Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion

I am new to this group. Thanks to Britney for the invite. This looks like tons of fun.

I will start with Level 2. I agree that I would definitely not want to read 2 books on some of the sub-genres (in fact, not sure I want to read one on some of them Ha!). I will give a try though. :)

In 2016, I am working on my own personal cozy challenge -- A to Z for anything. I found that I was able to get quite a few read and out the door. I found several great new series.

Betsy's 2017 Cozies Reading Challenge

Level One Status: 10/10
Level Two Status: 10/10

Read one book in each of these cozy sub-genres (total of 10 books)

- One from culinary (anything dealing with food: restaurants, baked goods, etc.)

A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer (3/31/17)

- One from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)

Paws and Effect by Sofie Kelly (2/18/17)

- One from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)

Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman (3/16/17)

- One from paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)

By Familiar Means by Delia James (3/2/17)

- One from British cozy mysteries (example: Belinda Lawrence series)

Murder at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison (8/2/17)

- One career-based cozy mystery (housekeeping, wedding planner, etc.)

Muzzled by Eileen Brady (DVM) (4/29/17)

- One holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)

Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany (1/20/17)

- One travel mystery (character could be on a cruise, touring another area, etc.)

Frankly My Dear, I'm Dead by Livia J. Washburn (8/20/17)

- One historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)

Murder at Hatfield House by Amanda Carmack (12/4/17)

- One is your choice! (freebie!)

Basket Case by Nancy Haddock (1/31/17)

Additional 10:

1. Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan (3/18/17)
2. Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay (3/20/17)
3. Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames (4/9/17)
4. The Big Kitty by Claire Donally (4/16/17)
5. Fat Cat Spreads Out by Janet Cantrell (4/30/17)
6. The Crêpes of Wrath by Sarah Fox (5/7/17)
7. The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy by Heather Blake (5/9/17)
8. Groomed For Murder by Annie Knox (5/11/17)
9. Cat Nap by Claire Donally (6/1/17)
10. The Goodbye Witch by Heather Blake (6/18/17)

Possible Additional Cozies to Read in 2017:

Continued Series and Owned

The Cat, the Lady and the Liar by Leann Sweeney
The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon by Leann Sweeney
Chapter and Hearse by Lorna Barrett
Sentenced to Death by Lorna Barrett
Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
Caught Read-Handed by Terrie Farley Moran
Classified as Murder by Miranda James
Fat Cat Spreads Out by Janet Cantrell
Fat Cat Takes the Cake by Janet Cantrell
The Lady in the Attic by Tara Randel
The Unfinished Sonata by K.D. McCrite
Ring in the attic by K.D. McCrite
Groomed For Murder by Annie Knox
Collared For Murder by Annie Knox
Unraveled Stalkings by K. D. McCrite
Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay
To Die Fur by Dixie Lyle
Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan

New Series/Authors and Owned

Killer Jam by Karen MacInerney
Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates by Kathy Aarons
By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates
The Cats that Surfed the Web by Karen Anne Golden
I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson
Buried in a Book by Lucy Arlington
Catnapped by Patricia Fry
The Tell-Tail Heart by Monica Shaughnessy
Murder Most Familiar by Nancy C. Davis
Cat Sleuth by Nancy C. Davis
Crosswords and Puzzles by Nancy C. Davis
Clammed Up by Barbara Ross
A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams
Forget Me Knot by Mary Marks
The Crêpes of Wrath by Sarah Fox
The Big Kitty by Claire Donally
The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt
Daisies For Innocence by Bailey Cattrell
Engaged in Murder by Nancy J. Parra
Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams

Need to Get

Death in Dark Blue by Julia Buckley (Mom ordered for my Bday)
Double-Booked for Death by Ali Brandon
Fatal Frost by Karen MacInerney
Nine Lives by Wendy Corsi Staub
A Biscuit, a Casket by Liz Mugavero
The Good the Bad and the Witchy by Heather Blake

So glad you decided to join. The sub-genres are new this year. I know you will like the animal as you love to read about kitties :) Your list is going to grow fast from other members.

I have a good one for ya for holidays if you need it. I just read it this year.

Dagny wrote: "Welcome to the group, Betsy! Glad you decided to join us and good luck with the Challenge. You'll make it!"

Thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to it!

Britney wrote: "So glad you decided to join. The sub-genres are new this year. I know you will like the animal as you love to read about kitties :) Your list is going to grow fast from other members.

I have a goo..."

Have not looked at all my cozies yet, but what book do you suggest for holiday?

Welcome Betsy. I love your list of books.

Enjoy the challenge!

Rest Ye Murdered Gentleman by Vicki Delaney

Britney wrote: "Rest Ye Murdered Gentleman by Vicki Delaney"

Thank you. Looks good.

I went to go look at other's lists for a British cozy. Guess I am ahead of the game because I did not see any other lists. :)

Welcome to the challenge...you look very organized! Thanks for listing some of your possibilities...good for ideas for others...

Susie wrote: "Welcome to the challenge...you look very organized! Thanks for listing some of your possibilities...good for ideas for others..."

I am a little AR. Just ask Britney. :)

Betsy wrote: "Susie wrote: "Welcome to the challenge...you look very organized! Thanks for listing some of your possibilities...good for ideas for others..."

I am a little AR. Just ask Britney. :)"

That is true, but its not a bad thing :)

Britney wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Susie wrote: "Welcome to the challenge...you look very organized! Thanks for listing some of your possibilities...good for ideas for others..."

I am a little AR. Just ask Britney. :)..."

Ha!

Going to start with these:

Paws and Effect by Sofie Kelly
By Familiar Means by Delia James
Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany

Go get em, happy 2017 reading.

Book #1 completed...

Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany

First book in the A Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Cute book. Love Christmas so would love to visit this place. :) Thanks, Britney, for the recommendation.

Betsy wrote: "Book #1 completed...

Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany

First book in the A Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Cute book. Love Christmas so would love to..."

It does sound like a cute little town.

Started Book #2:

Basket Case by Nancy Haddock

Betsy wrote: "Started Book #2:

Basket Case by Nancy Haddock"

Finished. Slow start but picked up. Like the quaint town.

Looking forward to hear what you think of Yarn to Go

Britney wrote: "Looking forward to hear what you think of Yarn to Go"

I have that one planned soon. 3rd cozy in line. Hoping this month.

Think I'll add that to my list. Sounds like one that I would enjoy.

Book #3 done.

Paws and Effect by Sofie Kelly

My favorite cozy series. Love Owen and Hercules...

Sounds like another series for me to watch for also.

Jean wrote: "Sounds like another series for me to watch for also."

It's a good one.

Book #4 completed:

By Familiar Means by Delia James

I am afraid that I thought this second book in series was just ok. I loved the first one. Not sure if I was not in the mood for this book. Just did not grab me like the first one. Seem to drag on. Disappointed.

Started Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman. Don't know anything about knitting, but I am still enjoying this book. Thanks to Britney for the recommendation.

Betsy wrote: "Started Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman. Don't know anything about knitting, but I am still enjoying this book. Thanks to Britney for the recommendation."

Finished. Book #5 completed. Enjoyed the book. Great characters. Looking forward to getting to know Julius in the next book. 4 stars

Learn anything about knitting, ha, ha, ha? Just teasing, glad you enjoyed it.

Betsy wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Started Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman. Don't know anything about knitting, but I am still enjoying this book. Thanks to Britney for the recommendation...."

Glad you liked it. I could relate a little since I Crochet. Feels like its gonna be a good series.

Jean wrote: "Learn anything about knitting, ha, ha, ha? Just teasing, glad you enjoyed it."

I did learn that it is not for me! LOL Still liked book though.

Britney wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Started Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman. Don't know anything about knitting, but I am still enjoying this book. Thanks to Britney for the r..."

Like the characters and locale.

Finished Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan. Book #4 in Second Chance Cat Mystery Series. Loved the entire series so far. Elvis is the star IMHO. 4 stars

Finished Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay. Book #7 in Library Lover's Mystery Series. Love the locale and characters except Robbie. 4 stars

Betsy wrote: "Finished Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay. Book #7 in Library Lover's Mystery Series. Love the locale and characters except Robbie. 4 stars"

I'll have to put this series in my to-read list. I enjoy any series having to do with libraries or book stores.

Finished A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer.

Liked the locale. Started off well but then too many fillers. The main character was a little pushy in her investigations. I liked the supporting cast of characters especially Jack. 3 stars

Sometimes if you have a good enough support cast you can deal with an annoying MC.

Britney wrote: "Sometimes if you have a good enough support cast you can deal with an annoying MC."

Agreed. Plus MC needs a pet. ;)

Namely, a cat! Just teasing.

Jean wrote: "Namely, a cat! Just teasing."

I agree. Everyone needs a cat. ;)

Starting Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames

Betsy wrote: "Starting Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames"

Finished Lost and Fondue. I did not enjoy as much as the first one. It might have been my mood. Not sure if I will read more from series. 2 stars

Dagny wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Starting Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames"

Finished Lost and Fondue. I did not enjoy as much as the first one. It might hav..."

Might be that it happens to all of us. ;)

Betsy wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Starting Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames"

Finished Lost and Fondue. I did not enjoy as much as the first one. It might have been my mood..."

I agree! I loved the first one and this was good, but not as good. I think I will give the series one more try.

Pamela wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Starting Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames"

Finished Lost and Fondue. I did not enjoy as much as the first one. It might hav..."

I think we have plenty of others to keep us entertained for now. ;)

Finished The Big Kitty by Claire Donally. Absolutely loved this book. Enjoyed that the book is told from the perspective of Sunny and Shadow (kitty). Will definitely read more in this series. 4.5 stars

Starting Muzzled by Eileen Brady

Dagny wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Starting Muzzled by Eileen Brady"

I'll be curious to see how this one is. Sounds like it has the makings of a good series."

I have heard good things. One thing that is a good sign is that dead people show up in first chapter. :)

Betsy wrote: "Starting Muzzled by Eileen Brady"

That is one in my piles