Sunday Salon / Sunday Post – A Week in the Life of Dollycas – Weekly Rewind – New Arrivals
The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an
informal week in review gathering place for bloggers.
It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature.
You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz.
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
~ It’s a chance to share news~
A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!
A Week in the Life of Dollycas
I am still having trouble wrapping my head around another senseless school shooting. I find it even more senseless that the NRA is holding its convention with their 14 acres of guns and ammo so close by to where it happened this weekend and that earlier in the week Republicans in the Senate voted down even debating any gun reform issues. The press conference by the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, and all the politicians made me sick to my stomach. I applaud Beto O’Roarke for saying what most of us were thinking. Then we had to learn about all the issues with the response teams that are truly hard to accept. What I did find heartening was all the marches, protests, and rallies over the past few days, most led by students across America. In my opinion, the assault weapons ban needs to be put back in place. If you need a weapon of war for deer hunting, you are a p*ss poor hunter. I know with today’s politicians that is not going to happen especially when they won’t even discuss background checks. It is a sad day in America when people love guns more than children.
Weekly Rewind – May 23 – May 28, 2022
Monday – My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #21 – 2022
Thursday – Seven Deadly Sequins (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries) by Julie Anne Lindsey #Review
Plus – Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective) by Kris Bock #Spotlight / #Giveaway
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series by Elizabeth Pantley #Spotlight / #Giveaway
Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series
by Elizabeth Pantley
About Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones
Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Better Beginnings, Inc. (May 20, 2022)
Print length : 328 Pages
Digital ASIN : B09W42KVV1
A boyfriend who’s missing. Or was. . . Or is. . . A boat full of old bones. A community ice cream social. A friend in trouble, a spiteful witch, and an angry villain. The mysteries and fun abound in Destiny Falls. Hayden, Latifa, and their family and friends are up for the excitement and adventure.
Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones
The Island Mystery: Hayden’s boyfriend Han is missing. But she swears she saw him zoom by in his car. She’d thought it was a surprise, and that he was home early from his secret service case. She was wrong. The surprise is that his signal isn’t pinging, and no one knows where he is. There appears to be black magic behind his disappearance. Can they learn who’s responsible and bring Han safely home?
The Murder Mystery: A pile of old bones is found in an ancient fishing boat. They could be tied to the disappearance of two young women years ago, back when many of the Destiny Falls people where in high school. Many of the citizens had bad history with the missing students. Do the bones belong to them, and what happened? Were the they murdered? And could the murderer be living among them?
Hayden and Latifa’s many adventures in Destiny Falls will keep you guessing with each book in this fun and intriguing series.
Great Escapes Praise for Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series
by Elizabeth Pantley
Elizabeth Pantley has hit a home run with the dual mystery format and Destiny Falls has become a home away from home for its loyal following.
~I Read What You Write!
OLD BONES AND ICE CREAM CONES is a feel-good adventure. There’s drama, mystery, and plenty of laughs that had me captivated from the start and eager for the next installment.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones is another charming installment in the series which propels the story nearer its conclusion.
~Christy’s Cozy Corners
About Elizabeth Pantley
Elizabeth Pantley says that writing the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of the series say her joy is evident through the stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the beautiful inspiration for the enchanted Destiny Falls world.
Author Links –
Goodreads Website Facebook Instagram Pinterest Blog Newsletter Sign-up:
Audiobook Series link
Purchase Links
– Amazon –
TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
May 20 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, GUEST POST
May 21 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
May 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
May 22 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
May 23 – Novels Alive – SPOTLIGHT
May 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 24 – Baroness Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
May 25 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT
May 25 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
May 26 – Ascroft, eh? – GUEST POST
May 27 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
May 28 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
May 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
May 29 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT
May 30 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
May 31 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
June 1 – Ruff Drafts – REVIEW
June 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
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Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective) by Kris Bock #Spotlight / #Giveaway
Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective)
by Kris Bock
I am pleased to shine my spotlights on
Something Shady at Sunshine Haven today!
About Something Shady at Sunshine Haven
Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Arizona
Tule Publishing (April 7, 2022)
Paperback : 324 pages
ISBN-10 : 195489449X
ISBN-13 : 978-1954894495
Digital ASIN : B097WJYYBZ
She’s pursued the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home?
Injured in a bombing, war correspondent Kate Tessler returns to her hometown in Arizona to recover. For the first time in her life, she’s starting to feel her age of nearly fifty despite living like a teenager again: staying in her childhood bedroom with only a cat for company, trying to understand why her sister resents her so much, and running into people who still refer to her as Kitty. The hardest part? Seeing her once-sharp and witty mother stuck in an Alzheimer’s unit.
When an old friend asks her to investigate suspicious deaths at the nursing home, Kate limps into action. Is a self-appointed “Angel of Mercy” killing patients to end their suffering? Are family members hastening their inheritance? Is an employee extorting money and removing the witnesses? Kate uses her journalism skills to track clues, but the puzzle pieces simply won’t fit.
If Kate can’t uncover the truth quickly, her mother could be next on the killer’s list.
About Kris Bock
Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material when you sign up for her newsletter. You’ll also get a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels
Kris is also writing a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Follow the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers
Find Kris:
Website Blog GoodReads Author Page BookBub Amazon US Author page or Amazon UK page. Twitter Instagram TikTok Facebook Pinterest
Purchase Links –
Tule Publishing Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle UK B&N Nook Apple Books Kobo Google Play
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
May 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 24 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 25 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
May 25 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
May 26 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
May 26 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
May 27 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
May 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
May 28 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
May 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
May 29 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
May 30 – Novels Alive – SPOTLIGHT
May 31 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 31 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
June 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST
June 2 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
June 2 – Rebecca M Douglass, Author – REVIEW, GUEST POST
June 3 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
June 3 – I Read What You Write – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 4 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
June 4 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 5 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT
June 5 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
June 6 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 6 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
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#FlashbackFriday featuring Two Wicked Desserts (Kitchen Witch Mysteries) by Lynn Cahoon #Review / #Giveaway @LynnCahoon @KensingtonBooks
On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
Two Wicked Desserts (Kitchen Witch Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Idaho
Kensington Cozies (July 27, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496730321
ISBN-13 : 978-1496730329
Kindle ASIN : B08MBD7X33
Mia Malone conjures up delicacies while casting about for clues in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon’s Two Wicked Desserts, continuing her Kitchen Witch Mystery series . . .
Magic Springs, Idaho, may be a small town, but Mia Malone is living an enchanted life running her own catering business and cooking school. And while she’s teaching the locals culinary craft, her grandmother is teaching her witchcraft for the day she inherits the family magical spells that have been passed down for generations. Unfortunately, all that knowledge is not helping Mia or her grandmother in removing the spirit of warlock Dorian Alexander from Mia’s cat Mr. Darcy.
But even though Dorian hasn’t yet left this earthly plane, his spells have already been transferred to his daughter Cindy’s grimoire. An actress looking for her big Hollywood break, Cindy is hoping there’s something in her father’s bag of tricks to make her a star. But playing with magic has only resulted in a trip to Idaho where Cindy finds herself the number one suspect in the murder of a hitman whose body was found in the garden of Mia’s Morsels. Now it’s up to Mia to conjure up a killer before everything she’s worked so hard for vanishes with a poof!
Includes Recipes!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Mia Malone’s cooking school and catering business, Mia’s Morsels is starting to take off and she is thinking about new ways she can use the space in the large school building she has taken over. While she is cooking up a storm her grandmother, Mary Alice is trying to teach Dorian’s daughter, Cindy, the craft she has inherited since her father passed away. Since his spirit has not left yet, only transferred to Mia’s cat, Mr. Darcy, he is on hand to see his daughter struggling to grasp the importance of the witchcraft and the book of spells that she has now received. She is more focused on her acting career and wants to break the rules and use witchcraft to enrich herself and her own interests. In fact, a little spell she cast is what brought her to Magic Springs. She hopes Mary Alice can help her reverse the spell so she can get on with her life.
Then a dead man is found right where Mia plans to plant her garden and he is connected to Cindy. So much so, that she becomes the prime suspect in his murder and won’t be leaving town anytime soon. This could ruin all of Mia’s plans. Who wants to come to a cooking school where a man was murdered? Can Mia cast out a killer? Can they figure out how to free Dorian from Mr. Darcy? Will Cindy be able to go back to Hollywood or will she live the rest of her life behind bars? Those questions and more need to be answered so Mia can continue living her dream.
Kitchen Witches are considered gentle witches because they use their craft to help people and I love that theme. Mia and her grandmother have such big hearts that even when something as evil as a murder happens nearby their quest is to find the true guilty party at all costs. But even a good witch’s spell can go awry, which is how Dorian’s essence ended up in Mr. Darcy and neither of them are happy about it. Ms. Cahoon has herself crafted some very unique characters. They are cleverly written and very engaging.
The author has placed her characters in a very interesting setting. Both Magic Springs and the old school building have plenty of secrets brewing. The room that was opened within this story had some interesting surprises. We also learn more about the building’s history and I think it is just the beginning of what is going to be revealed.
So many captivating things happen in this story that at times the murder takes a backseat. There were enough suspects to keep readers guessing but the reveal was a little lackluster for me. That being said I enjoyed the story overall. There are a few things still up in the air that I hope will carry into the next book and develop. I would also like to see a little more gentle magic.
Two Wicked Desserts
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
ABOUT LYNN CAHOON
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Lynn Cahoon is an Idaho native. If you’d visit the town where she grew up, you’d understand why her mysteries and romance novels focus around the depth and experience of small-town life. Currently, she’s living in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi river where her imagination tends to wander. She lives with her husband and two fur babies.
Author Links
Goodreads – Twitter –Facebook –Website –Amazon Author Page
Also by Lynn Cahoon
I may have missed some books so be sure to
check out Lynn’s Amazon Pages here.
I am giving away 1 Kindle copy!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.
Follow Kensington Books on Twitter for 2 Bonus Entries!
Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End June 10, 2022, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Seven Deadly Sequins (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries) by Julie Anne Lindsey #Review
Seven Deadly Sequins (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Cozy Queen Publishing LLC (October 14, 2021)
Paperback : 196 pages
ISBN-10 : 1954878060
ISBN-13 : 978-1954878068
Kindle ASIN : B094RFQ3M8
Bonnie & Clyde are at it again!
When the death of a local baker threatens to shred the fabric of their lovely town, this dynamic sleuthing duo bolts into action. The results will leave you in stitches.
It’s summertime in beautiful Bliss, Georgia, and while second chance dress shop owner, Bonnie Balfour, would prefer to spend her time redesigning gowns for the upcoming Founder’s Day parade, her grandma, Gigi, is too hot under the collar to concentrate. It seems Gigi’s former friend is using her recipe to sell cobbler at the local festivities, and she’s claiming Gigi’s treat as her own!
Things go from uncomfortable to downright ugly when Gigi confronts her friend publicly about the unseamly pattern of behavior, only to later find the woman dead! With Gigi’s prints on the murder weapon and dozens of material witnesses to their earlier scrap, Gigi cuts straight to the top of Sheriff Wright’s suspect list.
Now, Bonnie and her kitty companion, Clyde, must don their sleuthing hats once more.
To mend Gigi’s reputation and deliver justice for the victim, Bonnie must lace together a string of clues about what really happened that night. Will she wind up on the killer’s cutting board in the process?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this second installment of this fun new series from Julie Anne Lindsey the residents of Bliss, Georgia are getting ready for the Founder’s Day celebration. Bonnie Balfour, owner of the Bless Your Heart is recycling and redesigning ball gowns with the members of the Founder’s Day Court in mind. Each member of the court will be able to select a gown free of charge. She thinks it is a wonderful marketing campaign as each woman is selected for making a significant contribution to the community and is well known for their efforts. Bonnie’s own mom is on the court and she would be delighted to be crowned Lady Luck for the year.
But there may be a fly in the ointment that will mar the big event. Bonnie’s Grandma Gigi is about to cause a huge ruckus because she believes one of her friends is using her Peach Cobbler recipe and selling it in the Enchanted Gardens park. As soon as Gigi tastes the cobbler she knows she is correct and confronts her friend publically making such a scene she is kicked out of the park by the police.
Later that evening the woman is found dead by Gigi herself and her prints are all over the murder weapon. Bonnie and Clyde again have to team up to save the day by cobbling together every clue they can to prove Gigi’s innocence. New Sheriff, Mason HANS (Short for Handsome New Sheriff) Wright does his best to deter her but Bonnie can’t back down even when putting her own life in danger.
It is so easy to get invested in these characters’ lives. They are fresh, fun, and full of Southern charm. I continue to be in awe of Bonnie’s sewing capabilities and love the way she upcycled the ball gowns for the ladies. I absolutely love Clyde, he is one sneaky little devil. The relationship evolving between Bonnie and Mason is delightful. Their banter is fun and true to life. He really does want to keep her safe, but someone from his past could really twist things up. Gigi cracked me up several times but that encounter with Rowena in chapter two had the cobbler flying and me laughing out loud as I could picture every moment. All the characters are so well written. The core characters are developing nicely and those new in this book are captivating as well even if one of them is a murderer.
I really enjoyed the way the author plotted out this story. The pace was constant, something was always happening. She tossed in some really nice twists, red herrings, and comedic events to keep everyone on their toes.
The one thing I have learned now after reading the first two books of this series and the spinoff No Farm, No Fowl
Julie Anne Lindsey never disappoints. Seven Deadly Sequins 
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Julie Anne Lindsey is an award-winning and bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than forty novels since her debut in 2013 and currently writes series as herself, as well as under multiple pen names, for Harlequin, Kensington, Sourcebooks, and Crooked Lane Books.
When Julie’s not creating new worlds or fostering the epic love of fictional characters, she can be found in Kent, Ohio, enjoying her blessed Midwestern life. And probably plotting murder with her shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world. Learn more about Julie at julieannelindsey.com
Author Links
Website Facebook Cozy Queens Reader Group Twitter Goodreads
Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N –
Also by Julie Anne Lindsey
Find more by Julie Anne Lindsey here.
Julie also writes as Bree Baker
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Cozy Wednesday featuring Murder with Darjeeling Tea (A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery) by Karen Rose Smith #Review / #Giveaway @karenrosemith @KensingtonBooks
Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am happy to share my thoughts today about
Murder with Darjeeling Tea!
Murder with Darjeeling Tea (A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Pennsylvania
Kensington Cozies (May 24, 2022)
Mass Market Paperback : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496733983
ISBN-13 : 978-1496733986
Kindle ASIN : B09FFXY4K7
Daisy’s Tea Garden is one of the many attractions in Pennsylvania’s Amish country—and when Daisy herself isn’t serving tea, she’s making sure justice is served . . .
When Daisy Swanson arrives at Rumple’s Statuary shopping for a birthday present for her beau Jonas, Wilhelm Rumple’s cottage looks like something out of a fairy tale, reminding her of the Storybook Tea family event she’s planning. Even the man himself—short and stumpy in overalls with bare feet—seems like a storybook character. But as a businessman, Rumple is rumored to be as cold and hard as the statues he sells.
Maybe that’s why, following a break-in at his cottage, Rumple is found dead in a dog run behind Four Paws Animal Shelter, bashed in the head. Now it’s up to Daisy to get the residents of Willow Creek to spill the tea on a little man who may have had some big secrets, so she can find a stone-cold killer . . .
Includes delicious recipes!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Daisy Swanson has arrived at Rumple’s Statuary to find the perfect birthday gift for the man in her life. Jonas loves his golden retriever Felix and Daisy thinks he would love a statue version of the canine as well. While there she finds that Wilhelm Rumple has some very unique merchandise to sell in and around his unique little cottage. Some of it is quite pricey. She also hears him have a bit of an argument with a local pet supplement company’s CEO. Daisy couldn’t hear all the details by money was definitely mentioned. She quickly finds the exact statue she wants and leaves very happy with her purchase.
A couple of days later Wilhelm Rumple is found dead behind the Four Paws Animal Shelter where he volunteers. Daisy worries because Jonas volunteers there too. Was it an isolated incident? Could the argument she overheard have escalated to murder? Are others in danger? Daisy is determined to find out who Rumple tea-d off enough to want him dead.
Family is a key theme throughout the stories in this series and in this installment we see there may be plenty of changes to shake up Daisy’s world. The characters are growing in natural ways so all the changes make sense. I really enjoy the way the author blends these regular family occurrences, both Englisch and Amish, with the mystery. Her characters are strong and well-developed and come across as caring and genuine. It is a pleasure to sneak into their world.
Wilhelm was an interesting character and cleverly written. Foster thought he looked like a troll. “A stumpy little man with unusual features.” He had brown hair that was “curly, fuzzy, and stuck out around his head”, which made his ears stick out more. Dressed in red overalls and bare feet, he was a unique man that had much more going on than met the eye. Daisy would have to dig deep to learn all his secrets.
And dig she did. She was very caught up in the mystery of his death and I had a great time trying to follow all the clues with her. This one was a real puzzle to piece together. There were several suspects and the author served up plenty of twists with all the Darjeeling tea, both hot and iced. I was still spinning my wheels when the actual killer was revealed and you could have knocked me over with a tea leaf.
Murder with Darjeeling Tea
Note: Each book can be read on its own but to really get to know these characters the series is best read in order.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Karen Rose Smith is the author of the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries
Also by this Author
Thanks to the publisher I have 1 ARC copy to give away!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.
Follow Kensington Books on Twitter for 2 Bonus Entries!
Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries!
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End JUNE 8, 2022, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For The Entry Form
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Special Guest Vanessa Westermann Author of Cover Art (A Charley Scott Mystery) #GuestPost / #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour
Cover Art (A Charley Scott Mystery)
by Vanessa Westermann
I am delighted to welcome Vanessa Westermann to Escape With Dollycas today!
On Writing Strong Heroines
Vanessa Westermann
When readers meet Charley Scott in Cover Art, she’s just taken the biggest risk of her life. On the verge of giving up on her art, she quit her marketing job to open a summer pop-up gallery in Canada’s cottage country. But when a man is found dead by chocolate, she has to uncover the killer’s identity before murder spreads its poison through the lakeside village…
My writing process has always been character-based. I’ll know who I want to write about before I know what adventures they’ll have. However, for Cover Art
I started my writing career as a pantser, not a plotter, but over the years I have come to love and appreciate a good outline. In fact, because I teach creative writing, I find that, through the lesson prep and class discussions, I’m constantly learning new ways to improve my own craft.
While planning Cover Art
Based on the qualities of mythic heroes, Frey’s approach uses brainstorming and journaling techniques to create a hero/detective who has a ruling passion and a psychology that develops from her/his background and physiology. His method prompted me to explore my character’s backstory in much more detail than I normally would have, and still gave my imagination free rein.
I chose to make my amateur sleuth a struggling artist who is running a pop-up gallery because both art and mysteries are about perspective. To understand an artwork, you have to pull it apart and figure out how the pieces fit together to make a whole, the same way you do when solving a mystery. When we look at a painting, we’re trying to uncover the artist’s truth. When a sleuth gathers clues, she is trying to uncover the criminal’s truth. All it takes is a shift in perspective, to empathize with a murderer, to understand the motives, the mistakes, that lead someone to take another person’s life.
Charley Scott’s ruling passion is that she wants to be able to earn a living from her art. She has a keen sense of observation and is very perceptive. Her paintings look like pulp fiction covers, featuring female heroines and the everyday acts of kindness and courage that so often go unnoticed.
Charley has courage. She will act in the face of danger to bring a murderer to justice and will venture into the darkness, despite her fear of the dark. I couldn’t resist giving a character, who values her sense of sight so much, nyctophobia. Writers are cruel, aren’t they?
Like most amateur sleuths, Charley is loyal to old friends and lost causes. She’s quick to help those in need and happy to reconnect with her childhood friend, Kayla, when she joins the exhibit.
I tried to weave a sense of yearning and wish fulfillment through the story. Charley and her sister Meghan both inherited the 1950s cottage, with the gabled roof, red shutters, and lake view. But Meghan is the one who has been able to build a life in Oakcrest, as the editor of the local newspaper. Charley desperately wants to call it home, too. All of her best memories are there.
In the heart of the Kawartha countryside, the little village nestles on the shores of Blue Heron Lake, at a crossroads between barns and laneways, ploughed fields, and sugar bush. Oakcrest has the pace of a country village, but the quaint specialty shops and vibrant arts community of a city. Only a two-hour drive from Toronto, the waterfront cottages, Adirondack chairs, and boats cruising by attract weekenders to the peaceful getaway. The constant influx of visitors—arriving with the black flies and staying until the first red leaves fall from the trees—provide locals with fertile ground for gossip.
To top it off, Oakcrest has an artisan chocolate shop, run by a handsome chocolatier. Charley is a self-confessed chocoholic. She believes a car trip isn’t complete without a bag of Hershey’s Kisses, and her chocolate Labrador retriever is called Cocoa. Need I say more?
When Kayla’s husband is found dead, the result of eating boutique chocolates, the homicide investigation threatens to make Charley’s pop-up gallery a failure before it even begins.
In order to prove Kayla’s innocence and save the gallery, it’s up to Charley to see past the obvious and find the killer…
I enjoy every minute I get to spend in Charley’s company, and I hope readers will too!
Thank you Vanessa for visiting today!
Now keep reading for my thoughts about Vanessa’s book Cover Art!
About Cover Art
Cover Art (A Charley Scott Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada
Cormorant Books (May 17, 2022)
Paperback : 440 pages
ISBN-10 : 1770866426
ISBN-13 : 978-1770866423
Kindle Cormorant Books (May 28, 2022)
ASIN : B0B1H89KC1
Charley Scott is thrilled to be running a summer pop-up gallery in cottage country. Returning to the lakeside village, not on vacation but as an artist, she’s determined to turn her hobby into a career.
But, beneath the surface of this peaceful town, darkness lurks. There’s a history.
Local chocolatier, Matt Thorn, is struggling with his father’s death and his legacy of deception. As Matt plans to expose his father’s secrets, a local is found dead, the result of eating Matt’s chocolates.
Luckily, art is all about perspective and Charley’s always had a keen eye. Can she see past the obvious and find the killer?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Charley and Meghan have inherited their grandparent’s cottage by the lake. Meghan moved in with her cop boyfriend right away but Charley took some time. Now she has made the huge decision to quit her job and try to make a career out of what she loves, being an artist. That means she and her dog Cocoa coming to the cottage and Oakcrest where she and two other artists are setting up a pop-up gallery for the summer. Her life now hinges on the success of that gallery. Can she make a living selling her unique Cover Art?
Matt Thorne has returned to Oakcrest and moved into the house his father left him. His father is still intimidating Matt from the grave, he can feel his presence in the house surrounded by all his father’s things. His father had many secrets, secrets that Matt just has to delve into and reveal along with trying to make his new chocolate business a success.
Andrew Clarkston was a domineering man in business and at home. His wife Kayla is one of the artists working with Charley but she will not be participating in it at all if he has anything to say about it.
Thomas Kelley is the third artist participating in the pop-up gallery. Now retired there is something shady in his past. He definitely has a problem with Andrew.
So when Andrew Clarkson is found dead and some of Matt’s chocolates appear to be the murder weapon almost everyone connected to Charley becomes a suspect and Alex goes into full cop mode. Charley has some unique talents that can help him but some threats lead him to tell her to back off. But that is not happening!
Ms. Westermann has introduced a strong cast of characters in the first Charley Scott mystery. They already have some depth to draw readers in but there is plenty of room for growth as the series continues. I admire Charley for chasing her dreams and giving them a chance. She also has a great bond with her sister that can flourish now that are actually spending some real time together. I did enjoy the way Charley’s relationship with Matt is in constant flux. It keeps things interesting. Alex and Meghan’s relationship has a few growing pains but they know they are strong together.
The mystery that these characters are placed in is very complex with a lot of moving parts. There are many secrets that need to be revealed and some promises that may need to be broken to find the truth. I had a few suspects on my personal list that stayed there for quite a while but all at once the actual killer rose to the top of my list and stayed there. I can’t say one clue put everything into place for me, the author plotted out the story too well for that and there was still plenty of room for more twists. The character was well-liked but he gave me a little twitch that made me know it was them.
The author’s descriptive detailed writing style lends itself well to all the facets of the story. Whether it be the artwork the artists have created, the squirrel on the top floor of the gallery, Charley and Meghan’s cottage by the lake, the chocolate shop and all its wares, or the place where the exciting ending takes place, everything is easily captured and visualized. I was very entertained throughout the whole book by everything she presented.
I did enjoy the small-town setting of the story. Not far from Ontario Oakcrest is trying to find its place as the world changes. I think the residents are all on the right track. I loved the shop names and what they had to offer. I hope to return as soon as Ms. Westermann finishes the next book in this series for another great escape.
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About Vanessa Westermann
An avid reader of mysteries, Vanessa Westermann is a former Arthur Ellis Awards judge, holds an M.A. in English Literature, as well as a Bachelor of Education, and has taught creative writing. Her debut mystery, An Excuse for Murder
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My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #21 – 2022
Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!
Where are your books taking you this week?
I will be traveling to California, Virginia, and Michigan!
Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week.
Escapes Completed
Cover Art
by Vanessa Westermann
Release Date – May 17, 2022
Setting – Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada
The Great Escapes Tour stops here tomorrow!
Murder with Darjeeling Tea (A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery)
by Karen Rose Smith
Release Date – May 24, 2022
Setting – Pennsylvania
I will feature this book this week for Cozy Wednesday!
Seven Deadly Sequins (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries)
by Julie Anne Lindsey
Release Date – October 15, 2021
Setting – Georgia
My Review will be up Thursday!
Two Wicked Desserts (Kitchen Witch Mysteries)
by Lynn Cahoon
Release Date – July 27, 2021
Setting – Idaho
My Flashback Friday Read!
Scheduled Escapes
Lies, Spies, and the Baker’s Surprise
(A Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery)
by Terry Ambrose
Release Date – May 17, 2022
Setting – California
The Great Escapes Book Tour stops here next Tuesday!
The Diva Says Cheesecake! (A Domestic Diva Mystery)
by Krista Davis
Release Date – May 31, 2022
Setting – Virginia
I will feature this book next week for Cozy Wednesday!
Renovated to Death (A Domestic Partners in Crime Mystery)
by Frank Anthony Polito
Release Date – May 31, 2022
Setting – Michigan
For Review
Future Escapes
May 22 – 28, 2022
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Happy Reading!!
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Sunday Salon / Sunday Post – A Week in the Life of Dollycas – Weekly Rewind – New Arrivals
The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an
informal week in review gathering place for bloggers.
It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature.
You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz.
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
~ It’s a chance to share news~
A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!
A Week in the Life of Dollycas
Are you watching This Is Us? I have loved the show from the start but the last few weeks, since Rebecca sat her kids down and expressed her wishes, I have had the tears rolling down my face every time I watch. Last week’s episode was so well done and memorable I don’t know how they are going to top it this week with the series finale but I will be glued to my television without a book in my hand. These final episodes have deserved all my attention. Like with some of the great books I read I quickly became invested in these characters and I am happy viewers have been able to see the family evolve and that we will get the ending we need to let them go.
On Tuesday I was thrilled to learn that my blog again made the list of 45 Best Mystery Blogs and Websites coming in at #8. I also made the list of the 90 Best Mystery Blogs on the Planet ranked at #5. I love what I do and it is great to be recognized for it.
On Thursday Daisy made her first trip of the year to the dog park. I am sure she didn’t get enough exercise over the winter so she tired out pretty quickly but she can’t wait to go again. She has pulled her harness off the shelf several times and carried it to the door. I am sure she will get there again soon, maybe right after I finish writing this post.
Friday was a big day for my grandson Kaden. He graduated from 8th grade. We are all so proud of him. The pandemic with distance learning was hard on him and so many others but since he has been back in school with face-to-face interaction he found his footing again. High School will present new challenges but I believe he has the tools and support to help him excel. This year he was more confident and in addition to football, he participated in wrestling and track and field all while keeping a handle on his schoolwork. He is growing into an exceptional young man and I am excited to see what the next year will bring while wrapping my head around how fast the years have flown by.
Remi’s last day of school was Friday too. He has all kinds of plans for his summer. I hope some include me 🙂
How was your week?
Weekly Rewind – May 16 – 21, 2022
Monday – My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #20 – 2022
Happy Reading Everyone!
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Saturday Giveaway – Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set (The First 10 Books) (Garden Girls Christian Cozy Mystery Series) by Hope Callaghan
Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set
(The First 10 Books) (Garden Girls Christian Cozy Mystery Series)
Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set
Publication date : December 27, 2021
Print length : 1835 pages
ASIN : B09PC6G77X
Treat yourself to this deluxe box set featuring the first 10 novels from bestselling author Hope Callaghan’s “Garden Girls Mystery Series.”
Gloria Rutherford, a lonely widow finds new purpose in life when she and her senior friends help solve a murder in their small Midwestern town.
★★★★★ “If you like clean, fun-filled mysteries that keep you guessing until the end, you’ll love the Garden Girls!”
Discover why so many fans love the Garden Girls Mystery Series with thousands of four and five star reviews!
BONUS: RECIPES INCLUDED!
CONTENTS
1-Who Murdered Mr. Malone?
2-Grandkids Gone Wild
3-Smoky Mountain Mystery
4-Death By Dumplings
5-Eye Spy
6-Magnolia Mansion Mystery
7-Missing Milt
8-Bully In The ‘Burbs
9-Fall Girl
10-Home For The Holidays
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING: (Box Set I)
★★★★★ A very enjoyable read
This was my first “Cozy mystery” and I have to say I enjoyed it thoroughly. I was impressed that each mystery wasn’t a “cookie cutter” of the last one, but rather an intriguing new story. The author has a fun sense of humor and I look forward to reading more of her books!!!! – Jane Austen
★★★★★ I Am In Love
My new favorite mystery! Love the women, love their lives, love their relationship and love their adventures! Very good stories! I am in love! – Leslie Watson Wilson
★★★★★ Wonderful
I loved this series and all of Hope Callahan’s books! Wholesome and entertaining. I highly recommend all of her books. – lyndall713
★★★★★ What a fun series!
Hope Callaghan has created a great group of friends that of course has a leader. You will find the stories containing entertaining characters, adventure, drama, intriguing plots, clean romance and faith-based values. Try them you will love them. Can’t wait to get into the next set of books. – Phyl
★★★★★ Love the Christian aspect of these books!
I am in love with the writings of Hope Callaghan! I’ve read all of the Cruise Ship Cozy mysteries with Millie. Now enjoying the Garden Girls mysteries. Each one has its own mystery & yet connected to the previous book. These books are a good clean read with scripture & prayers. My favorite! – Michele (Shelly) Hedinger
★★★★★ You will be cheering for the characters in this book. Love it!
You can’t go wrong with Garden Girls Cozy Mysteries! These stories are well developed, funny in places, suspenseful, and a joy to read. You will be cheering for the characters as they figure out the murder and mayhem that they come across. – Bev
★★★★★ A fun cozy read.
It is so nice to read stories full of fun and intrigue. The characters quickly became friends and left me wanting to read more. – Ruth M. Morgan
★★★★★ Cozy Mysteries
I enjoyed the humor, the mystery story of older ladies and the writing without curse words…just a fun book to read. – Kindle Customer: Tina
★★★★★ Fun Series
A fun and clean cozy mystery series that reflects family, friendship, faith, and fun. You’ll enjoy this series which features a smart and funny group of senior ladies who have several adventures. – Paula
Synopsis: Who Murdered Mr. Malone? – Book 1
Nothing exciting ever happens in the small town of Belhaven. Nothing that is, until a body was found in the woods behind the local elementary school. With the entire town in an uproar, “Garden Girl” Gloria Rutherford makes it her personal mission to find the killer or killers and solve the mystery with some help from her friends.
PLUS GET THE NEXT 9 BESTSELLING MYSTERIES IN THE SERIES!
About the Author
Hope Callaghan is an American author who loves to write clean fiction books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books. She has written more than 70 mystery books (and counting) in six series.
Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband. She is the proud mother of three wonderful children.
When she’s not doing the thing she loves best…writing books…she enjoys cooking, traveling, and reading books.
Get New Releases, Giveaways, FREE, and Discounted Mystery Books at: hopecallaghan.com/newsletter
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Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
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is a great summer escape with its intricately plotted mystery, curious characters, and its well-loved protagonist.
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for new parents. 
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