Jill Marie Landis

Disclaimer: I received this book free from BelleBooks in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any form of compensation.

This was one of the funniest cozy mysteries that I had read in quite a while. I absolutely fell in love with the characters from the first page. I especially loved the Hula Maidens. They were over-the-top hilarious. Think Grandma Mazur from the Stephanie Plum series, except a bunch of them!

Poor Em is overwhelmed when the Tiki Goddess Bar is taken over by a camera show more crew for a reality TV show. Of course, every is hamming it up so they can get their time on camera. However, some people prefer to stay out of the lime light (Em included). When one of the camera men winds up dead in the pantry, things really start spiraling out of control. And this is just the first of three murders in this book.

I tore through this book really quickly because I just didn't want to put it down. I was hooked.

I hadn't read the first two books in this series. You can guarantee that I will be getting them. Plus I can't wait for another in the series. It is just too good not to read. show less

Too Hot Four Hula by Jill Marie Landis is really a funny mystery with a touch of romance. And if you are familiar with Hawaii and Hawaiian culture or just like learning more about it, the book also provides for that in subtle ways. Bits of culture and words are sprinkled throughout and explained within context giving the book even more of a Hawaiian feel.

My synopsis:
Em's Uncle Louie, owner of the Tiki Goddess bar and master mixologist, has entered the Cocktail Shake Off Competition in show more Honolulu on Oahu. Em and the Hula Maidens have accompanied him from Kauai. Louie's "Booze Bible" was stolen. And to make things worse, Em's ex-husband was killed shortly after she met with him. Who has the drink bible? Em's alibi stinks for the murder. Will Roland, her lovely cop and part-time fire dancer from Kauai, be able to keep her out of jail? Will the Hula Maidens provide more help than hindrance as they take it upon themselves to solve the mysteries? Throw in a monkey and even more chaos ensues.

This is the fourth book in the Tiki Goddess Mystery series. Jill Marie Landis continues to write winners in this series. The characters that are most active are fleshed out. Both their virtues and their faults are visible and yet they are lovable. For example, the Hula Maidens wouldn't be the same without Kiki Godwin, who craves attention, to lead them and Pat, who is former military, but has no sense of rhythm, to keep them in line. The Hula Maidens also provide comic relief at times when the mystery is getting too heavy.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a great addition to the series. All the characters act true to themselves. The book has mystery, humor, and a dash of romance - a wonderful combination. I would recommend it to people that like to read about the Hawaiian Islands and people who enjoy humorous cozies. show less

This novel begins in New Orleans, where four little girls have lost their parents. Their mom and dad died after immigrating to America from Ireland, leaving the orphaned girls to live with their only relatives; an aunt and uncle. In an unthinkable act of selfishness, the uncle separates the girls, selling the 2 oldest, and putting the 2 youngest into an orphanage. Years later, the oldest, now known as the widow Mrs. Laura Foster, has started her life over, as the owner of a respectable show more boarding house in the small town of Glory, Texas. The town’s preacher, a widower with 2 small children, is attracted to her, but she keeps him at arms length; knowing that if he or the townspeople find out about her past it could ruin them both.

I gave this book, about forgiveness and redemption, 4 stars, because the author kept me guessing up to the end about how she was going to resolve Laura’s dilemma. The author gives us some great characters, an unsolved mystery, and a lead into book two. Enjoy. show less

I am dismayed that in this day and age people are still writing novels where an 11 year old who is sold to a bordello and raped is then in need of forgiveness. Lovie is beautiful and smart so she eventually saves enough money to earn her freedom and start over with a fancy bed and breakfast in another city. She lives in fear that someone will discover her past and of course someone does. She is forgiven for being a whore (unwillingly, as a child) because she has given the church new choir show more robes and an organ as well as other good deeds. Seriously? A woman wrote this? For shame!
If you are looking for a book where you know the ending as soon as you read the first chapter, go ahead and read it. Nothing new here. show less