Synopsis

 

Grace Hamilton is the girl with a plan. She knows exactly where her life is going, and prides herself on always achieving her goals. She’s never stepped outside the lines she draws for herself, and never considered what her heart truly wants. That is, until him.

Carson Stinger doesn’t play by any rules except his own. Working in the adult entertainment industry, he doesn’t care what others think of his choices, and takes each day as it comes. No direction, no plan. He knows what women want from him, and in his eyes, it’s all he has to offer… until her.

When unexpected circumstances force them together, Grace and Carson are swept up into the electric chemistry between them, surrendering to a steamy weekend in each other’s arms. But for two people whose worlds could never coexist, they know their time is short.

That is, until their hearts get involved without their permission…

 

 

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Review

 

This book has some heat to it, but it is so much more than that. This is a love story between Grace and Carson. Two people that might never have found each other had it not been conferences at their hotel. Granted, she never expected to fall for a porn star, and he never expected to change his life based on this one weekend.

This story covers about five years, starting with the fated weekend, to a few years down the road, and then ending five years later when they reconnect.

These two are made for each other. Grace is a planner and too analytical for her own good. Carson has a bit of a wild streak that just needs to be tamed. I loved their interactions with one another, especially in the present when they realize what they have been missing and where they want their lives to go. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding Carson’s job at a casino that ties into Grace’s job as a Prosecutor.

I enjoyed the interactions between the two from the beginning. We all need someone in our lives that will help us loosen up. And in Carson’s case, someone that will help us realize our potential.

The book is filled with steamy scenes, laughter, and family. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Mia Sheridan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. Her passion is weaving true love stories about people destined to be together. Mia lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband. They have four children here on earth and one in heaven.

 

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WHISKEY ON OUR SHOES

 

by

 

Tonya Preece

 

 

Contemporary Romance / New Adult

Publisher: Champagne Book Group

Page Count: 238 pages

Publication Date: February 12, 2023

 

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Eva dodges the fans, media, and gossip that follow her supermodel mom and rock star family members by wearing disguises. After an aimless gap year, she struggles to figure out what she wants from life. She moves in with her famous guitar god brother in Austin while he recovers from a drunken stage stunt accident and tries to stay sober. When a hot Texas cowboy named Alex takes Eva by surprise, she risks her safety and security of anonymity by letting him into her unconventional life.

Alex is captivated by Eva and promises to protect her privacy. Yet he has a secret of his own—the fling he had with an older woman is fraught with scandalous potential for him and now Eva. He broke free of that mistake months ago, or so he thought. As things heat up with Eva, his old flame returns and won’t leave him alone.

Just when Alex thinks he has the reins on the situation, his ex teams up with a gossip reporter hell-bent on invading Eva’s privacy. The resulting exposé, with a sly spin on a recent encounter with his ex, is Alex’s worst nightmare, and Eva’s unsure what to believe. Can she face the world with Alex at her side or will she return into hiding?

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

Discovering love when most of your life has been a lie can be challenging.

Eva has led a sheltered life as a child of very famous parents. They have shielded her from the worst of it, as good parents should, but are they really doing her a favor? As she starts to gain her independence, she realizes that maybe not everything was for her benefit or that perhaps there was an ulterior motive on her mother’s part. But that is what makes this a fantastic coming-of-age story, learning and growing beyond the teenage years and ideals. We all think we are invincible as a youth, but learn quickly that is not always the truth. The same could be said for Alex, our leading young man.

I really enjoyed the story between Eva and Alex because it wasn’t simple. They had their own set of challenges to work through before they could find their own HEA. They have to learn to trust, speak the truth, and share their lives, the good and the bad.

There are many nuances that helped round out the story. There is Lena, Alex’s sister. She has Down syndrome but wants to be like every other girl out there. I loved the scene where she is trying to apply makeup in preparation for Prom and can’t seem to get it right. Enter Eva to the rescue because who better to teach about makeup than a supermodel’s daughter?

While there are many bright spots in the book, there are also many nefarious characters. There is Alex’s brother Devin, a gossip columnist that is referred to as Cabbage Patch Candy, and a few other characters sprinkled throughout. However, the addition of these characters adds the conflict that is needed to push Eva and Alex to be better for themselves and each other.

This story checked off many boxes for me and was an enjoyable read. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonya Preece writes romance and contemporary young adult fiction and incorporates music into all her books in one way or another. She lives near Austin, TX where she’s a small business manager for a forensic engineering firm. She and her husband enjoy traveling, live music, wine, and spoiling their fur babies.

 

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Synopsis

 

Sutton going missing is the worst thing to happen to Casey, to their family. She’s trying to help find her sister, but Casey is furious. And she can’t tell anyone about their argument before Sutton disappeared. Everyone paints a picture of Sutton’s perfection: the popular cheerleader with an entourage of friends, a doting boyfriend, and a limitless future. But Sutton manipulated everyone around her, even stole an heirloom bracelet from Casey. People don’t look for missing Black girls–or half-Black girls–without believing there is an angel to be saved.

When Sutton reappears, Casey knows she should be relieved. Except Sutton isn’t the same. She remembers nothing about while she was gone—or anything from her old life, including how she made Casey miserable. There’s something unsettling about the way she wants to spend time with Casey, the way she hums and watches her goldfish swim for hours.

What happened to Sutton? The more Casey starts uncovering her sister’s secrets, the more questions she has. Did she really know her sister? Why is no one talking about the other girls who have gone missing in their area? And what will it take to uncover the truth?

 

 

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Review

 

This debut YA novel is sure to hit home with many readers. While it appears to be based on a true story, according to the author’s notes, it is a story that will resonate with many that have had similar experiences with their ancestry.

The story focuses on sisters Casey and Sutton. The rest of the characters are supporting but not fully developed since their role is minor. These sisters have a love/hate relationship. It happens with teenagers, but later in life, they will appreciate each other, hopefully! The beginning focuses on Sutton’s disappearance and the search for her. The story does jump back and forth in time, but it is done well and helps to broaden the depth of the story and explain some nuances of what Casey or Sutton were thinking or experiencing.

While Sutton is discovered, she is not herself, and what follows is the journey to find whoever kidnapped her and why she can’t remember anything. When the truth is revealed in the end, it is quite a surprise. Obviously, I’m not going to tell you anything because that would spoil the story. So just go read the book!

There is the mystery of who kidnapped Sutton. There are several possibilities, but the truth was quite a surprise. As the story unfolds, it does reveal how wealth has its privilege. To give you more details would also ruin the mystery of the book. So once again, just go read the book!

I loved all of the historical aspects of the story. Their father is a historian researching their family tree and its roots in slavery. I found this very fascinating because many families were broken up and sold, and they may have never found each other again.

I enjoyed this book more than I expected. And for a debut novel, the author gets a big thumbs up from me.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

My name is Lily Meade.

I was born and raised in Washington state (the one with coffee, not Congress), the second oldest and only girl of four. I like to think I was a cool kid (my mother was an ice cream lady, I mean… come on), but that is debatable.

I believe stories have power.

I strive to live by the motto of a life inspired by fiction. I come from a background of extreme poverty (I’ve been homeless twice!) and live with a chronic illness, so I know just how powerful hope can be when you’re on a difficult journey.

I believe anyone can achieve their own happy ending, no matter how bleak things may currently seem. I’m a passionate advocate of at risk youth outreach and reading programs.

My debut novel THE SHADOW SISTER, and an untitled second novel will be published by Sourcebooks Fire in 2023 and 2024, respectively. My ultimate career goal is to be hired to write a modern YA reboot of Scooby Doo.

 

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Synopsis

 

In Olivia Matthews’s Against the Currant , the first Spice Isle Bakery Mystery, investigating a murder was never supposed to be on the menu…

Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family, and it’s everything she’s ever wanted. The West Indian bakery is her way to give back to the community she loves, stay connected to her Grenadian roots, and work side-by-side with her family. The only thing getting a rise out of Lyndsay is Claudio Fabrizi, a disgruntled fellow bakery owner who does not want any competition.

On opening day, he comes into the bakery threatening to shut them down. Fed up, Lyndsay takes him to task in front of what seems to be the whole neighborhood. So when Claudio turns up dead a day later―murdered―Lyndsay is unfortunately the prime suspect. To get the scent of suspicion off her and her bakery, Lyndsay has to prove she’s innocent―under the watchful eyes of her overprotective brother, anxious parents, and meddlesome extended family―what could go wrong?

 

 

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Review

 

This new series celebrates the culture, food, and people of the Caribbean. One aspect that I enjoyed was how close the family was in this book. They supported one another through all of the ups and downs, especially when Lyndsay is a person of interest in the death of a competitor. It is all circumstantial, but the police detectives don’t seem to know how to search for other possible suspects. Luckily, Lyndsay is able to sniff out the killer, but almost too late!

The story moves at a slower pace. I did feel like it took a long time to get to the point of Lyndsay investigating to try and clear her name. But perhaps that is indicative of the lifestyle of those from the Caribbean, not in a hurry.

I thought Lyndsay was a unique character with her interests and her desire to open a bakery since she was young. The author does a wonderful job of describing everything, and I felt like I was there and could imagine what the different dishes tasted like.

I did not like the reporter, Jose. While I get he has a job to do, it is like he has a vendetta against Lyndsay and only seems to report things that could hurt her vs. help.

I think this will be a fun but laid-back series. I look forward to seeing what happens next for the family and their bakery.

We give the book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

OLIVIA MATTHEWS, pen name for romance author Patricia Sargeant, is a national bestselling and award-winning author. The Spice Isle Bakery mysteries are inspired by the author’s family history and the history of her birth place. As Olivia Matthews she is also the author of the Sister Lou mysteries and Peach Coast Library mysteries, and writes romance as Patricia Sargeant and Regina Hart.

 

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Synopsis

 

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the story of two wine enthusiasts who ride the ups and downs of love in the vineyards of Tuscany.

Tasting wine is not enough: sommelier Giovanni D’Angelo wants to create it. To put his family first, he’s always deferred his dreams—a vineyard to run, a woman to marry. But a three-week vineyard tour in Italy could set him back on track.

For Emma Rutledge, wine is in her blood. Intent to run the family wine business one day, she finds that the men in her family are only intent to push her out of it. But that’s fine—she’s got a plan.

When Gio and Emma meet on a wine tour in Tuscany, their shared aspirations fuel an undeniable chemistry. Returning home to California, they work toward setting up Emma’s vineyard and a label of their own. But when Emma receives a life-altering diagnosis, she worries it’s all been for nothing.

As Emma works to cement her family legacy while dealing with this unexpected challenge, Gio tries to convince her that their future isn’t just wine.

It’s each other.

 

 

 

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Review

 

I really enjoy the characters in this series. It focuses on one family, and each book is about a different family member. In this one, we get to fall in love with Gio and Emma and their love story.

These are characters that you will want to get behind and support. Gio has a loving family, but they do want to see him married or at least in a relationship. Emma is trying to prove to her father that she can be a contributing member of the winery. Her father is a misogynist, and it won’t be hard to dislike him. A secret is revealed about 2/3 of the way, which explains a lot about his behavior. It doesn’t excuse his actions but does explain it a bit more.

I love the journey through Italy where Gio and Emma meet. I would love to do a wine tour! I can only imagine the experience. It doesn’t hurt that both Emma and Gio have the knowledge to delve into the grapes, so to speak. I chuckled at the competition between the two in pinning down the flavor notes and other aspects of the wines they tasted.

This love story is not without its challenges. I don’t want to spoil the story, but there is more than just Emma’s dad throwing kinks into her life. I will say that it definitely made me misty, but so thankful it ended on a positive note.

Franny, Gio’s niece, is a hoot and steals the plot at different times. Out of the mouths of babes, as they say!

Loved this book and highly recommend it, and the rest of the series too.

We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

And when Gio paused long enough to shove some food into his mouth, his mother offered a sweet smile and tapped her fingers on the table.

“You’ve said nothing about Emma.”

Gio chewed slowly and looked around the table.

Everyone was quietly watching him.

He slowly swallowed with a grin and followed it with a drink of water. “What do you want to know?”

Mari lost her smile. Slapped a hand on the table. “What do I want to know?” She rolled her eyes, lifted a hand in the air, and switched to Italian. “For an hour you’ve talked about everyone but the woman you introduced us to.”

“C’mon, Gio . . . give it up,” Chloe said, kicking him under the table.

“Hey.”

“Is she your girlfriend?” Franny asked without hesitation.

Gio winked at his niece. “Emma is someone I hope you will all meet very soon.”

“Bene, bene . . .” His mother was smiling again.

“I won’t say she’s a girlfriend, but we are more than friends.”

Mari’s smile fell to a flat line. “Why not a girlfriend?”

“Mama, we’ve only known each other a few weeks.”

“This means nothing to me. When you know, you know.” Mari swirled spaghetti with her fork. “Your father and I—”

“Yes, Mama, we know. Instant love, marriage, and babies. It isn’t like that nowadays.”

Brooke cleared her throat and placed a hand on her protruding baby bump. “I disagree.”

Dante laughed. “It took Chloe and I more time.”

Mari tossed around gestures with her free hand. “You were childhood friends. That’s different. And since you eloped without a whisper to the family, something must have been instant. Not that I want you to share.”

Dante stood down.

Smart man.

“This Emma is beautiful, and the way you smiled at her . . .”

“It was sappy adorable, Gio,” Chloe said in agreement with their mother.

He was infatuated with the woman, there was no pretending otherwise. “Her guard is up a bit. She’s been married before.”

“Children?” Mari asked.

“No, Mama. But when someone is divorced it takes a little longer to trust.”

All eyes turned to Luca. The only person at the table who had any personal authority on the subject.

Gio waited for his brother to agree.

Instead, Luca placed a hand over Brooke’s at the table and shook his head. “Not when you find the right person.”

Gio rolled his eyes. “It still takes time.”

“Wasting time, you mean,” his mother said.

Gio spread his hands to each side of the table, indicating his sister and brother. “Mama, two weddings in one year . . . isn’t that enough?”

“No,” she said flat out. “My youngest son still isn’t married. There is still room at this table. So, no. It’s not enough. When you’re married, it will be enough.”

“It’s a trap, Gio,” Dante said.

Chloe hit his arm.

“Not marriage . . . the enough part. Soon as you’re married the question switches to babies.”

The two things Emma said she didn’t want.

“Oh,” Chloe sighed. “That’s true.”

“None of this when you meet Emma. We don’t talk about my lack of being a husband or anyone’s biological clock. I don’t want anyone scaring her off.”

“What’s a biological clock?” Franny asked.

Dante started laughing.

“I mean it!” Gio pointed his fork at his sister and mother.

“She means something to you,” Luca said quietly.

Gio paused, thought of her smile, her laugh. The freckles on her face and how crazy her hair turned in the humidity. “Yeah. She does.”

“Then we will do our best to keep our opinions about weddings and babies to ourselves. Don’t you think, Mama?” Luca asked.

Mari released a deep sigh. “Fine. I can do that.”

Gio felt the tension in his shoulders ease.

Franny leaned over, tapped his arm. “What’s a biological clock?”

 

 

About the Author

 

Catherine is a #1 Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and Indie Reader bestselling author. In addition, her books have also graced The New York Times and USA Today bestsellers lists. In total, she has written thirty-six beloved books that have collectively sold more than 8 million copies and have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full time and has penned The Not Quite series, The Weekday Brides series, The Most Likely To series, and The First Wives series.

 

 

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From James Beard Award–winning chef and author John Ash, The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood takes a comprehensive dive into the world of cooking shellfish, crustaceans, finned fish, and many more.

Featuring favorites from the kitchens of Hog Island Oyster Bars and other talented chefs who have embraced the company’s sustainability ethos, this authoritative compendium showcases over 250 dishes from cuisines around the world, including regional favorites like San Francisco cioppino, Southern crayfish étouffée, and New England clam chowder. Presenting a wide variety of cooking methods—such as steaming, roasting, grilling, pan-frying, curing—along with illustrated techniques like shucking oysters, opening clams, and filleting fish, this comprehensive cookbook will guide you through the basics of seafood preparation. And the extensive list of sauces, butters, and seasonings will help you turn your choice of seafood into a stellar dish. The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood is a master class from an award-winning chef who shows home and professional cooks how to bring culinary gifts from the water to the table at their peak of perfection.

 

 

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My thoughts

 

I will state right off that I do not eat seafood. I have never gotten the taste of it. However, I have several in my home that do eat seafood, so I am always trying to find new recipes that they will enjoy or even have the meat swapped out for chicken or pork.

I have scoured through the book and do love the layout. It is sorted by type of seafood, and each section includes how to clean or prepare for cooking, along with the recipes. So if you are looking for a crab or salmon dish, there is a whole section just waiting to be explored.

The recipes don’t seem to call for too outlandish ingredients. However, I did find one pizza recipe that had clams in the shell on it. That seemed a bit bizarre to me, but I’m sure it is a dish that many will enjoy. There is a salmon recipe with a seared corn sauce that I bet would taste good on chicken too.

If you enjoy all kinds of seafood, I think this is a cookbook you would enjoy!

Now for a recipe from the book.

 

Grilled Tilapia with Herb Sabayon

 

1 c dry white wine
1/2 c minced shallots
1 tsp white wine vinegar
4 large egg yolks
3 T water
2 T finely chopped fresh tarragon
fine sea salt and freshly ground white pepper
Four 7-8 oz tilapia fillets
2 T canola oil
Fresh tarragon sprigs, for garnish

 

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. Brush the grill grates clean.

In a small, heavy saucepan, combine the wine, shallots, and the vinegar. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until the liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons, about six minutes. Remove from the heat. Use now, or set aside for up to 4 hours.

In a medium metal bowl, whisk the egg yolks and water together. Set the bowl over a saucepan with about 4 inches of barely simmering water. Do not let the bowl touch the water. Whisk constantly until the mixture is light and foamy, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the reserved wine reduction and the chopped tarragon and whisk constantly until the mixture is thick and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and keep warm over the hot water in the saucepan.

Brush the fish with oil and sprinkle generously with salt and upper. Place on the grill and cook until slightly charred and just barely opaque in the center, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to warm plates, spoon the warm sabayon over the fish, garnish with tarragon sprigs, and serve immediately.

Serves 4

 

 

Magical Elements of the

 

Periodic Table

 

Presented Alphabetically

 

By the Metal Horn Unicorns

 

The Blue Unicorn’s Journey to Osm Series

 

by

 

Sybrina Durant

 

Illustrated by Pumudi Gardiyawasam

 

 

 Children’s Book / Science & Nature / Mythical Creatures

Publisher: Sybrina Publishing

Date of Publication: February 7, 2023

Number of Pages: 41 pages

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Ready to learn the magic of science? Metals and all the other elements from the periodic table make everything seem magical. You can see it everywhere: in buildings, transportation, communications, medicines, and even in the food you eat! All technology and everything that makes life modern come from the magical elements in the earth, water, and the air.

Think of it like this, “No Metal – No Magic…and No Tech-no-lo-gy.” You can learn about all that stuff in this book called The Magical Elements of the Periodic Table Presented Alphabetically by The Metal Horn Unicorns. Twenty-six techno-magical elements are presented from A to Z by the magical metal horn unicorn tribe from Unimaise.

Every element page includes:

*where the featured element comes from*

*when it was discovered*

*scientific info about the element*

*everyday uses for it*

*a bunch of interesting facts*

*a unicorn who wields its magical powers representing each element*

 

The book also has an amazing unicorn-themed periodic table plus special pages featuring elemental compounds and alloys. Now, that’s Techno-Magical!

 

 

 

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This is such a fascinating book. It may be geared toward younger readers, but this older reader loved it and learned a lot about the different elements that make up the periodic table. So many interesting facts about the different elements and how they combine to create other metals and alloys. I would have loved a book like this when I was younger and learning chemistry. I think it would have stuck with me a little bit more.

I love the illustrations in this book, too. By creating unicorns to represent the various elements, it will appeal to the younger reader and make it fun to read. I bet my 8-year-old niece would love this book just for all the facts she can learn and incorporate into her education. She has a curious mind.

I also shared this book with my sister, who teaches second grade, while she was visiting me. I think she might have learned just as much as I did by reading through the elements and found it to be quite fascinating. She thought it would be helpful to a student who needs a bit more creativity to learn different things. We both agreed that this book was well researched.

At the end of the book, there is a periodic table that is color-coded to remind us what each element is and how it comes into play. This would be a great book for a classroom. I bet some of my teacher siblings could use this in their classroom. Plus, the author has many additional resources to help share the whimsy and education of the elements.

There are several unicorns that might have been my favorites. I liked Cornum, the brass-horned unicorn, because of my love for music and my band days when I played several brass instruments. I also liked Dr. Zinko’s Zinc-horn for its healing magic. And Vana, the Vanadum-horned unicorn the ability to shield others from extreme temperatures. I’m not sure what is considered extreme, but it is getting hot here, and I would love to be shielded from that.

This is a book that could be read over and over because we all know that we miss things the first few times or don’t remember them.

Highly recommended for everyone, and give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sybrina Durant is a unicorn author and entrepreneur. In addition to books, she offers unicorn-themed activities, t-shirts, and more. Plus, she has pulled together a collection of nearly all the unicorn books available today from hundreds of authors. They are categorized on her website by Little Kid, Middle Kid, and Teen Unicorn Books.

 

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ONE WINNER:

 

Paperback copy of Magical Elements, set of Unicorn Elements Trading Cards,

& Unicorn Elements Periodic Table Poster (24”x 36”)

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 6/23/23)

 

 

 

 

 

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06/13/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review
06/13/23	Hall Ways Blog	BONUS Stop
06/14/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	Review
06/15/23	It’s Not All Gravy	Review
06/15/23	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
06/16/23	The Page Unbound	Review
06/1723	StoreyBook Reviews	Review
06/18/23	Chapter Break Book Blog	Review
06/19/23	Rox Burkey Blog	Review
06/20/23	Reading by Moonlight	Review
06/20/23	Shelf Life Blog	BONUS Stop
06/21/23	Jennifer Silverwood	Review
06/22/23	Forgotten Winds	Review

 

 

 

 

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Muddled Matrimonial Murder (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – California
Cinnamon & Sugar Press (June 13, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 310 pages

 

Synopsis

 

With only two weeks left to finalize the nuptial ceremony and reception for her best friend, Brad, and a Thanksgiving feast to plan, Emory Martinez has enough to keep her busy. But when Emory and Brad stumble across the body of his former stalker, with a wedding gift marble muddler lying next to the body, it soon becomes apparent someone is intent on framing the groom before vows can be exchanged.

How did the victim locate Brad and how did she end up murdered at the scene of the impending nuptials? Was someone so desperate to stop the wedding that they’d resort to murder? Or was she killed for revenge? As the countdown to the wedding speeds by, it’ll take Emory and her family and friends to pull together to pick through the muddled clues to clear the groom’s name.

Includes recipes.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

Why do I love this series? It has to be the scrumptious cupcakes. Now, if I could only figure out how to enjoy one while reading the book!

This has been a fun series to watch develop. The characters are solid and well-developed. The interpersonal actions are engaging, and the mysteries are just hard enough to leave one guessing throughout the book.

I really like Emory. She is a no-nonsense gal that finds herself in the middle of murder scenes. She doesn’t do this on purpose, but then what protagonist in a cozy does? However, she just seems to attract crazy killers no matter what she does.

In this book, we find her helping plan a wedding for her best friend Brad and his intended Gabe. What she doesn’t expect is to stumble across the body of Brad’s stalker in the house where he plans to marry. This sets in motion a series of events that puts her and others in danger. There are some suspicious events that occur, so you might be able to uncover who the murderer is, but the why might leave you guessing until closer to the end. While I was surprised at the whole reveal, the who was someone on my radar just for this character’s actions.

I really enjoy family interactions, whether it is blood family or adopted family. I always enjoy seeing happy relationships. That isn’t to say that there isn’t a bit of strife from one person, but you’ll have to read the book to find out who I’m talking about. I also enjoy watching Emory and Brian’s relationship continue to develop. Are there wedding bells for them in the future? Only time will tell.

While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting at the beginning to watch the personal storylines develop.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kim Davis lives in Southern California with her husband. When she’s not chasing her puppy or spending time with her granddaughters, she can be found either writing stories or working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder, or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats.  She has published the suspense novel, A GAME OF DECEIT, the Cupcake Catering Mystery series, and the Aromatherapy Mystery series. She also has had several children’s articles published in Cricket, Nature Friend, Skipping Stones, and the Seed of Truth magazines. Kim Davis is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

 

Webpage * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Pinterest

 

 

Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Synopsis

 

A kickass scifi mystery about love, art, and magic

It’s Earth. The far future. And Galaxy Greg, an interstellar nightclub magician, is fed up. He craves adventure, the open road. He wants to remember how it felt when he was a kid, when magic seemed real. He’s about to get a taste—and he’ll be lucky if he gets out alive.

When a mysterious stranger named K shows him the greatest magic act he’s ever seen, Greg’s life changes forever. After the show, Greg is trying to guess K’s secrets when a red-headed stranger slams his car into theirs. He kills K. He kills himself. And he frames Greg for both crimes.

Running from the law, pursued by a shotgun-toting bounty hunter, Greg takes refuge on a ship captained by his ex Yoshi Falk—the only person he’s ever loved. They carve a desperate path across the stars as Greg tries to clear his name, learn the true nature of K’s magic, and avoid falling in love.

Written by acclaimed mystery novelist W.M. Akers, author of the Westside trilogy, Pocket Full of Stars is a murderous scifi romp where wit and excitement drip from every page.

 

 

Purchase on the Author’s Website

 

 

Review

 

This action-packed adventure will keep you on your toes.

Greg could be someone we all know in our lives. Someone that is frustrated with where they are in life but yet wants more…a better career, to find a companion, and to be at peace with himself. When he thinks he has found that spark, a chain of events throws his life off course, and he is on the run for his life. The twists that are thrown at him through space and time just might make your head spin.

While Greg may appear to be shallow and selfish, he learns quite a bit about himself while on a spaceship with a former military buddy, Falk. He also meets Falk’s daughter, Lennox, who steals his heart, whether he will admit it or not. She was quite a precocious child, and I chuckled at her fascination with the solar system, the planets, and the facts about them all. She even had little songs to help her remember everything.

As the story climaxes, reality changes for Greg, and he has to make a decision. Does he save himself or others? And what if he makes the wrong choice?

I believe this book could be read by a more mature teen to adult. It is a little gory at times, but not too bad. What I would expect for a character on the run from the authorities.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

W.M. Akers is a novelist, playwright, and game designer. He is the author of the mystery novels WESTSIDE and WESTSIDE SAINTS; the creator of the bestselling games DEADBALL: BASEBALL WITH DICE and COMRADES: A REVOLUTIONARY RPG; and the curator of the history newsletter STRANGE TIMES. He lives in Philadelphia but hasn’t traded in his Mets cap yet.

Akers believes tabletop gaming is the greatest hobby in the universe. CRITICAL HIT is a tribute to every brave soul who has ever played a game.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

 

A Wine Country cookbook that celebrates sustainable, garden-to-table dining

Some of the tastiest California cooking today comes from wineries with edible gardens, and now you can take a visual tour of these magical culinary green spaces, peek inside the winery kitchens that reap the harvest, and bring sun-ripened flavors into your own home kitchen. Casual Cooking from Wine Country Gardens showcases some of California’s most ambitious wineries’ culinary gardens and the fresh, wine-friendly dishes they inspire, all vividly captured by three-time James Beard Award–winner Janet Fletcher. Bring the garden to the plate California-style with Heirloom Tomato and Peach Salad with Burrata or Golden Beet Gazpacho. Enjoy a glass of Sauvignon Blanc alongside Crostini with Garden Carrots, Goat Cheese, and Dukkah; or savor a platter of crisp spring vegetables with Caramelized Spring Onion Dip. To show off a fine California red wine, try Spring Lamb Chops Scottadito with Charred Tomato and Black Olive Tapenade or Slow-Roasted Beef Short Ribs with Broccoli di Cicco and Farro. The book’s garden-inspired desserts include luscious finales such as Blood Orange Crème Brûlée, Cheesecake with Blueberry Gelée, and Lemon Verbena Apricots with Olive Oil–Sea Salt Ice Cream. In more than 60 delicious recipes, Gather delivers the finest of California’s wine country to your door, demonstrating the creative ways that wineries use their garden bounty to please their guests and complement their wines.

 

 

Review

 

This is a beautiful book, one that will delight the senses.

This book combines recipes, wines, and complete menus to create an atmosphere for your family or dinner guests. I enjoyed reading about the different wineries, drooled over the menus, and started planning my weekly dinners around several of these dishes.

I love that there are menus that incorporate fresh ingredients and wines to pair with the meals. It makes your next party planning a bit easier.

I wasn’t sure what I would make for dinner one night. I had chicken, but that was as far as my imagination went. Would I do my same ol’ same ol’, or go with something new? I picked up this cookbook and discovered the recipe for Maggie’s Ranch Chicken. Granted, I was using a different cut of chicken and less, but it was easy to cut down the recipe and adjust the cooking time. This was delicious! I can see making this again in the future.

I also saw a recipe for an Avocado Salsa Verde that looks delicious. I will have to try that one for our next taco night.

There are a variety of recipes that will delight even the pickiest eater. So check it out when looking for something a little different.

 

 

Recipe

 

Maggie’s Ranch Chicken

 

One Whole fresh chicken, 4-4 1/2 lbs, backbone removed, quartered
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 c honey
4T salted butter
1T Dijon mustard
4 six-inch sprigs fresh tarragon

 

Preheat an over to 350 degrees. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper.

In a small saucepan, combine the honey, butter, and mustard and stir over low heat until the butter melts.

Put the chicken quarters in a 9×13 baking dish and pour the honey mixture over them. Place a tarragon sprig on each quarter. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the dish from the oven, spoon the juices over the chicken, and return to the oven for 30 minutes more. The chicken will be fully cooked, with beautifully browned skin. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the juices to settle.