This is a great book; this is the second book in the Cora Crafts Mystery series written by Mollie Cox Bryan. Settling into her new life and career in small-town Indigo Gap, North Carolina, Cora Chevalier is preparing to host a -wildcrafting- retreat at her Victorian home. But a specter hangs over the venture when beloved local nanny Gracie Wyke goes missing. Amidst leading their guests in nature hikes, rock painting and making clay charms, Cora and her business partner, Jane, team up with Gracie's boyfriend, Paul, to launch their own investigation into her disappearance when the local police prove unhelpful. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

As a crafter these books intrigue me! Fun stories with great characters.

No Charm Intended by Mollie Cox Bryan is the second book in A Cora Crafts Mystery series. Cora Chevalier is getting ready for her four day “wildcrafting” retreat at Kildare House in Indigo Gap, North Carolina. She checks her phone and discovers a message stating “I kidnapped her”. Believing it to be a prank, Cora ignores it. Just as Cora, Jane and the retreat instructors are leaving for dinner, Officer Glass arrives to discuss Cora’s text message. It seems that Cora was not the only person to receive it. It turns out that Gracie Wyck, a nanny and babysitter, is missing (they suspect kidnapped). Later that evening, Cora and Jane receive a visit from Gracie’s boyfriend, Paul and his friend, Henry. They are trying to retrace Gracie’s footsteps in an attempt to locate her. The next day Paul’s friend, Henry is missing. Cora fears Paul could be next and offers him a place to stay. When Henry turns up dead, and Paul becomes a person of interest. Cora believes Paul to be innocent and starts investigating to prove it. It turns out that Paul, Gracie and Henry were all playing the same computer game. Did someone decide to change the rules of the game? Can Cora and friends find Gracie in time?

No Charm Intended was not as enchanting as I was hoping. I enjoy crafting and love to read cozy mysteries, so No Charm Intended seemed like a perfect match for me. I did like the various crafts mentioned in the book, and I was glad instructions were provided at the end of the book on some of them. However, I found the mystery uncomplicated and easily solved early in the book. Some information was repeated frequently throughout the story (like the author needed filler). No Charm Intended can be read alone. The author provided the background details on the main character and summarized what occurred in the first book in this series. I did appreciate how the author included characters from her A Cumberland Creek Mystery series. I give No Charm Intended 2 out of 5 stars. I found a few items in the story hard to believe. Cora letting Paul stay in the house with the retreat guests (and he is a murder suspect). If I was a guest, this would make me uncomfortable. Jane talks about Gracie’s kidnapping in front of her five-year-old daughter, London (more than once). London then makes herself ill and begins having nightmares because she is scared. I was surprised by how the issue of depression was portrayed in No Charm Intended. Mollie Cox Bryan made it sound like a mental illness and people with the disease are unreliable (crazy, unbalanced). Jane becomes worried that harm could have come to her daughter because the babysitter suffered from depression. She felt she should have been warned (because she would not have hired the woman). Depression comes in many forms (including hereditary) and can easily be managed with medication. Most of the book is written in the third person, but Jane’s sections were in the first person. I did not enjoy reading Jane’s segments and quickly tried of her issues (regarding her ex-husband in particular). Jane is my least favorite person among the main characters. I am not sure I can continue with A Cora Crafts Mystery series.

The second book in Mollie Cox Bryan’s Cora Crafts Mystery series. Cora, Jane, and Ruby are hosting their second Crafts retreat. When Jane's nanny Gracie Wyke goes missing and a body turns up at a local abandoned amusement park Cora wants to figure out who did. Gracie's boyfriend Paul and Cora and the crafters take him in. Will he be the next target and can a wizard of oz game be the cause of all this?

A fun and quick read. I look how at the end you also get instructions for crafts that were done in the book. Do yourself a favorite and read this book if you enjoy cozy mysteries.

This was fun and the end was quite unexpected. Cora, Jane, and Ruby are hosting a craft retreat. Jane's baby-sitter does not show up to watch London. She is normally a very responsible young woman. Where is she. Her boyfriend Paul and his friend Henry set out to retrace her steps. Everyone is thrown for a loop on this. Paul is distraught and he ends up staying with Cora. The zigs and zags in this story are fast--hold on to your seat!

This definitely isn't your typical cozy series. At times the mystery almost seems like a secondary plot, but with Cora being a former social worker is makes sense that the focus would be on the characters. The alternating viewpoints with Cora and Jane help to make the characters feel more real. At times I even felt as if I was right there with the characters. The mystery was also very well written.

I haven't read any of Mollie Cox Bryan's books before and didn't realise this was the second book in this series but it didn't matter. I loved the fact that Jane and Cora bounced off each other, one was a bit more down to earth than the other. The story was of an abduction and the dark net which would have taken a lot of research. I enjoyed reading about cherokee Indian basket making and the history behind the baskets. I also enjoyed all the different crafts being done in the craft retreat. The only thing about the book which I found a little far fetched was the fact that Cora invited Paul to stay with them when she didn't know anything about him or if he was capable of anything. I didn't realise who the killer was. I would go back and read her first book as I enjoyed this one and I would look out for her next one in this series. Thank you for letting me read and review this book, I have found a new author to read as it looks like she writes more than one series.

Cora is living her dream. She and her good friend Jane have established a craft retreat at Kildare House in Indigo Gap, North Carolina. As they prepare for a new group of crafters to arrive, Jane's babysitter goes missing and Cora receives an unsettling email on the crime. What happens next is a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. I love the connection I feel with these characters. It's like visiting old friends. Their dialogue is always interesting and realistic. This is a suspenseful cozy that kept me guessing. I never got a handle on who the bad guy was. Believe me I kept trying, but was I off base. Molly Cox Bryan has a unique writing style that pulls me into her books. I wish that Indigo Gap existed. I would love to visit. An added bonus is crafting ideas the author included. I'm anxiously awaiting the next Cora Crafts Mystery.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read. My comments are my honest opinion.

This is your basic cozy with a good cast of characters and the added fun of crafting and a terrific setting. Where this fell apart for me was the lack of sensitivity Bryan showed toward depression. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Perfect cozy mystery filled with lovable characters and plenty of suspense.

Book one in this series was an enjoyable mystery and book two did not disappoint. The characters once again grab you and definitely sew you in nicely into the story. The writing was smooth, the story was extremely well written and grabs you from the very beginning and leaves you wanting more at the end.
I love how the story sets you up with the idea of a wonderful crafters retreat, and hooks you in with twists, turns, and murder. The whole background idea of the series is so unique, it really lets you get lost and live outside of yourself for a while. Definitely a crafty good time!

No Charm Intended by Mollie Cox Bryan is the second book in the Cora Cafts series. I enjoy the setting of Indigo Gap for this cozy mystery. It sounds like a a great place to not only visit but to live as well.

This time the retreat at Kildare House is called "wildcrafting" which introduced me to many new ideas for use in traditional crafts. Jane and Cora seem to be strong and remarkably resilient young women. The retreats are providing both of them with a new lease on life. However, I confess that I am having trouble connecting with either one of them in this series.

The mystery contains a theme that is darker than usually found in most cozy mysteries but the steady pace and the clues kept me turning the pages. I was proud of myself at the reveal when I realized that I had figured out who was behind all of the mystery and mayhem before Cora.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader copy of this book from Kensington Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. My rating is 3 1/2 stars.

This is the second book in the charming Cora Crafters series. The crafting is a delight and the setting is perfection. I enjoy visiting this small town with interesting characters and a lovely Victorian house as the setting for crafting retreats. The mystery is very well plotted and has many interesting clues. A delightful fun cozy mystery series that I highly recommend. I look forward,to the next in series.

‘No Charm Intended’ is one of the most intriguing cozy mysteries I will read this year. Mollie Cox Bryan’s first novel in the Cora Crafts Mystery series is so good that I had to read this one, which is incredibly fabulous! The layers of mystery lead to an explosive ending as we see how online computer gamers may unwittingly get too involved off screen. ‘No Charm Intended’ elevates the series to a new level.

Savor the moments in historic, gorgeous North Carolina, where Cora’s craft blog bloomed into a gorgeous Victorian home where she and best friend Jane lead craft retreats. The first one was successful, and Spring Fling is set to begin. I envy the talent and imagination they have, to do so many crafts and repurpose items! Jane and her daughter London live in the carriage house, remodeled with a pottery studio on the first floor and living quarters upstairs.

Gracie, the nanny of London’s close friend Jillie, sometimes sits with London, who adores her. Gracie was to spend time with London during the retreat. At least, until Grace disappeared and several people received anonymous texts saying ‘I Kidnapped Her’. Gracie’s boyfriend Paul and his friend/roommate Henry tried to find her. As the retreat begins, Henry disappears. Paul, Gracie, and Henry were very close friends, and play a Darknet online game, The Wizard of Oz. Whether Gracie was kidnapped and by whom had frightening possibilities when Henry is found dead at the closed-down theme park, Oz.

Cora tries to keep a handle on the investigation, help Paul, and lead the retreat. Jane leads her part of the retreat and tries to keep Cora from getting too involved in the mystery. As the plot twists and turns, some of the women at the retreat try their hand as sounding boards and share suggestions. Sheila, scrapbook maven of the author’s Cumberland Creek Mystery series, is a guest instructor; it may take their combined talents to solve these mysteries. Included are directions for each of the crafts taught during the retreat.

Jane is the more practical partner when it comes to protecting their home and her daughter. Cora had left her position as counselor at a women’s shelter due to overwhelming panic attacks; her caring heart often overrules her head. That is a wonderful trait if it is tempered by self-care. Her caring heart leads the way in this mystery. I like Jane and Cora best, then Ruby, who leads craft and herbal classes. Ruby is still an enigma although is slowly opening up; Cora and Jane are three-dimensional. I also like Sheila and her daughter Donna, and hope we see more of them in future novels. There is an eclectic mixture of talented artisans and crafters.

When it comes to facing the bad guy/ gal, Cora and Sheila rock! The plot is fresh yet scary, ripping open what most of us are unaware of that could become a real, threatening event. The mystery is very volatile, with plot twists that often change the direction. There are a few possible suspects, each adding to the intrigue and tension. There is no way to figure out who the bad guy/ gal is or what the cops are or aren’t doing, which is how I like it. The end is stunning, intense, and altogether surprising. I am hooked on this series! For the readers who enjoy well-written, intriguing cozy mysteries with heightened suspense and crafts, I highly recommend ‘No Charm Intended’! Excellent read!!

From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Pleasant cozy despite dealing with a murder and disappearance of a woman. Lots of crafting details that became tedious for me. Nice to see Cora and Jane dealing with their lives and moving on and coping with their life changes.. This is not a series that has me eagerly awaiting the next installment. It is a nice diversion and I will continue to read any that follow.

# out of 5 stars, I liked it. Book 2 in the series.

I liked No Charm Intended better than book 1. I love the premise and the changing "cast" of characters each retreat is fun. The mystery was unusual and interesting, the activities fun and engaging.

But I found myself pulled out of the story by a few things:

I found the two main characters, Cora and Jane, at times totally interchangeable and got them confused, because sometimes one spoke so out of character that I'd have go back and re-read the passage to make sure I had the right person. Jane seemed to be more cynical and less trusting, and openly distrusted Paul, then suddenly she was crying because she was worried about him. Wait, what? Things like that happened several times through out the book, leaving me a little confused each time.

Jane and Cora have just started a business, money is obviously a concern, and yet they have meals catered? That doesn't seem practical. And what exactly does Cora bring to the retreats? She doesn't seem to teach anything, just spends her time blogging...

I'm also having a problem with the fact that Cora seems to have so many of the men in town attracted to her, including a married police officer. Because the love triangle isn't bad enough, Cora gets to be in a love square!

It was an enjoyable enough read that I will read book three, but I'd really like to see the main characters a bit more fleshed out and individualized in the next one.

First off, I want it known that I would love to attend one of Cora's craft retreats. The author makes them sound like so much fun, and I like how Cora can be doing two or three things at the same time yet still plan ahead for future activities like enlarging the kitchen so she can hold baking classes.

Bryan has skillfully put together a very intriguing mystery. It took me a long time to figure out exactly what was going on, and I love that.

As good as the mystery is, and as delectable as all the crafts are, it's the cast of characters that makes this series a winner. Even though she's seen more than her fair share of the evil in the world, Cora still has a heart of gold and tends to be too trusting. Her friend Jane, on the other hand, is way too suspicious. I know Jane's suspicion is being used to keep Cora's good intentions in check (or at least to make Cora think twice about them), but I find Jane becoming very annoying. I hope something happens in future books to dial that element of her personality down a notch or two.

Continuing with the characters, I like seeing how some of the people signed up for the retreat join in the crime solving-- and how they all pitch in when someone needs help. Mollie Cox Bryan's Cora Crafts series encourages readers to solve crime and feel good-- all at the same time. Bring on book three!

No Charm Intended is the second book in the A Cora Crafts Mystery series.

Another engaging visit to Indigo Gap and a chance to take part in another crafting retreat with Cora and Jane.

Time is drawing near for the Spring Fling Retreat a wildcrafting retreat, when Cora gets a frightening text saying “I have kidnapped her”. Cora has no idea who the message is from or who had been kidnapped, then Jane arrives and informs Cora that her sitter, Gracie has disappeared. As they are getting ready to head to dinner Officer Glass stops by and informs Cora that the police are investigating a possible kidnapping of Gracie. The next day Paul, Gracie’s boyfriend, and Henry, Paul’s friend stop by Cora’s to see if she knows where Gracie might be. From talking with Paul and Henry Cora soon learns that the three of them have been playing a computer game call. Gracie is the only one that has hit the top level. Paul also informs Cora that after reaching the top level, Gracie was also receiving threatening messages.

Then when Henry is found dead, they believe that Paul knows more than he is willing to share and becomes a prime suspect. So while the police cyberspace unit attempts to uncover more information, Cora and her friends also go on the hunt to find the murderer.

This series provides the reader with a very interesting mystery and touches, not too heavily, on different types of craft projects.

Also included are several craft projects for one so inclined to try.

I enjoyed that this book was set at a craft retreat. It sounds like such a fun thing. But as usual Cora finds her and her best friend figuring out a murder. It is very well written, and actually had the hint of a suspense story toward the end. The storyline definitely kept me engrossed. The characters ar rich and interesting. Look forward to reading the next book in this series.

No Charm Intended by Mollie Cox Bryant is the second book in the Cora Crafts Mystery series. In this book Cora and Jane work more as partners in solving the mysterious disappearance of Jane's daughter's babysitter. I really liked the more equal partnership and hope it continues in future editions. We got more of an insight into Cora's romantic relationship(s) and no insight into where Jane's personal life is taking her. I admit to wanting more Jane and less Cora at this point in the series.

This is a new series and the author is introducing the new characters. Along with the returning characters, each book brings a group of students/retreat participants, who may or may not be the culprit. This is good because it makes the mystery harder to solve. So far, I like the characters and the relationships, but I can see getting bored with Cora having two men who seem to "like" her. I remember another series I read for a while and gave up on just for that reason, 30 somethings in platonic relationships with two men seemed unrealistic.

I would like to know more about Jane and have her find someone steady and continue to help solve the mysteries.

All in all, this is a good series, with likeable characters, an interesting location, great scenery, fun crafts with instructions in the back, and not so easy to figure out crimes and criminals.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.