By Jennifer Stone
Published By Farrago
Cherry is a hoot and a half! If you are a Stephanie Plum fan you are going to devour Cherry Slice in the time it takes to make some scones because you will not be able to put it down. From the small town of Essex comes everything reality TV-related, including but not limited to: sex, drugs, subterfuge, caravans, love, getting "nicked", envy, and really good pastries. The titles the author comes up with for these fictional shows are HILARIOUS! This character's debut is sure to be just the first of many stories and I am hoping that as the characters develop, so will the recipes. As for the basic plot, there is nothing basic about it and it incorporates many of today's social norms even though some of the people do not seem very norm-al. Cherry is the sort of character that makes you laugh out loud, nod your head in agreement, and cheer silently as she picks herself up literally and proverbially, dusts herself off and soldiers on in spite of the media that won't seem to "let it go." The supporting roles/characters such as her nail artist and Instagram junkie Kelsey are spot on showing support as only a bestie can. Cherry's folks are typical parents as well, Mom wants her to be the best at whatever it is she is trying to be (but please stay out of the media and quite be involved in scandal), Dad is good with whatever Cherry wants. Oh, and there is the hot n cold relationship with Jacob. The history lesson that you are in for to be sure. You may find yourself shaking your head and talking out loud to the book at some point. All in all, I for one am inspired to try my hand at making a cherry bakewell. Hope to see the next installment soon!
Deep Fried Revenge (A Farm to Fork Mystery #4)
By Lynn Cahoon
Published by Kensington Publishing
A competition gone crazy and the winners become the losers. A fair should be fun with rides, wonderfully unhealthy foods, and an opportunity to win a prize either from the midway or from the competitions. The gang from County Seat have entered the Idaho State Fair's Boise's Best Restaurant Contest. The competition is fierce, if you come in last in a challenge you are eliminated and it seems that if you come in first you are also eliminated. Angie and her crew are working hard to win, while Angie is also working hard to figure out who did the deed. No need to have read a prior installment to figure out that Angie has an awesome dog named Dom, a chicken, and a goat or rather she has a menagerie at home and an awesome bloke who helps take care of the animals and of Angie. You also don't need to already know that the County Seat team is more than a group of coworkers, they are family and when they claim you, you're well taken care of. Much like the young runaway named Bleak, our new character learns as she becomes Ian's new project, his Aunt and Uncle's new ward, and the County Seat's new employee. Two different story lines keep this story going round and round like a carnival ride, but it is well worth it. Especially when you get to the end, and not just because of the big reveal but rather because of the mouth watering Shepherd's Pie recipe at the back of the book.
This Magic Marmot (Abracadabra Mystery Book #5)
By Sharon Pape
Published by Lyrical Press
A reunion gone wrong and sightings of a vengeful ghost on the prowl. But what we know of ghosts is that they are like Kailyn Wilde's mother and grandmother, silver clouds without real shape or form. A classmate died in an unnecessary and tragic accident on grad night and someone is not satisfied with the accident part. Was it an accident or was there more to it. Kailyn uses her special magickal talents to investigate when one of her high school besties dies from poisoning at the pre-reunion cocktail social. Those who were at the lake the night of the accident are seeing Scott's ghost and some are having near-fatal fallout from it. Kailyn, Travis, Aunt Tilly, and Merlin are doing their best to get to the bottom. Every time I read the title I find myself humming the song, "this magic moment," then I laugh because I find myself imagining Merlin's familiar, Froliquet the marmot.
The Stolen Letter (A Scottish Bookshop Mystery)
By Paige Shelton
Published by St. Martins Books (Minotaur Press)
Back from her honeymoon and ready to get to work, is greeted with a hugs and a mysterious town vote to close the Cracked Spine. GASP you say, as I was just as flumoxed as to who could possibly want this iconic and beloved store/warehouse shut down. The council cites that for reasons of safety and a failed buiding inspection that no one seems to remember taking place, and we all know that Rosie would have remembered even if Edwin did not. In addition to the mysterious vote is the mysterious Mary Stuart or should I say Mary "thinks she's the reincarnated Queen of Scots" Stuart, who incidentally could be Delaney's older doppleganger. There are strange forces at work here or stangers who are forcing things to not work. A car bombing provides the victim and even more strangeness to this already thrilling tale. I could not put the kindle down except to look up a recipe for Scottish Shortbread, a favorite of the Queen. I also stopped to look up the image of a casket that would have been used to house a Burgess ticket. I do love a good story that entertains as well as educates. The characters are well developed and you do not have to be familiar with them to be able to catch on quickly as to the relationships and going-ons in the story or with the crew of the The Cracked Spine. This is another winner!
Shredding the Evidence (Cookbook Nook Mystery #9)
By Daryl Wood Gerber
Published by Beyond the Page Publishing
It's Food Bowl Week in Crystal Cove and the town is a flurry or activity. Every where you turn there is excitement and the most tantalizing morsels you could ever imagine and Jenna Hart is busy planning her wedding, or at least she is trying to. Her fiance, Rhett is up to his elbows in work at his new restaurant, Intime and her best bud Bailey is busy dragging Jenna into a murder investigation to clear her husband Tito. Salad fixings and bowl ingredients aren't the only things that get shredded in this story. There are reputations, relationships, papers, and even a poor defenseless bandana, I mean banana that will never be the same again. Jenna was trying her best to keep her nose out of it and keep her friend Cinnamon aka Chief Pritchett the local law inforcement from giving her "that look" . Unfortuneatly Tito, local investigative reporter, is seen having a very public disagreement with fellow reporter and food critic Kylie O. You can't help but wonder if maybe there is more than just one person who wasn't too fond of Kylie O and her caustic comments. There is plenty of suspicion to go around from food star Midge to Audrey Tinsdale, wife of the newspaper owner Eugene Tinsdale. The story had all the right ingredients mixed up in just the right way to add a little zest but not too much. Much like a dish with a secret ingredient, I did not figure out who had done it and why until the author wanted us to know. I'm not sure what I liked better, the incredible food descriptions that made my mouth water, the way Bailey was like a hound on the scent dragging Jenna along for the ride, or other little parts of everyday life of Crystal Cove that make the story so relatable. Of course the recipes at the end of the story are awesome as always and I can't wait to try my hand at the Mini Crab Cakes and the Cocoa Bliss Balls. YUM on all counts!
Botched Butterscotch
By Amanda Flower
Published by Kensington Publishers
Super cute novella that helps to progress the story line and introduce Bailey's parents to Aiden, his Mom and of course her service pig Jethro. This story is just sweet enough to get us through Mother's Day and ready for Marshmallow Malice. It is helpful to be familar with the cast of characters but since it is a novella it is enjoyable on its own as well. No violence or dead bodies but there is a wonderful butterscotch peanut bar recipe. Even though there is no murder there is still a mystery to solve in the way of a theft that takes place during a fundraiser of all things. So be sure to dust off your deerstalker cap and download this latest Amish Candy Shop mystery.
Sugar and Vice: A Cookie House Mystery
By Eve Calder
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Pastries and Pirates or is it Casanovas and a Corpse? It all started with a garden and Oliver the labradoodle finding a skeleton. The locals of Crystal Cay were excited thinking that the boot wearing skeleton was Gentleman George Bly or maybe one of his crew, only to learn that it wasn't that old, in fact it was in the ground, the sandy ground 4 feet deep for under a year's time. Out come the treasure hunters and phanatics for Pirate gold. Cate is hot on the trail of the unknown pirate while delving into Bly family history. All of this while doing her part as the 49% owner/baker of the Cookie Shop and holding a cookie of the day contest. Who would have ever guessed how time consuming a pecan praline sandie cookie could be or getting to the bottom of this mystery. Of course it doesn't help Kate one bit that her cheating EX-fiance is is town and offering the resources of his families foundation to further the research into Gentleman George Bly or that he is going around telling everyone that he is back to win Kate over. Maxi is more than happy to do her friend a solid and "swat that mosquito" and does her best to run interference for Kate. Kate has a solid group of friends in Coral Cay and in such a short time, since she escaped there from Manhattan to enjoy a new start after the failed engagement and hectic lifestyle of a big city chef. No wonder Oliver the town pup has picked her to be his home base when he isn't out visiting the various businesses and families of Coral Cay. This story offers all the ingredients that a cozy mystery needs to bake up an excellant plot with twists and turns that are like frosting on a cake or a large gingerbread doghouse. Did I mention that the new vet is available?
Pulp Friction (A Cider Shop Mystery #2)
By Julie Anne Lindsay
Published by Kensington Books
You never forget your first love, especially if they keep breaking into your home while hiding out from the police because they are the lead suspect in the murder of a groom on his wedding day. Meet Winnona Mae, or Winnie as everyone calls her, cider small business owner and incredibly curious citizen, much to the chagrin of Sheriff Colton Wise. Winnie and her Grannie are just starting to see the Orchard business make its way back into the black when an unfortuate turn of events turns deadly and there is now a possible black mark on the fledgling business's good name. Who would kill a guy on his wedding day? The groom was from out of town while the bride is a local and has gone catatonic over the whole thing. This is the second book in the series and it wasn't necessary to have read the first to be able to understand who did what to whom. Hank, a good ole boy and Winnie's high school sweetheart is a good ole pain in the patooty as far she is concerned. She is trying to not get involved with the exception of wanting her cider store to do well and then there's the fact that she knows that there is no way Hank would have killed anyone. She doesn't feel that way because of any feelings, in fact she is has a good mind to turn him over to Sheriff Wise. The ex-marine, former big city cop who worked with an FBI task force, and who recently has started acting cagey around her, yet never leaves her hanging. The plot moved along swiftly and the story did a great job of twisting and turning with an excellent build up at the end. In fact it was so much of a buildup, there is a cliff hanger epilogue. After the epilogue is my next to favorite part and that is a couple of pages of recipes. I for one am looking forward to trying the apple cider slushy this weekend! Look for me on Instgram with my drink and the book cover.
Divide and Concord (The Wine Trails Mysteries #5)
By J.C. Eaton
Published by Kensington Publishing
Norrie Ellington is about to have her worlds collide. It sounds like such a fun idea to anyone but scriptwriter Norrie, let the production company film a few scenes at the Two Witches Vineyard, which she is currently overseeing while her sister and etimologist brother in law are in South America hunting for rare bugs. The timing could have been better, what with the Wine and Cheese Festival taking place at the same time, which means people everywhere and now there would be even more people showing up to catch a look at Hollywood stars in action. I'm surprised that Norrie doesn't have a stroke with all that goes on in this latest book. The victim is an over the top director who can relate to the winery's name, this lady is definetly a wicked witch in the north east as far as her coworkers and soon to be exhusband are concerned. The there is the drama queen starlet and the overworked production assistant, the cameramen, and the even the Adonis like lead actor has nothing good to say about the lady. Even when she is found in an irrigation pond,dead, peole still can't find anything positive to say about her. Norrie can't wait for her final two months of winery sitting is over as it seems that each event includes a dead body as part of the activities. Thankfully she has her fellow vineyard owners to help her with sluething as well as her staff, Godfrey her bug guy and of course the hunky lawyer Bradley whom she is dating. It seems that everyone but Norrie's staff and the other locals are the only ones who didn't have means, motive, and opportunity. Of course Norrie has to figure this one out because someone is trying to make her look like the murderer. Another great mystery for arm chair detectives and wine lovers. I must agree with Theo and Don that prosciutto palmiers pair nicely with a Riesling. Clues galore and red herrings a plenty make this a twisting and turning plot with some crazy hijinks thanks to aura reading at the end. The only thing this book is missing would be a mac and cheese recipe at the end. Just a thought.
By Lynn Cahoon
Published by Kensington Publishing
A competition gone crazy and the winners become the losers. A fair should be fun with rides, wonderfully unhealthy foods, and an opportunity to win a prize either from the midway or from the competitions. The gang from County Seat have entered the Idaho State Fair's Boise's Best Restaurant Contest. The competition is fierce, if you come in last in a challenge you are eliminated and it seems that if you come in first you are also eliminated. Angie and her crew are working hard to win, while Angie is also working hard to figure out who did the deed. No need to have read a prior installment to figure out that Angie has an awesome dog named Dom, a chicken, and a goat or rather she has a menagerie at home and an awesome bloke who helps take care of the animals and of Angie. You also don't need to already know that the County Seat team is more than a group of coworkers, they are family and when they claim you, you're well taken care of. Much like the young runaway named Bleak, our new character learns as she becomes Ian's new project, his Aunt and Uncle's new ward, and the County Seat's new employee. Two different story lines keep this story going round and round like a carnival ride, but it is well worth it. Especially when you get to the end, and not just because of the big reveal but rather because of the mouth watering Shepherd's Pie recipe at the back of the book.
By Sharon Pape
Published by Lyrical Press
A reunion gone wrong and sightings of a vengeful ghost on the prowl. But what we know of ghosts is that they are like Kailyn Wilde's mother and grandmother, silver clouds without real shape or form. A classmate died in an unnecessary and tragic accident on grad night and someone is not satisfied with the accident part. Was it an accident or was there more to it. Kailyn uses her special magickal talents to investigate when one of her high school besties dies from poisoning at the pre-reunion cocktail social. Those who were at the lake the night of the accident are seeing Scott's ghost and some are having near-fatal fallout from it. Kailyn, Travis, Aunt Tilly, and Merlin are doing their best to get to the bottom. Every time I read the title I find myself humming the song, "this magic moment," then I laugh because I find myself imagining Merlin's familiar, Froliquet the marmot.
By Paige Shelton
Published by St. Martins Books (Minotaur Press)
Back from her honeymoon and ready to get to work, is greeted with a hugs and a mysterious town vote to close the Cracked Spine. GASP you say, as I was just as flumoxed as to who could possibly want this iconic and beloved store/warehouse shut down. The council cites that for reasons of safety and a failed buiding inspection that no one seems to remember taking place, and we all know that Rosie would have remembered even if Edwin did not. In addition to the mysterious vote is the mysterious Mary Stuart or should I say Mary "thinks she's the reincarnated Queen of Scots" Stuart, who incidentally could be Delaney's older doppleganger. There are strange forces at work here or stangers who are forcing things to not work. A car bombing provides the victim and even more strangeness to this already thrilling tale. I could not put the kindle down except to look up a recipe for Scottish Shortbread, a favorite of the Queen. I also stopped to look up the image of a casket that would have been used to house a Burgess ticket. I do love a good story that entertains as well as educates. The characters are well developed and you do not have to be familiar with them to be able to catch on quickly as to the relationships and going-ons in the story or with the crew of the The Cracked Spine. This is another winner!
By Daryl Wood Gerber
Published by Beyond the Page Publishing
It's Food Bowl Week in Crystal Cove and the town is a flurry or activity. Every where you turn there is excitement and the most tantalizing morsels you could ever imagine and Jenna Hart is busy planning her wedding, or at least she is trying to. Her fiance, Rhett is up to his elbows in work at his new restaurant, Intime and her best bud Bailey is busy dragging Jenna into a murder investigation to clear her husband Tito. Salad fixings and bowl ingredients aren't the only things that get shredded in this story. There are reputations, relationships, papers, and even a poor defenseless bandana, I mean banana that will never be the same again. Jenna was trying her best to keep her nose out of it and keep her friend Cinnamon aka Chief Pritchett the local law inforcement from giving her "that look" . Unfortuneatly Tito, local investigative reporter, is seen having a very public disagreement with fellow reporter and food critic Kylie O. You can't help but wonder if maybe there is more than just one person who wasn't too fond of Kylie O and her caustic comments. There is plenty of suspicion to go around from food star Midge to Audrey Tinsdale, wife of the newspaper owner Eugene Tinsdale. The story had all the right ingredients mixed up in just the right way to add a little zest but not too much. Much like a dish with a secret ingredient, I did not figure out who had done it and why until the author wanted us to know. I'm not sure what I liked better, the incredible food descriptions that made my mouth water, the way Bailey was like a hound on the scent dragging Jenna along for the ride, or other little parts of everyday life of Crystal Cove that make the story so relatable. Of course the recipes at the end of the story are awesome as always and I can't wait to try my hand at the Mini Crab Cakes and the Cocoa Bliss Balls. YUM on all counts!
By Amanda Flower
Published by Kensington Publishers
Super cute novella that helps to progress the story line and introduce Bailey's parents to Aiden, his Mom and of course her service pig Jethro. This story is just sweet enough to get us through Mother's Day and ready for Marshmallow Malice. It is helpful to be familar with the cast of characters but since it is a novella it is enjoyable on its own as well. No violence or dead bodies but there is a wonderful butterscotch peanut bar recipe. Even though there is no murder there is still a mystery to solve in the way of a theft that takes place during a fundraiser of all things. So be sure to dust off your deerstalker cap and download this latest Amish Candy Shop mystery.
By Eve Calder
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Pastries and Pirates or is it Casanovas and a Corpse? It all started with a garden and Oliver the labradoodle finding a skeleton. The locals of Crystal Cay were excited thinking that the boot wearing skeleton was Gentleman George Bly or maybe one of his crew, only to learn that it wasn't that old, in fact it was in the ground, the sandy ground 4 feet deep for under a year's time. Out come the treasure hunters and phanatics for Pirate gold. Cate is hot on the trail of the unknown pirate while delving into Bly family history. All of this while doing her part as the 49% owner/baker of the Cookie Shop and holding a cookie of the day contest. Who would have ever guessed how time consuming a pecan praline sandie cookie could be or getting to the bottom of this mystery. Of course it doesn't help Kate one bit that her cheating EX-fiance is is town and offering the resources of his families foundation to further the research into Gentleman George Bly or that he is going around telling everyone that he is back to win Kate over. Maxi is more than happy to do her friend a solid and "swat that mosquito" and does her best to run interference for Kate. Kate has a solid group of friends in Coral Cay and in such a short time, since she escaped there from Manhattan to enjoy a new start after the failed engagement and hectic lifestyle of a big city chef. No wonder Oliver the town pup has picked her to be his home base when he isn't out visiting the various businesses and families of Coral Cay. This story offers all the ingredients that a cozy mystery needs to bake up an excellant plot with twists and turns that are like frosting on a cake or a large gingerbread doghouse. Did I mention that the new vet is available?
By Julie Anne Lindsay
Published by Kensington Books
You never forget your first love, especially if they keep breaking into your home while hiding out from the police because they are the lead suspect in the murder of a groom on his wedding day. Meet Winnona Mae, or Winnie as everyone calls her, cider small business owner and incredibly curious citizen, much to the chagrin of Sheriff Colton Wise. Winnie and her Grannie are just starting to see the Orchard business make its way back into the black when an unfortuate turn of events turns deadly and there is now a possible black mark on the fledgling business's good name. Who would kill a guy on his wedding day? The groom was from out of town while the bride is a local and has gone catatonic over the whole thing. This is the second book in the series and it wasn't necessary to have read the first to be able to understand who did what to whom. Hank, a good ole boy and Winnie's high school sweetheart is a good ole pain in the patooty as far she is concerned. She is trying to not get involved with the exception of wanting her cider store to do well and then there's the fact that she knows that there is no way Hank would have killed anyone. She doesn't feel that way because of any feelings, in fact she is has a good mind to turn him over to Sheriff Wise. The ex-marine, former big city cop who worked with an FBI task force, and who recently has started acting cagey around her, yet never leaves her hanging. The plot moved along swiftly and the story did a great job of twisting and turning with an excellent build up at the end. In fact it was so much of a buildup, there is a cliff hanger epilogue. After the epilogue is my next to favorite part and that is a couple of pages of recipes. I for one am looking forward to trying the apple cider slushy this weekend! Look for me on Instgram with my drink and the book cover.
By J.C. Eaton
Published by Kensington Publishing
Norrie Ellington is about to have her worlds collide. It sounds like such a fun idea to anyone but scriptwriter Norrie, let the production company film a few scenes at the Two Witches Vineyard, which she is currently overseeing while her sister and etimologist brother in law are in South America hunting for rare bugs. The timing could have been better, what with the Wine and Cheese Festival taking place at the same time, which means people everywhere and now there would be even more people showing up to catch a look at Hollywood stars in action. I'm surprised that Norrie doesn't have a stroke with all that goes on in this latest book. The victim is an over the top director who can relate to the winery's name, this lady is definetly a wicked witch in the north east as far as her coworkers and soon to be exhusband are concerned. The there is the drama queen starlet and the overworked production assistant, the cameramen, and the even the Adonis like lead actor has nothing good to say about the lady. Even when she is found in an irrigation pond,dead, peole still can't find anything positive to say about her. Norrie can't wait for her final two months of winery sitting is over as it seems that each event includes a dead body as part of the activities. Thankfully she has her fellow vineyard owners to help her with sluething as well as her staff, Godfrey her bug guy and of course the hunky lawyer Bradley whom she is dating. It seems that everyone but Norrie's staff and the other locals are the only ones who didn't have means, motive, and opportunity. Of course Norrie has to figure this one out because someone is trying to make her look like the murderer. Another great mystery for arm chair detectives and wine lovers. I must agree with Theo and Don that prosciutto palmiers pair nicely with a Riesling. Clues galore and red herrings a plenty make this a twisting and turning plot with some crazy hijinks thanks to aura reading at the end. The only thing this book is missing would be a mac and cheese recipe at the end. Just a thought.
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