Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion

Since I'm new to the group, and didn't do too well with my challenges last year, I am going to start with Level 1. The paranormal, British and Historical mysteries are out of my normal reading, but it will be a good experience I hope!! May open whole new worlds for me!!
UPDATE: Since I didn't do well last year with any of my reading challenges, I decided to up my game so I am going start out by trying level 2. I used to read at least 2 books a week, I'd love to get back to that. Going to not engage in social media as much as I have been in the last couple of years.

- One from culinary (anything dealing with food: restaurants, baked goods, etc.)
*ECLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER BY LAURA BRADFORD. Finished 1/16/17
- One from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
*MURDER PAST DUE BY MIRANDA JAMES. FINISHED 6/30/17
- One from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
- One from paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)
*IF YOU'VE GOT IT HAUNT IS BY ROSE PRESSEY-finished 5/26/17
- One from British cozy mysteries (example: Belinda Lawrence series)
*CLOCHE AND DAGGER BY JENN MCKINLAY-Finished 07/06/17
- One career-based cozy mystery (housekeeping, wedding planner, etc.)
*RHYTHM & CLUES BY SUE ANN JAFFARIAN (Paralegal)-finished 3/4
- One holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
*WEDDING CAKE KILLER (Christmas/New Year's) BY LIVIA WASHBURN -finished 6/12
- One travel mystery (character could be on a cruise, touring another area, etc.)
*DARK WATERS BY SUSAN ROGERS COOPER-finished 11/12
- One historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- One is your choice! (freebie!)
*KERNEL OF TRUTH BY KRISTI ABBOTT-finished 9/20

1. Iced Under by Barbara Ross-finished 2/11
2. A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer-finished 2/26
3.Tangled Up In Brew by Joyce Tremel-finished 3/12
4. Rosemary and Crime by Gail Oust-finished 3/19
5. Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany-finished 4/16
6. Silence of the Flans by Laura Bradford-finished 5/11
7. Kill 'Em With Cayenne by Gail Oust-finished 6/4
8. Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson-finished 7/16
9. Board Stiff by Elaine Viets-finished 8/13
10. Cinnamon Toasted by Gail Oust-finished 9/12

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Welcome. So glad you joined us. Looking forward to seeing what you read. If you jeed any help with what to read for genres go to www.cozy-mystery.com

Britney...I love that website!

I refer to it quite often if I'm sure if somethings considered a cozy.

Welcome Tonya! Have fun!

Yvonne wrote: "Welcome Tonya! Have fun!"
Thanks for letting me switch!

Tonya wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "Welcome Tonya! Have fun!"
Thanks for letting me switch!"

Not a problem, Tonya!

I haven't taken the time to review the books, but so far my favorites and the ones I would highly recommend are:
*Éclair and Present Danger-fantastic debut, getting ready to read the second book
*Iced Under and Rhythm and Clues are from 2 of my favorite series
*Tangled Up and Brew-This is by far my favorite new series!

I enjoyed Rosemary and Crime, and will read others in the series.
A Spoonful of Murder and Elementary, She Read were okay...will read the next ones in the series, but won't be surprised if I don't continue with them.

Just finished . This is the second of the series and a great read. Can't wait for the 3rd book!

Just finished . Who did it and why was pretty evident, but the story was so much fun it didn't matter. Will definitely read more from this author.

Finished . Figured out the who about half way through, but didn't understand the why until the end. Second book in the series, and am enjoying it so far.

Finished . I haven't read a book in this series in a couple of years. I forgot what a good series this is. This was a great book. I had NO clue who the murderer was.

Tonya wrote: "Finished . I haven't read a book in this series in a couple of years. I forgot what a good series this is. This was a great book. I had NO clue who the murde..."

I love this series and this one is a particular favorite. I'm so glad that she'll be writing more!

Dagny wrote: "That happens to me sometimes, Tonya. I get busy and sort of forget - then wonder what happened, lol."

Dagny..the problem is there are SO many great series out there now, it's so hard to keep up. When I started reading what is now known as 'cozies' 20 years ago, there were only half a dozen or so 'must-read' authors and series. Now trying to keep up with all of them is a full-time job. One I'd be happy to get paid to do...lol.

Joanne wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Dagny wrote: "That happens to me sometimes, Tonya. I get busy and sort of forget - then wonder what happened, lol."

Dagny..the problem is there are SO many great series out there now..."

I so agree with your comment, Joanne. Some are good, and some are pretty bad.

Just finished . LOVED this book. I was reading it for an online cozy book club I am in. I didn't get it finished in time for the discussion, but really glad I finished it. I will definitely read others in the series.

Tonya wrote: "Just finished . LOVED this book. I was reading it for an online cozy book club I am in. I didn't get it finished in time for the discussion, but really glad I fin..."

I've read the first two in this series and enjoyed them. I'm glad you reminded me, since I wanted to read more in the series!

I've never read that series, but I know a lot of people like it.

I really enjoyed the book especially since the MC is male. I found that different in a cozy. I hope to read book #2 and #3 soon.

Finished this morning. The only word I can think of is FUN!! Fun read, fun characters, fun story!!! I am kicking myself I waited so long to read this book!
The Cupcake Bakery Mystery series is still my favorite by her, but this is a close second.

Tonya wrote: "Finished this morning. The only word I can think of is FUN!! Fun read, fun characters, fun story!!! I am kicking myself I waited so long to read this book!
T..."

I haven't read this series but I may have to give it a try. Have you read her third series?

Shannon wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Finished this morning. The only word I can think of is FUN!! Fun read, fun characters, fun story!!! I am kicking myself I waited so long to read..."
Shannon....yes I have. Although I like the Library Lovers series it is definitely my least favorite of the three.

Finished . Second in the series. Although it's fairly obvious who the murderer is about half way through, the characters are so likeable it makes it an enjoyable read.

Tonya wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Finished this morning. The only word I can think of is FUN!! Fun read, fun characters, fun story!!! I am kicking myself I waited..."

My favorite series of hers is definitely the cupcake one! I have a hard time reading books set in England/Ireland although I don't know why. Maybe it's time that I give this other series a try.

Finally finished Took me too long to read this book. Been very busy this summer and haven't been reading as much as I normally do (plus I need to not spend so much time on social media). Another good book in the series. It's not one of my must-read series, but I really enjoy the characters and that's what keeps me reading these books.

Finished . This series is a real treat! Had no clue who did it or why until the end. I have been pretty busy this last month and it took me longer than I would have liked to read it, but I can't wait to read the next one.

Finished . I loved this book until I found out who did it. Had a lot of potential, but settled on a lazy ending instead. Not sure I will read another.

This is one of those series that you only get a new release every few years....but it's ALWAYS worth the wait!! It's a little bit of a 'darker' series, really borderline if you would consider it a cozy, but there's never any sex and minimal cursing.

Only 2 books left to finish the challenge!!!

Tonya wrote: "This is one of those series that you only get a new release every few years....but it's ALWAYS worth the wait!! It's a little bit of a 'darker' series, really border..."

Sounds like an interesting series--I've added it to my list!