Tag: cozy mystery
Saturday Giveaway – Death of an Ice Cream Scooper (Hayley Powell Mystery) by Lee Hollis #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks
Death of an Ice Cream Scooper (Hayley Powell Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
15th in Series
Setting – Maine
Kensington (July 26, 2022)
Paperback : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496736494
ISBN-13 : 978-1496736499
Kindle ASIN : B09KP2Y6CD
Apparently, the mouthwatering new ice cream flavors on the menu in coastal Bar Harbor, Maine, are really just to die for . . .
Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell doesn’t know what to believe when Lydia Partridge, the put-together owner of gourmet Bar Harbor Ice Cream, suddenly reveals fears that her husband may be having an affair. There’s no other way to explain why Jamie, a respected professor, was spotted in a remote part of town with a much younger woman. But instead of learning the truth about the secret meeting, Lydia opens her freezer truck to find another surprise—the dead body of a summer employee . . .
The shock continues as photographic evidence proves Jamie was spending time off campus with the victim, one of his students. Now, Lydia desperately needs Hayley to discover if Jamie really is a cheater—and, worse, a ruthless killer. With her own complicated family issues to address, can Hayley make sense of a popular college girl’s love life and out the true culprit before the case, or another person, goes cold?
Includes delectable recipes from Hayley’s kitchen!
About the Author
Lee Hollis is the pen name for the brother and sister writing team behind the Hayley Powell Mystery Series. Rick Copp is a veteran Hollywood writer/producer and also the author of three other mystery novel series. He lives in Palm Springs, California. Holly Simason is an award-winning food and cocktails columnist who lives in North Carolina. Please visit them online at LeeHollisMysteries.com.
Several Books in this Series are on Sale for $1.99 and $2.99 for the Kindle Editions
Coming July 25, 2023
I am giving away 1 Paperback Advance Review Copy!
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.
The Contest Will End February 18, 2023, at 11:59 PM CST
The 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
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
#FlashbackFriday – Pruning the Dead (A Garden Squad Mystery) by Julia Henry #Review / #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks @JHauthors
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.
I am determined to get caught up on this series this year!
Pruning the Dead (A Garden Squad Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Massachusetts
Kensington Cozies (January 29, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback : 352 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496714814
ISBN-13 : 978-1496714817
Kindle ASIN : B07CWD547N
Post-retirement aches and pains can’t prevent sixty-five-year-old Lilly Jayne from keeping the most manicured garden in Goosebush, Massachusetts. But as a murder mystery blooms in the sleepy New England town, can a green thumb weed out a killer?
With hundreds flocking to her inaugural garden party, meticulous Lilly Jayne hasn’t left a single petal out of place. But the picture-perfect gathering turns unruly upon the arrival of Merilee Frank, Lily’s ex-husband’s catty third wife. Merilee lives for trouble, so no one is surprised after she drinks too much, shoves a guest into the koi pond, and gets escorted off the property. The real surprise comes days later—when Merilee is found dead in a pile of mulch . . .
Lilly wishes she could stick to pruning roses and forget about Merilee’s murder—until her best friend and ex become suspects in an overgrown homicide case. Now, aided by the Garden Squad, an unlikely group of amateur crime solvers with a knack for planting, Lilly knows she has limited time to identify the true culprit and restore order to Goosebush. Because if the murderer’s plot isn’t nipped in the bud, another victim could be pushing up daisies!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Lily Jayne became a bit of a recluse when her beloved husband Alan passed away but her friends have encouraged her to get back to her more outgoing self because her husband wouldn’t want her to dwell any longer on his death. They decide a garden party would be a great way to get her life back on track. Sadly the problematic third wife of her ex-husband, Merilee crashes the party, causes all kinds of chaos, and has to be escorted away from the party.
The party did help Lily Jayne see it was definitely time to get back out there and participate. She missed a lot while she was mourning. One project she is excited to get involved in is the clean-up of a local park. A committee is organized and a group of volunteers arrives at the park and get busy but then Lily Jayne’s friend and housemate Delia makes a gruesome discovery. Merrilee Frank in the garden shed, lying on bags of mulch with hedge clippers “protruding from her chest”.
Lily Jayne didn’t think a murder investigation would be part of her return to community involvement but when people she cares about lead the suspect list she has no choice. She brings together a group of friends to be sleuths to help her catch a killer. The “Garden Squad” is born to dig into the clues and plant the murderer behind bars before anyone else ends up 6 feet under.
_____
I immediately liked Lily Jayne. She was devastated by the loss of her husband and needed to take some time for herself. Her friends were supportive and understood. But they knew she needed a little shove which she did. As a former Goosebush mover and shaker, it was time to get back out there. She is such a kind woman with a huge heart. She has fantastic ideas and really cares about the residents of her town. Delia had been Lily’s husband’s graduate assistant and when Alan died she moved in with Lily. Even with the 40-year age difference, they became good friends. Tamara O’Connor is Lily’s best friend. They met in nursery school and have been friends ever since. It was Tamara’s idea to throw the party. We also meet several other residents of Goosebush. They are a diverse group and are all very cleverly crafted and true to real life.
Goosebush is a small town with a very unique setup. The author uses the first chapter to explain the “wheel” layout, with a prominent center and several “petals” branching off. This was very helpful because the characters travel all around the town during the book. A great picture formed in my mind and a map could be easily drawn out from the descriptions. I am sure the author has one nearby as she is writing.
The murder mystery was very entertaining with a plethora of suspects. A tightly woven subplot regarding city finances really grabbed my interest. Both had some nice twists and turns. The Garden Squad really spent time pruning through the suspects. I really enjoyed the way Lily got involved in all aspects. Her generosity was so heartwarming and her gathering all the suspects together to reveal the truth was magnificent. A fabulous time!
Pruning the Dead
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Julia Henry works in the arts, teaches, and is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She currently writes as Julianne Holmes
Find Julia on her – Website Twitter Facebook Instagram
I am giving away 1 Kindle copy of Pruning the Dead!
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.
The Contest Will End February 17, 2023, at 11:59 PM CST
The 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.”
Something’s Guava Give: A Tropical Island Cozy Mystery by Carrie Doyle #Review
Something’s Guava Give: A Tropical Island Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Caribbean Island
Poisoned Pen Press (January 25, 2022)
Mass Market Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 1728232368
ISBN-13 : 978-1728232362
Kindle ASIN : B0915QZ6WD
Nothing ruins an ocean view like a body on the beach!
Plum Lockhart went out on a limb when she ditched her corporate job in New York City and moved to the Caribbean island of Paraiso. Now the head of her own villa broker agency, Plum spends her days chasing down clients and lounging on white sand beaches.
But the sweet life turns sour when a publishing heiress is found dead at the mansion of an eccentric tycoon, Dieter Friedrich. Even worse, Plum’s old colleague cashes in a favor and asks her to investigate. It looks like she’ll need to fit a murder case into her already jam-packed schedule!
Friedrich is known for his shady dealings, but he’s not the only bad apple on the island—Plum will have to contend with a scheming millionaire, a sleazy rockstar, and devious B-list celebrities. And joining Plum once again is Juan Kevin Munoz, the distractingly gorgeous Director of Security. Despite the sparks between them, they’ll need to stay focused on the case—there’s a murderer hot on their heels!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Plum Lockhart took a big step leaving New York for Paraiso, a Caribbean island overflowing with tourists. Now she takes another big step by starting her own villa brokerage agency. In the midst of finding the perfect tenants for her clients, renovating villas, and trying to get in a little beach time she finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation.
A young publishing heiress runs into a little trouble in paradise and an old employee from New York, someone she fired right before she was let go, Gerald Hand, begs Plum to help the girl, his new boss’s daughter out of it. Plum does but then the next day she learns the heiress was found dead on the private beach of Dieter Friedrich, an eccentric fat cat with a crazy theme park-like estate with a group of bizarre friends and staff.
Soon Gerald arrives on the island and moves into Plum’s guest room to help her catch the killer. Gerald gets more caught up in island life while Plum deals with Dieter Friedrich, his employees, some B-List Celebrities, a rundown rockstar, and other assorted island residents as she works with the hunky Director of Hotel Security, Juan Kevin Munoz, to catch a killer before they become victims themselves.
_____
Paraiso is a zany island if you live there, hopefully, the tourists can avoid all the drama. Feuds between families, jealousy, greed, lust, envy, heck all the seven deadly sins are apparent on this island of paradise. Sadly our protagonist, Plum, a tall redheaded American, gets caught up in it all as she tries to find her place and solve a murder. Her new friend Lucia, a small sixty-year-old grandma Paraison, accompanied her to start her own villa broker agency Plum Lockhart Luxury Retreats. Lucia knows everyone and the ways of the island. It will take both of them to make the business a success. I wasn’t really a Plum fan when reading the 1st book in this series, It Takes Two to Mango, but I liked her much better in this book. She is still adjusting to island life but still has a lot of New York attitude to work through.
It is Juan Kevin Munoz, the Security Director that I really enjoy. His laid-back way of life is just so comfortable. He grew up on the island so while he takes things like murder very seriously he understands how to handle danger on Paraiso. His interactions with Plum are filled with romantic tension and are very entertaining. He is doing his best to keep her safe while the murder investigation unfolds. He knows she can’t keep her nose out of it and that knowledge is half the battle. Of course, having Gerald tagging along in his leather pants on a tropical island adds to the chaos but sometimes it is pretty darn funny.
Yes, there are a bunch of secondary characters but they all have unique traits, good and bad. Some live on unique estates too. The author’s descriptions really brought the people and places to life. Let me tell you, Dieter Friedrich has some outlandish tastes and weird things on his estate and I easily envisioned it all from her words.
The mysteries are very well-plotted and Ms. Doyle sets a quick pace. There was a slew of suspects to work through and again Plum isn’t always the best amateur sleuth, she needs to work a little more on her questioning and eavesdropping techniques but that just adds to the fun for readers. There were several twists and turns too but all the clues do come together setting up a very satisfying reveal.
Something’s Guava Give
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Carrie Doyle is the best-selling author of multiple novels and screenplays that span many genres, ranging from cozy mysteries to chick lit to comedies to Young Adult.
A born and bred New Yorker, Carrie has spent most of her life in Manhattan, with the exception of a six-year stint in Europe (Russia; France; England) and five years in Los Angeles. A former Editor-in-Chief of the Russian edition of Marie Claire, Carrie has written dozens of articles for various magazines, including countless celebrity profiles. She is also a screenwriter, and her movie Intern (co-written with Jill Kargman) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Carrie has three books that will be published in 2021: Death on Bull Path
Carrie currently splits her time between New York and Long Island, with her husband and two teenage sons.
Website
Also by Carrie Doyle
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.
In the Frame (A Rosedale Investigation) by Lyn Farrell #Spotlight / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour
It is my pleasure to shine my spotlights on
In the Frame (A Rosedale Investigation)
by Lyn Farrell today!
About In The Frame
In the Frame (A Rosedale Investigation)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Camel Press (January 10, 2023)
Paperback : 218 pages
ISBN-10 : 168492037X
ISBN-13 : 978-1684920372
Digital ASIN : B0B8Q11WG2
Rosedale Investigations team has two cases this time: a missing woman and a client who wants a provenance created for an antique painting. The missing woman dies in an accident but the team doubts it was accidental. Researching the century-old painting reveals that it’s considered cursed and then it’s stolen.
About Lyn Farrell
Writing as both Lia Farrell and Lyn Farrell, I’ve been publishing books since 2013. I decided to become a writer in the seventh grade. My home life was chaotic and I found peace spending summers at my grandmother’s dairy farm. With little supervision, I wandered the hundred-and-twenty-acre farm and discovered the beauty and healing power of nature. Today, when I need inspiration for my stories, I take long walks. My memories of the time I spent at the farm resulted in a novel “The Cottonwoods” released on 8/21.
My first marriage ended in divorce, leaving me with two young children. Five years later, I fell in love with a divorced professor with six children. Raising that many kids required working full-time. When I retired from Michigan State University, I returned to my original dream of becoming a writer. My daughter, Lisa, and I wrote the “Mae December mysteries” using the penname of Lia Farrell. They are amusing, mental puzzles called cozies, with an element of romance. Cozies are the gentlest subset of the broad genre of crime writing. It’s a comfort read that leaves you satisfied and at one with the world.
Now writing solo as Lyn Farrell, I recently published “The Blind Switch” (January 2021). It’s the first in a series about a private detective agency, Rosedale Investigations. Two of my readers’ favorite characters from the Mae December mysteries, Dory and Wayne Nichols, have starring roles in these books. “The Blind Split” (released 1/11) is the second in the series. In The Frame is the third book in the series.
Author Links
Amazon Author Page Author Web Page
Purchase Links –
Amazon – B&N – Kobo –
Also by Lyn Farrell
Written as Lia Farrell
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
February 1 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
February 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 2 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
February 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
February 3 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 4 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
February 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
February 5 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 5 – Elza Reads – REVIEW
February 6 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
February 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 7 – I’m Into Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 8 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
February 9 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT
February 10 – The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
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Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Cozy Wednesday featuring Cheddar Late Than Dead (Grilled Cheese Mysteries) by Linda Reilly #Review / #Giveaway @LindaSReilly7 @PPPress
Cheddar Late Than Dead (Grilled Cheese Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Vermont
Poisoned Pen Press (January 31, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback : 384 pages
ISBN-10 : 1728238382
ISBN-13 : 978-1728238388
Kindle ASIN : B09Y2M5X9M
A bridal shower gone bad quickly becomes the swiss of death, and grilled cheese shop owner Carly Hale must sniff out the suspect.
Winter in Balsam Dell is a snowy affair, and to add in some cheer after the holidays Carly’s former classmate Klarissa Taddeo is hosting her extravagant bridal shower at the historic Balsam Dell inn. But when a double-booking throws some mold in the cheese, Klarissa is left scrambling. Dawn, the maid of honor and wedding planner, saves the day by moving the shower to her family’s mansion and books Carly to cater the party. It seems the group is going to pull off the shower without a hitch.
That is, until Klarissa’s fiancé crashes the event. She’s furious with her groom-to-be and when a loud argument ensues, everyone is shocked by what they hear. When the groom is later found dead at the bottom of the stairs, his drink spiked with a hefty dose of poison, Carly must put her nose to the rind and save Klarissa from being suspect #1.
Because you know what they say: it’s always the (almost) wife.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Carly Hale’s Grilled Cheese Eatery is the perfect stop to warm up during the winter in Balsam Dell. There is nothing better than a hot cup of soup and one of Carly’s gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. It is there where Carly’s former classmates Klarissa and Dawn meet to discuss Klarissa’s upcoming bridal shower. It is also where they learn their choice of venue, the Balsam Dell Inn has been double booked. Dawn agrees to have the party moved to her family’s mansion but only if Carly caters the event. Well, they really didn’t give her much of a choice.
The big day arrives and Carly and the family’s maid get into a great rhythm grilling the special sandwiches but something just feels off about the day. The groom’s stepmother was not welcomed with open arms and she makes it known. Soon the groom arrives at the party to have words with his bride, loud words. And soon thereafter, the groom is found dead, poisoned, and someone at the shower is responsible. Was it the bride-to-be? Her maid of honor? or one of their guests? Carly is a little cheesed but she agrees to help find who objected to this marriage enough to off the big cheese before they even made it to the church.
_______
The author has created such a captivating cast of characters I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. Carly is a fun protagonist. Her relationship with Ari is moving along nicely. Her grillmaster Grant is a true friend with some wonderful ideas, mostly cheese related but this time he has a revelation to change school lunches. Suzanne too continues to be there for whatever Carly needs. What Carly needed most was an assistant especially if she is going to be off catering events or tracking down killers. Valerie Wells appears to be an ideal hire but something is bothering her. Carly just needs to find out what. Gina is also a great best friend and a big help to Carly as she organizes her suspects and motives.
We do meet a number of new characters. Carly’s classmates Dawn Chapin and Klarissa Taddeo, Klarissa’s aunt, Megan Gilbert who practically raised her, her mother Ursula, and Dawn’s mom Julia, the groom Tony’s stepmother, Rose Manous, and Megan’s friend, Gretel Engstrom who is the town manager of Balsam Dell, and Astrid, the Chapin’s maid. All were important to the story and developed nicely throughout the pages.
There were a couple of mysteries in the story, the groom’s murder and later a missing person. Ms. Reilly plotted them both out so well. Carly really didn’t want to get involved but soon she was all in. Her caring nature makes it so easy for people to open up to her especially when she brings her sweet little Morkie, Havarti, along. It also makes it fun for the reader to follow along with her step by step and cringe with fear when we know she is about to make a misstep. The author grilled up some skilled twists that blew my theory altogether but lead up to a heart-pounding reveal. I loved it!
I really enjoy the grilled cheese theme of this series. A dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup always coincides with reading a book in this series. The cravings start with the title and grow with each sandwich description. This time the story features Grilled Cheese Donuts and while I haven’t tried one of those yet there have been discussed a lot around here.
Cheddar Late Than Dead 
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
, the Deep Fried Mysteries
, and the Grilled Cheese Mysteries
. A member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Cat Writers’ Association, she can be found prowling the shelves of a local bookstore or library when she’s not pounding away at her keyboard. A dyed-in-the-wool New Englander, she lives with her husband and rescue cat in southern New Hampshire.
Also by Linda Reilly
I am giving away my review copy!
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.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you share the giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere, you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
The contest Will End on February 15, 2022, at 11:59 PM CST
The 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.”
The Game is a Footnote (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery) by Vicki Delany #Review / #Giveaway @vickidelany @crookedlanebks
The Game is a Footnote (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Massachusetts
Crooked Lane Books (January 10, 2023)
Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639101454
ISBN-13 : 978-1639101450
Kindle ASIN : B09XM5M8SC
Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are back on the case when a body is discovered in a haunted museum in bestselling author Vicki Delany’s eighth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery.
Scarlet House, now a historical re-enactment museum, is the oldest building in West London, Massachusetts. When things start moving around on their own, board members suggest that Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, might be able to get to the bottom of it. Gemma doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she agrees to ‘eliminate the impossible’. But when Gemma and Jayne stumble across a dead body on the property, they’re forced to consider an all too physical threat.
Gemma and Jayne suspect foul play as they start to uncover more secrets about the museum. With the museum being a revolving door for potential killers, they have plenty of options for who might be the actual culprit.
Despite Gemma’s determination not to get further involved, it would appear that once again, and much to the displeasure of Detective Ryan Ashburton, the game is afoot.
Will Gemma and Jayne be able to solve the mystery behind the haunted museum, or will they be the next to haunt it?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
A ghost appears to be haunting the historical reenactment site Scarlet House in West London, Massachusetts in the latest Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery. The museum board asks bookshop owner Gemma Doyle to give her input on the problem. While she doesn’t believe in ghosts she reluctantly agrees to spend the night in the home with her friend Jayne and Jayne’s fiancé Andy. Two others camp out in the barn to observe things there. A big storm blew in, they all heard some weird noises, and something upset the barn animals but Gemma had no explanation for any of it. She assumes someone is playing some practical jokes. Then the next day, following a meeting to report on their sleepover Gemma and Jayne find a dead body in the barn.
Involved in another murder investigation, Gemma and Jayne delve into the site’s history, its board, and volunteers in hopes to uncover who is behind the murder and the mischief at Scarlet House.
Add to that Gemma’s sister Pippa arrives from England for a surprise visit and Ashleigh, Gemma’s unique employee, left in the middle of her shift and is now missing. Oh, and bookshop cat Moriaty has a medical emergency.
_____
Ms. Delany has packed a lot of mayhem into this book and I wouldn’t ever expect anything different.
The characters in this series are strong and well-developed. I did enjoy that it was Jayne’s mother, Leslie, that got Jayne and Gemma mixed up with the people at Scarlet House. I also enjoyed Pippa’s surprise visit. Readers are able to see a different side of both Gemma and Jayne. Another character is introduced which brings havoc to the story regarding Ashleigh. I questioned some of the behavior but it worked as a distraction as intended. I was drawn into all the character’s interactions easily.
The main mystery was pretty straightforward with clues nicely dropped in all the right places. The darn Gemma is a brave soul traveling around the drafty old house by herself while a thunderstorm was booming outside. I wouldn’t have done it. She also goes to do some investigating without Jayne by her side and she lands herself in a real fix that she eventually got herself out of. I love this woman. Her keen way of observing things everyone else misses and the way she brings the clues all together are always fun to observe. I want to be just like her in my next life. She pulled this mystery together for a fantastic reveal. While I was on the right track there was a nice little twist that I really enjoyed. She also kept at it to solve the mystery of the missing Ashleigh too.
I love the way Ms. Delany tells a story. Her descriptive style paints wonderful pictures of time and place and brings her characters to life. It was so easy to escape into this story.
The Game is a Footnote
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Author Links
Website – Facebook – Twitter: @vickidelany and@evagatesauthor – Instagram: vickidelany
Also by this Author
Find more books by Vicki Delaney here.
I am giving away 1 Hardcover Copy.
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.
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.
The contest will End February 9, 2023, at 11:59 PM CST
The 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.”
Cozy Wednesday featuring Canter with a Killer (A Horse Rescue Mystery) by Amber Camp #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @ambercatcamp @crookedlanebks
Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
Today I am happy to feature
Canter with a Killer (A Horse Rescue Mystery)
by Amber Camp
About Canter with A Killer
Canter with a Killer (A Horse Rescue Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Arkansas
Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022)
Hardcover : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639101802
ISBN-13 : 978-1639101801
Digital ASIN : B09S3G8PDD
Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Mollie Cox Bryan, Amber Camp’s debut novel will have you galloping through the pages, as a horse rescue owner races to find a killer and clear her name.
Mallory Martin left her marriage and her unfulfilling job to move back to her hometown of Hillspring, Arkansas, and start a horse rescue. It’s everything she’s been missing, with paddocks of happy horses and one very quirky donkey. But when her cantankerous neighbor and longtime critic, Albert Cunningham, is found murdered in his fancy show barn, Mallory becomes suspect number one. Since Sheriff Grady Sullivan is ignoring all good sense and focusing only on Mallory, she decides to take matters into her own hands.
Aided by her best friend, Lanie, and rescue volunteer Tanner, Mallory races headlong into the investigation in search of the real killer. But horses and murder aren’t the only thing on her mind when she meets Albert’s handsome son, Braydon. Sparks fly, and soon she’s got a new boyfriend. But there’s a case to be solved, and she redoubles her efforts to learn the truth.
The suspects mount quickly. There’s Albert’s girlfriend, Kathleen, who was on the farm when he was murdered; organic farmer Heather Rogers, who accused Albert of contaminating her creek; and Philip Atwood, who’d been trying for a right-of-way across Albert’s farm. None of the evidence is holding up though, and Mallory learns that she’ll need to take the reins on this investigation if she’s going to clear her own name.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Not happy in her marriage or her job Mallory Martin divorces her spouse and moves back to her hometown of Hillspring, Arkansas to take care of her ailing father and open up a horse rescue. Her obsession with horses goes way back as does wanting to make a difference in the world so opening up a rescue on the family farm was an easy choice. But money is not rolling in so Mallory decides to add riding lessons to the rescue. This angers her neighbor Albert Cummings, who owns Champion Performance Horses, a horse breeding and training farm uphill from Mallory’s rescue. He called to voice his displeasure the day before he was killed and found in his fourteen-stall show barn. A witness to the conversation and Mallory’s iffy alibi make her the prime suspect.
Sheriff Grady Sullivan has known Mallory forever so you would think he would know she couldn’t be responsible for the crime but he still is going all out to prove her guilty. Heck, she can think of several others with more motive and even Albert’s son believes she is innocent. So with a little help from her friends, she is bound and determined to find the real killer.
______
Mallory Martin is a strong woman intent on making her dreams come true but she is a bit gruff at times. She tries to use her knowledge learned as a forensic nurse to ferret out the killer but at times she leaps into action before thinking things through and that just gives the sheriff more ammunition against her. He clearly had tunnel vision when it came to Mallory. He also had a problem in his department he failed to address. I was not a fan.
Mallory has two college-age volunteers to help her take care of her rescues. Tanner and Ashley are knowledgeable about horses and love their jobs. They can’t believe their “boss” is even considered a suspect. With her daughter away at college these kids help her deal with her empty nest feelings. Her friend Lanie along with her husband Bill truly have Mallory’s back and fully support her throughout the whole ordeal. I loved the way Bill stepped up when a supplier was treating Mallory so poorly. It gave her the strength to take the man on too. Mallory’s lawyer Andy was great too.
I loved the unique setting of a horse farm with rescues. The horses and a crazy lovable donkey tugged at my heart. Mallory also has a wonderful blue heeler. We have a loveable red heeler and they are great dogs.
The mystery was filled with some nice twists. There were some clear suspects and a couple more that I added to my personal list. I was focused on the wrong person for quite a while so I was surprised when the actual culprit was revealed. I was not sure how Mallory was going to save herself but then her rescuer took care of it in an awesome way.
Canter with a Killer
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About Amber Camp
Amber has lived in Northwest Arkansas for twenty+ years, working as an RN at a rural hospital in the area. She has a menagerie of animals that includes dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and what has been described as the Mule from Hell, which may or may not be a slight exaggeration. Writing has always been a focus in Amber’s life, something she describes as “food for my soul.” An avid reader since grade school, she enjoys multiple genres and is always looking for new authors to add to her favorites. Amber is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.
Social media links:
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
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Amazon>> Barnes & Noble>> Books-a-Million>> Bookshop.org>> Hudson Booksellers>> Target>> Walmart>> Penguin Random House>> Apple Books>> Google Play>> Audible>>
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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.”
Against the Currant: A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery by Olivia Matthews #Review
Against the Currant: A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New York
St. Martin’s Paperbacks (January 24, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1250839041
ISBN-13 : 978-1250839046
Kindle ASIN : B09XL7LK9C
In Olivia Matthews’s Against the Currant, the first Spice Isle Bakery Mystery, investigating a murder was never supposed to be on the menu…
Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New York: Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family, and it’s everything she’s ever wanted. The West Indian bakery is her way to give back to the community she loves, stay connected to her Grenadian roots, and work side-by-side with her family. The only thing getting a rise out of Lyndsay is Claudio Fabrizi, a disgruntled fellow bakery owner who does not want any competition.
On opening day, he comes into the bakery threatening to shut them down. Fed up, Lyndsay takes him to task in front of what seems to be the whole neighborhood. So when Claudio turns up dead a day later—murdered—Lyndsay is, unfortunately, the prime suspect. To get the scent of suspicion off her and her bakery, Lyndsay has to prove she’s innocent—under the watchful eyes of her overprotective brother, anxious parents, and meddlesome extended family—what could go wrong?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The first book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries introduces readers to Lyndsay Murray. Her lifelong dream has been to open a West Indian bakery featuring food and using recipes from her Grenadian history. The bakery is set to open in the Little Caribbean neighborhood, of Brooklyn, New York. She is so excited to be working alongside her parents, grandmother, and even her brother who is helping out with the opening.
The bakery’s opening day arrives and is very well received by everyone in the area except Claudio Fabrizi, who owns and operates another bakery a few blocks away. He doesn’t want any competition even though the new bakery is offering very different choices from what he serves at his place. He barges into the Spice Isle Bakery spewing threats and just being nasty. Lyndsay has been dealing with the man for weeks and has had enough. She comes around the counter and has a serious verbal altercation with him in front of a room full of her customers. So when Claudio is found murdered the next day, Lyndsey finds herself at the top of the suspect list, Before her lifelong dream goes up in smoke she has to find the real killer and fast.
______
I love that this story features a tight closely knit family. Lyndsay starts out pretty meek and mild but over the course of the book her self confidence grows exponentially. It was a pleasure to see this happen. Her grandmother is also a treasure. Sitting at a table crocheting, ready to jump in and help in any way possible. She is not afraid to speak her mind or give a push or a shove to get anyone moving in the right direction. Her parents are hard workers who love their daughter and want to help her succeed. Her father is in charge of the Caribbean music played at the bakery and Lyndsay knows his emotions through the songs he plays. Her brother Dev, a junior partner of an international law firm has taken time off to help during the opening week. Family always comes first and they back it up in both their words and actions. All are cleverly written and evolve nicely throughout the story, leaving plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
The mystery was complex with more suspects than I first imagined. Claudio Fabrizi was not a nice man. He was cantankerous and rude. No wonder his business was going down the tubes. Filled with twists and turns Lyndsay followed the clues, asked some great questions, and did her best to solve the mystery. Like me, she was surprised when the guilty party revealed themselves, but her actions in the showdown were absolutely epic and had me cheering.
I really enjoy Ms. Matthews’s descriptive writing style. She sets a scene so well without getting overly wordy. I could easily imagine each place Lyndsay went. I could hear the music and smell the food. All the food served at the Spice Isle Bakery was new to me but everything sounded so good. Recipes for the popular Currant Rolls and Coconut Bread are included at the back of the book.
The Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
OLIVIA MATTHEWS, pen name for romance author Patricia Sargeant
Coming May 23, 2023
Also by Olivia Matthews
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 of Pearl: A Silverman Sisters Cozy Mystery (Pearl Party Cozy Mysteries) by Nellie H. Steele #Spotlight / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @NellieHSteele
I am happy to shine my spotlight on
Murder of Pearl: A Silverman Sisters Cozy Mystery
(Pearl Party Cozy Mysteries)
by Nellie H. Steele today!
About Murder of Pearl
Murder of Pearl: A Silverman Sisters Cozy Mystery
(Pearl Party Cozy Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Fictional estate of Willow Lake Estate
A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC (October 21, 2022)
Hardcover : 182 pages
ISBN-10 : 1951582780
ISBN-13 : 978-1951582784
Paperback : 202 pages
ISBN-10 : 1951582675
ISBN-13 : 978-1951582678
Digital ASIN : B0B5Y497HD
The world’s her oyster…until someone is stabbed with her shucking knife.
With a struggling pearl party business, sisters Kelly and Jodi Silverman are thrilled to land a weekend long jewelry party at a large estate. But the gothic house, complete with its weeping woman fountain, gives Kelly a bad vibe.
A nasty storm strands them at the spooky mansion. And when the birthday gal is found with Kelly’s shucking knife poking from her chest, they’re not only stuck in the creepy house with a murderer roaming the halls but Kelly’s accused of the crime.
Can Kelly and Jodi piece together the limited clues, prove their innocence and stay alive? Or will this pearl party be their last?
If you love comedy mystery a la Clue, you’ll love Murder of Pearl, Book 1 in the Pearl Party Cozy Mystery series!
Great Escapes Praise for Murder of Pearl: A Silverman Sisters Cozy Mystery
(Pearl Party Cozy Mysteries)
by Nellie H. Steele
Murder of Pearl is a cozy mystery with murders to be solved in a home with lots of guests and therefore suspects, and it is great for anyone wanting to figure out whodunnit.
~Novels Alive
Murder of Pearl is a quick, fun read. A good rainy-day read, demanding little of the reader.
~Rebecca M Douglas, Author
About Nellie H. Steele
Award-winning author Nellie H. Steele writes in as many genres as she reads.
Addicted to books since she could read, Nellie escaped to fictional worlds like the ones created by Carolyn Keene or Victoria Holt long before she decided to put pen to paper and create her own realities.
When she’s not spinning a cozy mystery tale, building a new realm in a contemporary fantasy, or writing another action-adventure car chase, you can find her shuffling through her Noah’s Ark of rescue animals or enjoying a hot cuppa (that’s tea for most Americans.)
Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, Bookbub, Pinterest and Tiktok.
Check out all Nellie’s offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels or at her blog, Nellie’s Book Nook, available at www.nelliesbooknook.com!
Author Links
Webpage Facebook Twitter Goodreads Instagram
Also by Nellie H. Stelle
Find more books by Nellie H. Steele here.
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A Study in Chocolate (Bean to Bar Mysteries) by Amber Royer #Spotlight / #Giveaway @amber_royer
It is my pleasure to shine my spotlight on
A Study in Chocolate (Bean to Bar Mysteries)
by Amber Royer today!
About A Study in Chocolate
A Study in Chocolate (Bean to Bar Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Golden Tip Press (January 17, 2023)
Print length : 289 pages
Digital ASIN : B0BH46559N
Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand is expanding, as it has become a gathering spot for the community, despite having been the scene of multiple murders. Artists she met while doing a chocolate sculpture are now working out of the shop. So when Felicity is invited to tea by an eccentric art collector, she’s intrigued, especially when she gets asked to pose for a portrait done with chocolate on chocolate. Only, where there is a murder the next day at the same historic house where the tea was held, one of Felicity’s artist friends becomes the main suspect.
When the killer threatens that, unless Felicity unravels the murder, one of her two love interests will be the next victim, she finds herself unwittingly at the center of a puzzle, with a Sherlock Holmes obsessed murderer who wants to be the next Moriarty – and wants to cast Felicity as Sherlock.
Felicity starts finding unexpected connects between her friends and acquaintances, and has to deal with the idea that someone who knows her is a murderer. At the same time, she has to keep her business running, despite construction dust and unruly customers – and an unexpected order for thousands of truffles.
Satchmo the retired police dog turned therapy dog returns to help her sniff out a few clues, and the kidnapping of Ruffles, the quirky artist’s cat, helps lead Felicity into the puzzle. Can Felicity solve it in time to protect the people she cares about from becoming additional victims?
Great Escapes Praise for A Study in Chocolate (Bean to Bar Mysteries)
by Amber Royer
Since I have read all the books in the series I like that Satchmo has returned. This one was hard to put down as are all the books in the series. If you haven’t started this series check it out!
~My Reading Journeys
The fast-paced plot kept me guessing and the clues are there for a sharp reader to follow. Ms. Royer writes a compelling mystery that is sure to appeal to fans of both chocolate and intriguing plotlines.
~Cinnamon and Sugar and a little bit of murder
About Amber Royer
Amber Royer writes the CHOCOVERSE comic telenovela-style foodie-inspired space opera series, and the BEAN TO BAR MYSTERIES
Author Links
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Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo –
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