Christa Nardi's Blog, page 25
April 24, 2021
Book Review: UNLIKELY - Cassie Baxter Mysteries #4 by Cindy Blackburn
Synopsis (from Amazon)
Small sleuth, tiny town, unfailing fun.
Welcome to Lake Elizabeth, Vermont, where the lake has finally thawed, spring has finally sprung, and Cassie Baxter is going nuts. Who wouldn’t go nuts when an innocent birdwatching outing with her young son uncovers an abandoned canoe? A canoe. Way, way up on Elizabeth Mountain. Unlikely? Oh, yeah. Especially since Cassie has a history of finding—troublesome—canoes. And speaking of troublesome, Cassie’s father has a new girlfriend. An—unlikely—girlfriend. In fact, unlikely romances are sprouting up all around the lake this spring. There’s Pru’s, and Maxine’s, and Lindsey’s and—And do any of these budding romances have a bearing on the murder? Have we mentioned the murder? We did say that unlikely canoe could only mean trouble, right?
Get ready to live, love, lake, and LAUGH as Cassie Baxter and her whole gang of quirky and kooky supporting characters join forces to unravel yet another dastardly crime! Unlikely? You betcha!
The Cassie Baxter Mysteries: They’re not Cue Balls, but they are screw balls.
Review
Cassie Baxter is at it again, her focus back on the Pine Grove Inn. It’s all prompted by Truman finding part of a canoe, a hammer, and a mysterious third piece. Nothing exciting until the three-clues resemble a series of mob murders. Only there’s no body and the mean detective takes possession of the first two clues and wants the third. Cassie tries to prove her cockamamie, complicated, perhaps romantic theories much to the dismay of many. Each theory is as unlikely as the circumstances Cassie finds herself walking into.
As with the others in the Cassie Baxter series, Unlikely is light, fun, and humorous and Cassie proves beyond a doubt she needs supervision. The characters are unique and not just the ones Chance Dooley deals with in her dad’s stories. There's the goats, the cat, and the dog. And Pru’s mottled attempts to mix drinks at the Inn. Cassie has lots of imagination as she concocts her theories and somehow she ends up solving two murders and coming to grips with her dad’s new lady friend. The pace is good, the humor is frequent. An enjoyable light read for when you need to escape. This is a new release and the fourth in the Cassie Baxter series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but it’s always best to start at the beginning.
AMAZON
Books in this series: UNBELIEVABLE UNEXPECTED UNDISCLOSED UNLIKELY
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
About the Author
Cindy Blackburn writes cozy mysteries because she thinks grim reality is way overrated. When she’s not thinking up unlikely plot twists and ironing out the quirks and kinks of her lovable characters, Cindy is feeding her fat cat Betty or taking long walks with her cute hubby John. A native Vermonter who hates snow, Cindy divides her time between the south and the north. Most of the year you’ll find her in South Carolina. But come summer she’ll be on the porch of her lakeside shack in Vermont. Yep, it’s a place very similar to Lake Elizabeth. Cindy’s favorite TV show is The Big Bang Theory, her favorite movie is Moonstruck, and her favorite color is purple. Cindy dislikes vacuuming, traffic, and lima beans.
Small sleuth, tiny town, unfailing fun.
Welcome to Lake Elizabeth, Vermont, where the lake has finally thawed, spring has finally sprung, and Cassie Baxter is going nuts. Who wouldn’t go nuts when an innocent birdwatching outing with her young son uncovers an abandoned canoe? A canoe. Way, way up on Elizabeth Mountain. Unlikely? Oh, yeah. Especially since Cassie has a history of finding—troublesome—canoes. And speaking of troublesome, Cassie’s father has a new girlfriend. An—unlikely—girlfriend. In fact, unlikely romances are sprouting up all around the lake this spring. There’s Pru’s, and Maxine’s, and Lindsey’s and—And do any of these budding romances have a bearing on the murder? Have we mentioned the murder? We did say that unlikely canoe could only mean trouble, right? Get ready to live, love, lake, and LAUGH as Cassie Baxter and her whole gang of quirky and kooky supporting characters join forces to unravel yet another dastardly crime! Unlikely? You betcha!
The Cassie Baxter Mysteries: They’re not Cue Balls, but they are screw balls.
Review
Cassie Baxter is at it again, her focus back on the Pine Grove Inn. It’s all prompted by Truman finding part of a canoe, a hammer, and a mysterious third piece. Nothing exciting until the three-clues resemble a series of mob murders. Only there’s no body and the mean detective takes possession of the first two clues and wants the third. Cassie tries to prove her cockamamie, complicated, perhaps romantic theories much to the dismay of many. Each theory is as unlikely as the circumstances Cassie finds herself walking into.
As with the others in the Cassie Baxter series, Unlikely is light, fun, and humorous and Cassie proves beyond a doubt she needs supervision. The characters are unique and not just the ones Chance Dooley deals with in her dad’s stories. There's the goats, the cat, and the dog. And Pru’s mottled attempts to mix drinks at the Inn. Cassie has lots of imagination as she concocts her theories and somehow she ends up solving two murders and coming to grips with her dad’s new lady friend. The pace is good, the humor is frequent. An enjoyable light read for when you need to escape. This is a new release and the fourth in the Cassie Baxter series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but it’s always best to start at the beginning.
AMAZON
Books in this series: UNBELIEVABLE UNEXPECTED UNDISCLOSED UNLIKELY
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
About the Author
Cindy Blackburn writes cozy mysteries because she thinks grim reality is way overrated. When she’s not thinking up unlikely plot twists and ironing out the quirks and kinks of her lovable characters, Cindy is feeding her fat cat Betty or taking long walks with her cute hubby John. A native Vermonter who hates snow, Cindy divides her time between the south and the north. Most of the year you’ll find her in South Carolina. But come summer she’ll be on the porch of her lakeside shack in Vermont. Yep, it’s a place very similar to Lake Elizabeth. Cindy’s favorite TV show is The Big Bang Theory, her favorite movie is Moonstruck, and her favorite color is purple. Cindy dislikes vacuuming, traffic, and lima beans.
April 18, 2021
Blog Tour Spotlight: MONKEY BREAD BUSINESS - A Cast Iron Skillet Mystery by Jodi Rath
Synopsis
Nature breeds new life with the sign of Spring in the air in Leavensport, Ohio, and Jolie and Ava find their new families’ lives turned upside down! With properties in Leavensport beginning to sell, Nina Sanchez opened a bakery after purchasing the lot next to M&M’s Italian restaurant. She is new to town and swears to Ava and Jolie she has no connection to the Dominican Republic Sanchez mafia family. Yet, Ava is skeptical, and this sends Jolie and Ava off on yet another investigation looking at how organized crime connects to their little village and the politics that surround it. Meanwhile, Nina Sanchez is not thrilled to feel obliged to cross-sell and become a full-fledged member of Leavensport, especially not with Jolie and Ava investigating her history. She has no choice when her son discovers a murdered homeless woman on the street on his way to deliver bread to the local shelter—it looks a lot like a mob hit and the reveal of who the homeless woman is will send all of Leavensport on alert making Jolie question the future of her town.
Welcome to Leavensport, Ohio, where DEATH takes a DELICIOUS turn!
About the Author
Moving into her second decade working in education, Jodi Rath has decided to begin a life of crime in her Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series. Her passion for both mysteries and education led her to combine the two to create her business MYS ED, where she splits her time between working as an adjunct for Ohio teachers and creating mischief in her fictional writing. She currently resides in a small, cozy village in Ohio with her husband and her nine cats.
Author Links
Webpage FaceBook FB Author PageTwitter Goodreads Bookbub Pinterest Monthly Newsletter Link (Subscribe to my newsletter to receive free flash fiction, A Mystery a Month, serial scenes from series, and deleted scenes. Also, get the Short Story “Sweet Retreat” for free by subscribing.)
Purchase Links
Amazon All other e-platforms
Rafflecopter giveaway
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
April 16 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW April 16 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT April 16 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT April 17 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE April 17 – Tea Book Blanket – SPOTLIGHT April 17 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT April 18 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW April 18 – Literary Gold – REVIEW April 18 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT April 19 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT April 19 – Christy's Cozy Corners – GUEST POST April 19 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT April 20 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW April 20 – My Journey Back the Journey Back – CHARACTER GUEST POST April 20 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT April 21 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT April 21 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT April 21 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW April 22 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic - GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY April 22 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW April 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy - CHARACTER GUEST POST April 23 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW April 24 – MJB Reviewers - SPOTLIGHT, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY April 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW April 25 – CelticLady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT April 25 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT April 25 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW
April 15, 2021
Blog tour and Review: SHRIMPLY DEAD (A Seafood Caper Mystery) by Maggie Toussaint
SynopsisWhen veterinarian and amateur naturalist Jasmine Garr is shot in her yard, residents of Shell Island press caterer River Holloway into investigating the homicide. River dons her amateur sleuth cap and sets out to discover who killed her former catering customer.
Between Jasmine’s estranged cousin, a rival veterinarian, a wild animal trapper, the chicken lady, and a real estate broker, River has plenty of suspects to consider. As she peels back the layers of Jasmine’s life, dangerous secrets come to light.
Jasmine’s orphaned kitty, Iris, along with River’s cat Major, and her husband Pete help River sift through the evidence. At the same time, River recently expanded her catering business. She must service her regular catering clients, plus provide fresh baked goods for Pete’s ice cream shop.
The killer follows River’s every move relishing the thought of another victim. Time is running out. Will River solve the murder before she becomes a cold dish?
Book Review
River's catering business is taking off and she spends most of her time doing the prep work. Her husband Pete owns an ice cream shop and he has the idea to sell her baked goods - cookies and a pie or cake, one day a week. She's trying to work out how to do all this when Jasmine Garr is found dead. It's not like River was close to Jasmine - she feels strongly that the killer should be caught. That, and she can't imagine that the "chicken lady," Jasmine's neighbor could be responsible. So between cooking and baking, she's sleuthing.
As River meets with everyone involved, she realizes that she didn't know some of them as well as she thought. At least the deputy has gained some respect for what she might ferret out. The cats, Major and Iris, as well as Pete help her with her sleuthing and she hires someone to help with the cooking and baking as Pete's idea takes on a life of its own.
This is the third in the Seafood Caper Mystery series, but it's the first one I've read and it is easily read as a stand alone mystery. There are surprises for River and the reader as clues and misdirections are scattered throughout. The pace is good, and the chickens, alligators, and cats add a whole new dimension. Shrimply Dead is an enjoyable cozy mystery.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
About the Author
Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes cozy and paranormal mysteries, romantic suspense, and dystopian fiction, with more than 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. Author Links
Website Facebook Twitter GoodReads BookBub Blog Linked In Pinterest Book Lovers Bench
Purchase Links
Amazon Nook Kobo IBooks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 12, 2021
Book Review: BELLS & BLAZES - The Mystery Sisters Book 4 by Karen Musser Nortman
Synopsis
Lil's daughter, Georgiann, has taken a new job as director of a visitor's bureau and the first task is to organize the Lights and Luminaries Festival held in December. It's the season of good will and Max and Lil come to visit, expecting a warm and pleasant experience. But when the Mystery Sisters are around, it can be anything but!
Review
Sisters, Lil and Max aren't planning on sleuthing as they make their way to a small Missouri town for the holidays. Lil's daughter, Georgiann (George for short), has a new job there and is in charge of the holiday festival. With George's organization skills, the festival should go off without a hitch. Only there's vandalism, the choir's period costumes disappear, arson, and more. Although Max and Lil might not always agree, they're both determined to find out who is responsible and ensure George's success.
This was a fun, short read, even if the holidays are long gone. It is light, with some surprising and humorous antics by the two women in their seventies - I hope I have that much energy. Need a quick, light mystery? This one will not disappoint. This is the fourth in the series, but can be easily read as a stand-alone. It is the first for me, but won't be the last.
AMAZON
The Mystery Sisters BooksReunion and RevengeFoliage and FatalityDouble Dutch DeathBells and Blazes
Lil's daughter, Georgiann, has taken a new job as director of a visitor's bureau and the first task is to organize the Lights and Luminaries Festival held in December. It's the season of good will and Max and Lil come to visit, expecting a warm and pleasant experience. But when the Mystery Sisters are around, it can be anything but!Review
Sisters, Lil and Max aren't planning on sleuthing as they make their way to a small Missouri town for the holidays. Lil's daughter, Georgiann (George for short), has a new job there and is in charge of the holiday festival. With George's organization skills, the festival should go off without a hitch. Only there's vandalism, the choir's period costumes disappear, arson, and more. Although Max and Lil might not always agree, they're both determined to find out who is responsible and ensure George's success.
This was a fun, short read, even if the holidays are long gone. It is light, with some surprising and humorous antics by the two women in their seventies - I hope I have that much energy. Need a quick, light mystery? This one will not disappoint. This is the fourth in the series, but can be easily read as a stand-alone. It is the first for me, but won't be the last.
AMAZON
The Mystery Sisters BooksReunion and RevengeFoliage and FatalityDouble Dutch DeathBells and Blazes
April 7, 2021
Book Review: FUR BALL FEVER A Romantic Crime Mystery with Tons of Humor (The Fever Series Book 1) by Maureen Fisher
Synopsis
Romance, mystery & dogs with personality, all wrapped up with humor.
An impulsive pet spa owner loses her elderly client's prize pooch ... After a lifetime of impetuous mistakes, Jersey Shore pet spa owner Grace Donnelly outdoes herself when a client's prize poodle, a shoo-in to win the annual Fur Ball, goes AWOL while in her custody. With money, careers, and lives in jeopardy, Grace is not afraid to strap on the leather to go undercover in a fetish club looking for clues. Too bad her helpers consist of an aging hippie aunt, a renegade schnauzer, a drag queen, and a dominatrix or two. Worst of all, the only man truly qualified to help is her former flame, the most domineering male on the eastern seaboard.
A smokin' hot bodyguard has his own dangerous agenda ... Texas-born security specialist Nick Jackson faces his worst nightmare when Grace's amateur investigation nearly blows his covert operation. Unless he nails the con-artist who scammed his home-town's senior citizens and whacked a witness, his homicidal granddaddy will take justice into his own liver-spotted hands. To salvage his case, his sanity, and his ex-lover's velvety skin, Nick joins forces with the sassy crusader who rubs him the wrong way--and so many right ways too.
Together, they encounter an explosion of murder & mayhem... Action bounces from the upscale Shore community of Saltwater Estates to a beach harboring washed-up corpses, a yacht no honest preacher could possibly afford, and the bawdiest nightclub in Atlantic City.
With the Fur Ball rapidly approaching and hazards multiplying like bunnies, will Grace find the missing poodle in time, and can Nick nail the con-artist before his granddaddy does?
Review
First in this series, what made this book enjoyable were the characters. Grace cares about people and tends to act impulsively for all the right reasons. She's also self-aware and still has feelings for her ex, Nick. Nick works security and still has feelings for Grace, only she keeps putting herself in danger. And now her attempt to find the missing dog lands her in the middle of his investigation into someone scamming senior citizens.
The pace of the story is steady, with hints at Grace and Nick getting back together, humorous situations especially with pot-smoking Aunt BONeth and Granddaddy Hiram. At each step of the way, there are more clues to how the dognapping is connected to the scamming. The story is well-plotted and the characters well-developed.
A fun read, the next in the series is on my TBR list. For those who enjoy cozy mystery with a side of romance and humor, Fur Ball Fever will entertain.
AMAZON(Excerpt available on the book page!)
Romance, mystery & dogs with personality, all wrapped up with humor.
An impulsive pet spa owner loses her elderly client's prize pooch ... After a lifetime of impetuous mistakes, Jersey Shore pet spa owner Grace Donnelly outdoes herself when a client's prize poodle, a shoo-in to win the annual Fur Ball, goes AWOL while in her custody. With money, careers, and lives in jeopardy, Grace is not afraid to strap on the leather to go undercover in a fetish club looking for clues. Too bad her helpers consist of an aging hippie aunt, a renegade schnauzer, a drag queen, and a dominatrix or two. Worst of all, the only man truly qualified to help is her former flame, the most domineering male on the eastern seaboard.
A smokin' hot bodyguard has his own dangerous agenda ... Texas-born security specialist Nick Jackson faces his worst nightmare when Grace's amateur investigation nearly blows his covert operation. Unless he nails the con-artist who scammed his home-town's senior citizens and whacked a witness, his homicidal granddaddy will take justice into his own liver-spotted hands. To salvage his case, his sanity, and his ex-lover's velvety skin, Nick joins forces with the sassy crusader who rubs him the wrong way--and so many right ways too.
Together, they encounter an explosion of murder & mayhem... Action bounces from the upscale Shore community of Saltwater Estates to a beach harboring washed-up corpses, a yacht no honest preacher could possibly afford, and the bawdiest nightclub in Atlantic City.
With the Fur Ball rapidly approaching and hazards multiplying like bunnies, will Grace find the missing poodle in time, and can Nick nail the con-artist before his granddaddy does?
Review
First in this series, what made this book enjoyable were the characters. Grace cares about people and tends to act impulsively for all the right reasons. She's also self-aware and still has feelings for her ex, Nick. Nick works security and still has feelings for Grace, only she keeps putting herself in danger. And now her attempt to find the missing dog lands her in the middle of his investigation into someone scamming senior citizens.
The pace of the story is steady, with hints at Grace and Nick getting back together, humorous situations especially with pot-smoking Aunt BONeth and Granddaddy Hiram. At each step of the way, there are more clues to how the dognapping is connected to the scamming. The story is well-plotted and the characters well-developed.
A fun read, the next in the series is on my TBR list. For those who enjoy cozy mystery with a side of romance and humor, Fur Ball Fever will entertain.
AMAZON(Excerpt available on the book page!)
Book Review: FUR BABY FEVER A Romantic Crime Mystery with Tons of Humor (The Fever Series Book 1) by Maureen Fisher
Synopsis
Romance, mystery & dogs with personality, all wrapped up with humor.
An impulsive pet spa owner loses her elderly client's prize pooch ... After a lifetime of impetuous mistakes, Jersey Shore pet spa owner Grace Donnelly outdoes herself when a client's prize poodle, a shoo-in to win the annual Fur Ball, goes AWOL while in her custody. With money, careers, and lives in jeopardy, Grace is not afraid to strap on the leather to go undercover in a fetish club looking for clues. Too bad her helpers consist of an aging hippie aunt, a renegade schnauzer, a drag queen, and a dominatrix or two. Worst of all, the only man truly qualified to help is her former flame, the most domineering male on the eastern seaboard.
A smokin' hot bodyguard has his own dangerous agenda ... Texas-born security specialist Nick Jackson faces his worst nightmare when Grace's amateur investigation nearly blows his covert operation. Unless he nails the con-artist who scammed his home-town's senior citizens and whacked a witness, his homicidal granddaddy will take justice into his own liver-spotted hands. To salvage his case, his sanity, and his ex-lover's velvety skin, Nick joins forces with the sassy crusader who rubs him the wrong way--and so many right ways too.
Together, they encounter an explosion of murder & mayhem... Action bounces from the upscale Shore community of Saltwater Estates to a beach harboring washed-up corpses, a yacht no honest preacher could possibly afford, and the bawdiest nightclub in Atlantic City.
With the Fur Ball rapidly approaching and hazards multiplying like bunnies, will Grace find the missing poodle in time, and can Nick nail the con-artist before his granddaddy does?
Review
First in this series, what made this book enjoyable were the characters. Grace cares about people and tends to act impulsively for all the right reasons. She's also self-aware and still has feelings for her ex, Nick. Nick works security and still has feelings for Grace, only she keeps putting herself in danger. And now her attempt to find the missing dog lands her in the middle of his investigation into someone scamming senior citizens.
The pace of the story is steady, with hints at Grace and Nick getting back together, humorous situations especially with pot-smoking Aunt BONeth and Granddaddy Hiram. At each step of the way, there are more clues to how the dognapping is connected to the scamming. The story is well-plotted and the characters well-developed.
A fun read, the next in the series is on my TBR list. For those who enjoy cozy mystery with a side of romance and humor, Fur Ball Fever will entertain.
AMAZON(Excerpt available on the book page!)
Romance, mystery & dogs with personality, all wrapped up with humor.
An impulsive pet spa owner loses her elderly client's prize pooch ... After a lifetime of impetuous mistakes, Jersey Shore pet spa owner Grace Donnelly outdoes herself when a client's prize poodle, a shoo-in to win the annual Fur Ball, goes AWOL while in her custody. With money, careers, and lives in jeopardy, Grace is not afraid to strap on the leather to go undercover in a fetish club looking for clues. Too bad her helpers consist of an aging hippie aunt, a renegade schnauzer, a drag queen, and a dominatrix or two. Worst of all, the only man truly qualified to help is her former flame, the most domineering male on the eastern seaboard.
A smokin' hot bodyguard has his own dangerous agenda ... Texas-born security specialist Nick Jackson faces his worst nightmare when Grace's amateur investigation nearly blows his covert operation. Unless he nails the con-artist who scammed his home-town's senior citizens and whacked a witness, his homicidal granddaddy will take justice into his own liver-spotted hands. To salvage his case, his sanity, and his ex-lover's velvety skin, Nick joins forces with the sassy crusader who rubs him the wrong way--and so many right ways too.
Together, they encounter an explosion of murder & mayhem... Action bounces from the upscale Shore community of Saltwater Estates to a beach harboring washed-up corpses, a yacht no honest preacher could possibly afford, and the bawdiest nightclub in Atlantic City.
With the Fur Ball rapidly approaching and hazards multiplying like bunnies, will Grace find the missing poodle in time, and can Nick nail the con-artist before his granddaddy does?
Review
First in this series, what made this book enjoyable were the characters. Grace cares about people and tends to act impulsively for all the right reasons. She's also self-aware and still has feelings for her ex, Nick. Nick works security and still has feelings for Grace, only she keeps putting herself in danger. And now her attempt to find the missing dog lands her in the middle of his investigation into someone scamming senior citizens.
The pace of the story is steady, with hints at Grace and Nick getting back together, humorous situations especially with pot-smoking Aunt BONeth and Granddaddy Hiram. At each step of the way, there are more clues to how the dognapping is connected to the scamming. The story is well-plotted and the characters well-developed.
A fun read, the next in the series is on my TBR list. For those who enjoy cozy mystery with a side of romance and humor, Fur Ball Fever will entertain.
AMAZON(Excerpt available on the book page!)
April 4, 2021
Blog tour and spotlight: THE CORPSE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH - A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra Sennefelder
Synopsis Food blogger Hope Early takes on a cold case that’s heating up fast . . .
Building on her recipe for success with her food blog, Hope at Home, Hope is teaching her first blogging class at the local library in Jefferson, Connecticut. She’s also learning about podcasts, including a true-crime one called Search for the Missing, hosted by Hope’s childhood friend, Devon Markham. Twenty years ago on Valentine’s Day, right here in Jefferson, Devon’s mom disappeared and was never found. Finally Devon has returned to solve the mystery of what happened to her mother—and she asks Hope to help.
The next day Hope discovers Devon’s apartment has been ransacked. Her laptop with the research on her mother’s cold case is missing, and Devon is nowhere to be found. When her friend’s body is later discovered in a car wreck, Hope is convinced it’s no accident. Clearly, Devon was too close to the truth, and the cold-blooded killer is still at large in Jefferson. Now it’s up to Hope to find the guilty party—before the food blogger herself becomes the next subject of another true-crime podcast . . .
Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!
About the Author
Debra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery.
Her first novel, THE UNINVITED CORPSE (A Food Blogger mystery) was published in 2018. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person. Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu, Connie.
Author Links
WEBSITENEWSLETTERFACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE INSTAGRAM
Purchase Links
Amazon Barnes & Noble Kensington Kobo Google Play
April 1, 2021
Blog Tour and Book Review BOARDING WITH MURDER by Kathryn Long
About the Book:
Take one quaint B&B, two kind but quirky caretakers, a dead aunt, a murdered friend, and you have mystery. Ali Winston finds she’s inherited trouble along with her aunt’s B&B, but can she reveal the killer before the curtain closes?
Review:
Ali was looking forward to support and advice from her Great Aunt only to find that she has passed away. At a turning point in her life, with no job, she’s shocked to hear Julia was involved with someone and that Gladys, one of the mainstays of the B&B, believes he killed her and she didn’t die a natural death. Her brother Ollie isn’t as convinced. Then there’s another dead body, and this time, no question it was murder.
To keep herself distracted, Ali takes on the volunteer job Julia left vacant in prop and set design for a movie production, with hopes of gaining more information on Julia’s death. It doesn’t help that Julia left her the B&B and everyone who works there is worried or that everyone (except the police, of course), has some connection to theater, including Julia and Ali’s parents, who are still trying to get her into acting. Not happening.
There are multiple characters and suspects and their stories unfold as Ali, herself, discovers their secrets. The story was well-paced and even, with clues revealed gradually. There was drama, twists and turns, and bit of romance with Quint. Ali keeps thinking about leaving, but the B&B is growing on her, not to mention Quint... If you want a leisurely read, with references to the theater and old movies, you’ll enjoy this one.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
About the Author:
Retired teacher, Kathryn Long now spends her days plotting and writing mysteries. Her most recent credits are romantic suspense novel, A DEADLY DEED GROWS and mystery, BURIED IN SIN. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers.
Under the pen name, Bailee Abbott this author writes the Paint by Murder cozy series, starting with A BRUSH WITH MURDER soon to be released. Kathryn lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio. Author Links
Author website: https://www.kathrynlongauthor.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynLong.Books Twitter: https://twitter.com/klongauthor Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4203129.Kathryn_Long Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathylong7487/
Product Links: AmazonBarnes & NobleAppleKobo
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 27, 2021
Blog Tour and Spotlight: FINAL HARVEST (A Finding Home Mystery) by Barbara Howard
Synopsis
Traci Simmons has been fired from another job and must decide if it’s time to give up her home and start fresh in another town. But, when her elderly neighbor dies mysteriously, she is pulled into leading a crusade to save the neighbor’s urban farm and find the killer. Through her new and unexpected relationship with these invisible people, Traci faces her own insecurities to learn what home really means.
About the Author
Barbara Howard is a “not-so-cozy” mystery and YA author of a dozen books, including her most recent trilogy, Finding Home Mystery Series; Final Harvest, Charlotte’s Revenge, and Milo’s Journey. She is a first-generation tech geek turned master gardener with a passion for fresh air, vegan cuisine, and tracing her roots. A big city girl with a small town heart, she returned to her family home in the Midwest after an extensive career as a Department of Defense Project Manager at the Pentagon and spends most of her time treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and raising chickens.
Author Links https://www.amazon.com/author/barbhoward/ http://www.barbarahowardmedia.com https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraHowardAuthor https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20487490.Barbara_Howard https://twitter.com/BarbaraHoward https://instagram.com/bhowardphippsPurchase Link
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March 25, 2021
Spotlight New Release: APPLES, APPALOOSA AND ALIBIS (A Baker Girls Cozy Mystery Series) by Maria Grazia Swan
Synopsis (from Amazon)
A good deed, a sexy French millionaire, and a deadly mystery. Just a typical day for Monica Baker…
Monica thought her luck was finally improving… until she found herself caught up in a murder investigation. Again. And running the risk of being the next victim.
Who knew that agreeing to pick up someone’s mail could end with a dead body in the den, a warning from beyond the grave, and a media circus? As chaos ensues, only one thing is certain.
If Monica wants her happily ever after with Tristan, she’s going to have to fight for it. Literally…
You can get it here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XC3XW75 https://books2read.com/u/3n8668
About Maria Grazia Swan
Award-winning, USA Today Bestselling author Maria Grazia Swan was born in Italy. She’s lived in Belgium, France, Germany, Southern California and Arizona—all juicy places that fuel her stories and characters.
These days, Maria Grazia concentrates on her deepest passions. Writing and being the matchmaker for people and pets who are waiting to find each other.
Maria Grazia loves travel, opera, good books, yoga, and intelligent movies. Her idea of a perfect evening? Stimulating conversation, Northern Italian food, and chilled Prosecco.
She loves to hear from her readers!
Feel free to contact her through her website: www.mariagraziaswan.com, via email: Contact Maria: mgsweb1@gmail.com-or- touch base with her on Facebook.
A good deed, a sexy French millionaire, and a deadly mystery. Just a typical day for Monica Baker…
Monica thought her luck was finally improving… until she found herself caught up in a murder investigation. Again. And running the risk of being the next victim. Who knew that agreeing to pick up someone’s mail could end with a dead body in the den, a warning from beyond the grave, and a media circus? As chaos ensues, only one thing is certain.
If Monica wants her happily ever after with Tristan, she’s going to have to fight for it. Literally…
You can get it here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XC3XW75 https://books2read.com/u/3n8668
About Maria Grazia Swan
Award-winning, USA Today Bestselling author Maria Grazia Swan was born in Italy. She’s lived in Belgium, France, Germany, Southern California and Arizona—all juicy places that fuel her stories and characters.
These days, Maria Grazia concentrates on her deepest passions. Writing and being the matchmaker for people and pets who are waiting to find each other. Maria Grazia loves travel, opera, good books, yoga, and intelligent movies. Her idea of a perfect evening? Stimulating conversation, Northern Italian food, and chilled Prosecco.
She loves to hear from her readers!
Feel free to contact her through her website: www.mariagraziaswan.com, via email: Contact Maria: mgsweb1@gmail.com-or- touch base with her on Facebook.
