Holly Tierney-Bedord

I loved this well-written, funny, quick read.

I Will follow Him is written in the first person from the point of view of Francie Meddling, a might-as-well-be-single, thirty-one year old, struggling private detective. In her private life, she has a forty-five year old boyfriend, Bink, who graces her with his presence whenever he is in town. He drives for a living, and when he does turn up, all he wants is to fall asleep on her sofa.

The way Francie describes herself leads me to think she has low self-esteem. She seems willing to settle for the crumbs Bink sweeps her way and feels inadequate when comparing herself with other women.

Francie is hired by Danielle Payne, fiancée to Evan Aronson, who recently lost both his parents in a plane crash, and inherited the family business worth millions. Danielle is concerned that he is cheating on her, and wants hard evidence to confront him with. Francie's job is to spy on Evan and report back to Danielle on whether he is unfaithful to her whilst on his week-long cruise with his bachelor friends.

Francie goes on the cruise - paid for by Danielle - where she expects to blend into the background and get the job done. That is until a group of girls befriend her, show her how to use a little make-up, and help her with her wardrobe. From that point her life changes completely in this delightful, light-hearted romantic comedy.

I disliked Danielle from the start. Although her concerns seem plausible, Francie notices something in her manner that doesn't quite fit with her story, and my mind raced away wondering what her true motives were. And with the mention of a legal document - well that was Danielle firmly on my 'baddie' list.

I also didn't like Bink. He put no effort into his relationship with Francie, and very much takes her for granted.

The other characters are all likeable, particularly the group of boys and girls Francie falls in with.

This is an enjoyable, quick read, guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.… (meer)

Murder at Mistletoe Manor by Holly Tierney-Bedford

Klarinda Snow is the innkeeper at her bed and breakfast. She is pleasantly surprised that all of her rooms are booked, on a Tuesday. Although this seems odd, she welcomes her guests. Soon things turn ugly, when her guest start dying.

The plot is original, and moves at a fast pace. Klarinda is very likable, mild mannered and kind. There is mystery and suspense a perfect who-done-it. I highly recommend Murder at Mistletoe Manor to those who love a great cozy mystery.… (meer)

Thirty-four-year-old Klarinda Snow runs Mistletoe Manor, a bed and breakfast in Windy Pines, Idaho. When seven rooms are booked on a Tuesday night in December Klarinda finds it odd, the inn doesn't usually have that much business in December. But no sooner do the guests arrive and get settled in before many accidents/deaths start occurring. And now they are snowed in. Who could be behind the deaths? And are all these guests connected somehow?

This was an enjoyable mystery. I was wondering who could be behind all the murders. I liked the snowy location of the inn. The story took place around Christmas even though there wasn't that much Christmas in it. A quick, easy read.… (meer)