Q is for Nina Quinn series by Heather Webber

 

For 2013's Ato Z Challenge, I am talking about book series, particularly some favorite series as well as series I've been waiting to read for a LONG time. 

Q is for ... Nina Quinn series by Heather Webber

I read Trouble Under the Tree in December 2011 and loved it. Since then, I’ve been hoping to read the previous Nina Quinn mysteries. They’re cozy mysteries and so much fun. Nina is so quirky, and I enjoy Heather Webber’s easy-going reading style. By the way, in Trouble Under the Tree, there is a delicious hot chocolate recipe in it. I recommend it.

When landscape designer Nina Quinn agrees to deck the halls of Christmastowne, an indoor Christmas village, little did she know how dirty the job would be.

Christmastowne has been plagued by mishaps. Someone’s stealing toy donations, cutting lines to the security system, starting fires, and poisoning the poinsettias. Worst of all, Nina’s neighbor, Fairlee McCorkle (aka Mrs. Claus) is found murdered under Christmastowne’s enormous decorated tree.

The deeper Nina digs for clues to unwrap a killer, the more she discovers that some secrets are best left buried in the past.

Click here to read my review. 

Teaser Tuesday: THE AZALEA ASSAULT by Alyse Carlson

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

The Azalea Assault by Alyse Carlson

Page 118 in Paperback

They had just pulled up in front of Spoons, and Cam’s eyes stung, but this time it was in admiration for her father.

“You’re the best man on earth, you know that?” she said as she climbed out of the car.

Do you have a teaser? If so, share it or a link to one in the comments.

Book Review: THE AZALEA ASSAULT by Alyse Carlson

Title: The Azalea Assault

Series: A Garden Society Mystery, #1

Author: Alyse Carlson

Publisher: Berkley (June 5, 2012)

Format: Paperback Novel

Source: Purchased

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Goodreads 

Roanoke, Virginia, is home to some of the country’s most exquisite gardens, and it’s Camellia Harris’ job to promote them. But when an out of towner turns up dead, she discovers there’s no good way to spin murder…

Camellia Harris has achieved a coup in the PR world. The premier national magazine for garden lovers has agreed to feature one of Roanoke’s most spectacular gardens in its pages—and world-famous photographer Jean-Jacques Georges is going to shoot the spread. But at the welcoming party, Jean-Jacques insults several guests, complains that flowers are boring, and gooses almost every woman in the room. When a body is found the next morning, sprawled across the azaleas, it’s almost no surprise that the victim is Jean-Jacques.

With Cam’s brother-in-law blamed for the crime—and her reporter boyfriend, Rob, wanting the scoop—Cam decides to use her skills to solve the murder. Luckily a PR pro like Cam knows how to be nosy…

Review: The Azalea Assault by Alyse Carlson is a blossoming debut in the cozy mystery scene.

Camellia Harris works PR for the Roanoke Garden Society. When RGS achieves the huge coup in some national gardening magazine exposure, Cam’s PR skills will be put to the test, especially since their internationally renowned photographer winds up dead in the azalea bushes. As the suspect list continues to bloom, Cam takes it upon herself to prune the list and solve the crime before the murderer gets away smelling like roses.

The Azalea Assault charms with its quaint city backdrop of Roanoke, Virginia. As a native Roanoker, I had fun reading about my hometown. Even with the large cast of characters, Carlson did an excellent job weaving in backstories and giving each character unique personalities. My favorite character was Annie, hands down. She’s delightfully quirky and spunky. I loved the complexity of the plot, even though I had my suspicions proven with who committed the crime. Carlson definitely writes a great mystery.

Alyse Carlson’s The Azalea Assault plants a brilliant start for a great series. I’m looking forward to reading the next one.

Four Bookworms = I really liked it!