leebeeloves's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
The Georgia B&B cozy mystery series by Anna Gerard is one of my recent faves to follow. The author always grabs me in the first few lines, and I stay firmly engaged in how Nina is going to figure everything out and stay safe at the same time. Peaches and Schemes did exactly that once again.
One of my favorite things about this series is Nina’s slightly snarky (at times) and conversational narrative voice that carries each book. It feels like you’re sitting down with her in the B&B parlor to catch up on all that’s happened. In between loving on Nina’s sweet dog Mattie & hoping for a glimpse of Harry – Nina’s sometimes tenant, prior nemesis, recent good friend, and maybe something more. Harry is a fascinating character, all on his own, and his acting background & out-of-work financial woes lead to all sorts of creative jobs he tries to use his skills & make ends meet. Not to mention this delicious chemistry and fond affection between him and Nina – something that took a twist or two I hadn’t anticipated in Peaches and Schemes. Makes me look forward even more to future books!
The murder of one of her friends once again puts Nina (pronounced NINE-ah, thank you very much) smack dab in the middle of the investigation – especially as she was a secret witness to an argument between the victim and another woman just before the murder. Not only that, but volunteering to foster Roxanna’s goldendoodle until other arrangements can be made takes the case down a few roads Nina & Harry weren’t expecting. The plot is well-layered and smartly written, and I really didn’t have a solid guess on whodunit until just before all was revealed. All of the above makes for a delightful cozy mystery reading experience, as you might imagine.
Bottom Line: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each book in the Georgia B&B mystery series, and Peaches and Schemes is no exception! Nina is a delightful & relatable heroine, and readers will love tagging along as she solves a friend’s murder in this installment. In addition to the wonderful characters in Peaches and Schemes, the author delivers a charming setting and a dash of potential romance. Not to mention the intriguing plot that kept me guessing!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
One of my favorite things about this series is Nina’s slightly snarky (at times) and conversational narrative voice that carries each book. It feels like you’re sitting down with her in the B&B parlor to catch up on all that’s happened. In between loving on Nina’s sweet dog Mattie & hoping for a glimpse of Harry – Nina’s sometimes tenant, prior nemesis, recent good friend, and maybe something more. Harry is a fascinating character, all on his own, and his acting background & out-of-work financial woes lead to all sorts of creative jobs he tries to use his skills & make ends meet. Not to mention this delicious chemistry and fond affection between him and Nina – something that took a twist or two I hadn’t anticipated in Peaches and Schemes. Makes me look forward even more to future books!
The murder of one of her friends once again puts Nina (pronounced NINE-ah, thank you very much) smack dab in the middle of the investigation – especially as she was a secret witness to an argument between the victim and another woman just before the murder. Not only that, but volunteering to foster Roxanna’s goldendoodle until other arrangements can be made takes the case down a few roads Nina & Harry weren’t expecting. The plot is well-layered and smartly written, and I really didn’t have a solid guess on whodunit until just before all was revealed. All of the above makes for a delightful cozy mystery reading experience, as you might imagine.
Bottom Line: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each book in the Georgia B&B mystery series, and Peaches and Schemes is no exception! Nina is a delightful & relatable heroine, and readers will love tagging along as she solves a friend’s murder in this installment. In addition to the wonderful characters in Peaches and Schemes, the author delivers a charming setting and a dash of potential romance. Not to mention the intriguing plot that kept me guessing!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
jen_baroness_mom's review against another edition
5.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Peaches and Schemes by Anna Gerard is a brilliant mystery with a perfectly plotted crime. The characters are so wonderfully flawed and yet wonderful.
Our sleuth is Nina, the ex-wife of a professional golfer and current bed and breakfast owner-operator. This installation brings with it some changes for Nina. Ones that aren't as easy to handle, yet she does a fine job dealing with them. Nina didn't find the body, but she ends up involved without even realizing it at first. Then, of course, later, she is out to find the culprit.
Nina is hurt during the course of the story and must rely on the assistance of Harry, who is still staying at the B&B (free of charge).
Harry has the perfect way to use his acting skills and make money now. He calls the business Plus1. If you need someone to attend a family, professional, or other function with you, look no further. Harry is here to play whatever type of boyfriend, friend, or whatever type of person you need for the right fee. Although, this time, he meets his match with a local doctor who expects more than even Harry is willing to do. When he isn't helping Nina, his time is spent with the good doctor.
Nina is attending the local bridal fair when she inadvertently overhears two private conversations involving people that Nina knows. Nina is still new in town and hasn't made all the local connections and such yet. So, these two overheard conversations put her in a very awkward position. Then her friend, Roxanne, is found dead in a giant cake that is the big finale. Now the first question is, was it an accident or murder? Well, come on, what do you think? So, Nina gets involved and to find out what happened to her friend.
I like that this series is different from many other mysteries that I have read with B&B owners. I like that Harry has situated himself in Nina's life. The two of them are cute together. I like when he calls her Secret Squirrel. My rating for Peaches and Schemes by Anna Gerard is five stars.
Prize: (1) Prize Package - Including a signed copy of PEACHES AND SCHEMES, 1-2 other “surprise” books, some fun Peach and Wedding swag. U.S. ONLY
Who killed Roxanne, and what happened to Virgie?
Nina Fleet
Our sleuth is Nina, the ex-wife of a professional golfer and current bed and breakfast owner-operator. This installation brings with it some changes for Nina. Ones that aren't as easy to handle, yet she does a fine job dealing with them. Nina didn't find the body, but she ends up involved without even realizing it at first. Then, of course, later, she is out to find the culprit.
Nina is hurt during the course of the story and must rely on the assistance of Harry, who is still staying at the B&B (free of charge).
Harry Wescott
Harry has the perfect way to use his acting skills and make money now. He calls the business Plus1. If you need someone to attend a family, professional, or other function with you, look no further. Harry is here to play whatever type of boyfriend, friend, or whatever type of person you need for the right fee. Although, this time, he meets his match with a local doctor who expects more than even Harry is willing to do. When he isn't helping Nina, his time is spent with the good doctor.The Mystery
Nina is attending the local bridal fair when she inadvertently overhears two private conversations involving people that Nina knows. Nina is still new in town and hasn't made all the local connections and such yet. So, these two overheard conversations put her in a very awkward position. Then her friend, Roxanne, is found dead in a giant cake that is the big finale. Now the first question is, was it an accident or murder? Well, come on, what do you think? So, Nina gets involved and to find out what happened to her friend.
Five Stars
I like that this series is different from many other mysteries that I have read with B&B owners. I like that Harry has situated himself in Nina's life. The two of them are cute together. I like when he calls her Secret Squirrel. My rating for Peaches and Schemes by Anna Gerard is five stars.
A Georgia B&B Mystery Series
Giveaway
Prize: (1) Prize Package - Including a signed copy of PEACHES AND SCHEMES, 1-2 other “surprise” books, some fun Peach and Wedding swag. U.S. ONLY
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This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
maggietoussaint55's review against another edition
5.0
A delightful return to Cymbeline, GA, and Nina Fleet’s B&B. Nina’s right in the heart of things at the bridal expo when she hears an argument between the two event planners. Not long after, one of the women is dead. Harry’s back with a male escort scheme brewing and with his good looks he secures bookings on the spot. As Nina tries to figure out who killed Roxanna, the killer is on to her snooping.
A quick fun read with memorable characters. Nice and cozy, just the way I like it!
Reviewing as Muddy Rose Reviews
A quick fun read with memorable characters. Nice and cozy, just the way I like it!
Reviewing as Muddy Rose Reviews
annarella's review
4.0
Even if it's not my fav in the series it's another enjoyable and entertaning story.
I was happy to catch up with the characters, had a lot of fun, and loved the solid mystery full of twists and turns.
The plot kept me reading and guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I was happy to catch up with the characters, had a lot of fun, and loved the solid mystery full of twists and turns.
The plot kept me reading and guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
To ensure the success of her Fleet House B&B Nina (Nine-A) has decided to add weddings and receptions to the services she will offer. She is hoping members are the wedding parties will want to stay at the B&B too. To get the word out she takes part in the semi-annual Veils and Vanities Bridal Expo sponsored by Virgie Hamilton, the sixtysomething owner of Virgie’s Formals, and Roxanna Quarry, a Gen X event planner. Her booth has been busy with brides-to-be asking for information. Nina is about to declare the event a success when the fashion show part of the event takes a deadly turn. During the big finale Nina’s new friend, Roxanna tumbles out of a prop wedding cake. She appears to have been strangled to death, the murder weapon, her own scarf.
There had been tension between the two event sponsors. Nina even overhears Virgie accuse Roxanna of stealing funds from their partnership. When she tells the police they believe that is enough motive to arrest Virgie for the murder.
Nina has a little stress in her life too as she learns her ex-husband is getting married again. Plus, Harry Wescott is still staying at her B&B and he seems to have a new money-making scheme he may soon come to regret. She has also decided to move Roxanna’s dog into the B&B until a new home is found. On top of all that she is of course digging into the murder investigation because while Virgie had the motive, means, and opportunity to kill her partner, Nina doesn’t think she is a killer. The trouble is she knows she is on the actual killer’s radar and that may prove to be a dangerous place to be.
Ms. Gerard has created some wonderful characters. I have enjoyed Nina from the start and in this third Georgia B&B Mystery Harry Westcott really surprised me and in a good way. He is still a schemer but he is really there for Nina this time. They are turning out to be a great team and maybe more . . . I don’t want to get ahead of myself or the author with this thinking. I do love their back and forth dialogue and his “Secret Squirrel” nickname for her. The new characters she introduced for this story are diverse and all brought something interesting to the mystery. As always the animal characters made my heart happy.
Again this author delivers a well-plotted and well-written mystery with multiple possibilities. I was very caught up in all the action and the actual guilty party never landed on my suspect list. The big reveal was full of surprise and suspense. Nina really didn’t know her friend Roxanna as well as she thought she did and that added some really intriguing twists including one that stuck very close to home. The ending was really a melancholy moment but by the final word, things seem to be looking up.
I have to say the author set a great pace with the entire story. There wasn’t a time I ever thought about putting the book down, except to sleep, and I couldn’t wait to get right back into the story the next evening and stay tuned in for a satisfying and exciting conclusion.
Peaches and Schemes was a Perfect Escape. Excellent characters, a captivating mystery, a wedding, a little romantic tension, and humor liberally placed throughout kept me entertained from beginning to end. I am so excited to see where Ms. Gerard takes her characters and her readers next.
To ensure the success of her Fleet House B&B Nina (Nine-A) has decided to add weddings and receptions to the services she will offer. She is hoping members are the wedding parties will want to stay at the B&B too. To get the word out she takes part in the semi-annual Veils and Vanities Bridal Expo sponsored by Virgie Hamilton, the sixtysomething owner of Virgie’s Formals, and Roxanna Quarry, a Gen X event planner. Her booth has been busy with brides-to-be asking for information. Nina is about to declare the event a success when the fashion show part of the event takes a deadly turn. During the big finale Nina’s new friend, Roxanna tumbles out of a prop wedding cake. She appears to have been strangled to death, the murder weapon, her own scarf.
There had been tension between the two event sponsors. Nina even overhears Virgie accuse Roxanna of stealing funds from their partnership. When she tells the police they believe that is enough motive to arrest Virgie for the murder.
Nina has a little stress in her life too as she learns her ex-husband is getting married again. Plus, Harry Wescott is still staying at her B&B and he seems to have a new money-making scheme he may soon come to regret. She has also decided to move Roxanna’s dog into the B&B until a new home is found. On top of all that she is of course digging into the murder investigation because while Virgie had the motive, means, and opportunity to kill her partner, Nina doesn’t think she is a killer. The trouble is she knows she is on the actual killer’s radar and that may prove to be a dangerous place to be.
Ms. Gerard has created some wonderful characters. I have enjoyed Nina from the start and in this third Georgia B&B Mystery Harry Westcott really surprised me and in a good way. He is still a schemer but he is really there for Nina this time. They are turning out to be a great team and maybe more . . . I don’t want to get ahead of myself or the author with this thinking. I do love their back and forth dialogue and his “Secret Squirrel” nickname for her. The new characters she introduced for this story are diverse and all brought something interesting to the mystery. As always the animal characters made my heart happy.
Again this author delivers a well-plotted and well-written mystery with multiple possibilities. I was very caught up in all the action and the actual guilty party never landed on my suspect list. The big reveal was full of surprise and suspense. Nina really didn’t know her friend Roxanna as well as she thought she did and that added some really intriguing twists including one that stuck very close to home. The ending was really a melancholy moment but by the final word, things seem to be looking up.
I have to say the author set a great pace with the entire story. There wasn’t a time I ever thought about putting the book down, except to sleep, and I couldn’t wait to get right back into the story the next evening and stay tuned in for a satisfying and exciting conclusion.
Peaches and Schemes was a Perfect Escape. Excellent characters, a captivating mystery, a wedding, a little romantic tension, and humor liberally placed throughout kept me entertained from beginning to end. I am so excited to see where Ms. Gerard takes her characters and her readers next.
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