Sometimes I luck out and find a good free book on the Kindle. Murder in Wonderland, by Leslie Leigh is a great example of this. The first in the Allie Griffin Mysteries series, it features Allie – a plucky widow trying to break into the upper crust of her hometown Verdenier by hosting the local book club in her own home only to have one of the snootiest of the snooty fall over dead in the middle of her Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland themed table.

There are various direct quotes and clever connections to the Alice books through out the story. The main character is obsessed with the book and it shows.

The cast of characters at the book club are all rather interesting, some with some rather sordid pasts. The author (and main character) cleverly align them with people out of the Alice books. It certainly made them stick in the mind more and was a wonderful way to add characteristics to them without having to go into high detail. After when you hear RED QUEEN you don’t exactly think sweet little widow lady.

This book is light on violence, no sexual content and no true profanity… instead Allie will often say the word. Something I found rather humorous and not the least bit annoying.

The mystery is an interesting one and the ending a surprise to me. Which I love. There is a shady police officer but he is more of an annoyance than a major thorn in the side. This is balanced out with another more capable and realistic officer thankfully.

So, literary references, humour, fun characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing! Not bad for a random free read, not bad at all!

At the rate I am enjoying these books I may have to start asking requests! Can you believe it, a library find that is NOT a Christian contemporary romance?? Well, a girl has to wander the stacks once in a while. 50% Off Murder by Josie Belle was a lucky find. The first in the “A Good Buy Girls Mystery” it had me in giggles and on the edge of my seat (though I have to admit I figured out the who did it JUST before the lady of the hour did… widow Maggie Gerber).

Maggie and her friends are frugal pros, for various reasons. In fact, at the end of the book are suggestions for thrifty living. Maggie is an empty nest widow who has moved in her niece and niece’s toddler son while said niece studies for school. Married to a police officer who died early in their marriage in the line of duty she is an independent lady with a feisty spirit. Enter old flame and new sheriff Sam Collins right in time for a local murder in of all places, the local library!

One of Maggie’s friends is arrested for the murder and the hunt is on to prove her innocence. I love the people in this book… there is the boy genius who works at the local ice cream place with multiple degrees, the classic mean girl (Summer) who is out to get Maggie, and a wonderful circle of supportive friends.

I really enjoyed this one. There is a hint of a future romance but neither party gave way to their interest. The mystery is intriguing and the hunt to figure out the culprit keeps you hanging. A bit of a longer read than the light romances I have seemed to amass lately, but all in all a classic cozy mystery for the frugal girl in all of us.

Another library gem… And seasonal to boot… just once again the wrong season. (I will admit I looked no luck on the Halloween Love Inspired books) The Holiday Nanny by Lois Richer is a fun seasonal contemporary romance set (of course) during Christmas. Some of the same elements as previous reviews are there… a child (this time the widow’s daughter), the single woman problems of her own (Connie Ladden on the search for her father who left her to live in a loving foster home suddenly). Don’t forget a grieving step mother (our hero Wes’ step mother) in the mix.

I have a few major loves on this one – the step mother is neither evil nor cruel, she is wounded like the others in this story which is something the writer actually recognizes and incorporates into the story. There are multiple issues in this story to deal with… faith, fear of love, parenting, there is so much to be examined and worked through. So much introspection and a few true mysteries to solve.

I am a huge fan of Christmas romances. And this one did not disappoint. There is a history for each of the characters to explore, love to be recognized and fears to be faced. I will warn you a few more volatile topics are discussed… infidelity, potential of a child being the product of that… abandonment and long term illness as well as multiple accidents.

A bit of a slow burn on this one… but a wonderful romance with a nice healthy dash of faith. Check it out (literally at the library).