A Crime of Passion Fruit (A Bakeshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
St. Martin’s Paperbacks (June 27, 2017)
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250088079
E-Book ASIN: B01MRU56AS

Synopsis

Torte―everybody’s favorite small-town family bakeshop―is headed for the high seas, where murder is about to make a splash. . .

Jules Capshaw is trying to keep her cool as Torte gets set to make its transformation from quaint, local confectionary café to royal pastry palace. Meanwhile, Jules’s estranged husband Carlos is making a desperate plea for her to come aboard his cruise ship and dazzle everyone with her signature sweets. She may be skeptical about returning to her former nautical life with Carlos but Jules can’t resist an all-expense-paid trip, either. If only she knew that adead body would find its way onto the itinerary . .
“A warm and inviting atmosphere, friendly and likable main characters, and a nasty murder mystery to solve!” ―Fresh Fiction

Now, instead of enjoying tropical drinks on deck between whipping up batches of sea-salted chocolates and flambéing fresh pineapple slices in the kitchen, Jules is plunged into dangerous waters. Her investigation leaves her with more questions than answers: Why can’t anyone on board identify the young woman? And how can she help Carlos keep passengers at ease with a killer in their midst? Jules feels like she’s ready to jump ship. Can she solve this case without getting in too deep?

“A perfect mix for fans of Jenn McKinlay, Leslie Budewitz, or Jessica Beck.”  ―Library Journal

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Guest Post

Today StoreyBook Reviews welcomes Juliet….I have to say I agree with her belief of food and love!  Take it away Juliet!

Many thanks for inviting me today! I’m so happy to be here. Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Juliet Montague Capshaw, but I prefer to go by Jules. I’m a trained pastry chef who believes that food is a love language. This could be due in part to my upbringing. Food was always an expression of my parents’ love when I was young. They opened our family bakeshop, Torte, not only because they shared a common interest in creating delectable sweets and pastries, but also because they held a deep commitment to our community in my hometown of Ashland, Oregon. Torte has become more than a bakeshop. It’s a gathering place for friends and neighbors to linger over a steaming espresso while noshing on homemade bread and chatting about the latest gossip.

My memories of growing up in the bakeshop are filled with fragrant scents of cinnamon and nutmeg, steaming coffee, and lots of happy laughter around the giant kitchen island. Torte was my second home, so naturally when it came time for me to venture out into the world I decided to attend culinary school. I had figured that after graduating I would return to Ashland, but instead I landed a job on a boutique cruise ship, The Amour of the Seas, and ended up spending the next ten years traveling to exotic ports and sailing on azure waters.

Life on the ship was full of adventure. I spent every spare minute perfecting my craft under the watchful eye of the head pastry chef and eventually worked my way into the role. I also used my time at port to taste a variety of new flavors that have infused my cooking and baking with texture and sparked my creativity. I don’t regret any of the time that I spent on the ship, however when I learned that my husband had been keeping a secret from me I left in a hurry and thought I might never return.

Ashland welcomed me home and became a cozy escape for me to figure out what was next. I had forgotten how much I had missed its charming Elizabethan streets, the eclectic mix of actors, musicians, and writers who are drawn to the town for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and what it was like to work in a small bakeshop. At Torte, my hands are always coated in flour and my apron splattered with sauces and or fresh berry preserves. I’ve been able to return to my roots. I love spending an afternoon pipping buttercream icing onto a layered dark chocolate cake, or pressing pie crust by hand. Baking is the best way to heal a broken heart. I’ve literally worked out my personal problems in the dough.

Knowing all of this, it might surprise you to hear that I decided on a whim to return to the ship. Don’t worry it’s only temporary. You see my estranged husband, Carlos, called and begged me to help fill in. I would have said no, but he sweetened the deal by offering to give my mom and her beau an all-inclusive getaway. When I mentioned the idea of a week in the tropics, her eyes lit up. She’s poured her heart and soul into Torte and I couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a vacation. So, I agreed. We packed our bags, and I thought we would be off on a sunny adventure. Only from the moment we stepped onboard, I knew that this wasn’t going to be a stress-free holiday for me. Running a commercial kitchen, managing a huge staff, and trying to keep my emotions in-check around Carlos was going to be a serious challenge. If that wasn’t enough, I stumbled upon a body floating face down in the pool.

Now I’m mixed up in a murder investigation and responsible for assembling hundreds and hundreds of show-stopping pastries. I have a feeling that as soon as I return to Ashland, I’m going to need a vacation from my vacation.

About The Author

Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research.

 

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Check out the other blogs on this tour

June 27 – A Cozy Experience – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

June 27 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

June 28 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW

June 28 – Books, Dreams, Life – SPOTLIGHT

June 28 – Books Direct – GUEST POST

June 29 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

June 29 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – GUEST POST

June 30 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW

June 30 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW

June 30 – Mystery Playground – Drinks and Reads

July 1 – Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW

July 1 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

July 2 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

July 2 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 3 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

July 3 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 3 – Celebrating Authors – INTERVIEW

July 4 – OFF

July 5 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT

July 6 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW

July 6 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 7 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST

July 7 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

July 8 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

July 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

July 9 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

July 10 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

July 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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