relatively low stress. The romance is a wee bit predictable but cute and keeps you interested. I do like the characters in the town. I am personally quite in love with the small town characters you find in cozies. 

There are 7 books in the Darcy Sweet Cozy Mystery series and I for one will be keeping an eye peeled to read more. While not a serious or deep read, Death Comes to Town is a terrific light read to enjoy in a sunny spot on a quiet afternoon. There is romance, mystery, a touch of divination or precognition AND of course the contemporary small town. I would definitely recommend it for a light read!