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The Misfits Of Copper County by May Archer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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I finished reading The Misfits of Copper County last night. It’s the third book in author May Archer’s “Copper County” series of male/male romance. Main characters are investigative journalist Delaney Monroe and contractor Brewer Barnum.

Delaney has been clashing with Brewer over the renovations to his historic home. When he goes to confront Brewer, Delaney accidentally burns the man’s camper home to the ground. Feeling guilty, he insists that Brewer move into his house while its still being renovated, even if that means that Brewer’s giant dog, Teeny, moves in, too. Having Brewer right there, however, is making Delaney reconsider his life choices. He’s used to not putting down roots, but something about Brewer and the community of Copper County has Delaney thinking that maybe he needs to stop chasing the next story and settle down to write his.

Lovely story. Lots of humor, what with Delaney’s rather manic personality mixed with Brewer’s more stoic and laid-back manner. I loved reconnecting with characters familiar from other Archer books, and it’s always uplifting how people support the main characters on their path to one another. Very little angst or stress in this one, and the spicy bits were spicy.

Favorite lines:
♦ There were many scenarios in which a man like me would enjoy “getting 6 to 9 inches” on a Tuesday night. A blizzard was not one of them.
♦ This morning was already so far off the rails I couldn’t remember where the rails were supposed to be.
♦ “Fruit bonnets are the very soul of practicality.”
♦ For one absurd, alcohol-fueled moment, I thought: Alien abduction. This is how I die.

Delightfully fun, five stars

A New Hello: The Whiskey Dog Mystery Series Prequel by Faith Walker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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I knocked back a short, prequel ebook last night. It was A New Hello by Faith Walker, and it’s the prequel to the “Paws and Whiskey Dog” series of cozy mysteries. The main character is Sarah Carter.

Sarah is finishing up her college career in Seattle when her beloved grandmother passes unexpectedly. In the midst of her grieving, one of Sarah’s friends suggests she adopt a dog for emotional support. She ends up with red heeler that she names Whiskey. Ultimately, Sarah takes a chance on change and leaves Seattle for the small home her grandmother bequeathed to her in Iowa.

Cute story. Short, of course, but again it’s only a prequel. There was no mystery in this one, nor any romance either; it was merely an introduction to the series. Lovely enough that I would read more in the series.

Favorite lines:
♦ “I had a feeling we might be drinking a little more than usual over the next few days.”
♦ “If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.”

Short but sweet, four stars.

A Cup of Poison: A cozy Mystery by Caleb Finch

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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Last night I polished off another ebook: A Cup of Poison by Caleb Finch. It’s the first in the “Siamese Sleuth” mystery series. The main character is Miss Dulce, a retired teacher, and her Siamese cat, Cleo.

During the Spring Bloom Fair in Rosehill Village, one of the attendees drops dead after taking a sip of her tea. Miss Dulce doesn’t believe that Cordelia died of natural causes, and when Cleo keeps finding clues, Dulce launches her own investigation. As she closes in on a killer, the killer is closing in on her.

This had a decent start, but it fell all to hell by the end. The narrative became far too repetitive; therefore, I am once again calling bullshit on AI. Dulce’s floral shawl was always drooping off her shoulder, each time she carried the wicker basket containing all the clues she’d amassed (as one does) we had to read an itemized list, the mailman’s hat was always tilted, Cleo’s tail flicked back and forth like a metronome (an interesting analogy when first introduced but boring by the tenth time), and Dulce had an irritating habit of assuring this character or that that she wasn’t accusing him/her of anything…yet. Worst of all, where was the chief of police in all of this?! We’ve all read enough cozies to know that the sheriff/detective/chief of police is always telling our main character to butt out and leave the investigation to the professionals, but not once was Dulce even questioned about nosing around town and shaking people down. Wouldn’t keeping important clues be interference? And how was it that Cleo kept finding notes and photos outside that were, like, 20 years old?! Yes, that sound you heard was me rolling my eyes. Finally, the cat depicted on the cover of the book is a ginger, not a Siamese. Hmpf.

Favorite line: “I leave you folks for one afternoon, and you’re killing each other over scones?”

The story wasn’t ba-ad. It would have earned an average score, but the irritating repetition knocks the score down to a two.