Dashing for Dollars - Gigging on the Go!

Next on the hit parade for Gigs on the Go is Door Dash. Like Uber Eats this is about delivering food. I also want to point out that my posts are based on my experiences so if you have tips or advice of your own please take a moment to share in the comment section!

On to Door Dash. Just like Uber Eats there is a basic application that can be found here Door Dash . Payday is once a week and your earnings will be deposited into your bank account to make life nice and simple. Keep in mind that you are an independent contractor so they will not be taking out taxes on your behalf and they will be reporting your earnings to the IRS and sending a 1099 your way. To be safe we save 20% of our earnings and keep track of miles for each day we are out making deliveries in a spreadsheet.

Door Dash allows you to really manage your time by scheduling yourself for a "zone" for an hour or many more hours each day. Door Dash also provides you with an insulated bag that will hold most 2 item orders allowing you to keep the hot food hot or the cold food cold. HINT #1 you can use this same bag to keep your Uber Eats deliveries hot/cold just don't take the bag into the restaurant, it will confuse the workers.

Door Dash has the customer tip up front and gives them the opportunity to go back and give a rating and adjust the tip in case you did a stellar job or maybe showed up in a Santa hat during the holiday season and they wanted to give you a little more.

Door Dash will send you a pretty red debit card to be used to pay for a customer order. Not all orders are pay when picked up so be sure to check the order info in the APP before heading into the restaurant. The debit card is tied to Door Dash so don't worry, you aren't buying the food and getting reimbursed you are just the taxi service.

 In addition to scheduling yourself ahead of time you can also "drop in" to dash. In other words if you find yourself with an hour or two of free time, open your APP and "Dash Now". HINT #2 When it's a slow Uber Eats night, open up the Door Dash APP and run them both at the same time.

Door Dash jobs will let you know how much you will earn (minimum) and how far you will be driving. You can take a break and go offline for 30 minutes with out being penalized which is great if you want to get to another area before orders come in that you might not want to take. You can ignore an incoming order or Deny an incoming order but if you do this too often the APP will end your dash.

We are still working on our Door Dash technique so be sure to subscribe to learn with us.

Cozy Christmas Reads courtesy of NetGalley

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Yeast of Eden by Amanda Fox

(A Pancake House Mystery)

Kensington Books Publishing

Christmas is right around the corner and things are getting festive at the Flip Side. At least until Wally the self proclaimed Waffle King  announces his arrival. Wally is long on odious and short on friends and soon finds himself, or rather Ivan finds the man dead in the Waffle Kingdom store, a victim of foul play and  liquid nitrogen. Was it for money, for revenge, or for no other reason than because the guy was a blow hard. Now the sheriff has his sights set on Lisa and Ivan as possible suspects and there is now way that  Marley can sit this one out. Balancing the business her boyfriend Brett, Marley will get to the bottom of not one but three murders. This was another great installment and I really enjoyed the mystery within the mystery. Looking forward to the next Flip Side and starting the new book pub series expected to release next month.

Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jaqueline Frost

( A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery)

Crooked Lane Books Publishing

What a fun story! Mistletoe, Maine is a winter wonderland and what better place to grow up than on a Christmas tree farm with a lumberjack for a Dad and a baker supreme for a Mom. The only thing better is to be a crafty gal who is about to run her own Inn on the family property that holds Reindeer Games during the festive time of the year.  Unlike other characters I've encountered,  Holly is threatened from the get go for trying to help her Caroline who is suspected of knifing a local judge's son and leaving him dead in a giant bowl of candy mints. Several people have a motive and means, more so than cupcake creator Caroline and faster than you can say Chris Cringle the Contractor (could it be) Holly is working through the clues and a  menacing mints, while recycling glass into the cutest bracelets that are being ordered faster than she can create. With all of this and the Hearth restaurant going through a major kitchen remodel and the construction of the Inn how will Holly get it all done without being done in! Great read loved the teasing bit of romance with the local Sheriff and the introduction of his sister. Can't wait for the next one!

Premediated Peppermint by Amanda Fowler

(Amish Candy Shop Myster #3)

Kensington Publishing

Bailey King,  New York confectionary creator and one of the few non-Amish workers in the town of Harvest, Ohio is ready for the Christmas season with peppermint bark and her new romance with the local deputy. Last thing she needs is for her ex-boyfriend Chef Eric Sharp to blow into her town like a blizzard with Hollywood hype and a producer bent on  filming a "real" Amish Christmas. Seems no one likes his yelling personality on the reality chef show. Bailey wouldn't mind a little publicity but not when it becomes murder and the main suspect is  Eric. Bailey is as soft hearted as a marshmallow in a cup of warm cocoa and does her best to help Eric while making it clear that his amorous attentions are not wanted. Why give her boyfriend the investigating Sheriff's Deputy any more reason to lock him up than he already has. Thankfully her partner in crime or chocolate; the new boss at JP Chocolates, Cass is back to help. Bailey is a wonderful character and those recipes are the BEST.  Read this fast and still didn't figure it out until the very end, so many possibilities and a twist or two for added measure. The only thing sweeter than this story is the next one that I can't wait to read!

In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon
(A Tea and Read Mystery)
Crooked Lane Books Publishing

They say you can never go home, but Callie Aspen is just visiting during her slow season as an international tour guide.  Back in Heart's Harbor to help Aunt Iphy to oversee an afternoon tea party complete with puzzle cake based on an Brother Cadfael mystery. This authors first cozy is off to a good start. Callie seems to be your typical heroine/main character with the good heart and inquisitive spirit. She is a little older, but she has been leading a busy whirlwind life abroad visiting far off exotic places leading grand tours. She is a little more morose than most but once she realizes that she no longer has the "school girl crush" feelings the thoughts of "what if" or regret disappear making her even more determined to learn who did in the gardener and why. What is the secret of the will and who will be the master of Haywood Hall.. Not as light hearted as a normal cozy but the story ends on a sweet note filled with future possibilities, if Callie just looks for them. Just like I will be on the lookout for Joy Avon's next installment Sweet Tea and Secrets.

As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz

(A Food Lovers Village)

Midnight Ink Books Publishing

It's Christmas time and the whole town is busy decorating Main Street with lights and all the trimmings. All those special touches like the items you might find at The Merc, the place to find your boutique-like specialty foods, for the true foodie. It's a time for family and friends or at least you would think so, but not for Merrily who returns home after turning her life around only to find that it isn't enough for her Mom who is as cold as the weather in Jewel Bay. Erin Murphy the manager of Murphy's Mercantile AKA The Merc believes in second chances and befriends Merrily, just in time for the annual cookie exchange. Unfortunately Merrily never makes it to the exchange and won't be able to make anymore in the future. Erin works to not only clear Merrily's name of theft suspicions but to also find the killer as well as plan her wedding that is set to take place on Christmas eve. I would LOVE to have the multitasking skills of the cozy heroine. Erin is a fun character and her conviction in getting to the bottom and belief in someone she barely knew was heart warming. Looking forward to the next installment. OH and if you like to cook you will LOVE the recipes as the end of the story. I really appreciate that they are not in the middle, so that I don't get side tracked. 


Christmas Cake Murder by Joanna Fluke

(A Hannah Swenson Novel) 

Kensington Books Publishing

I have been a long time Joanne Fluke/Hannah Swenson fan. From the story lines to awesome cookie recipes every book has been a blue ribbon winner. The Christmas Cake Murder is the best one yet because it is the prequel. Before she was married, before the dentist and the cop, before the cookie truck and the shop there was a girl who loved to cook and was finished with school, who moved back home and suffered the loss of her father. To get her Mom to reengage life after the death of her husband Hannah, her two sisters and a couple of civic minded ladies. This is a story within a story quite literally as Hannah reads each night from Essie's story book journals. This is a great story and just in time for the holiday season. Wonderful recipes for both cakes and cookies can be found scattered through the story, usually shortly after Hannah makes them. I for one cannot wait to try my hand at the hazelnut truffles.

Death of a Russian Doll by Barbara Early
(Vintage Toy Shop Mystery)
Crooked Lane Publishing

New favorite character! Liz is a no nonsense, straight-up, heroine! So very relatable with spot on character development. While she would never wish her ex boyfriend ‘s wife any ill will, she certainly goes above and beyond to help solve her murder to help prove that Police chief Ken, aka the ex didn’t do it. That doesn’t mean she will forgive his forgetting to mention that he had an estranged Russian bombshell for a wife. Besides, there are better slightly more mature fish in the sea whom even her former police chief father approves of. Speaking of former, Liz’s Dad is put back on active duty to head up the investigation which spurns Liz on even harder to help solve the mystery of the holiday who done it to the hairstylist. Her Dad is supposed to be enjoying his golden years as a rare and collectible toy seller, not giving Liz conniptions about his health and well being. Leave it to Liz though as she pieces the puzzle together.

Can I Get This Gig To Go

    READY, SET, DELIVER

     So now that you have scooters covered and have decided that cold night-time scavenger hunts  are for the "birds," it's time to make "limes" into limeade. Flexibility is the #1 characteristic for a gig, and your time is worth money. Why else would you be considering a gig. Which brings us to Uber Eats.

     All it takes is an APPLICATION and an APP. You will need to be at least 18 years old and have access to a bike, moped, or car (with proof of insurance). The beauty of Uber Eats is that you can be ONLINE or OFFLINE as often as you like. You can decline a job or just let the timer run out. No harm, no foul, no penalty and no time commitments that lock you in.

     As an approved driver, there are a few tips you'll want to know. First of all, you will want an insulated bag (I will share how to get a good one for free in the next post Dashing for Dollars). Next you will want to create a "thumbs up" card to be attached to the bag (leave a comment if you need a template). Most importantly you will need to become familiar with the promotion time slots work with the area map in the APP.

     Which brings us to Boosts, which make it possible to work smarter and faster. Your average delivery fee is about $3.49 for a short drive. Same distance in an area with a Boost will increase this based on the boost amount which ranges from 1.0 to 4.0 and can change depending on the day or even the hour. Which is why Boost is BOSS and brings us to 2 simple rules. Rule #1 Don't accept a job with less than 2.0 Boost. Rule #2 don't take an order that is more than 10 minutes away unless it is getting you closer to a bigger Boost.

     Now for the fun part. Think of it as a date night that pays you. Gabe and I, do this as a team, we even grab a bite to eat.  As soon as we get going we both open the APP (we each have an account) and whoever gets the best job first accepts and the other goes OFFLINE. The delivery person helps navigate although the APP has a navigation guide built in I like to know what which lane to be in after a turn and help finding street names/numbers. When you have two people it is more efficient for finding parking, grabbing the order, and remembering the comment reminder card. Imagine how much a of a challenge it would be to rob a bank without a wheelman!    

     Unlike scooters you are only limited by the amount of free time you have and how much fuel is in the gas tank. Sometimes Uber Eats/Uber will post Quests which are challenges that give a bonus such as "complete 5 deliveries and get a $15 bonus." 

Scootters...The Gateway Gig

     If you have been downtown Raleigh or by NC State then you have seen the scooters either on the sidewalk or in the street. It seems that people either LOVE this mode of transportation or they HATE it. It is not for me to debate the greater good or ultimate evil but rather to illustrate how these mechanized modes of transportation are a great way to enter the gig way of life. 

     The job entails locating, taking temporary possession, recharging the unit, and returning it to a designated location. In order to get the job, which is an  independent contractor position; one must apply. Applying for the position is not as hard as one might think. For the Bird scooter, the "application" is found on the Bird website. For the Lime S scooters visit the Lime website. You will need to be able to download the App. In addition to the application it is necessary to purchase the charging cords. These are similar to a laptop charging cord. Before you go out looking for extra cords be aware that the end pieces are not the same. Bird charges a deposit of $10/charger and will with hold your first $30 of earnings to cover your deposit. Lime will charge you $6 for a set of 4. Tip #1 be sure to follow up with both Bird and Lime if you have not been approved within 2 weeks. Be sure to use the zip code of the area where the scooters are to be picked up. You will need to be willing to charge and return scooters at least 3-4 times a week and have a vehicle large enough to carry several scooters. We have a crossover SUV but primarily use the Elantra as our commuter car and scooter transport. Better gas mileage and all.

     Now that you have been approved to charge scooters  be aware of some general "rules". You can acquire 20 Birds and 12 Limes per day. Birds and Limes must be returned to a designated spot before 7 AM. Birds must be returned between 4 AM and 7 AM while Limes may be returned at anytime before 7 AM. In order to be paid by either, the scooter must be fully charged.  Prices paid are determined by the dollar amount assigned to the scooter. This is based on ease of acquisition in other words if it is in plain sight you will be paid the lowest amount. The harder the scooter is to locate the more it is worth, we refer to these higher priced scooters as "unicorns" because they rarely exist even if the map shows them. Scooters become available for charging based on their battery levels. Lime will release scooters if they drop below 17% charge. The lower the charge level the longer it will take to fully charge so keep in mind that if you need all night to recharge a 3% scooter battery do not pick up more scooters than you have chargers or you will be up half the night switching out. Tip #2, we suggest you get two $5 scooters with more than 50% charge rather than a $6 or $8 scooter with only 3% charge because you can recharge the higher charge % sooner. Tip #3, the chargers are interchangeable so if you have Lime scooter chargers they can be used to recharge Bird scooters and vice versa. Tip #4 when you set your scooters out in the early morning hours go ahead and see if there are any scooters which can be scooped up for recharging.

So you see, this is a super easy way to make a few extra dollars in a sort of scavenger hunt sort of way. Easy peasy and even somewhat fun! I would suggest buddying up and working as a pair or a team if nothing else it is very efficient. Up next is the next level with Uber Eats be sure to subscribe to learn the tricks and tips!

Can you Gig It!

Can you Gig It!

Welcome to the gig economy. "The what economy" you say? According to Bing, the gig economy is defined as a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. Think about disruptive innovations like Uber and Lyft. No special training or certifications are needed outside of being 18 years of age, have a valid drivers license and auto insurance plus a smart phone. Before you had to be a part of a fleet or taxi company to be able to pay to "taxi" people around and now anyone can do it in their spare time or full time. You can do it after work, before work, even on the way to or from work. You pick the day of the week or the hour of the day. You pick the location from one town to the next or go back and forth. You can be as young as a high school senior (age 18) or as old as you want to be. There are several opportunities here in the Raleigh area, and over the next few blog posts I'll share our experiences, that's right Gabe and I do these together; and let you in on some of the tips and tricks, ins and outs that we have learned thanks to trial and error. So be sure to subscribe and check back.

Supper Club Super Slueths Cozys courtesy of NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing

Black Beans and Vice (Supper Club Mysteries #6) by Ellery Adams
*Courtesy of Beyond the Page and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If the Scooby Doo Mystery Inc gang had been created in this day and age and then aged up to their 40's it would be the Quincy's Gap Supper Club friends. A great group of friends with varied backgrounds and love of food, fun, friendship, and solving murders. The group is trying to balance their love of good food with great health and are making a group commitment to work towards thinner and healthier goals. Not only do they try the Mediterranean diet but also a little hypno therapy to curb carbs and slate their desire for sugary sweets at the Wellness Village. Unfortuneatly they encounter not only some animal rights extremists but also the body of the mayor who may or may not have been playing loose and fast with the town finances. There are side stories aplenty from stalking to stealing and other such fun bits in between. Excellent read with a story that didn't slow down once.

Pasta Mortem (Supper Club Mysteries #7) by Ellery Adams
*Courtesy of Beyond the Page and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The gang is back and this time it's nostalgic. Everybody's favorite TV family is having a reunion in Quincy's Gap. The cast of Hearth & Home are in Quincy Gap the site of the original filming for a reunion show. Everyone is excited, the gang...not so much. Everyone has something else on their minds, like James who is an expectant father. Even with everything on his plate he and most of his friends still find time to help Murphy, the bane of their existence. Murphy is difficult and while they would all like to "kill" her for using their lives to write a murder mystery novel that does not cast them in a good light. There is no way Murphy would have killed her lover and business partner. There are plenty of other suspects who did not want Murphy's Gap to become the next tourist trap and over developed town. Besides, it's almost Valentines Day and love is in the air or is it hate? There is a fine line and so many of the characters are walking on it. This is an excellent series and I even read them in reverse order by mistake so things made better sense after reading Black Beans & Vice, nonetheless this was a fun story and another great series which includes awesome recipes for any palate.

Halloween Cozys 2018

If the Coffin Fits by Lillian Bell (A Funeral Parlor Mystery)

From investigative reporter to assistant manager of the family funeral parlor isn’t exactly how Desiree Turner saw her life going. It certainly makes things interesting and she has the side job working for the local paper. So of course she can’t help but want to investigate when she over hears a couple of bereaved sisters talking in hushed tones about something that shouldn’t  have happened. Did the caregiver sister Iris end her father’s life a little sooner than nature would have? And why did her latest “customer” Violet have bruises on the tops of her hands if she supposedly fell asleep at the wheel and fatally crashed into an embankment. Not that Desiree needs any encouragement to snoop around but when her former high school boyfriend and current interest ME Nate says that something is “hinky” about the death. To top it off Desiree is the only person who believes that her Dad did not die when he went surfing 6 months ago, after all there was no body recovered and the odd trinkets and notes that were left shortly after the incident that pointed to her Dad still being in the land of the living. Desiree is the girl next door, even though that door leads to a mortuary. She is outgoing and jovial with a great group of friends. While we don’t usually think of a funeral home being a true home, the Turner family, sister Donna and Uncle Joey make it feel just like that. Great story line can’t wait to read the next, especially with the cliff hanger ending.

A Deadly Brew by Lynn Cahoon (A Tourist Trap Mystery)

What could be more fun than spending time with friends, maybe spending time with friends solving a 15 year old mystery about a supposed witch in an abandoned house right before Halloween! With a ghost and a séance the "lock-in" is sure to be an experience none of the group is soon to forget. Excellent Halloween read with a great cast of characters. Jill Gardner makes a great heroine, very real and relatable. The story line was very interesting and while I was able to figure out part of the mystery I did not see the whole picture until the author was ready for the big reveal. I cannot wait to get my hands on more of the Tourist Trap Mystery books to see how Jill and her Aunt Jackie fend with their shop, Coffee, Books, and More.

Samhain Secrets by Jennifer David Hesse ( A Wiccan Wheel Mystery #4)

Attorney Keli Melanni is a closet Wiccan getting ready to celebrate one of the most sacred of Wiccan holidays, Samhain. That is until her mysterious eco conscious aunt turns up dead. Keli didn't have a chance to get to know Aunt Josephine although she was familiar with her good works with Sister Seeds. Why was Aunt Josie doing in the woods that night and why does Mrs. Hammerlin think her new home is haunted, how are Keli and Wes ever going to find time to be together even though they share a home. I liked the dash of occult mixed with the multiple story lines and interesting characters. The mini mysteries did not take away from the main thread and in fact enhanced it while helping the reader to get to know the other characters as well. Great read, great series can't wait to see what is up next!

Halloween Murder by Leslie Meier ( Lucy Stone Mystery) Two stories

This is another Meier two-for. Trick or Treat Murder. The early days of Lucy Stone after the catalog ordering business, but before she became a Mom of 4.  Lucy is one bar working Mom who is trying to balance home, investigative reporting and a baby all on a minimal amount of sleep. Why else would she agree to make 12 dozen Halloween cupcakes for the town Halloween party. Yet she still finds the time to add a bit of sleuthing when the latest in a series of arson related fires takes the life of a summertime neighbor. So many suspects from a cheating husband to the energetic mistress, or was it just a group of kids looking for kicks and it all went wrong. These earlier story lines have a different character feel than the previous novels and the endings seem rushed. Overall it was entertaining and a quick read. It is interesting to compare and contrast early Lucy with older Lucy as the next story in the book is The Wicked Witch Murder. Funny thing, it’s a warlock not a witch who ends up dead as we see how little Tinker’s Cove reacts to a self proclaimed Wiccan with a new age storefront. Lucy endeavors to have an open mind but not all of her neighbors feel the same way especially after the next door neighbor’s wife becomes ill and dies. Plus Lucy’s girls are enamored with the idea of being new age Wiccans. With hostilities growing Lucy fears for her girls and their new Wiccan friend. It does seem that these more updated timelines are more political than they used to be which I find distracting from the entertainment of the story line. The Stone’s do seem more relaxed and less uptight than in the “younger” novels which is a nice progression in character development that mirrors life. All in all an easy read and an appropriate Halloween story.

Cafe Cozies courtesy of NetGalley and Kensington Publishing

Death by Eggnog by Alex Erickson ( A Bookstore Café Mystery)

It's that time of year, time for eggnog flavored coffee and the annual Christmas play complete with elves who sing and dance. Well Krissy at least tries to sing and dance. She hadn't planned to get involved in the production, that is until "Santa" is slayed and her ex-boyfriend finds himself in the line up. What's a girl to do when the new girlfriend begs her to  help? She help, because that is just the kind of person she is. So between working at the coffee shop, shopping for family and friends for the  holiday, she is sleuthing it up in pointy shoes.  Unfortunately not everybody believed in Santa including the surly tippler who was replaced as the annual jolly old elf only to get his job back when the new Santa was found dead. Not to mention that none of this is helping Krissy's fledgling relationship with the hunky doctor Will who seemed more reserved than usual. The story moves along at a great pace as Krissy lines up the suspects and works her way through the list which is a balancing trick in and of itself. Great read looking forward to Death by Espresso.

Chocolate Cozys by way of NetGalley

Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower (Amish Candy Shop mystery)

Bailey King famed protégé of Chocolatier Jean Paul of New York head of the JP Chocolates and the heir apparent to the chocolate company and Jean Paul's #1 choice rushes off to Harvest, Ohio to be with her ailing Grandfather. A risky move considering the timing with the selection committee but Bailey's Amish grandmother would not have called if it wasn't important. Little does Bailey know that her grandparents are being pressured by a local developer to sell their beloved sweet shop, Swissman's Sweets. If this strain from this badgering isn't enough, finding the developer in their shop kitchen with Jebediah's chocolate knife sticking out of his dead body certainly doesn't help. To make matters worse the local police force of Harvest, seem to be keen on pinning the murder on Bailey. Bailey has no choice but to get to the bottom of the developers Amish Disneyland plans, while holding onto her dream Chocolatier job, hiding the truth of her secret rocky romance, avoiding the butterflies in her stomach when around deputy Aidan, helping with a last minute wedding reception chocolate bar, and the secrets that the close knit Amish community. With the help of her friend Cass and a desire to protect her grandparents, Bailey will have to get herself out of this  sticky situation.

Oh Fudge by Nancy Coco

Who doesn't like a good cozy that features chocolate?  I enjoyed the story and come this holiday season I'll be trying out some of the fudge recipes found between the chapters of this sweet book.  I would suggest starting this series with the first book, All Fudged Up.  I caught on quick to most of the characters it would have been a better read if I knew the background stories leading up to this one.  Allie McMurphy is not only an expert fudge maker but also the proprietor of the newly renovated McMurphy Hotel.  Apparently she has made quite a name for herself as an amateur sleuth and when she calls 911 to report an accident i.e. body found with a trowel embedded in the chest, the dispatcher asks her if she found another body even before she has a chance to say why she is calling.  There were a few twists and turns to the plot between murder, theft, and heart ache.  I look forward to starting at the first installment and playing catch up while "researching" the various candy recipes.  On a side note, the Mackinac Butterfly House is an actual place on the island although I hope they have never found a body on their premises.  Also, there are several inns and fudge/candy shops to choose from making this a possible destination spot for the candy lover who doesn't mind a little chill with  chocolate.  Incidentally, if you do visit, be prepared to be considered a "fudgie,"  that is what the locals call the tourists.

Baking up Cozys courtesy of NetGalley and Kennsington Publishers

Class Reunions are Murder by Libby Klein (Poppy McAllister mystery #1)

Poppy McAllister is a definite tragic heroine, life starts on track has a great boyfriend is thinking culinary school then it all goes awry. Fast forward 25 years she is a new widow who runs away to live with her aunt in Cape May New Jersey.  While there her best friend manages to convince her attend the dreaded 10 year reunion. Enter the mean girls  and bane of Poppy's high school days., naturally there is some friction, words are exchanged and the head cheerleader/head mean girl ends up being the dead mean girl. Of course all fingers are pointing to Poppy who has more than enough on her mind as she gets over heartbreak while managing her gluten intake. Poppy is the best and I love her optimistic outlook. Her life is topsy turvy but with silver linings, like the fact that she is able to reconnect with her high school sweetheart and former fiancé.  Oh and there is the exotically handsome Italian coffee shop owner who LOVES her gluten free treats. Poppy has every reason to put her head in the sand or hide under the covers but instead she gets busy solving the crime because the one thing she is absolutely sure of is that sugar is addictive and she isn't a killer.

Midnight Snacks are Murder by Libby Klein (Poppy McAllister mystery #2) LOVE LOVE LOVE Poppy McAllister. What a refreshing, vibrant, REAL character that any woman can relate to. Not to mention that the recipes at the back of the book are the yummiest. The story line is progressing nicely and I am not sure which of her two suitors would be my first pick so I will stay team Poppy instead of picking either Gia or Tim. So many different threads in this installment and it kept right on rolling from one suspect to the next. I had no idea until the end which is exactly how a proper cozy should be, a little intrigue, a little humor, and a little romance. Cannot wait for Restaurant Weeks Are Murder to hit NetGalley!

Bridal Cozys and NetGalley

Murder in White Lace by Karen Sue Walker
A Bridal Shop Mystery

Max Walters is a talented bridal gown designer, at least many others think she is even if she lacks the confidence. While being left in charge while her boss/dress boutique owner is on vacation, Max works with a difficult bride who passes out during her final fitting. Final in more ways than one, since the never wakes up and now Max's former crush and lifelong friend has been accused of poisoning the wedding cake samples. In addition to all of this Max is offered a job with her old design firm in Manhattan for a promising position with great possibilities, much better than her former one of pattern cutting. She can't just sit around ad do nothing besides as acting store manager she hires a quirky and artistic assistant who is happy to help her investigate. Which is not what her falsely accused friend Andy wants, or the hunky Detective Cruz.  An excellent read and one of three. Max is a wonderfully rounded character who is down to earth and easy to relate to. She is easy to identify with and the interactions of the other characters flow nicely as the story develops. Nothing is given away too soon and I had no idea who had "done it" until the end.

Death by Espresso by Alex Erickson
A Bookstore Café Mystery
Kensington Publishing

The last few cozys I read, the main character was planning their wedding and solving a murder. I have no idea how other than, this is fiction LOL. In this latest Bookstore Café Mystery, Krissy is helping as maid of honor to plan Vicki's wedding. Vicki who has well to do Hollywood type parents who only want the best for her, like the ultra posh and ultra pushy wedding planner,  who ends up ultra dead. The last thing a bride or maid of honor needs is a murder over shadowing the ceremony especially when the groom is the #1 suspect. In the midst of the murder and theft of a necklace, Krissy isn't sure why her beau Will is pulling away or how to handle the awkwardness when around handsome police officer Paul Dalton. Great storyline and the characters are the crème de la crème. Krissy is completely relatable and fits the mold just right for a cozy mystery heroine. I do so like it when they save the day and help a friend out!  

Murder Borrowed, Murder Blue by Stephanie Blackmoore
A Wedding Planner Mystery

The Shepard sisters are back and this time it is for a celebrity wedding to take place at the B&B on reality TV. A new business can always use some press, but bad press isn't always good press. From the pushy Mother of the bride, a lothario-like groom, the series host who is also Garret's ex-wife, an unexpected snowfall, oh and to top it all is the death of a local girls' school headmistress and the disappearance of a valuable tiara that would save the school from financial ruin.
The girls are having to plan two ceremonies to keep the Mother at bay and the bride happy while looking into the how and why of the murder. Mallory is great at showing grace under pressure and you can't help but to root for her as she quells her nervous doubts about Garret's feelings and puts his daughter's relationship with Adrienne, her Mom; ahead of those doubts. This is a great series and I can't wait for the next installment, Gown With the Wind!

Restaurant Cozys courtesy of NetGalley and Kensington Publishing

Stabbed in the Baklava

(Kebab Kitchen mystery)

by Tina Kashian

Great story and story line cannot wait until the next installment. Lucy is home to make a go of the family restaurant even though her heartbreaker ex-boyfriend is now the head chef and still gives her butterflies. The one thing that chases those away is a ride on the back of her business neighbor's motorcycle, of course that brings up another set of butterflies. Two guys who obviously do not like each other are quite a distraction but not enough of one to keep Lucy from trying to save Azad from the pokey after a wedding day homicide with a skewered body in the back of their catering truck. Azad isn't the only person with reason to turn the bank exec into a pin cushion and Lucy will put aside the pieces of her heart to get to the bottom of this mystery. Was it the wife, the groom, the maid of honor also known as the very young mistress, or someone else all together. Great plot that is as sticky sweet with a few nuts just like the incredible baklava. Be sure to make some as the recipes for the great dishes are in the back of the book. I do love a good food cozy!

Cooking with Cozies

Murder on the Green by H.V. Coombs

I tend to prefer cozies that take place here in the US of A and have a female main character. I do not always appreciate the English sense of humor so I don't usually choose such books to read. I could not say no to a book about a cook though. I'm imagining Julia Childs meets Mr. Clean with a little zen in the mix when picturing Chef Ben Hunter. Great story line and wonderful characters in the little town of Hampden Green and the cooking tidbits are wonderful. Can't wait to read the next story to see what is new at the Old Forge Café.

The Quiche and the Dead
by Kirsten Weis

Valentine Harris has been unlucky in love but she is determined to stay in San Nicholas and make her pie store business a success. After all, she has more than just her heart in it, she is financial all in . So needless to say this business needs to do well and when a customer dies shortly after eating breakfast quiche that she prepared in her new fledgling bakery. What's a new shop owner to do when she has a fitness junky/personal trainer who is determined to see her go out of business for selling "toxic" food runs the new gym right next door. Val makes it her business to find out who or what happened to her neighbor, the comic book caretaker. With the aid of her odd yet talented pie crust maker (and the promise of a tiny house) Val and Charlene will sort through the questionable characters, a Sherlock Holmes trio, and a handsome big city cop who has come home to enjoy a quieter(?!) pace. Good start to this new series and I hope to see more of the character development especially between Carmichael and Val.

Ghostly Cozies for Spirited Reading courtesy of NetGalley

These reviews are made possible with a free or advanced copy by the most excellent publishing companies of Crooked Lane and Henery Press by way of NetGalley.

Be Our Ghost (Merry Inn Mystery #3)

by Kate Kingsbury

Crooked Lane Publishing

Everyone wants the benefits of progress but sleep towns also want to keep their small town feel and a new  high rise hotel most certainly will not fit in for the town of Sully's Landing on the Oregon Coast but who is so against it that they would kill the real estate developer. Thankfully neither Melanie West or her English Grandmother Liza are suspected but their friend and tavern owner, Doug is the number 1 suspect. Melanie suspects that Liza is more concerned than she is letting on and makes it her job to help get to the bottom if for no other reason than to keep Liza out of harm's way. Melanie will have her hands full as partner of their B&B The Merry Ghost Inn, home to Orville the resident laughing ghost who has been known to throw a clue their way when needed.  So many possible suspects, so many possible reasons and they might just be desperate enough to harm anyone who asks too many questions. Great story and I really liked the extra personal mystery that Melanie tackles on her own apart from the murder. I look forward to the next installment.

Read and Gone

(A Haunted Library Mystery #2)

by Allison Brook

Crooked Lane Publishing

Carrie Singleton's life is going great, she's happy with her job, she has an amazing boyfriend, great friends including the spectral librarian Evelyn , and loving family. Well she's happy with most of her family, that is with the exception of her grifter Dad who is in town and involved with some missing diamonds. While Carrie tries to create a Christmas to remember she also has to nurse her father back to health when he is roughed up, while keeping her insurance investigator boyfriend in the dark while she desperately tries to figure out who killed the crooked jeweler, where are the gems, and how is her Dad ever going to go straight, and all without losing her heart or her life as she second guesses herself and Dylan her boyfriend. This was a great read with so much depth of character, my heart absolutely ached for Carrie between choosing family, choosing love, and choosing to do the right thing. This one is sure to be a hit and I can 't wait for the next one!

Ax To Grind

(A Kenni Lowry Mystery #3)

by Tonya Kappes

Everybody needs a little help now and again and Sheriff Kenni is no exception. The exceptional aspect of her help is that it comes in the form of her Poppa the former Sheriff. Former as in former member of the living. Cottonwood, Kentucky is your typical small, country town but it is known for having at least one celebrity, well known romance author Beryle Stone. An author who wrote a "tell-all" manuscript that has gone missing since her death. Her death was not unusual but her assistants is a different story. Now Kenni and her new deputy Finn are on the hunt for a killer and a killer manuscript which means Kenni will have to read the other books to piece together the clues. The only problem is that this town is full of more characters than a 100 piece puzzle and Deputy Vincent's good looks and friendly mannerism are more than a little distracting, not that Kenni's Mom has a problem with that. This plot had me embroiled and I thoroughly enjoyed the character development. A great read looking forward to the next one!  

The Haunted Heist

(Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery #3)

by Angie Fax

Verity Long has an unusual roommate, not only is he a gangster, but he is a dead 1920s era gangster. Of course she has an unusual pet as well, not a lizard, not a snake, not even a potbelly pig, nope she has a skunk named Lucy. She is an unusual gal, who is trying to avoid her ex future mother in law, help spectral Gangster Frankie find his favorite gun so he can "move on," have a successful freelance designing career, while nurturing a new relationship with local lawman Ellis (also the brother of her former fiancé, the much better brother). What starts out as a new gig for the bank goes all wrong when Lauralee's Uncle Reggie, the bank manager is found, shot through the heart in a bank safe by himself. A supposedly haunted safe, or not so supposedly as Frankie explains about his buddy Suds. Add in a spirited speak easy and a dead hit man from the 20's and you have the makings for a Haunted Heist. Fun to read and can't wait for the next installment as Verity walks the line between the worlds solving crimes and chatting up ghosts.



Wine cozies make it a happy hour! Courtesy of NetGalley

Have a glass while reading these excellent stories.

Chardonnayed to Rest by J.C. Eaton (Wine Trail Mysteries #2)

I love learning something new especially about wines. I had not heard of a Federweisser, but it sounds wonderful. Unfortunately they only take place in the New York area or in cute cozy mysteries.  The festival is set to take place at Two Witches Winery substitute operated by Norrie Ellington, a good friend and screen writer. After her neighbor is told to expect the rent to increase to the point of peril, the same man is found dead, and Miss Rosalee's flower stake is the murder weapon. Norrie tracks the clues at great personal peril while juggling wine tastings, food prep, and the Federweisser to worry about on top of a writing deadline. There are so many leads to chase down, but the locals are ready to do it as they look for the mysterious blue windbreaker. Great read am looking forward to the next and I hope to find a winery one day just like the Two Witches!

Seven Deadly Zins by Nancy J. Parra (A Sonoma Wine Country Mystery)

I do love a good cozy especially one about wine country! Our heroine is an entrepreneur and problem solver. Meet Taylor O'Brien, owner of Off the Beaten Trail tours who gives quirky tours tailored to fine wines and outdoor encounters. She had the niche market, at least until some unexpected competition showed up. But never fear, her friends will still be there for her, like Holly her best gal pal (because all cozy hero/heroines need someone to watch their back) and Tim, the best guy friend (yep it's good to have a platonic friend too). Tim has it all and is about to have a wonderful new Zinfandel that is sure to put his vineyard on the map, with a magnificent blend, more than 7 actually. At least he was until a body turns up in the fermenting vat. Bonus points to the author for an interesting body location. It made me flinch to think of all that lovely wine being spoiled. Over shadowing it all is a Hollywood-style self help guru with his flock of followers who are self realizing that all things are possible at least until he ends up dead as well. Tim is under suspicion for both murders. Taylor is a great character, a true friend, and a fearless spirit. I look forward to reading more about her exploits and adventures.

Pairing a Deception by Nadine Nettman  ( Sommelier Mystery #3)

What could be more relaxing than a weekend wine retreat right before the big Advanced Sommelier test? At least that is what Katie Stillwell and her boyfriend Detective John Dean thought when they went away for the weekend. What a great way to get a peek into what a wine tasting and educational weekend could look like with a little extra excitement. Truly educational and informative while being equally entertaining. I learned a lot including the proper pronunciation for sommelier (some-all-yay) after all don't we all say YAY when it comes to some good cozy ready and some good tasting wine. The story was a page turner that had me second guessing "who done it" and why. Looking forward to the next installment to enjoy with a nice bottle of red.

The Hair of the Dog by Carlene ONeil (Cypress Cover Mystery #3)

Penny Lively is outgoing, outspoken, and out of time if she is going to help her cousin veterinarian Annie who if found standing over her business partner holding the lethal weapon. Penny has plenty to keep her busy between the timing of the harvest and the not so perfect timing of the handsome vineyard manager. There's talk of missing money, missing drugs, a revolutionary rabies vaccine, and mayhem as the dead bodies become 2 and the suspects become more. Penny knows that there is no way her best friend and cousin could have possibly killed anyone. Some would say that Penny has the wit that bites like a crisp Chardonnay. She is no nonsense and gets right to the point which doesn't make  many friends. Penny is the sort of friend you want on your side, going to almost any lengths to get to the bottom of the problem even though she knows her niece's boyfriend, the police chief has it well in hand, she still needs to do her part to get the answer.. I can't wait to read the next installment of the Cypress Cove Mystery Series as #3 was most excellent with a great cast of characters.

Witch Cozy to Pick courtesy of NetGalley

Sugar Spells
(A Spellwork Syndicate #2)
by Lola Dodge

A most excellent story, so good that I wish I had found the series sooner. Anise Wise is a wiz in the kitchen, literally; well as least she was until she was exposed to a little too much death magic and now the only goodies she can make are deadly macarons. Macarons that a strange little vampire/bat guy wants to purchase for who knows what reason. To complicate matters she has to deal with a surly bodyguard who would do anything to protect her while at the same time hating her because of his indentured servitude to a malicious overlord. Anise is as sweet as the baked goods she is known for making, her character is real and relatable. The story line kept me wanting more and I look forward to seeing the ice melt as things heat up between Anise and Wynn.

Death by Séance

(A Ghost and Abby Mystery)

by Jo-Ann Carson

This is the 3rd installment in the Ghost and Abby series. Abby is single mom with a sense of purpose and the senses of a witch. She didn't start out as one but she is quickly mastering the skills. I enjoyed reading about Abby and her crazy Mom life that includes a ghost for a boyfriend, a male-witch for a mentor who is also a distraction, a medium for a friend, and a whole cast of zany characters. A town with ghosts, witches, vamps, and the like and Abby works as a janitor in a haunted tearoom at night and as a PI during the day. She leads a complicated life but handles it as simply as she can and puts her family first and friends next. Which is what lies at the crux of this mystery when she gets guilted by her friend Joy, to take part in a first time séance that ends up with a dead body but no ghost. Abby is hired by Joy's seductive vampire boyfriend to solve the mystery of the slit secretary. The book had a Charlene Harris feel to it and I was thinking that Abby was going to be like Sokie but instead she was more of an Aura which pleasantly surprised me. So glad I didn't prejudge and finished the book.

To Catch a Witch

(A Wishcraft Mystery)

by Heather Blake



A whole community of innately talented people, some born with it and some who acquired it. That's the community for Darcy Merriweather, a Wishcrafter who can make other's wishes come true which she puts to use as an Event Planner and this time she has been hired to help plan and run a 5K run. Unfortunately the race director turns up dead before the race even starts. So many secrets running around town. Secret weddings, secret wedding plans, secret illnesses, secret secrets. To get to the bottom of this mystery Darcy will have to pull out all the stops as the Inquisitor and leave no rock unturned. Great story from beginning to end with a story line that flowed and I had no idea who was responsible until the author chose to reveal it. Had me guessing the whole time.

That Olde White Magick
(An Abracadabra Mystery)

by Sharon Pape

This was a magical cozy complete with Merlin and a couple of witches and familiars. But it's not your typical witchiness, nope these are 21st century witches, a family with a long history and a fabulous Magick shop full of anything and everything that will cure what ails you. Managed by our main character, Kailyn Wilde who is a bit of a sorceress sleuth in addition to a teleportator in the making. New Camel, not to be confused with Camelot, is a nice little town and not one that necessarily needs or wants big development or high rise hotels coming in. Unfortunately someone wants it so bad they are willing to kill for it and it is up to our intrepid enchantress to solve the who before her Aunt Tilly gets the blame for finding the body. Great story line and Merlin adds that little extra comic relief, now if I could bake as good as Tilly I'd feel transported. Looking forward to the next installment and the blossoming romance. Every good book needs a little mystery, a little come hither stare, maybe even a little witchcraft.