Tag: Primrose Publishing

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!

I am happy to share my thoughts about
Secrets and Scandals by Piper Glendale today!

Secrets and Scandals: The Gilman Gazette Cozy Mystery #1
by Piper Glendale

About Secrets and Scandals 

Secrets and Scandals: The Gilman Gazette Cozy Mystery #1
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – A small mountain town in Oregon
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Primrose Publishing (May 17, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8986430003
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B1P989TT

Emily Delaney, a reporter for one of Hollywood’s hottest gossip magazines, has her world turned upside down when her former journalism mentor dies, and she is called back to the hometown she thought she’d left for good.

Emily is quickly surrounded by small-town intrigue, including a desperate effort to save the town’s failing newspaper, unraveling an unsolved mystery, and clearing the name of her beloved mentor who is suspected of murder. All the while trying to avoid memories of the terrible mistake she made in high school that forced her to leave town in the first place. Not so easy to do, especially when her ex-high school sweetheart is now a handsome local detective blocking her every turn.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Emily Delaney is happy reporting on the Hollywood elite for Talk LA. Then she gets a text message from her friend Crystal from her hometown, Gilman, Oregon, telling her the woman who helped her get her start in journalism, Lois Miller, has passed away. Crystal also tells her she needs to come back home right away for the reading of the will.  Emily left town 15 years ago and has no desire to go back. In fact, she has banned Crystal from telling her anything that was going on in the small town. When she arrives back at her condo she finds a letter from Lois’s attorney giving her a deadline for her arrival in Gilman. She buys her ticket and vows it will be a quick trip.

Upon arrival, she learns Lois has left her the town newspaper, The Gilman Gazette. While trying to avoid everyone she decides she has to come up with one big story for the paper to entice a conglomerate to buy it so she can get back to LA. She finds an unsolved mystery that could be the perfect story for the paper.  She also learns her mentor was in trouble with the law at the time of her death. The biggest surprise though was that her ex from high school is now the hunky detective who demands she leave all the investigations to him. She had left Gilman after a horrendous mistake in high school, how was she going to clear Lois’s name and solve the unresolved mystery without running into the people from her past? It’s not going to be easy.

I think everyone has done something we regret so relating to Emily Delaney was very easy. Emily’s regret and reaction changed her and made a huge impact on her life. 15 years is a long time for that guilt to fester. The author did an excellent job developing this character throughout the story. She also introduced an interesting supporting cast including Emily’s friend Crystal, Cody, the young man who was helping Lois at the paper, Detective Joshua Nolan, Gallery owner Will Parker, and others. We have barely scratched the surface on these characters but I am sure we will get to know them better as the series continues. I also have to mention Lois’s dog Jasper, who Emily inherited as well.

The mysteries in this story were well-plotted and written. The twists and turns were precisely placed and two made my head spin. Gilman has its share of secrets and the ones in this story were revealed so skillfully that I was taken aback. One I should have figured out but the author kept my full attention right where she wanted me. I was so caught up in the story I never saw the final spin coming. Nicely played Ms. Glendale.

Secrets and Scandals is a quick read, with genuine characters, a little romantic tension, and interesting mysteries, set in a small town with small-town issues. I really enjoyed the way the author told this story. I am looking forward to reading Secrets and Sweets soon.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent  

About Piper Glendale

Piper Glendale is the pen name of author Stacey Auer. Stacey lives with her handsome husband and lively twins in the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not writing she can be found walking her hound dog or recycling. Visit Piper’s website at www.piperglendale.com to sign up for author updates and get access to the Secret Page.

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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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”