April 9th's Waiting on Wednesday

It's Wednesday, and that means it is time for Waiting on Wednesday.

This week's book is The Pickled Piper by Mary Ellen Hughes.

This is the first in the Pickled and Preserved Mysteries.  A part of it sounds like a traditional first mystery as the main character, Piper, is opening her a new store in her hometown.  This time, it's a pickling and preserving store.  And her boyfriend is going to get into a fight with a man who then turns up dead, giving her a reason to investigate.  However, there's a reason I read so many books like this - I find them fun.  That's why I can't wait to read it.

The book will be published on May 6th, and I'll have a review up by then since I just got an ARC in the mail.

April 2nd's Waiting on Wednesday

I've waited a long time for this book.

And what book is this?  This is Poached by Stuart Gibbs.  He is finally going back and giving us a sequel to his first middle grade mystery, Belly Up.  Not that he's been slacking in that time.  He's published 5 other books, including a complete trilogy.  I've loved them, too.  But I was always hoping for a sequel to that first book.

As I said, this series is a middle grade mystery set at FunJungle.  Think of a zoo as done by Disney with lots of animals and lots of attractions as well.  I don't know anything about the book outside of the cover and title, but I still can't wait to read it.  Not that I have long to wait since it comes out on April 8th

And that's this week's Waiting on Wednesday.

March 26th's Waiting on Wednesday

Where is my head?  I almost forgot it was time for Waiting on Wednesday.

This week's book is Blue Sea Burning by Geoff Rodkey.

This is the third book in his middle grade series The Chronicles of Egg.  They are set in a fanciful world, but one without magic (if that makes any sense).  They follow a young boy nicknamed Egg who is thrust on an extraordinary adventure where he must struggle to stay alive while trying to avenge his family.

This third book?  Well, there's not much I can get into that won't spoil the surprises of the first two books, so I'm not even going to try.  But please go and read them because they are absolutely delightful.

The book comes out on April 3rd, so not too much longer to wait until I can find out what exactly happens next to Egg.  Considering how the last book ended, I have a feeling it's going to be a fun and wild ride.

March 19th's Waiting on Wednesday

Being Wednesday, it must be time for Waiting on Wednesday.  This week, I'm looking at Bloom and Doom by Beverly Allen.

This book is the first in a new Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery series.  The main character, Audrey Bloom, finds herself involved in a murder when her best friend's fiancee is murdered.

This is a new author, so I'm going into this book based solely on a couple of reviews I've read.  However, they praised the book for the great characters and strong plot.  They made it so irresistible I decided to read it.

Like I need another series to try to keep up with.

The book will be out April 1st, so not too long to wait.

March 12th's Waiting on Wednesday

Greetings and welcome to this week's Waiting on Wednesday.  Over in my little corner of the web, this week I'm waiting for Ghost of a Gamble by Sue Ann Jaffarian, the fourth in the Ghost of Granny Apples series.

I don't normally do paranormal with my mystery, but for this series I made an exception because Sue Ann has become a friend.  I'm glad I did because it really is fun.

The series features Emma Whitecastle who discovered her ability to see and talk with ghosts after her great-great-grandmother, Granny Apples, made contact.  Together, the two help ghosts solve mysteries that are connected to the past and the present.  The characters are good, but none better than Granny herself who is a hoot as she indulges in modern things like TV.

This book will feature a case set in Las Vegas and involving the Vegas of the 1950's.  As usual, I'm keeping myself away from too much information about the book until I sit down to read it.

While this is book four in the series, it also represents the first book to be published by Berkley Prime Crime.  The previous three were published by Midnight Ink.

The book comes out April 1st (no, I'm not fooling), and you can bet I will be diving into it soon after.

March 5th's Waiting (Impatiently) on Wednesday

It's time for this week's Waiting on Wednesday.  This week, I've got a book I just found out about a couple days ago, but I am already counting the days.

That's right, an all new mystery based on the TV show Veronica Mars entitled The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line.

Yes, I loved the show a decade ago when it was on TV, and I spent January doing a monster marathon rewatching session to get ready for the movie that comes out in a week and a half.  I'd heard a rumor that they were thinking about putting out some books as well, and I stumbled on this at Amazon over the weekend.  I will be ready to read it when it comes out.

I am trying to stay away from too much info about the book (and the movie), so I just know it sounds like many of the series regulars are in the book.

I won't have long to wait since the book will be out in just three weeks on March 25th.

February 26th's Waiting on Wednesday

Time for this week's Waiting on Wednesday.

This week's choice is Inherit the Word by Daryl Wood Gerber.  This is the second in her Cookbook Nook Mysteries.

The main character in this series runs a cookbook shop with her aunt in a small coastal California town.  This book revolves around a grilling competition that the cookbook shop is helping host.  When a contestant gets murdered, the main character jumps in to find the killer.

However, I'm looking forward to it for another reason.  The first book ended with a cliffhanger involving the main characters personal life.  I need to know what happens next with that.

Fortunately, I don't have too much longer to wait since the book comes out in just 6 days on March 4th.

February 18th's Waiting on Wednesday

Welcome to Wednesday and this week's Waiting on Wednesday.

This week, I'm taking a break from waiting for mysteries and instead and going to spotlight a YA fantasy story.  Let the Storm Break is the second book in a fantasy series by Shannon Messenger.  The main characters can control the wind, and their race is in a civil war with them being the focal point.  Naturally, all of humanity hangs in the balance.  There are secrets.  There is strong romance.  And there is lots of danger.

I read the first book last year and absolutely loved it.  I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.  Trust me, my description doesn't do the book justice.  You will get swept away (pun intended) in this story.

This book comes out March 4th, which still gives you plenty of time to read the first book, Let the Sky Fall.

Waiting on Wednesday for February 12th

It's Wednesday!  And, that means it is time for another Waiting on Wednesday.

This week, I'm highlighting The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg.

Now, I don't normally read Janet Evanovich (which is shocking since I like light comedic mysteries), but I've been a fan of Lee Goldberg for a while.  I realize that is backwards in how most people are coming to this series, but there you go.

Anyway, this series focuses on an FBI agent and a con man who team up to take down other criminals.  Yes, there is a huge element of White Collar to it, however the stage for these books takes them all over the world.  And, since the FBI agent is a woman and the con man is a man, we've got romantic sparks as well.

This time around, they are racing the clock to steal back a Chinese artifact stolen from the Smithsonian by a former White House Chief of Staff before the theft becomes public and an international incident ensues.  Sounds like lots of fun to me.

And we don't have long to wait since the book will be out on February 25th.

February 5th's Waiting on Wednesday

Since it is Wednesday, it is time once again for Waiting on Wednesday.

This week, I'm spotlighting Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke.

This is the latest in the Hannah Swensen mystery series.  That means that the murder victim will be found next to one of Hannah's newest creations - in this case a blackberry pie.  There will be tons of recipes, some cookies since Hannah owns a cookie shop, definitely the blackberry pie, and probably a hot dish or other type of recipe.

Looking for more than that?  Hannah is the one in the cross hairs after she accidentally hits a stranger in a thunderstorm.  Who was he?  Would he have died before the accident?  And all this just as the local paper was announcing how long it had been since Hannah stumbled over the last dead body.  Plus Hannah is in charge as her mother gets remarried.  Plenty of fun to be had in the latest adventure to be sure.

And I won't have long to wait.  The book comes out at the end of this month on the 25th.

Waiting on Wednesday for January 29th

It's been a couple of months, but I'm back with another Waiting on Wednesday.

This week's book is City of Darkness and Light, the latest Molly Murphy mystery by Rhys Bowen.

This is a historical mystery series set in the very early 1900's.  Usually the action takes place in New York City, but this book will find Molly and her new baby need to get out of town, so they are heading to stay with Molly's dear friends Sid and Gus.  Sid and Gus just happen to be staying in Paris soaking up the artist scene over there.  It sounds great since the mob might be coming after Molly's husband Daniel since he just arrested some big members.

However, when Molly and her baby get to Paris, they find themselves in just as much danger.  And since Sid and Gus aren't around, Molly is on her own in a new city.

I love this city because it is a time machine.  From page one until I reach the end, I'm 100 years in the past.  I'll miss New York City this time around, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens to Molly in Paris.

The book's release date is March 4th, but I'm lucky enough to have gotten an ARC, so my review will be up in two or three weeks.  Stay tuned to see what I thought.

Waiting on Wednesday for December 11th

It's been a while since I've done Waiting on Wednesday.  But I've got some books I'm looking forward to in the next couple of months, so let's get to it.

This week, let's look at Killing Cupid by Laura Levine.

This is the latest in her Jaine Austen mystery series.  Jaine is a freelance writer who is always struggling to make enough to support her Chunky Monkey habit not to mention her very spoiled cat Prozac.

In this Valentine's Day outing, Jaine has gone to work for an on line dating website, but all is not as it seems when she learns her new boss is a demanding task master who lies about the site itself to the public.  When her boss turns up dead and Jaine becomes a suspect, she must clear her name.

I haven't mentioned yet that these are humorous mysteries.  Laura used to write for sitcoms, and she injects that humor into the books.  I always laugh my way through them while I attempt to solve the case before Jaine does.

The book comes out on December 31st.  Each book stands alone, so feel free to jump in here or with one of Jaine's earlier books that sound like fun.  They are all worth it.

October 30th's Waiting on Wednesday

After a couple of week off, I'm back with another Waiting on Wednesday.

This week's book is Second-Hand Stiff by Sue Ann Jaffairan.

This is the latest book in the Odelia Grey mystery series.  Odelia is a plus-sized middle age paralegal who just happens to find dead bodies everywhere she goes.  This time around, she's looking for a break from a hectic Thanksgiving when she goes with a cousin to a storage auction only to find a body in with all the goods being auctioned off.

I started reading this series back in 2009, and I really love it.  The books are filled with humor and fun while still packing good mysteries and some pretty well developed characters.

The book officially comes out December 8th, but most of the books from this publisher seem to arrive early.  I've got mine pre-ordered and I'm hoping to have it to read pretty close to the Thanksgiving setting.

October 2nd's Waiting on Wednesday

Hi and welcome to this week's Waiting on Wednesday.  Today's book (at least here) is Duck the Halls by Donna Andrews.

This is a Christmas themed book in the long running Meg Langslow series.  I think we're on book 15 or so.  But don't worry, the books pretty much stand on their own.

The series is a comedic mystery series.  Yes, there is a murder that Meg solves, but the people, including her own family, that she deals with are always funny.  I laugh as I enjoy the ride.

Donna's books are automatic buys and usually near the front of my To Be Read Mountain Range when I get them.  I'll wait on this one until December instead of as soon as I get it after the October 22nd release date, so I'm sure to be in the Christmas mood.

This is the second Christmas mystery in the series, and the first, Six Geese a Slaying, was a hoot.  This will be the first one since Meg's twins were born, and I bet they will add a fun layer to the story.  For them alone, I can't wait to read this one.

September 25th's Waiting on Wednesday

It's time again for Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Today's pick from me is one that I'm sure lots of people have included - The House of Hades by Rick Riordan.

Now this comes despite the fact that I was less than impressed with The Mark of Athena.  I like his books, but there is a formula to them, and I thought that one was more formulaic than most.  Still, between that cliffhanger and needing to know what happens next to Percy and his friends anyway, I'm looking forward to the next chapter in his story.

The book is will be out in just a couple of weeks on October 8th.

September 18th's Waiting on Wednesday

Welcome to the mid-point of the week and this week's Waiting on Wednesday.  This week's book is The Chocolate Book Bandit.

This book is the 13th book in the Chocoholic Mysteries, a light and fluffy cozy series.  The main character and her aunt run a gourmet chocolate shop in a resort community on the shores of Lake Michigan.

These books are always easy reads.  I sail through them.  But the plots are always engaging and the characters are always fun.  I really do liken them to chocolate.  Not necessarily that good for you, but perfectly delightful and well worth the calories.

Speaking of which, these books don't have recipes in them (a change for the genre), but they do have chocolate trivia.

I always feel the need to have some chocolate on hand when I read these books.  Nothing fancy like they sell in the shop, but enough to satisfy the cravings that always develop.

The Chocolate Book Bandit comes out in a couple of weeks on October 1st.

And as long as I have your attention, if you are looking for a light, no pressure reading challenge for the Fall, be sure to check out Fall Into Reading 2013, which starts on Sunday.  No, I'm not hosting, but I am participating, so come back on Sunday to see my list.

September 4th Waiting on Wednesday

Welcome to this week's Waiting on Wednesday.  And please tell me I'm not the only one who is out of whack thanks to this being a short week after a long weekend.  Those always throw me off.  But believe me, I'll take it.

Anyway, the book I'm talking about this week is Deadly Heat.  And it's a very different TV Tie-In.  If you aren't familiar with the TV show Castle, it revolves around a fictional writer, Richard Castle, who is following a police detective, Kate Beckett, around to get inspiration for the new mystery series he is writing.  He has based his new character, Nikki Heat, on Beckett.

Somewhere along the way, someone decided the books should really come out.  Deadly Heat is the fifth book in the series, which is no surprise since we just finished season 5 of the show.  These books are always a blast since they use bits and pieces from the various episodes of the season as little inside jokes for the fans.  I'm sure there are jokes I miss, but I love the ones I get.  The characters are also obviously based on the main characters on the show.  For example, Castle has written himself in the books as a writer named Rook.

I'll also be curious to read this one since the last book actually foreshadowed something that happened in season five.  I will be looking for any hints like that about season six.

Deadly Heat goes on sale on September 17th, and I've got my copy pre-ordered.  Watch for the review soon after that.

And, really, if you enjoy lighthearted mysteries, be sure to check out Castle.  Here's my review of Season 1.

August 28th's Waiting on Wednesday

It's Wednesday, so that means it's time for Waiting on Wednesday as hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This week, I'm featuring Exile, the second Keeper of the Lost Cities novel by Shannon Messenger.

The first book found Sophie discovering her life wasn't real and she was really an elf.  In fact, there is a whole other world filled with magic hidden around the world we know, and she's part of it.  But she also has powers she will need to develop quickly because there is danger in her new realm, and she is a key to stopping it.

Yeah, the premise might sound familiar, but trust me, the series heads off in some new and exciting directions.  And the characters are absolutely wonderful.

But I'm reviewing the first book.  That's partially because I don't know much about the second.  I'm trying to stay as spoiler free as I can.  But trust me on this, as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of this book, I will dive back into Sophie's world.

Exile is aimed at a middle grade audience and is available October 1st

August 21st - Waiting on Wednesday

Welcome to Wednesday and Waiting on Wednesday.  This weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine gives us a chance to highlight a book coming soon we're looking forward to reading.

And this week, I'm highlighting NERDS: Book Five: Attack of the BULLIES by Michael Buckley.

This is a middle grade fantasy spy comedy of sorts.  It is the final book about a group of kids who have been given upgrades that make their former weaknesses into special powers they can use to fight criminals all over the world.

I really can't say too much without giving away some twists from the last book, but let's just say there was a good cliffhanger and I'm wondering how he can wrap things up in one book.  Since he did it with The Sisters Grimm series, I'm sure he can do it here.

If you've missed this series, you're really missing out.  Read them all and pass them on to the kids in your life.  They'll enjoy them, too.  Here's my review of the first one, simply called NERDS.

Waiting on Wednesday for July 24th

Good morning.  I'm participating in Waiting on Wednesday, a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine where we talk about books we're currently waiting to get published.

Of course, a couple that would be on my list for the next few weeks I've read thanks to ARCs I've gotten.

Anyway, this week, I'm waiting for Tell No Lies by Gregg Hurwitz.

The description at Amazon reads:

A series of anonymous threats intended for others puts a man—and everyone he loves—in the path of a relentless killer

Daniel Brasher has always been something of a disappointment to his old-money aristocratic San Francisco mother. Daniel left his high-paying job as a money manager to marry his community organizer wife and work at a job he loves, leading group counseling sessions with recently paroled ex-cons. Now he’s ready to move on and start a private practice.

But before he leaves, he finds an envelope in his department mailbox—one intended for someone else that was placed in his slot by accident. Inside it is an unsigned piece of paper, a note that says only “admit what you’ve done or you will bleed for it. you have 'til november 15 at midnite.” The deadline has already passed and the person to whom the envelope was addressed was brutally murdered. But this first warning is only the beginning.

Soon, Daniel finds more warnings in his office mail, to people that the police cannot track down, and to victims that cannot be saved. Daniel's efforts, however, have alerted the killer to his involvement and next he gets a threat of his own. Now, with the clock ticking, Daniel—with no clue what he’s supposed to have done or to what action he must confess—must somehow appease, or outwit, a seemingly unstoppable killer.

I'm not normally a thriller guy, but I do enjoy Gregg's books quite a bit.  Of course, I still haven't read his last one.  I like to read them when I know I'll have lots of time since I never want to put the book down.  That hasn't happened quite yet.

I also find it interesting that this book is set in San Francisco since most of his books are set in Los Angeles.

The book comes out August 20th.