A Deadly Éclair: A French Bistro Mystery
Cozy Mystery
New Series
Crooked Lane Books (November 7, 2017)
Hardcover: 320 pages

Synopsis

It’s always been Mimi Rousseau’s dream to open her own bistro, but it seems beyond her grasp since she’s been chased back home to Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley by her late husband’s tremendous debt. Until her best friend Jorianne James introduces her to entrepreneur Bryan Baker who invests in promising prospects. Now, working the bistro and inn until she’s able to pay it off and call it her own, Mimi is throwing the inn’s first wedding ever.

The wedding will be the talk of the town, as famous talk show host Angelica Edmonton, daughter of Bryan’s half-brother, Edison, has chosen the inn as her perfect venue. Anxious, Mimi is sure things are going to turn south, especially when Edison gets drunk and rowdy at the out-of-towners’ dinner, but by the evening, things begin to look up again. That is until six AM rolls around, and Bryan is found dead at the bistro with an éclair stuffed in his mouth. And the fingers point at Mimi, whose entire loan is forgiven in Bryan’s will.

Now it’s up to Mimi to clear her name and get to the bottom of things before the killer turns up the heat again in A Deadly Éclair, the scrumptious series debut by Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber.

Review

If it is possible to gain weight by reading a book then this might be the book that could make it happen! The restaurant is a French bistro and the food is inspired by the French so you know it has to be good. The descriptions had my mouth watering and imaging the dishes being served.

The story flows along quite well and the cast of characters seems to be well fleshed out and adds depth and dimension to the mystery plot. I think my favorite character might be Jo, she is a force to be reckoned with as Mimi’s manager and all around go to woman. She is a woman with a plan and doesn’t stop to question what might go wrong.

The mystery itself has multiple layers and many moving parts. There were many people to suspect for various reasons and the how and why that was revealed at the end was a surprise (to me at least).

I think this is going to be a great new series and especially since there are many recipes at the end of the book for us to try.

We give it 5 paws up.

Recipe

Traveling Meal

Madeleine cookies

For A Deadly Éclair, I wanted to include a cookie recipe that was simple to make yet pretty. I think cookies are always a bestseller at any party, don’t you?

I was reading up on French classics, and Madeleine cookies came to mind. They are cakelike cookies that are baked in special molds. I found my mold at William Sonoma—12 to a tin. The mold gives the cookie a delicate shell shape.

Now, according to one “account” (we know not all accounts are true), Louis XV named the cookie Madeleine to honor his father-in-law’s cook Madeleine Paulmier. He first tasted them in Lorraine in 1755 and introduced them to court, and they became the rage. True or not true? Do you care?

They are a perfect ending to a perfectly French meal.

FYI, this is our last stop on the traveling meal. Indulge yourselves! I’ve provided a regular and a gluten-free recipe. It’s also in the book! You have an exclusive first-look.

Last but not least, what is cardamom? I discovered that is a spice made from the seed pods of various plants in the ginger family. It has a strong, pungent flavor.  A substitute for cardamom is equal parts cinnamon and nutmeg.

Orange Cardamom Madeleines

(Makes 12)

For the cookies:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon good-quality honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs

For the glaze:

• ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Directions

Brush molds of a madeleine pan with butter; set aside.

Make the batter:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat, and stir in honey and vanilla. Let cool 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl whisk flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees, setting the rack in the center.
• In a medium bowl, stir together sugar and eggs. Gently fold in the flour mixture until combined. Add the butter mixture and fold until combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine pan, filling each mold halfway. Tap pan on work surface to eliminate air bubbles. If necessary, use moistened fingers to press the batter into the mold.
• Bake until cookies have puffed and the edges are golden, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Transfer the madeleine pan to a wire rack; let the cookies cool slightly. Unmold the cookies onto a rack, and let cool completely.

Make the orange glaze:

In a small bowl, stir together sugar and orange zest and juice until the glaze is smooth and thick. Using a small pastry brush, paint the ridged side of each cookie with the glaze. Let set 15 minutes.

Cookies can be stored in a single layer in an airtight container up to 3 days.

 

Orange Cardamom Madeleines

Gluten-free Version

(Makes 12)

For the cookies:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon good-quality honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup sweet rice flour (or a gluten-free blend you enjoy)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum

For the glaze:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Directions

Brush molds of a madeleine pan with butter; set aside.

Make the batter:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat, and stir in honey and vanilla. Let cool 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl whisk gluten-free flour, baking powder, cardamom, salt, and xanthan gum; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees, setting the rack in the center.
• In a medium bowl, stir together sugar and eggs. Gently fold in the gluten-free flour mixture until combined. Add the butter mixture and fold until combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine pan, filling each mold halfway. Tap pan on work surface to eliminate air bubbles. If necessary, use moistened fingers to press the batter into the mold.
• Bake until cookies have puffed and the edges are golden, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Transfer the madeleine pan to a wire rack; let the cookies cool slightly. Unmold the cookies onto a rack, and let cool completely.

Make the orange glaze:

In a small bowl, stir together sugar and orange zest and juice until the glaze is smooth and thick. Using a small pastry brush, paint the ridged side of each cookie with the glaze. Let set 15 minutes.

Cookies can be stored in a single layer in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Facebook Giveaway

From Daryl:

I’m offering a book giveaway (winner’s choice of 1 from my published paperbacks) every day of this traveling feast. To enter today, tell me what is your favorite cookie?

BY THE WAY, don’t miss out on the French Bistro-themed BOX I’m giving away on my Facebook Author page.

About the Author

DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California. As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Daryl also writes stand-alone suspense: Days of Secrets and Girl On the Run. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more.

Find Daryl here: Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Find Avery here: Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

 

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November 1 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews

November 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

November 3 – Brooke Blogs

November 4 – A Holland Reads

November 5 – Jane Reads

November 6 – StoreyBook Reviews

November 7 – Back Porchervations

Synopsis

When radio reporter Carol Childs is called to a crime scene in the Hollywood Hills at five thirty in the morning, she’s convinced it must be a publicity stunt to promote a new movie. That is, until she sees the body hanging from the center of the Hollywood sign. The police are quick to rule it a suicide, but something doesn’t add up for Carol. Particularly after a mysterious caller named Mustang Sally confesses to the murder on the air and threatens to kill again.

With the help of an incorrigible PI, her best friend, and a kooky psychic, Carol is drawn into the world of contract killers and women scorned. As she races to find the real killer, she finds herself faced with a decision that will challenge everything she thought she knew.

Related subjects include: women sleuths, murder mystery series, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), amateur sleuth mysteries, book club recommendations, suspense, noir.

Books in the Carol Childs Mystery Series:

SHADOW OF DOUBT (#1)
BEYOND A DOUBT (#2)
WITHOUT A DOUBT (#3)
ROOM FOR DOUBT (#4)

Review

I have a few favorite series and this is one of them. I am not sure what it is about the characters or the setting, but I always find the books intriguing and they even leave me on the edge of my seat at times.

Carol always manages to find herself in the thick of events, probably because she is a radio journalist and I don’t see how she could avoid those news stories. I do feel like she puts herself in harms way too often and feels it is necessary to omit pertinent details to others that might be involved in the situation.

This book does deal with abuse and how a vigilante group chooses to handle those men found guilty (but not by a court) and dealing with them in their own way. I think many would say that by the time a court would step in help the abused woman it is too late. This group takes it out of the court’s hands and inflicts their own brand of justice.

There is a new character in this book, Chase. He is a local PI that Carol is working with on this case. There is definitely some chemistry between the two and I suspect he will be around a lot more and perhaps a romance will bud between the two.

We give this 5 paws up.

About This Author

Nancy Cole Silverman credits her twenty-five years in news and talk radio for helping her to develop an ear for storytelling. But it wasn’t until 2001 after she retired from news and copywriting that she was able to sit down and write fiction fulltime. Much of what Silverman writes about today she admits is pulled from events that were reported on from inside some of Los Angeles’ busiest newsrooms where she spent the bulk of her career. In the last ten years she has written numerous short stories and novelettes. Today Silverman lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Bruce and two standard poodles.

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Fireworks in Paradise (A Tj Jensen Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Henery Press (October 10, 2017)
Paperback: 242 pages

Synopsis

While on vacation in South Carolina, Tj Jensen receives a call that her father has been left in a coma after a devastating car crash. Back home in Paradise Lake, Tj learns the accident that killed family friend Judge Harper and left her father clinging to life wasn’t an accident at all—someone cut their brake lines. To make matters worse, her friend and police contact, Deputy Roy Fisher, is working with a new partner who has no intention of letting Tj anywhere near the case. Facing an investigation more explosive than the annual fireworks show, Tj enlists the help of her best friends to unravel the mystery, all the while navigating a new romance and the thought her father may never wake up.

About the Author

Author of the Zoe Donovan cozy Mystery Series, Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery series, Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Series, Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mysteries, and Seacliff High Teen Cozy Mystery Series.

Come for the murder, stay for the romance.

Kathi lives in the beautiful alpine community of Lake Tahoe with her husband Ken and dog Echo. When she’s not writing she enjoys hanging out on the beach with her children and grandchildren. During the summer she enjoys hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, wakeboarding, and sunset cruises on the lake. During the winter she enjoys cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and curling up by a fire with a good book.

Kathi uses her mountain home as inspiration for her books, all which include appearances by the wildlife she shares her life with.

Blog * Facebook for Kathi Daley Books * Kathi Daley Teen Facebook * Kathi Daley Books Group Facebook 

Kathi Daley Recipe Exchange * Kathi Daley Books Birthday Club – get a book on your birthday

 Webpage * Goodreads * Twitter * Tumblr * Pinterest

 

Giveaway

I am lucky enough to give away 1 copy of Fireworks in Paradise. It can be an eBook or print copy (print copy only to US residents)

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Gone with the Wings (Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Self Published
Publication Date: June 3, 2017
Paperback: 269 pages

Synopsis

Author Leena Clover announces a brand new cozy mystery series set in a small Oklahoma college town. Mystery readers will enjoy this culinary cozy murder mystery featuring plenty of yummy recipes like Masala Fried Chicken and Shish Kabob Blue Plate Special.

Meera Patel is back home with the family after she dropped out of graduate school. Now she shelves books for a living and rustles up fusion recipes at Sylvie’s Cafe & Diner. Everything is fine until her old nemesis Prudence Walker floats up in the local pond. Meera is accused of murder! Well, she did publicly declare Prudence would drop dead.

Meera cries foul and screams police harassment. But she has no defense when she is accused of a second crime. Flanked by pals Tony and Becky, Meera puts in the leg work, trying to solve clues and discard red herrings.

Fall in Oklahoma has never been more exciting.

Cozy mystery fans will love this new mystery series featuring an Asian American amateur sleuth. There is a full cast of characters with a professor father, young sibling, old grandparents, loyal friends and a candid glimpse into South Asian culture.

Review

There was a lot to like for this first book in this series. What i liked about it was that it was set in OK in a small college community town and where there seems to be a large Indian (Asian not Native American) population. The family is close knit and they are always eating…that may sound strange but I love food and all of the dishes that were described in the book sounded delicious. I also liked that the murder was solved in a roundabout way and really wasn’t the main focus, or it doesn’t appear to be the main focus most of the time.

There are some unknowns that might be addressed more in future books, such as, why did Meera drop out of school to work at the local college library? What happened to Meera’s mom all those years ago in the tornado? (side note, I think there might be some foreshadowing happening in this book at the end that might address that in future books).

I do think at times the writing seemed choppy and some words were used that didn’t seem right such as calling a car trunk a boot. That is the British word and Meera is American so would have used the word trunk unless her family always called it a boot and she picked it up that way.

This series has great potential and I look forward to reading them at some point.  We give it 3 1/2 paws.

About the Author

Leena Clover is the author of the brand new Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Series, starring a 20 something Desi girl as the protagonist. The series is set in a small Oklahoma college town Meera calls home.

Leena Clover offers plenty of clues for her readers so that they can solve the mystery as they read along. Readers can expect a unique look into Indian/ South Asian culture and plenty of yummy recipes.

Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

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September 18 – Student of Opinions – REVIEW

September 19 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

September 19 – Readsalot – GUEST POST

September 20 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 20 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW

September 21 – Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting – REVIEW

September 21 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

September 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW

September 22 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

September 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

September 24 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 25 – Book Babble – REVIEW

September 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

September 26 – Laura’s Interests – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

September 27 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

September 27 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

Body on Baker Street: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Crooked Lane Books (September 12, 2017)

Synopsis

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are busy managing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium on Baker Street and adjoining Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room in anticipation of the store’s upcoming book signing with the illustrious Renalta Van Markoff, author of the controversial Hudson and Holmes mystery series. But during the author Q&A session, dedicated Sherlockian Donald Morris verbally attacks Renalta and her series for disgracing Sherlock’s legacy, only to be publicly humiliated when the author triumphantly lashes back and gains the upper hand. That is until Renalta collapses on the table―dead.

Donald insists he didn’t do it and pleads to his friends to clear his name. Fortunately, Gemma and Jayne have no shortage of suspects between author’s bullied personal assistant, her frustrated publicist, the hapless publisher, a handsome rare book dealer, an obsessively rabid fan, and a world of other Sherlock enthusiasts with strong objections to Renalta’s depiction of the Great Detective. It’s up to the shrewd sleuthing duo to eliminate the impossible and deduce the truth before the West London police arrest an innocent man in Body on Baker Street, the second Sherlock Homes Bookshop mystery perfect for fans of Miranda James and Kate Carlisle.

Guest Post

Stocking the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium

By Vicki Delany

Great Escapes Book Tour Sept. 2017

When I first had the idea of creating a cozy series around a Sherlock Holmes Bookshop, I thought the idea would be fun but a bit far-fetched.   It’s been rather surprising to discover it really would be possible to have an entire store of nothing but Sherlock Holmes.

I dove into the crazy world of Sherlock, and I’ve had a lot of fun stocking my fictional shop.

First, the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  There were sixty original Sherlock Holmes stores, including four novels. Not a lot with which to stock an entire store, but the legions of books they’ve inspired is incalculable, what’s call the pastiche – novels and short story collections in which Sherlock and Dr. Watson are characters, in some form or another (e.g. Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell series).  I expanded the bookshelves by including a section of Gaslight novels, meaning books set in the Victorian or Edwardian eras, most of which are mysteries (e.g. Gaslight series by Victoria Thompson or the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen). We also have a non-fiction section for books about Sir Arthur, his writing, his contemporaries, and their life and times.

And then we can stock merchandize.  DVDs of TV shows and movies, posters, life-sized cut-outs, puzzles, games, coloring books, mugs, cups, tea towels.  The list is practically endless.

All of the stuff sold in the Sherlock Holmes bookshop can be found in the real world.  All, that is, except for the books in the Hudson and Holmes series by Renalta Van Markoff, for reasons which shall become clear in Body on Baker Street, the second book in the series.

I’ve enjoyed finding Sherlock pastiche and gaslight books and dropping their names into the books. It’s been a hoot trying to match a real book to a fictional character who comes into the shop.

After engaging in a frenzy of shopping, my customers have to go someplace for refreshments and where better than next door to Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room.  There they can enjoy a cream tea or full afternoon tea, perhaps served in a Sherlock themed tea pot and cups.  Quite a few of the things Jayne serves in the tea room have been made by me at some time, or at least eaten by me!

Research is tough but someone has to do it.

About the Author

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers. She is the author of twenty-three published crime novels, including standalone Gothic thrillers, the Constable Molly Smith series, and the Year Round Christmas Mysteries.  Under the pen name of Eva Gates she is the national bestselling author of the Lighthouse Library cozy series.

The first in Vicki’s Sherlock Holmes bookshop series, Elementary She Read, will be released in March 2017 from Crooked Lane Books.

Vicki lives and writes in Prince Edward County, Ontario. She is the past president of the Crime Writers of Canada.

Website * Facebook * Twitter (Vicki) * Twitter (Eva)

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September 11 – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 11 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 12 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 12 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT

September 13 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 13 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

September 14 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW

September 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

September 15 – Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW

September 16 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW

September 16 – Carole’s Book Corner – REVIEW

September 17 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 17 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 18 – CelticLady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

September 19 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

September 19 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 20 – Book Babble – REVIEW

September 20 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

September 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

September 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

September 22 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – INTERVIEW

September 22 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

September 22 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW

September 23 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW

September 23 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 24 – A Cozy Experience – REVIEW

Death Distilled: A Whisky Business Mystery 
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Alibi (September 5, 2017)
Print Length 300 pages

Synopsis

Photojournalist by trade, distillery owner by blood, and amateur sleuth by necessity, Abigail Logan learns that murder can’t stay bottled up forever in this charming Whisky Business Mystery.

It’s been three months since Abi Logan last checked in on Abbey Glen, the celebrated whisky distillery she inherited. With her oversize wheaten terrier, Liam, by her side, Abi returns to the quaint Scottish village of Balfour. But her relaxing Highland homecoming takes a stressful turn when she unearths an unseemly bit of village history, welcomes a group of Japanese whisky enthusiasts, and becomes shepherdess to an unexpected flock of sheep—all within the first twenty-four hours. Still, nothing’s more stressful than murder. . . .

Local celebrity Rory Hendricks is the hotheaded, hard-rocking former frontman of the Rebels—and Abi’s girlhood crush. After meeting him in person, Abi can’t say no to anything he asks, like photographing his upcoming show . . . or figuring out who’s trying to kill him. Turns out someone’s been bumping off his old bandmates, with the drummer dead under mysterious circumstances and the keyboardist in a coma following a hit-and-run. Now a series of threatening messages leads Rory to think he’s next on the chopping block. And the band has a devil’s share of broken hearts and bitter disputes in their past, leaving Abi a huge batch of suspects to sift through—all before the killer takes another shot.

Melinda Mullet’s delightful Whisky Business mysteries can be read together or separately. Enjoy responsibly:
SINGLE MALT MURDER | DEATH DISTILLED

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About the Author

Melinda Mullet was born in Dallas and attended school in Texas, Washington D.C., England, and Austria. She spent many years as a practicing attorney before pursuing a career as a writer. Author of the Whisky Business Mystery series, Mullet is a passionate supporter of childhood literacy. She works with numerous domestic and international charities striving to promote functional literacy for all children. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her family.

Webpage * Facebook * Twitter

 

Giveaway

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check out the other blogs on this tour

September 4 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT

September 5 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

September 5 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

September 6 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

September 6 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

September 7 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

September 7 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

September 8 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

September 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

September 9 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 10 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST

September 10 – Bookworm Mom – REVIEW

September 11 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW

September 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

September 15 – Mystery Playground

September 15 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – GUEST POST

September 16 – The Editing Pen – REVIEW

September 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

 

Murder Wears Mittens (Seaside Knitters Society)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Kensington (August 29, 2017)
Hardcover: 272 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496711021
E-Book ASIN: B01MSVCTH9

Synopsis

As autumn washes over coastal Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, the Seaside Knitters anticipate a relaxing off-season. But when murder shatters the peace, the craftiest bunch in town must unravel a killer’s deadly scheme . . .

After retrieving fresh lobster nets from a local Laundromat, Cass Halloran rushes to attend a last-minute gathering with her knitting circle. But Cass can’t stop worrying about the lonely boy seen hanging around the dryers, and the school uniform he left behind in a hurry. When the ladies return the lost clothing the next day, they find the child and his younger sister alone, seemingly abandoned by their mother . . .

The knitters intend to facilitate a family reunion, not investigate a crime. But the death of Dolores Cardozo, a recluse from the edge of town, throws the group for a loop. Especially when the missing mother and one of their own become tied to the victim’s hidden fortune—and her murder . . .

Before scandalous secrets break bonds and rumors tear Sea Harbor apart, the Seaside Knitters need to string together the truth about Dolores—while preventing a greedy murderer from making another move!

* Includes a knitting pattern *

Guest Post

Cooking and Writing…without an end in sight.

Sally Goldenbaum

I love to cook. It’s right up there with hiking in the Rockies, knitting, and walking along an ocean beach with a grandchild. My concerns and anxieties seem to melt away with the feel of a soft little hand in mine, the  sound of waves, the smell of pines — and butter in a hot frying pan.

But it was only recently, when my husband suggested that I cook the way I write mysteries, that I started thinking about my cooking in another way.

“Hmm,” I said. “I do? How?”

“Think about it,” Don said. “You start out telling me, ‘There’s nothing in the house. What should I make?’ Then you open the frig doors and stare inside for a while, one foot tapping the floor. But finally, magically, a tasty meal lands on the table, even though you didn’t have a clue what you were going to make.”

I thought about that. He might have something—about my cooking, anyway. Last night was one of those nights. I searched the cupboard, then stared into the refrigerator. A chicken breast. A bunch of kale. A sweet potato and a lonely apple. I liked the color combination, but the taste? But after a little more rummaging, I found enough to move ahead, adding, subtracting, tasting, checking the frig once more. The end result: a mounded salad of kale with nuts, apple chunks and a few other things mixed in, all tossed in olive oil and lemon juice. Chopped and roasted sweet potato and sautéed chicken slices went on top. Tasty. Even healthy.

But my husband wasn’t through.

“Okay, now think of this new book. When you started writing Murder Wears Mittens you claimed you didn’t have much to feed a mystery—a scene in a Laundromat with a little kid and the seaside knitters characters. The profile of a woman in a NYT’s book of obituaries that you couldn’t seem to let go of.”

Disparate ingredients. That’s what I had. Just like my salad. Admittedly, my goal for the meal and the novel had similarities: combine it all so it would be engaging, interesting, appealing to the senses—and have some surprises tucked in. And in the end, I definitely always want to satisfy eaters AND readers’ appetites.

“Your processes were similar, too,” he went on. (My husband, as you may have guessed, is analytical.) “Trying one thing and another, going back and adding ingredients, tasting, adding again. Exactly what you do with the mysteries. Write a few scenes, then go back and add some things. Smoothing out.”

Of course no comparisons are perfect, but he had a point.

I’ve always been a pantser as far as my writing goes—I fly by the seat of my pants. And sure enough, maybe I cook that way too. It seems to work for me, even though now and then a recipe would be nice.

It’s true in writing too. Sometimes I’m a wannabe plotter when I’m writing. It would have been nice to have known early on what the recluse in Murder Wears Mittens had in mind when she hid dollar bills all over her house.  Or why a young boy left his clothes in the dryer and then ran off as if he’d committed a crime. And where, oh where, was the boy’s mother? But the only way I could find the answers was to keep writing. And hope. (Along with a dash of faith. . .)

And likewise, wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly what I needed to make a perfect meal each night? Or what it was going to taste like when I was finished?

Or would the planning and plotting take a little bit out of the mystery of discovery, the magic of cooking, the joy of writing? I think the jury is still out on that. The only thing I know for sure is that we all march to our own drummer. No method fits all.

But I do think my husband’s observation of the two methods has some merit. Which reminds me. It’s six o’clock, and I have no idea what to make for dinner.

Nor about what Nell, Birdie, Izzy, and Cass are going to do in chapter four of the next Seaside Knitters Society novel when a familiar body is found in a seaside home.

It’s all a mystery.

And my thanks to you for stopping by.

About the Author

Sally Goldenbaum was born on the shores of Lake Michigan, in Manitowoc, WI, to a homemaker mother and a ship-building father. Although she now lives in landlocked Prairie Village, KS, her longing for lakes and the sea is satisfied in part by writing the USA Today bestselling Seaside Knitters Mystery series, set on Cape Ann, MA. She is a sometime philosophy teacher, a knitter, and an editor, and the author of more than thirty novels. Her fictional knitting friends are teaching her the intricacies of women’s friendship, the mysteries of small-town living, and the very best way to pick up dropped stitches on a lacy knit shawl.

Webpage * Twitter * Facebook 

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August 29 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

August 30 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW

August 30 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW

August 31 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

September 1 – Socrates’ Book Reviews -REVIEW

September 1 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

September 2 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

September 3 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW

September 4 – Carole’s Book Corner – SPOTLIGHT

September 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

September 5 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

September 5 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

September 6 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

September 7 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW

September 8 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

September 8 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW

September 9 – Island Confidential – GUEST POST

September 10 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW

September 11 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

September 11 – Back Porchervations – Review

Vangie Vale and the Murdered Macaron (The Matchbaker Mysteries Book 1)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Montana
Hummingbird Books (July 21, 2017)
Paperback: 362 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1548024437
E-Book ASIN: B073ZLKBZT

Synopsis

Small towns and gossip go together like flaky crust and sweet pastry cream. Between the police scanners, social media, and the senior center, it’s like a zombie apocalypse where the undead consume people’s secrets instead of living flesh.

But Vangie Vale wants nothing more than to stay under the radar…especially the police radar.

So when her new bakery becomes linked to a murder investigation, nothing will stop the gossip mill from connecting her to the dead body. Can’t have that.

Forced into the role of investigator, this new-in-town bakery owner has to become the very thing she hates–a nosy, small-town gossip–in order to clear her good name, and keep her face off the front page. But when a dating debacle brings her face-to-face with the Sheriff, Vangie can’t ignore the fact that one of her macarons was involved in a murder. She has to find the who-dun-it.

Book One in a cozy culinary mystery series from USA Today Bestselling Author, R.L. Syme.

Review

I think this was the first time I read a cozy set in Montana and after reading this book (and the author’s notes), I want to visit! It sounds like a calm and peaceful place to visit – assuming you don’t stumble across a murder!

Vangie is a minister that has been sent to Montana as part of a reconciliation. We really don’t know what happened in NC to get her sent to Montana or what the church council has been told. We find a little bit out at the end, but for me that just left me wanting to know more! It is hard to like Pete Mayhew from the church council because he seems to have it in for Vangie and reports her to the bishop for all these minor things – like standing on the corner of her property next to the Sheriff’s land to be able to use her cell phone. Granted the Sheriff is complaining but we don’t know why because she isn’t technically on his property. And then when her store window gets broken, Pete seems to think it is her fault some how. Like I said, not very likable and has way to much time on his hands!

Then there is the Sheriff who doesn’t like her for some reason and we never really find out why. He does seem to soften his attitude towards her in the end when she helps him solve the mystery of who killed Claire, but he doesn’t seem very happy about it! Perhaps because his beliefs were challenged especially when he was wrong.

Then there is the mystery – who killed Claire and why? The author does a great job in leading us down various paths and hinting at suspects…I was very surprised when it was all revealed because it was not a character i was suspecting…I was close but no cigar. And as with most cozies, Vangie finds herself in the middle of the investigation whether she wanted to be there or not!

I read a copy of the book that to my understanding was changed a bit – nothing too substantial but I am waiting to find out how this one incident changes the book. Either way the book was enjoyable and I liked reading the Macaron receipe at the end. I don’t know that I’ll try making any but they sure do sound yummy!

We give it 4 paws up!

About the Author

Rebecca Syme writes small town romance as Becca Boyd and cozy mystery as R.L. Syme. She is a long-time foodie and loves fancy cheese. Becca calls the mountains of Montana her home and draws inspiration from the beautiful vistas and heartwarming people. She is the USA Today bestselling author of the Line of Fire series of sweet romances and part of the Chick Tales series set in Somewhere, TX. You can find her on Twitter talking #fancycheese or #Chopped, and on Facebook with her fans in Becca Nation.

Website * Facebook * Becca Nation Facebook * Twitter * GoodReads * Amazon Author Page

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August 1 – Blogger Nicole Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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August 3 – Bibliophile Reviews –  REVIEW, GUEST POST

August 3 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW

August 4 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

August 5 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW

August 5 – My Funny View of Life – REVIEW

August 6 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

August 6 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

August 7 – Sleuth Cafe – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

August 8 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 8 – Teresa Trent Author Site – INTERVIEW

August 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

August 9 – The Power of Words – SPOTLIGHT

August 9 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

August 10 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW

August 10 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

August 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

August 11 – Book Babble – REVIEW

August 12 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

August 12 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

August 13 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW

August 13 – Girl with Book Lungs – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 14 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

August 14 – Jane Reads – REVIEW, GUEST POST

Engaged in Trouble (An Enchanted Events Mystery Book 1)

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Sweet Pea Productions (March 30, 2017)
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0998109800
E-Book ASIN: B06XX5VT7J

Synopsis

When a washed-up pop star inherits a wedding planning business, it’s all bouquets and bliss until a bride turns up dead.

Paisley Sutton shot to stardom as a teenage rock sensation, but ten years later that star has fizzled out, just like her bank account. When she unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s wedding planning business, Paisley leaves the glamour of Los Angeles for a charming small town in Arkansas. Thinking she’ll arrive in Sugar Creek and liquidate the moldly property, Paisley’s shocked to find Enchanted Events has experienced a major makeover and is now the place for brides. She’s got two months to keep Enchanted Events afloat if she wants to sell and rekindle her music career with the profits.

Paisley’s tossed into a world of vows and venues, but her most difficult challenge comes in the form of one demanding bride. When this Bridezilla’s found facedown in her cake, all fingers point to Paisley as the prime murder suspect. And she does not look good in prison orange.

This former pop princess will need the help of her gun-toting, ex-CIA grandmother and her handsome neighbor, Beau Hudson, to unravel the mystery and clear her good name. As she and her unruly posse dig into Bridezilla’s life, she discovers the woman had a long list of enemies. The closer Paisley gets to the truth, the more her own life is in danger.

Love is in the air this wedding season, but before Paisley can help the ladies of Sugar Creek say, “I do,” she’s got to unveil a killer. Or find herself the next target.

Engaged in Trouble is the first book in the long-awaited Enchanted Events cozy mystery series by award-winning author Jenny B. Jones. If you like laugh-out-loud adventures, small-town romance, unforgettable, sassy characters, and a mystery to keep you guessing, then you’ll love this new page-turning series.

Review

I really enjoyed the first book in this new series! It made me laugh a lot and I can only imagine what future books will hold.

A washed up singer comes home to run a wedding business she has inherited…nothing could go wrong with that and it should be a walk in the park. That is until Paisley walks into the shop and realizes this is going to be a tough 8 weeks until she can sell the business to the guy running the shop. But barely a week into working at the business (stipulation of the will), a bride ends of dead and of course Paisley is the prime suspect. Thankfully she has her former CIA Grandmother to help her figure out who the real killer is before Paisley ends up in jail.

I have to say I think Grandma really makes the book – she is funny with her spy mentality and what she is willing to do (or has done in the past) to take care of a situation. If you don’t laugh out loud at her antics…well then I don’t know what to say because it is funny!

There is a bit of romance in the book between Paisley and Beau. He is a childhood friend and they shared their first kiss together. But neither wants to be in a relationship – but the chemistry is pulling them together so it will be hard to not give in to it all.

And of course there is the mystery. I did sort of figure out who was involved but not until close to the end and not really sure why. There are some clues to guide you to the character but you will have to be a super sleuth to decipher the clues.

We give it 5 paws up

About the Author

Award-winning, best-selling author Jenny B. Jones writes romance, cozies, and YA with sass and Southern charm. Since she has very little free time, Jenny believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as eating ice cream, watching puppy videos, and reading celebrity gossip. She lives in the beautiful state of Arkansas and has worked in public education for half of forever.  She loves bluegrass, a good laugh, and strong tea. She adores hearing from readers.

Webpage * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Good Reads

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July 11 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW

July 12 – Bubble Bath Books – REVIEW

July 12 – Readsalot – GUEST POST

July 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 13 – Bookworm Mom –  REVIEW, GUEST POST

July 14 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW

July 14 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

July 15 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

July 16 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

July 18 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 18 – Carole’s Book Corner – GUEST POST

July 19 – The Montana Bookaholic  – REVIEW, GUEST POST

July 19 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 20 – Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my! – REVIEW

July 21 – Bibliophile Reviews –  REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 22 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

July 23 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW, GUEST POST

Too Many Women in the Room (A Gilda Greco Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
The Wild Rose Press, Inc (May 19, 2017)
252 Pages
E-Book ASIN: B06XXNPRXS

Synopsis

When Gilda Greco invites her closest friends to a VIP dinner, she plans to share David Korba’s signature dishes and launch their joint venture—Xenia, an innovative Greek restaurant near Sudbury, Ontario.

Unknown to Gilda, David has also invited Michael Taylor, a lecherous photographer who has throughout the past three decades managed to annoy all the women in the room. One woman follows Michael to a deserted field for his midnight run and stabs him in the jugular.

Gilda’s life is awash with complications as she wrestles with a certain detective’s commitment issues and growing doubts about her risky investment in Xenia. Frustrated, Gilda launches her own investigation and uncovers decades-old secrets and resentments that have festered until they explode into untimely death. Can Gilda outwit a killer bent on killing again?

Amazon (US) * Amazon (Canada) * Kobo

Indigo * The Wild Rose Press * Barnes & Noble

Guest Post

10 Interesting Facts About Chief Detective Carlo Fantin

As the love interest in the Gilda Greco Mystery Series, Carlo Fantin is torn between his growing feelings for Gilda and dedication to duty. Here’s a look at his back story.

1. Born and raised in Sudbury—a mid-sized city in Northern Ontario—Carlo embraced the sports culture of the community. During the warmer months, he swam, water-skied, and fished in the lakes that surrounded the area. In the winter, he enjoyed playing hockey, downhill skiing, and snowmobiling.
2. Carlo was the resident “hunk” during his years at Sudbury Secondary. A natural athlete, he excelled on the basketball court.
3. Gilda was first captivated by his arresting blue eyes. She came up with thirty-seven descriptions of Carlo’s eyes when Mrs. Gillespie assigned one of her Monday morning English composition exercises: bluer than blue, sky blue, cornflower blue, robin’s egg blue…
4. During his senior year, Carlo fell in love with Melly Grace Godfrey, a visiting beauty from Tennessee. But Melly Grace couldn’t fathom the idea of living in such a cold climate. She issued an ultimatum: Relocate to Tennessee or end the relationship.
5. Carlo went directly from high school to the Police Academy. Passionate and committed to keeping Sudbury crime free, he rose quickly through the ranks and became Chief Detective.
6. When Carlo met Sandra Costanza at her cousin’s wedding in Hamilton, he was smitten. Within a year they were married and went on to have two children: Steve and Tania.
7. Carlo was devastated by Sandra’s diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer at age forty-eight. Helpless, he watched as she grew weaker and eventually succumbed to the disease.
8. Resigned to living alone, Carlo focused on his career and growing family. When time permitted, he hopped on a plane and visited his children and five grandchildren in western Canada.
9. Carlo was surprised by his initial reaction to Gilda. Interested but wary about the divorced lottery millionaire who enjoyed her single life, he maintained his distance.
10. Their on/off relationship frustrated both Gilda and Carlo. But he couldn’t risk getting too close to a woman who attracted dead bodies and became embroiled in his murder investigations.

About the Author

In 2008, Joanne took advantage of early retirement and decided to launch a second career that would tap into her creative side and utilize her well-honed organizational skills. Slowly, a writing practice emerged. Her articles and book reviews were published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne writes cozy mysteries, paranormal romance, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

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July 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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July 12 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 13 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT

July 14 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – INTERVIEW

July 15 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

July 16 – Island Confidential – GUEST POST

July 17 – Jane Reads – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 18 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, GUEST POST

July 19 – Dee-Scoveries – SPOTLIGHT

July 20 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

July 21 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW, GUEST POST

July 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

July 23 – Valerie’s Musings – INTERVIEW