Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! 

I am happy to feature Fishing for Trouble today!

Fishing for Trouble (An Alaskan Diner Mystery)
by Elizabeth Logan

About Fishing For Trouble

Fishing for Trouble (An Alaskan Diner Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Alaska
Publisher: Berkley (November 24, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 0593100468
ISBN-13: 978-0593100462
Digital ASIN: B085BW1KCK

Something fishy is going on at a local seafood processing plant, and Charlie Cooke is on the hook to solve the case in this new Alaskan Diner Mystery.

 

Summer has come to Elkview, Alaska, bringing twenty hours of sunlight every day, not to mention a surge of tourists and seasonal workers. Chef Charlie Cooke is eager for a busy yet relaxing season, but when a young man working a summer job at the local fish processing plant dies moments after walking into the Bear Claw Diner, she’s quickly swept into the investigation.

 

Soon, through her best friend Annie Jensen, Charlie learns that another student worker at J and M Processing has disappeared, leaving more questions and fewer answers. The near-endless sunlight gives plenty of time to search for clues, but Charlie will have to work with Annie and local reporter Chris Doucette to net the killer before anyone else gets hurt.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Summer in Alaska means delicious long days of sunshine. Charlie is looking forward to a diner full of regulars and tourists. It also means seasonal workers have come from the lower 48 to rough it and earn big bucks working at the local fish processing plant. A group of these workers came into the Bear Claw diner for a bite but before they could order one of them keels over. An ambulance arrives too late to save him and a dead body in a diner is never a good thing. Knowing her food didn’t kill him, Charlie thinks there may be something fishy behind his death.

When Charlie catches up with her pal Annie she learns a mom has arrived from Wisconsin because her son, also an employee of the fish processing plant, has not been in touch with her in a long time and she fears something bad has happened to him. She hopes Annie and Charlie can help her find her son. Since Charlie was going to be doing some sleuthing anyway she will try to find the guy from Wisconsin too. Hopefully, Trooper will approve her getting involved along with Annie and that they can pull local reporter, Chris into the investigation too.

The difference about a cozy set in Alaska is that are a lot of territories to cover and not a lot of deputies so the state trooper responsible for Elkview has deputized Charlie, Annie, and Chris before. He knows they have some good instincts if he can just keep them from going too far. Yeah, right. These core characters are developing nicely but I feel we have just scratched their surface.

Charlie is fun and still learning the ins and outs of being an amateur sleuth. She is obsessed with her cat Benny. She has a camera to watch him remotely and has truly gone overboard buying him toys. There may need to be an intervention. An unexpected visitor comes to town that causes some stress in Charlie’s life but her strength eventually comes out. I really enjoy the relationships she has with Trooper, Annie, and Chris. Chris really impressed me this time. The relationships she has with her staff are still evolving but she trusts them enough to leave the diner in their hands a majority of the time.

The author provided a nice variety of suspects but my focus was never really drawn to one individual. The method delivery was murky too. Ms. Logan delivers some nice twists. The real culprit seemed to come totally out of nowhere in a very exciting way, but it wrapped up almost too quickly.

Fishing for Trouble was an entertaining story. I do love the Alaska setting. I am looking forward to visiting Elkview and hanging out with Charlie again soon. Murphy’s Slaw hits shelves and e-readers on May 25, 2021.

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About Elizabeth Logan

Camille Minichino is turning every aspect of her life into a mystery series. A retired physicist, she’s the author of 28 mystery novels in 5 series, with different pen names. She writes the Alaskan Diner Mysteries as Elizabeth Logan. She’s also written many short stories and articles. She teaches science at Golden Gate U. in San Francisco and writing workshops around the SF Bay Area.  Details are at www.minichino.com.

Author Links – Website – Facebook –  GoodReads –

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N  – Kobo– IndieBound 

Written as Camille Minichino


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November 24 – Reading Reality – REVIEW
November 24 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
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November 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
November 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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November 29 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
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December 3 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – GUEST POST
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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.”

A Crime of a Different Stripe (Seaside Knitters Society)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series (with the publisher)
Setting – Massachusetts
Publisher: Kensington (October 27, 2020)
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1496729374
ISBN-13: 978-1496729378
Kindle ASIN: B085LT3SKN

As sleepy Sea Harbor, Massachusetts settles into the glow of autumn, a baby-on-the-way has the Seaside Knitters feeling warm and fuzzy. Only, these crafty ladies can’t get too cozy when sweater weather delivers an unexpected arrival—murder!

 

While no-nonsense mother-to-be Cass Halloran tries downplaying her pregnancy and her frequent doctor’s visits as an “older” mother-to-be, a softer side of the lobsterwoman emerges as she joins the Seaside Knitters in knitting an abundance of delicate hats and booties. But in contrast to the happy news, terrifying events unfold at the town’s art series that puts a real chill in their New England fall . . .

 

Izzy Perry’s husband Sam had reservations about inviting his one-time mentor Harrison Grant to speak at the opening reception, although he never imagined the famed and charismatic photographer would rudely embarrass his hosts that evening. But when a dead body turns up along the wooded shoreline the next day, startling secrets come into focus that could undo the tight-knit community of local artists . . .

 

With a mysterious murder pitting neighbors against each other, Izzy, Birdie, Nell, and a vulnerable Cass find themselves entangled in a dangerous hunt for answers. Can four best friends somehow tie together scattered clues and pacify a list of potential culprits before a cascade of fallen foliage buries the pièce de résistance of a ruthless killer?

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Back in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts is a place I love to be. Birdie, Izzy, Nell, and Cass have become friends I look forward to catching up with when each new book comes out.

This time the Sea Harbor Art Colony is hosting a week-long photography event. Sam was asked to invite one of his mentors Harrison Grant to be the keynote speaker. The man arrives for the opening ceremony but when it is time for his speech the photographer is nowhere to be found. Sam is quite upset but is sure Harrison will show up in his own sweet time.

The next morning, while on her morning run, Izzy finds Mr. Grant, but he won’t be giving any lectures. Dead men tell no tales, but knowing there is a murderer in the vicinity, Izzy, Birdie, Cass, and Nell find themselves wrapped up in another murder mystery. They are knitting together the clues while also knitting caps and booties for a community baby shower and for the bundle of joy that Cass will soon be delivering.

Ms. Goldenbaum has a lovely writing style that draws her readers into the story and wraps them in a warm hand-knit blanket on a cool autumn night. She has created a cast diverse in age and experience that gather together to knit and for some amazing meals. They discuss the events of the day like the current murder.

These characters have continued to develop over the years but Cass is the one the changes the most in this story. She is blissfully happy in her marriage and impending motherhood. She has made a new friend and they are taking a pregnancy yoga class. I love seeing her this way and I am excited to see how she takes on motherhood.

The mystery was intriguing especially as we learn more about the victim and his past. The author throws some red herrings into the mix along with several twists. The story unfolds at a comfortable pace but I missed some of the things I have come to expect in this series. I needed more dinners together and more time at Izzy’s shop knitting. The time spent at the new art was interesting. It is quite a place.

My visits to Sea Harbor and the beautiful beaches and shoppes always end much too soon. I enjoyed A Crime of a Different Stripe very much. I anxiously wait for the next installment next year.

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About The Author

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

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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.”

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.

Carpet Diem (A Tallie Graver Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Pennsylvania
Publisher: Kensington (September 24, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1496723740
ISBN-13: 978-1496723741
Kindle ASIN: B07P1NZC1N

Live and let dust . . .

 

Now that Tallie Graver’s cleaning business is starting to shine, she’s ready to go squeegee to squeegee against Audra McNeal for a major contract at the Astercromb mansion. Tallie’s not afraid of a little friendly competition from the new cleaner in town. In fact, Tallie likes Audra, though she wonders how her glamorous rival manages to clean house and maintain her fancy manicure. Tallie has her rubber-gloves full staying one step ahead of her nemesis. Until she finds a well-polished hand poking out of a rolled-up carpet, rendering her competition . . . dead.

 

Though it lands Tallie the big job, there’s nothing tidy about Audra’s death. So between polishing and scrubbing, Tallie’s determined to find the killer. Hopefully the police chief doesn’t mind her cluttering up his investigation with the filthy dealings she discovers. Turns out Audra was not as squeaky clean as she appeared. And confronting her killer could bring Tallie to a very foul end indeed . . .

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Tallie Graver is vying for a big cleaning contract for Mrs. Petrovski at her Astercromb mansion. She is competing against Audra McNeal and they have each been assigned a room to clean to the owner’s specifications. Tallie and Audra have become friends but she is going to fight hard for this job so she has plenty of work for the women that work for her.

Tallie does get the contact but it isn’t because of her cleaning expertise. It is because she found her competitor dead, rolled up in a carpet, and tossed in a dumpster. Thankfully the police chief doesn’t have her as number 1 on his suspect list but that doesn’t mean she isn’t going dust and sweep together every clue to find out who killed Audra. She has to be careful though or she may end up using her family’s services instead of just helping with the family business.

Ms. Simon has really written a wonderful mystery. Twists and turns plus a red herring or two. I dove right into this story and didn’t look back. I read the book in two evenings but would have read it all in one if my eyes and brain would have cooperated. The ending was unexpected and satisfying too.

While a great mystery is important, this series shines because of its strong characters. Tallie has changed so much since book 1, Cremains of the Day. Her relationship with Max is getting more serious and she is pulling away from her ex-Mrs. Waldo status. Her relationship with the sheriff is evolving as well in an interesting way. I liked Tallie right away but it is great to see a character grow realistically as Tallie has. Making the story even more enjoyable is that the regular supporting cast is developing nicely too. Add to that the unique characters we meet like Mrs. Petrovski and her nephew and you have a story that is extremely hard to put down.

Wonderful characters and compelling mysteries keep me coming back for more of this series. Misty Simon is such a fine storyteller, she never disappoints. She entertains and tests my brain. Carpet Diem is a Perfect Escape and I recommend it highly.

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About the Author

Laughter and Love are two main components of any story I write. Laughter really is the best medicine and my heroines always figure that out at some point, though perhaps some later than others. I live in Central Pennsylvania with my family and two rambunctious dogs in a house that is about to celebrate its two hundredth birthday. You can find Misty Simon on Facebook here.

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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.”

Murder Most Sweet: A Bookish Baker Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (September 8, 2020)
Hardcover: 289 pages
ISBN-10: 1643855026
ISBN-13: 978-1643855028
Kindle ASIN: B08272M182

In this series debut for fans of Jenn McKinlay, baker Teddie St. John spends her time away from the oven writing murder mysteries. But is she herself a murderer?

 

Everyone in Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin, knows Teddie St. John. Tall, curly-haired Teddie is a superb baker, a bohemian bon vivant, and a mystery writer. Teddie is walking her American Eskimo dog, Gracie, when her four-legged friend finds Teddie’s missing silk scarf. Only problem: the scarf is tied tightly around the neck of a beautiful blond woman, the fiancée of a touring British author.

 

Before you can say “Wisconsin kringle,” Teddie becomes a murder suspect. Everyone in town knows all too well that the distinctive scarf was hers. But there are more layers to this case than there would have been on poor Kristi’s wedding cake. Tavish Bentley should be bereaved after his sweetheart’s strangling. Instead, the dashing Brit takes a shine to Teddie’s witty wisecracks and to-die-for cookies, and soon he’s mooning over her instead of mourning his bride. That is, when he’s not dodging the attentions of Annabelle, an obsessive fan who’s taken to stalking him.

 

And when a second murder shocks the community, the plot thickens to the consistency of fondant as Teddie stands accused of not one, but two, murders. With the help of her friends Sharon and Char, can Teddie clear her name and deliver a killer’s just desserts?

 

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I had planned to read and review this book closer to the release date but I was suffering from chemo side effects and preparing for surgery at that time. Now I have just a few radiation treatments left and am in a much better place to read this book that features a breast cancer survivor protagonist.

Teddie St. John loves to bake and she’s good at it. She also loves to write mysteries and she excels at that too.  A breast cancer survivor she has plotted her life around those two things, plus her friends, her mom, and her American Eskimo dog, Gracie.  She is excited to attend a book signing at her BFF Char’s bookstore. The author, Tavish Bentley, is a famous British suspense writer who ended up in Lake Potawatomi when his event in Milwaukee was canceled. Sadly just as the event is getting started Teddie suffers one of those dreaded side effects brought on by cancer treatments and ends up leaving the book signing early.

Later while out walking Gracie she makes a gruesome discovery. Behind her friend’s bookstore, she finds the famous author’s fiance dead with a significant clue that points directly at Teddie as the murderer.  Thankfully she is friends with the sheriff and he knows she didn’t kill anybody. The author does have a fan who is obsessed with him, and Teddie’s money is on her as the killer but then a second body is found and that really twists things up. Teddie enlists the help of her besties to help her find the real killer and serve them up on a silver platter.

I love Teddie St. John! It is always nice when you have something in common with the lead character in a cozy but this time it isn’t just a craft or an occupation, it is something neither would have chosen for ourselves. Surviving cancer is a battle and her road was much tougher than mine. I know the author drew from her own experiences and that makes the story even more special. Ms. Walker also surrounded Teddie with excellent friends, an overbearing mother, and a lovable pup. These characters all drew me in right away.

Setting the story in my home state, also the author’s, grabbed my attention too. The dialogue rang true, the descriptions of the people and places was like looking out my back door, and OMG the food/Kringles mentions brought me actual joy.

The mystery was top-notch, with actually two to solve. Teddie was an interesting sleuth to follow. If you are looking for quirky, somewhat creepy characters look no further than the people that land on Teddie’s suspect list. She takes some risks but none of the “too stupid to live” kind that some amateur sleuths do. I did hone in on a few things before she did but was very entertained by the way things played out.

The story had a great flow with one scene near the beginning of the book that had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. There is also the start of a romance for Teddie. At first, I thought it was happening too quickly but who am I to judge. Teddie has been through a lot and deserves all the happiness she can get.

Murder Most Sweet is a terrific cozy mystery that has set this series off to a fine start. My appetite has been seriously whet, I can hardly wait for Deadly Delights that will be hitting shelves June 8, 2021.

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About the Author

Laura Jensen Walker has loved mysteries ever since she read Trixie Belden in the fourth grade in her Danish-founded hometown of Racine, Wisconsin–America’s kringle capital. A former journalist and the author of several novels and humorous non-fiction books, including Thanks for the Mammogram! Laura, like her main character, chose to go flat after her second mastectomy and is grateful to be a longtime breast cancer survivor. She lives in California with her Renaissance-man husband and their canine-daughter Mellie. (from Amazon)

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.”

Falling into Magic – A Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Book
by Elizabeth Pantley

I am so happy to shine my spotlight on Falling Into Magic!

About Falling into Magic

Falling into Magic – A Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Book
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Independently Published (November 15, 2020)
299 Pages
Digital ASIN: B08MCRCW9J

When Hayden was a child, she lost her cat. Adults told her the cat has escaped the house and ran away, but she knew the truth. The mirror had taken her. She knew because the mirror had given her a glimpse of an alternate world and had nearly pulled her in, so she was certain the cat had suffered that fate.

 

Twenty years later Hayden discovers the true secret of the mirror when she is thrust into it by a mysterious villain. She learns of a world she never knew existed, and a family she never knew she had. But danger brought her here, and it followed her. And now, Hayden is on a mission to see that the threat is removed, so that she can begin her magical, meaningful new life in this enchanted world.

 

“A magical, delightful tale that held my attention with a quirky cast of characters, engaging dialogue, a pleasantly appealing universe, and an intriguing plotline that I could not put down. I can’t wait to see where we go with Hayden’s next adventure.”  — Dru Ann, MWA Raven Award winner

“What a captivating read! . . . I couldn’t put it down. A great story, full of interesting people and places to get to know, with surprises around every corner.” — Linda C. Goodreads reviewer

“The world-building and magic system is fascinating. Destiny Falls is a wondrous place that seems to cater to citizens’ wants and needs. I love that it is almost a character in its own right, and I was intrigued by the constantly changing world. Vivid imagery paints a clear picture of Destiny falls and its inhabitants. Falling into Magic is a dynamic introduction to the Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic series.” — Julie Petitbon 

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley is the international 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 near Seattle and is the mother of four and nana to one. This is her first work of fiction.

Author Links –  Website   – Facebook  – Instagram   –  Pinterest  –  Blog 

Purchase Links – Amazon

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November 16 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
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November 18 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
November 19 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST
November 20 – I’m All About Books -SPOTLIGHT
November 21 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 22 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
November 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews -SPOTLIGHT
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November 25 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, GUEST POST
November 25 – Thoughts in Progress – SPOTLIGHT
November 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
November 27 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 28 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 29 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 29 – ebook addicts – REVIEW

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Boston Scream Murder (A Deputy Donut Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Publisher: Kensington (August 25, 2020)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496725561
Kindle ASIN: B082WRPQWF

Halloween in the small town of Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, is the perfect season for Deputy Donut owner Emily Westhill to unmask a killer.

 

October 31 is just around the corner and Emily Westhill’s Boston cream donuts, carved with a scream, have made an indelible impression on local eccentric Rich Royalson. So much so that he’s ordered three dozen, with no screaming faces and twice the fudge frosting, for his seventieth birthday—a special event in more ways than one. It’s to be held on fog-shrouded Lake Fleekom where, twenty years ago, his wife mysteriously drowned.

 

But the next day, when Emily arrives with her Boston cream donuts, she stumbles upon Rich’s corpse. The poor guy wanted a unique birthday bash—just not one to the side of his skull. With a guest list of possible perpetrators left at the scene, Emily soon discovers that the Royalson closet is rattling with skeletons. As the fog thickens, motives mount, and the tricks outnumber the treats, Emily fears that Rich may not be the last one in Fallingbrook to go out screaming.

 

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Halloween, donuts, and murder, oh my!

Autumn in Wisconsin is beautiful with the leaves changing colors but the temps can range from the 80’s down to the 40’s. No matter the weather it is always a good time for donuts.  Rich Royalson from Boston especially likes Emily’s Boston Cream donuts but without the Halloween Scream carving. He was so taken with them he ordered three dozen with some minor adjustments for his 70th birthday party. A party on the lake where his wife drowned 20 years ago.

Emily loads up the donuts in the Deputy Donuts Cafe delivery car, an old police car with a donut on the roof, and heads to the Royalson lake house. Instead of finding a man excited about his birthday, she finds the man dead. She doesn’t know much about the man but she has helped solve a few murders . . . but this one could be her last.

I have enjoyed this series from the start. Emily is such a strong protagonist. After tragically losing her police officer husband in the line of duty she opened the cafe with her father-in-law. She has great instincts and a stubborn streak the comes in handy as she delves into another murder mystery. It helps that she has close ties to the local police department and is surrounded by terrific friends and family. She also has Dep, her cat and the cafe mascot. Ms. Bolton has created endearing and engaging characters. Their relationships make sense including Emily taking her time with her love life.

The mystery has plenty of suspects but I was focused on one early. It was fun to tag along with Emily as she followed clue after clue. I appreciated the way she shared everything with the fine Detective Brent Fyne. I was also pleased to see my thinking was on the right track but I was a little off on a couple of things.

By the way, I have a few favorite donuts. Boston Creme Filled are near the top of the list. Without a Deputy Donuts nearby I had my daughter make a quick trip to Dunkin’ Donuts to pick up a few to soothe all the cravings the book caused. 🙂

Boston Scream Murder is a delightful and delectable cozy mystery with charming characters. The author does an excellent job of giving new readers enough background so you can read this book on its own but I recommend reading the series from the start if you can. Oh, and stock up on donuts too!

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Read my review of Survival of the Fritters here and  Goodbye Cruller World here. and Jealousy Filled Donuts here.

About the Author

Ginger Bolton writes the Deputy Donut mystery series–cops, crime, coffee, donuts, and one curious cat. When Ginger isn’t writing or reading, she’s crocheting, knitting, sewing, walking her two rescue dogs, and generally causing trouble. She’s also fond of donuts, coffee, and cafes where folks gather to enjoy those tasty treats and one another’s company.

Author Links

Website   Facebook   Twitter   GoodReads

Written as Janet Bolin

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.”

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.

Live and Let Pie: A Bakeshop Mystery
Cozy Mystery
9th in Series
Setting – Oregon
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks (December 31, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1250159393
ISBN-13: 978-1250159397
Kindle ASIN: B07DNBH26W

Life is sweet once you step into Torte, everybody’s favorite small-town bakeshop. But what happens when it becomes the scene of a crime?

 

The heat is on for pastry chef, family business operator, and unlikely sleuth Jules Capshaw. Just when she thought she could enjoy some time away from the kitchen, Jules manages to discover a skull during a picnic by the lake. As if unearthing remains that may be connected to a missing-persons case from the 1960s isn’t enough on her plate, Jules must contend with the unsolved matter of her own marriage while her estranged husband Carlos sails the open seas, awaiting a verdict. Then there’s Jules’s bitter landlord Edgar, who is intent on making a sweet deal on a vacant lot down the block from Torte—until he turns up dead. If only Jules could find a recipe that would let her bake her cake and eat it, too…

Dollycas’s Thoughts

There is so much going on in this 9th installment of the Bakeshop Mysteries. Carlos has returned to his cruise ship and Jules still doesn’t know what she wants as far as their relationship. Helen and Doug have returned from their honeymoon and are househunting to find the perfect place. She is putting in fewer hours at Torte but both she and Jules are very excited about their grand reopening with their new expanded space.

Jules takes a little time away from baking when she goes to look at a house with her mom. When she takes a little walk around the lake she arrives just as 2 young girls diving for treasure find a human skull. A skull that may belong to a man that disappeared back in the ’60s. There is also a piece of property for sale that has several parties very interested so when the owner is killed there are plenty of suspects. Jules is in the middle of it all but she may find herself spread too thin.

All my favorite characters are back and are joined by some new employees at Torte. This causes some tension in the ranks. Again, the new characters evolve quickly throughout the story and the continuing characters continue to grow. Jules has a chance to take a huge step thanks to her mom, but the stress of a life with Carlos or without needs to be rectified soon.

I was very captivated by both mysteries and the way they intertwined. They were so well-written, I was totally surprised when the killer was revealed. The person wasn’t even on my radar. Nicely played Ms. Alexander.

As I have come to expect there is a lot of baking and brewing and eating and drinking going on. Torte is my kind of place and the food descriptions had my stomach growling.

The characters in this series always keep me coming back for more. From the drama of the murders to the daily happenings at Torte I am all in. The author has found the perfect cozy recipe to keep readers engaged and entertained.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About the Author

Written as Kate Dyer-Seeley

I am giving away a Kindle copy of the book!

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 Liking My Facebook Fan Page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 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 November 27, 2020, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

Click Here For 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.”

Spawning Suspicion (A Seafood Caper Mystery)
by Maggie Toussaint

About Spawning Suspicion

Spawning Suspicion (A Seafood Caper Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Publisher: Muddle House Publishing (November 9, 2020)
Paperback: 293 pages
ISBN-10: 0999705423
ISBN-13: 978-0999705421
Kindle ASIN: B08J2R9FLG

The death of island playboy Curtis Marlin doesn’t register on busy caterer River Holloway’s radar…that is, until her brother and his girlfriend are arrested for the former athlete’s murder. Certain of the pair’s innocence, the amateur sleuth sets out to investigate. Suspicion on the island spreads like chocolate sauce when River questions the victim’s teammates. The suspects don’t appreciate her stirring up trouble, but she won’t let an election-hungry sheriff make her brother a sacrificial lamb.

 

But there’s more than murder on River’s to-do list. A missing groom, catered banquets, and River’s own wedding plans keep her hopping like a short order cook. And as the cherry on the sundae, she has a wild kitty to tame. Under mossy oaks and rustling palmettoes, fact and fiction blend in a mouthwatering romp of good eatin’ and yummy recipes. Spawning Suspicion is the second in Toussaint’s Seafood Capers Mystery Series.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

River Holloway has a full plate with her catering business which includes a high strung bride and her demanding mother, along with her own wedding to plan. But then her brother calls from the police station to tell her that he and his girlfriend had been arrested for murder. The sheriff has decided they are the new Bonnie and Clyde and offed her ex. River believes his suspicion is linked to his need to be reelected instead of hard evidence. She just has to prove it.

River has taken care of her brother for years and she usually bails him out of whatever mess he is in. This time she literally has to bail him out to get enough information to prove his innocence. This is an understandable relationship but I was happy to see her evolve in ways over the course of the story that will only make her relationship stronger. Her relationship with Pete is growing too as they work side by side and he investigates new business opportunities for himself. Her brother Doug and his girlfriend Viv are interesting characters too.

Ms. Toussaint has wrapped her characters into quite a whodunit. River uncovers some pretty damning information about the victim which gives quite a few people motive, she just needs to nail down the right timeline. The story is well-plotted with some nice twists.

The book should come with a warning – Readers will be drooling over all the food described within. Thankfully there are a few recipes in the back of the book. River’s Peach Supreme was immediately copied and peaches were added to the grocery list. It sounds so easy even I should be able to make it 🙂

Spawning Suspicion is a very entertaining cozy mystery. I like these characters and am excited to visit them again soon.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About Maggie Toussaint

Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes cozy and paranormal mysteries, romantic suspense, and dystopian fiction, with twenty fiction novels published. A multi-year finalist for Georgia Author of the Year, she’s won Silver Falchions, the Readers’ Choice, and the EPIC Awards. She’s past president of Mystery Writers of America-Southeast chapter and an officer of LowCountry Sisters In Crime. She lives in coastal Georgia, where secrets, heritage, and ancient oaks cast long shadows. Visit her at https://maggietoussaint.com/

Author Links

Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Booklover’s Bench |  Amazon Author Central | Website | Bookbub

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Apple 

Also by this Author

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
November 10 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 10 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
November 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
November 11 – My Journey Back – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 12 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
November 13 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 13 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT
November 14 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic -CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 14 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
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November 15 – Baroness’ Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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November 17 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
November 17 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
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November 19 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST
November 19 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

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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.”

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am so happy to be part of this tour!

Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines (A Sassy Cat Mystery)
by Jennifer J. Chow

About Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines

Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines (A Sassy Cat Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher: Berkley (November 10, 2020)
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1984805010
ISBN-13: 978-1984805010
Digital ASIN: B084V8MB5M

When a local teacher is found dead, LA’s newest pet groomer Mimi Lee finds herself in a pawful predicament—with her younger sister’s livelihood on the line.

 

Mimi Lee is on top of the world. She has a thriving pet grooming business, the sweetest boyfriend, and a talking cat to boot. When she arrives at the elementary school where her sister Alice works, she’s expecting a fun girls’ night out—but instead finds a teacher slumped over in her car, dead.

 

Alice was the last one to see Helen Reed, which instantly marks her as the prime suspect. Unable to sit quietly and let the authorities walk all over her sister, Mimi starts snooping and talks to Helen’s closest contacts, including one jumpy principal, a two-faced fiancé, and three sketchy teachers. With the help of her sassy but savvy cat, Marshmallow, and a cute kitten named Nimbus, the clock’s ticking for Mimi to get to the bottom of yet another case before her sister gets schooled.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Sassy cat Marshmallow and Mimi Lee are back and investigating another murder. A visit to see her sister and the elementary school where she teaches takes a deadly turn when they find another teacher dead in her car. The police believe Mimi’s sister Alice was the last to see the deceased alive and place her at the top of their suspect list. Mimi knows her sister is innocent and quickly sees several other suspects. With a little help from her feline friend, she is going to put her sleuthing to the test and catch the real killer.

Mimi Lee continues to grow in this second Sassy Cat Mystery. She has a boyfriend, Josh, her pet grooming shop, Hollywoof is gaining new clients, some with some unusual requests, and her investigating has gone up a notch too. I love the relationship she has with her sister, Alice. I enjoyed getting to know Alice better. There is something going on with their parents that has them both worried. They take a page out of their mother’s handbook and do a little meddling of their own. The author has done a great job with character development, human and feline. Marshmallow again stole my heart.

The mystery was a fun one with Marshmallow and Mimi ferreting through the clues. Their telepathic relationship is unique. It would be such a treat to actually know what our cats are thinking, heck this cat can even read text messages. They worked through school politics and a clique of teachers as they pared-down the suspects. Frankly, setting the murder aside, it was nice to escape the reality of COVID and read about a school that was actually in session, teaching students.

The regular life subplots blended nicely and added so much to the book. A wonderful twist had me smiling ear to ear.

Mimi Lee Reads Between The Lines is a delightful lighthearted mystery with a sassy, smart kitty and his amateur sleuth person. All in all, a very enjoyable escape.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About Jennifer J. Chow

Jennifer J. Chow is the author of the hiss-terical Sassy Cat Mysteries, the Winston Wong cozies, Dragonfly Dreams, and The 228 Legacy. She lives in Los Angeles, where she hunts for all things matcha. Connect with her online and sign up for her newsletter at www.jenniferjchow.com. You can also find her on social media under @jenjchow.

Author Links – Website – Twitter – Instagram – Facebook 

Purchase Links – Amazon – Penguin Random House – BookShop – B&N  – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound –

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Great Escapes Praise for Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines (A Sassy Cat Mystery)
by Jennifer J. Chow

I love Marshmallow! He is once again my favorite character in this series. To be honest, I think he might be the Sherlock in the relationship. Not only is he telepathic, but he can read texts too. And he really saves the day in this book. Overall, Mimi Reads Between the Lines is another great entry in this cozy cat mystery series.
~DIANE REVIEWS BOOKS

. . . this book was a fun read that cozy fans are sure to enjoy.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews

As a lover of cozy mysteries, this book shouted at me to be picked up! . . . I found Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines to be a cracking, fun and lighthearted cozy mystery . . .
~Brianne’s Book Reviews

TOUR PARTICIPANTS
November 6 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
November 6 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW
November 6 – Thoughts in Progress – SPOTLIGHT
November 7 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
November 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
November 7 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 7 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 8 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 8 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 9 – My Journey Back – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 9 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 9 – Brianne’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
November 9 – Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT
November 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 10 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
November 10 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
November 11 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
November 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
November 12 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – GUEST POST
November 12 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 12 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

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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.”

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.

Till Death Do Us Tart: A Bakeshop Mystery
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Oregon
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks (June 26, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250159373
Kindle ASIN: B077XKS2SY

Torte—the small-town bakeshop no one can resist—is hosting a midsummer night’s wedding . . . where merry-making and murder are served up in equal measure. Till Death Do Us Tart is Ellie Alexander’s eighth delectable novel in the Bakeshop mystery series.

 

Jules Capshaw has too much on her plate—and she’s feeling the pinch: the whole town of Ashland, Oregon, is in on the surprise Elizabethan-themed wedding she’s planning for her mom and soon-to-be stepdad. But is her secret scheme half-baked? She’s hiding racks overflowing with sweet treats while Torte is topsy-turvy with a major remodel and the return of Jules’s estranged husband, Carlos. And until now, Jules had no clue about the bitter family feud that has her friend Lance frazzled and suspicious. But when a party crasher takes someone out with a serving of poisoned wine and Jules discovers the deadly cup was intended for her, it’s time to turn the tables on a killer.

Dollycas’s Thoughts 

Can you keep a secret? Because Jules is planning a big surprise. A surprise Midsummer’s Night Wedding! Her mom Helen and Doug aka “the Professor” are going to be thrilled with the wedding of their dreams. The whole town is in on the surprise and are excited for the bride and groom. Jules is doing a ton of baking for the big event but she is also dealing with the remodeling project at Torte. She is nervous too because Carlos is flying in for the wedding and bringing his son, Romero, who she has yet to meet. Lance is bringing his own family drama to the nuptials in the form of his brother Leo and his entourage. Lance believes his brother is slowly poisoning their father and he wants Jules help to prove it.

Sadly Lance’s father suspiciously dies before the wedding and then a guest collapses at the reception. It appears her glass of wine contained poison. Poison is a common denominator  . . . are the cases connected? When Jules learns the doctored wine was meant for her she makes a vow of her own. Catch the killer before they kill her!

______

I have been looking forward to Helen and Doug’s wedding and thanks to Ms. Alexander’s wonderful descriptive writing style she took me there for every delightful moment. From the dresses to the sparkling lights and the delectable food I was treated to a fabulous event. That is until one actual guest keeled over.

There were quite a few new characters introduced and we learned a lot about an original character. Jules’s feelings about Carlo are still muddled but I loved meeting his son. All the characters new and old are well-developed for their place in the story/series but the author leaves room for them to grow.

The mystery was very well done with plenty of twists. With Jules and Lance in the middle of the investigation you know there is going to be drama and excitement. There were also be some truly funny moments too.

Till Death Do Us Tart has a nice quick pace and cleverly meshed subplots. Life in Jules’ world in never dull. In fact, there was a cliffhanger at the end of the book that had me picking up Live and Let Pie immediately after finishing this one. That review will be coming soon.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About the Author

Written as Kate Dyer-Seeley

I am giving away the copy I received from Paperback Swap!
This is a gently used book.

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 Liking My Facebook Fan Page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 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 November 20, 2020, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

*This was from my personal collection.