20) Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

Rose Gardner has survived plenty of close scrapes in the past, but her latest bit of trouble has landed her in the Fenton County holding cell on trumped up charges. The most powerful man in southern Arkansas, J.R. Simmons, is determined to put her behind bars for good and destroy everything she holds dear, including her boyfriend, Mason, and her friend Skeeter, reigning king of the Fenton County crime world. In a stunning betrayal, it seems as if J.R.’s son, Rose’s ex-boyfriend, might have turned tail and joined his father.

But Rose doesn’t have to face this fight alone. Her tight-knit group of friends is dedicated to helping her figure out—and foil—J.R.’s plan for ruining her, Mason, and Skeeter. But even with their support and the use of her special power, Rose is at a disadvantage. J.R. is a criminal mastermind who has been using his money, power, and web of influence to hide his conspiracies for years. How can she hope to find solid evidence implicating someone who’s mastered the art of not getting caught?

Time is running out, and soon Rose realizes that reassuming her role of the Lady in Black might be her only chance at ferreting out the evidence that will save them all. In so doing, she will risk not only her life, but the possibility that her secret identity will be unveiled to all.

My Thoughts :

It has been quiet on here the last couple of weeks but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading.   I started a new job last month and don't have such a long commute so my audiobook time has been cut dramatically and guests over the weekend meant I didn't have time to curl up and read.  However I have been working on this audio book.  The eighth book in the Rose Gardner Mysteries.  It actually released late last year but because I have listened to the whole series so far I really wanted the audio version of this latest installment.  I only came across it the other week and grabbed it and started it asap.

Things have gotten more complicated than I imagined they could get when I started this series.  The amount of trouble Rose has gotten herself into is unbelievable but is an absolute winner of a read.  I can't say I understand how so much could have happened in so little time but this new piece of the puzzle not only cleared up some big problems but it created some more.

The Lady in Black makes some very big decisions in this latest book and there are some good things that come from the choices she makes but there are some bad things too.  While I thought everything was finally coming to an end and everything was about to be cleared up nicely it was obvious that there is more to this story than Rose and the reader thought.  There are still some unanswered questions and I think there are still some twists and shocks to come.

I have to wonder if the author planned all this way back when she started the series.  Sometimes I have the feeling that there is a plan and other times I think it is all just being thrown together on the fly.  Whatever concept or system the writer has is a mute point though because she manages to grab the reader and keep you hooked right until the end.  It doesn't matter if things get over the top and become unrealistic.  I find I don't care that this has all happened within a matter of months and seems crazy.  It is a soap like opera escapism that entertains and keeps you guessing.

The ninth installment could be the last if there isn't much more to clear up but I wonder if it will be.  While I think it is time for Rose's life to quieten down and for the series to come to an end there is a little bit of me that wants this to keep going and going.  I think I like the authors attitude too much, she really doesn't mind kicking her characters and not always making things all perfect in the end.

Well worth checking out.  I can highly recommend the audio versions but I am sure the books are just as much of an entertaining read as well.  This is a series you have to read from the beginning and it is slightly paranormal due to Rose's visions which she really does use more as the series continues.

Looking forward to more!

113) Thirty-Four and a Half Predicaments by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

Rose Gardner hates seeing her normally flamboyant best friend Neely Kate struggle with depression. So when Rose stumbles onto a piece of evidence indicating her birth mother might have been involved in a crime, she does the one thing guaranteed to cheer Neely Kate. She convinces her friend to help her solve a mystery. Though their penchant for investigating has gotten them into plenty of pickles in the past, what can go wrong if they’re looking into a case that went cold a quarter of a century ago? But the deeper they dig, the more dirt they unearth.

While she’s busy unraveling the past, Rose must also reprise her role as the Lady in Black as part of her ongoing agreement with the king of the Fenton County underworld. In so doing, she discovers a mysterious enemy is intent on attacking her friends, and her assistant DA boyfriend might be next on the list.

As both situations reach a boiling point, Rose must face the possibility that certain secrets were meant to remain buried and not even her special talent can get her out of every predicament.

My Thoughts :

I have been looking forward to listening to this seventh installment in the Rose Gardner Mysteries for a few weeks now.  I am practically all caught up with the series with the eight book already out this month but not yet available on Audio.  I have to admit that I had completely forgotten the majority of what happened at the end of the previous book and it shocked me to find Neely Kate in such a bad place.  She has always been a joy to spend time with and it made the book a little dull without her usual mouthy attitude.

Despite the duller tone to this installment there was a lot of action, revelations and twists.  If you haven't read the previous books then you really don't want to start here.  You also need to make sure you read the novellas in between to get the full picture.  There are some little bits and pieces you learn in those short stories that make the full length novels even more interesting than they already are.

I find myself not liking Rose as much as I used to.  I don't know what has made me find her slightly annoying but it may have something to do with her friendship with Skeeter Malcolm.   Things have been very interesting between them and it was thrilling to see what unfolded as far as the Lady in Black was concerned.   However in this book Rose had a chance to get out of her dealings with him and she didn't take it.  I couldn't totally agree with her reasoning and thinking and it left me feeling disappointed with her.

There are so many secrets in this series that it is getting a little confusing.  However in this installment we finally find out more about Rose's real mother and why she got killed.  This however opens up even more questions and problems, something that keeps the series alive but it is also making things a little heavy.  There isn't any fun and laughter and things are getting bleaker and bleaker.  I miss that little touch of lightness the series had at the beginning.

Don't be put off by my ramblings.  I am totally and utterly addicted to this series and can't wait for the next installment to come out on Audio.  The author has already done some nasty cliffhanger endings during this series but this one was a worrying one.  A confusing one.  A wow! one.  I am actually contemplating getting the Kindle version of the next book but I just love listening to the series and it wouldn't be the same.

The paranormal aspect of this series, Rose's visions, are in full force again in this book and she is starting to use them to help her on many levels.  I only wish she would use them more in other situations and more often.  I am sure they would have helped her see what was happening around her and stopped her from making so many mistakes.

This is a series you really need to check out if you enjoy cozies and don't mind getting tangled up in a web of so many stories and mysteries that you can't see the next twist coming.  Everything is somehow related and the deeper the series go the more incredible the story gets.

93) Ripple of Secrets by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

After her assistant DA boyfriend’s near brush with death, Rose Gardner hopes to make it through the holiday season with a minimal amount of drama. But she can’t forget the promise she made to the king of the Fenton County underworld in exchange for Mason’s life. What’s worse, she’s not the only one keeping secrets—Mason has been working on a hush-hush case in his private time, Joe is grappling with the sudden reappearance of his sister after a mysterious two-year disappearance, and Hilary continues in her single-minded quest to secure a commitment from Joe at any cost—for motives only she understands.

Though peace and quiet is all Rose wants, it’s the last thing she’s liable to get. And the ripple of secrets in her life threatens to create an undertow that will endanger her and everyone she holds dear.

My Thoughts :

Yes I know!  I only just finished listening to book six in the series and shouldn't even be thinking about Rose Gardner for another couple of weeks but this between the numbers novella was begging me to read it and I wanted something quick to read today.

I am not a huge fan of short stories.  Especially from this series.  Usually they are a rehash of what just happened in the previous book from different perspectives.  While they usually offer some slight insight to the feelings and actions of various characters the story always feels like a waste of time.  However Ripple of Secrets offers some extremely important information and introduces a new character.  This novella is one that needs to be read before moving onto book seven and I am glad I took the time to read it.

The different perspectives are sometimes a little confusing but it is nice to see things from Mason's side as well as Joe's.  Also taking the reins this time around is Hilary.  A character I can't stand.  Although after reading this short story and finding out more about her past it is hard not to suddenly feel confused about how I feel about her.  Do I respect her?  Pity her?

This is one of the aspects of this series that the author has really managed to get me hooked on.  The characters.  I have built up feelings for them and there are so many unanswered questions.  I want to see how their lives continue and what happens next.  The cliffhanger ending in this short story only makes me want to listen to the next installment straight away.  It also makes me extremely happy that I am following this series in book order.

Another great installment and while it was only short, Ripple of Secrets, really packed a punch or two.

92) Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

Rose is called into action when Neely Kate’s cousin goes missing and the police refuse to take it seriously. But while the authorities—Rose’s ex-boyfriend, included—are certain the missing woman has run away, mounting evidence points to foul play. Rose agrees to help her friend, even if it means partaking in Neely Kate’s shenanigans, including an impromptu trip to a strip club.

And because trouble never comes without a guest, Skeeter Malcolm, Fenton County’s newly crowned underground king, resurfaces, saying he needs Rose’s visionary gift to track down his enemies. He makes her the only offer she can’t refuse: The guaranteed safety of her assistant DA boyfriend, Mason Deveraux, who is being threatened by forces unknown. The Fenton County law enforcement is still abuzz about the infamous Lady in Black, who took part in the underground auction that earned Skeeter his crown. Can Rose risk a reprisal of her role?

As the stakes continue to rise and the search for Neely Kate’s cousin becomes increasingly complicated, Rose must struggle to keep both her secret identity and her sanity.

My Thoughts :

Book #6 in the Rose Gardner series has been waiting on my Audible app for a couple of weeks now.  I am trying to restrain myself from just listening to them all in one gulp and instead make some progress on other audio series I have been listening to.  However each story just makes this series more and more addictive to listen to.

This time around there is a lot of Neely Kate which is great.  There are, as the title suggests, a lot of shenanigans which are fun and thrilling at the same.  Not a lot of work went on so there wasn't much Violett (which was refreshing) and Bruce Wayne (which was kind of sad).  Of course there was enough Mason and Joe to go around but it wasn't all fighting and drama this time around.  Skeeter Malcolm played an even bigger part in this sixth installment and it is obvious that we haven't seen the end of him yet.  Rose's Shenanigans have gotten her into more problems that she had before this book started.

There is something addictive about this series and I am not sure if it is just the Audible version that makes it so good.  The narrator has obviously enjoys the story as much as the readers do and she does a wonderful job of bringing the books to life.  Of course the author is the one to praise.  Putting together such a bunch of interesting and crazy characters and wrapping them all up in weird mysteries.  The paranormal aspect of Rose's visions makes this series memorable and the relationship drama is definitely a big selling point too.

If you haven't tried this series yet then you are missing out on something that manages to be serious but also very funny in a witty sort of way.  I only have one more installment to read (and a novella) to put me up to date and I hope there will be many more books to come because these characters definitely have a lot more stories to tell.

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83) Picking up the Pieces by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

While Rose might be reeling from the news that Joe’s ex-girlfriend is pregnant, she’s got bigger issues to deal with. One, putting her business back together albeit with a new partner and into two separate entities; and two, trying to keep the Fenton County Sheriff’s Department from figuring out the true identity of the Lady in Black.

My Thoughts :

While the Rose Gardner series is one of my favourite audio series and I refuse to waste an Audible credit on a novella.  This short story follows the fifth book and as the title suggests, it is all about Picking up the Pieces.  Anyone who has ready Thirty-Two and a Half Complications will know that the title has a lot of meaning.

I really like the concept of this series but this short story doesn't embrace Rose and her visions of the future at all.  If anything the novella is a rehash of past stories with a little piece of new information thrown in now and again to keep it from going stale.  There are some revelations that any fan of the series will want to know but this isn't the right short story to read to get a feel for the series or just to give it a try.  This short story will ruin the whole series if you don't read it in the proper place.

There is no mystery in this book, just an extended epilogue to the fifth installment.  What makes this one worth reading is the change in POV with not only Rose telling the story but also Joe and Violet sharing their side of things.  While I thought this would help me understand these two characters better and maybe like them more (I have been slowly building up some major dislike for them both for the last couple of books) I actually found myself liking them even less.  If the author was attempting to get them some sympathy votes or explain their actions better then she failed in my view.  I may have liked Joe's decision at the end but Violet is my least favourite character at the moment.

So if you are a fan and are following this series then you really need to give this one a read.  Don't go into hoping for too much but go into it knowing that you already know a lot of the content and there are some interesting developments here and there and some vital information to store away for the next books in the series.

I will be heading back to see what happens next with Rose as soon as possible.  I am really enjoying this series and the audio books are well worth checking out.

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81) Thirty-Two and a Half Complications by Denise Grower Swank

The Blurb :

There’s no denying trouble finds Rose Gardner like a divining rod finds water, especially when Rose lands in the middle of a bank robbery. But after the robbers steal her deposit bag—containing a large amount of cash—she soon finds out that trouble is threatening her business as well, thanks to her sister Violet’s financial mismanagement.

To top it off, Rose’s ex-boyfriend, Joe Simmons, has moved back to Henryetta to fill the chief deputy sheriff position. Rose’s involvement as a witness is the perfect opportunity for Joe to reinsert himself into her life. But Mason Deveraux, Fenton County Assistant District Attorney and Rose’s new boyfriend, has waited too long for Rose to give her up without a fight.

Rose’s pregnant best friend, Neely Kate, suggests they find the robbers using Rose’s visions and Neely Kate’s knowledge about everyone in town. The women are soon hot on the trail of the stolen money, but Rose is caught off guard when Neely Kate’s snoopiness detects the biggest complication of all: Rose might be expecting a baby of her own.

My Thoughts :

The Rose Gardner series is one of my favourite audio series and I am slowly getting to the newest installment.  This fifth part is one of the most dramatic yet and if this was a TV show I would have thrown something at the TV at some points and if I had read this I may have given up because it was sometimes too much to handle.  However listening to the story is amazingly good and very addictive.

I love the concept of this series.  The idea that someone has visions of the future is a nice supernatural twist.  The fact that the 'gift' Rose has is so clumsy and unreliable is just an added bonus.  Rose herself is a nice character and it has been great to see her grow and change into the person she is.  She keeps getting stronger but her life keeps getting more and more complicated.  It is real.  It happens.  Her problems are problems we can relate to and although some of the situations she gets into are more over the top than normal everyday life it makes you realise that there are other people out there that are having a worse day/life than you.

The mysteries are always well thought out and keep me guessing.  I like the twists and turns the author builds in to keep you muttering 'crappydoodles' along with Rose till the very end.  This time around the danger wasn't as life threatening as in the previous book.  However it was a situation that had Rose very close to losing everything.  Things definitely spiral a little out of control in this one and there are some very huge relationship problems and dramas involved.  Not everything is resolved and it has you looking for the next installment before you are even finished with this one.

I have to say that the drama in this one was a little irritating at times.  The whole Joe aspect was really starting to annoy me.  I wanted Rose to say so many things to him or take different actions but dragged on throughout the book and frustrated me.  Also the drama with her sister Violet was getting on my nerves a little.  Especially at the end with the revelation of what she had done.  The character just keeps making decisions and doing things that are not hers to make and shouldn't be made without Rose and I can't believe Rose hasn't done more about it legally.

Yeah, I know this is all a work of fiction but this is a series that you can really get your teeth into and can't help but fall in love with.  There are some amazing characters and quirky, funny and exciting moments.  The story is always interesting and well thought out with you always wondering what will happen next.  There are sides to be taken, clues to watch out for and problems to be solved.  Sometimes you won't like the outcome but on the other hand there will be times when you will be over the moon with what happens.

This is a series that is well worth trying out.  It is very addictive and emotional but in a very good way.  I always want to listen to the next book straight away but manage to at least listen to one book in between.  Oh and any worries I had about the change in narrator are long gone ;)

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73) Thirty-One and a Half Regrets by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

While Rose recovers from a broken heart, she finds herself at odds with her sister—and business partner—Violet. Rose buries herself in her landscaping work, but becomes worried when her employee and friend, Bruce Wayne Decker, goes missing.

In the meantime, Fenton County assistant D.A., Mason Deveraux has been patiently waiting to begin a relationship with Rose, but she realizes she needs to confront the demons of her past before she can embrace a new future. She needs to find out the truth about her birth mother.

But her past isn’t her only demon. An undercurrent of tension has been spreading through Henryetta, Arkansas since drug lord, Daniel Crocker’s arrest six months ago. Still, she’s not prepared for a nightmare come true: Crocker’s escape from prison. Crocker carries a grudge and he’s determined to make Rose pay, but he plays a game of cat and mouse, forcing Mason and the Fenton County Sheriff’s department to hide Rose on her birth mother’s farm. But will it be enough to save her?

My Thoughts :

I was really enjoying this series but had to take a break.  Not because I really wanted to but there were no more installments available on Audio and I hate switching from the audio version to the physical reading of a series.  If it is just a short story, ok.  However if I am already into a series Audibly I find it really hard not to keep to that format.  So when I saw the rest of the series appear on Audible I was really excited but then noticed there was a new narrator.  Oh no!  One of the worst fears of any Audio book listener is the narrator being changed in the middle of a series.  You are used to the voice, know it and have spent hours with it.  No one else can fit those shoes!  But for once things turned out good.

So my first few minutes of listening to the new narrator was spent wondering if it was ok to like her.  Yes it took a few seconds of it sounding weird because it wasn't the voice I associated with the books but I have to say I liked her pretty much from the get go.  She sounded younger and less prim and proper.  She sounded like Rose.  A round of applause to everyone who had anything to do with that change.  It was worth the wait!

Now as for the story.  Amazing!  Another great installment in what has become one of my most favourite audio series.  The series is perfect to listen to and it isn't hard to keep track of who is who or what is what.  The story is always engaging and you can't help but love the characters and enjoy all the relationship problems or joys.

Family, friends and romantic interests are one reason for checking out this series but the well thought out plot and mystery is another.  A huge shout out has to go to the 'visions' Rose has which makes this series slightly paranormal and just even more interesting.  A twist that keeps the story from being your normal everyday cozy mystery.

I think the main attraction to this series has to be Rose herself.  While you may not like some of her ideas and actions or disagree with the decisions she makes, her story is something you can relate to on  so many different levels.  Maybe because you have had that weird relationship with your family.  Maybe you got mixed up in crap you didn't want to be involved in while just trying to be nice and help.  Whatever the reason there is a little of Rose in everyone and I can't wait to see how her story continues.

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52) Falling to Pieces by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

When Joe walks out of Rose’s life, she can’t imagine life without him. But with support from her friends—and an unexpected person—Rose finds her way to climb out of her despair.

After his father’s blackmail forces him to leave the love of his life to protect her, Joe is thrown into the race for Arkansas State Senate. But while Rose has people to help her grieve, Joe finds himself completely alone—except the one person he detests is the only person who’s offering comfort

My Thoughts :

After finishing the third installment in the Rose Gardner Mysteries I was eager to keep going.  This novella fits between books three and four and I wanted to follow the correct reading order and decided to read this short story on my Kindle.  I have been listening to the series but didn't see the point in listening to something so short.

I am glad I decided to read this one because there wasn't much in Falling to Pieces that would have made an audio version enjoyable.  This half an hour read (an hour if you don't read as fast as me) would have wasted maybe three or four hours if listened to.  You see Falling to Pieces is a rehash of the end scenes from Thirty and Half Excuses where a big event takes place in Rose's life.  Something I am sure some readers would have seen coming and maybe even welcomed.

This short story goes through the events again and also fills in a few of the missing pieces.  It expands on what you read in Thirty and Half reasons by adding another characters perspective and giving you a more in-depth view of what went on from both sides of the fence.  There is also a slight continuation of the story with some events that take place after the previous book but all in all Falling to Pieces was another look at what happened with the cut out scenes added.

While this was slightly repetitive it was also nice to see what happened from both angles and to find out how the whole event started and ended.  Any fans of the series will find this novella to be informative and interesting but it definitely not one of those short stories you can read to get a taste of the series and the writer because it is technically one big spoiler.  So only read this if you have read up to book three.

This series is well worth reading and this novella is definitely a must read if you are reading the series.  However I could have done without it.  It wasn't overly special or amazing but I don't regret reading it.  I am very glad I didn't look for an audio version.  I am also even more eager to continue the series and see what happens next.  It will certainly be a very rocky and adventurous time for Rose but then again everything in her life since the series has begun has been exactly that.

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50) Thirty and a Half Excuses by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

Life in Henryetta, Arkansas is turned upside down with the arrival of a televangelist, but it’s the death of a little old lady on Rose’s street that catches her attention. The Henryetta police deem her death natural causes, but Rose suspects foul play and so does an unlikely supporter–-the president of the Busy Body Club, her eighty-two year old neighbor Mildred.

But Rose is in the middle of opening her nursery with her sister Violet, who’s separated from her husband Mike, as well as stalling her boyfriend Joe’s family, rich socialites who are determined to meet her. Along with her multiple encounters with Fenton County’s new assistant DA, Mason Deveraux III, it’s just another day in the life of Rose Gardner–-chaos.

My Thoughts :

It has been a busy week which meant hardly anytime to read.  I did manage to listen to this third book in the Rose Gardner Mysteries series and finished it this morning.  I enjoyed every single minute I managed to listen to over the last week and despite wishing I had time to actually pick up a physical book or my Kindle, this story kept me more than entertained.

I have been putting off listening to this third installment because the other books in the series weren't available on Audible/hadn't been released.  Once you start listening to a series it is very hard to switch to reading it and I really wanted to listen to the rest.  I was assured that the rest of the series was coming on audio soon and so I waited a little until I saw they had been released.  Then I snapped up this third part and started it immediately.

Thirty and a Half Excuses sees Rose go through a lot of changes.  The two previous books have also been full with Rose's new life and new ways but this story really takes her in new directions as well.  Anyone who found Rose to be a little meek and annoyingly naive will be happy to see her finally get some backbone and start speaking up in this story.  It is a slow process but she is getting there and is really trying hard to become a more independent and strong woman.

The mystery is a good one and is definitely worth reading however the characters themselves are the element that keep this series interesting.  There are some revelations and events in this book that really change Rose's views on people who are close to her and there are some really huge developments that I believe will have an effect on the series till the very end.

What I really liked about Rose's character in this book was how she is finally beginning to accept her gift and use it.  The visions were always a bad thing and they are slowly but surely becoming a good thing.  She even forces a vision to help solve the mystery and  to help her made a big decision. I feel proud of the character and it makes me feel invested in the series.  So it is no wonder that I will be getting the next installment as soon as possible.

If you like cozy mysteries and don't mind the little paranormal twist then you can't go wrong with getting to know Rose Gardner.  So far the series hasn't just been a collection of mysteries but also an emotional and fulfilling trip through the life of a boring young woman who is finally finding herself and enjoying it...even if she keeps getting involved in murder mysteries.  This is an original series that smells just a little like some other very good cozies.

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15) Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

When Rose reports for Fenton County jury duty she figures she’s lucky to get out of a morning working at the DMV. Instead, despite a disastrous encounter with the new assistant district attorney, Mason Deveraux, she’s picked as a juror on a murder case. As the trial progresses, she realizes an ominous vision she had in the men’s restroom proves the defendant is innocent. And there’s not a cotton picking thing she can do about it.

Or is there?

As if things weren’t bad enough, Rose’s older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can’t commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn’t about to let the best thing in her life slip away.

My Thoughts :

After enjoying the first audio book of this series I had to see what the next installment had in store for Rose Gardner.  I was surprised to find her basically where I left her.  The job at the DMV wasn't any better than it was before and she had a long distance relationship that was obviously being tested to the limits.  However an interesting storyline started to build up as Rose went off to Jury Duty and got herself into a bit of a situation.

Once again Rose's visions get her into trouble when she sees the real murderer getting away with his crime while she supposed to send an innocent man to prison.  What ensues is a chain of events that Rose hopes will prove the man is innocent.  Most of her plans get her into more trouble than her guy Jo can put up with and at times her job gets in the way.  The silver lining is a couple of new friends and a career change but there is always the chance that Rose could lose everything in this second installment.

This was another enjoyable cozy and the small supernatural twist is a good concept.  I like the characters even if some of them can be a bit annoying.  Rose's sister isn't my favourite but there is room for improvement and maybe things will change after the events in this book.  The plot was good but I have to admit I figured out who the murderer was pretty early on.  I couldn't put the complete motive together but knew who it was.  However it didn't make a difference, the book was entertaining and I enjoyed listening to it.

The Twenty-Nine and a Half reasons didn't appear until the end.  In the first book, Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes the title of the book was clear from the beginning and was a huge part of the whole book.  So it was weird and frustrating to find the reference to the title come in so late in this story.  I was expecting it to be another cool list Rose would be working on but at the end of the day it was a small moment that was important but not a huge part of the book.

Don't be put off by the cover.  Once again the cover depicts something more in the Romance or Young Adult genre when in fact this is a fun cozy mystery with a small supernatural twist.  There are some very amusing moments in the book and the wacky situations Rose gets into and her crapadoodle moments are highly entertaining.

Well worth checking out!  I will be listening to book three as soon as possible.  Unfortuately it seems the rest of the series isn't available on audio which is very annoying.  I will have to do some research and see if they will be released on Audio or if I will have to switch to the Kindle version after book three.

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12) Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number fifteen-- do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty secrets of his own.

Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry after all.

My Thoughts :

After reading a Christmas novella featuring Denis Grover Swank's character Rose Gardner, I decided I had to try the series as soon as possible.  The novella was a story that saw Rose meet up with a character from the Mudbug series and seeing as I have been following that series via Audible I decided that if this one was also available as an audio I would try it that way.  So I was delighted to see it on Audible and snapped it up when my new credits arrived.

I loved this book straight away.  Rose's demeanor and naive character made her likable but not annoying or frustrating.  Within the first few chapters you start to see her evolving and finally coming out of the shell she has been kept in.  Rose basically starts living her life and her decisions, actions and funny ideas are inspiring.  Getting mixed up in all the action makes the story even more interesting and the slight paranormal angle of Rose's visions make this even more fun to read.

Don't judge a book by its cover is a term well used for this one.  What looks like a young adult girly romance read is actually a cozy mystery southern enough to rival Sookie Stackhouse and have you giggling on more than one occasion.  I found myself mentally cheering for the leading lady and hoping that she would get through her list of wishes.  Some may find Rose a silly and naive woman but I liked her ability to finally stand up for herself and taking no nonsense from anyone after the huge hurdle that was her momma was out of the way.

The narrator on the audio version was great and I enjoyed listening to the book a lot.  I already had the second book downloaded before I was halfway done with this first installment.  I think that shows how much I was enjoying it  Unfortunately I have noticed that while this series is at least six books long there are only three of the books available on Audible.  I hoping this will change soon.  It would be very annoying to switch over to reading the series after listening to it.  Especially when the narrator is so good.

Well worth checking out if you liked the Sookie Stackhouse series, every enjoyed Stephanie Plum or are just a cozy mystery lover.  There is a little bit of something for everyone including some romance, comedy and action.  The plot is well thought out and the characters are unforgettable.  I am looking forward to starting the second book tomorrow and if it is as good as this debut then I am sure it won't take long to finish.  I found myself listening to this one whenever I had the chance!

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