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Anna Romano #2
A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller
This story doesn't have just one murder; it has TWO murders...Once again, Anna charms readers with her witty and candid commentary. This was definitely a juicier case than the last one. - Sandra's Book Reviews
In this second installment of The Anna Romano Mystery Series, Anna gets herself into a mess that lands her in hot water with the prime suspect and her new Bo, Detective John Solace.
Their new romance was going great, when all of a sudden, a simple trip to the grocery store turned into a wrestling match between two scorned women. Piquing her interest for a juicy story, Anna's snooping to find out more about the seemingly 'innocent' love triangle, catapulted her into the middle of a murder investigation.
The murder weapon of choice? A red stiletto...conspicuously pointing the police in the direction of a female assailant.No one knows whether the adulterating husband killed his wife to avoid a costly divorce, or if his mistress killed her in a fit of jealousy and rage. While the detectives are convinced the husband is the 'killer', it seems Anna's faith in his innocence may be in vain, as additional bodies, and mistresses, keep piling up.
Meanwhile, Anna's publicist, Shirlene, tries to convince Anna to leave the detective work to the police, but, as usual, falls on deaf ears. In the end, not even a pan of lasagna and a neighborly smile could save Anna!
Find out in A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller if Detective Solace will be able to handle Anna's crazy antics, or if he will make her vow to stay OUT of the realm of 'Murder and Mayhem' once and for all.
In this second installment of The Anna Romano Mystery Series, Anna gets herself into a mess that lands her in hot water with the prime suspect and her new Bo, Detective John Solace.
Their new romance was going great, when all of a sudden, a simple trip to the grocery store turned into a wrestling match between two scorned women. Piquing her interest for a juicy story, Anna's snooping to find out more about the seemingly 'innocent' love triangle, catapulted her into the middle of a murder investigation.
The murder weapon of choice? A red stiletto...conspicuously pointing the police in the direction of a female assailant.No one knows whether the adulterating husband killed his wife to avoid a costly divorce, or if his mistress killed her in a fit of jealousy and rage. While the detectives are convinced the husband is the 'killer', it seems Anna's faith in his innocence may be in vain, as additional bodies, and mistresses, keep piling up.
Meanwhile, Anna's publicist, Shirlene, tries to convince Anna to leave the detective work to the police, but, as usual, falls on deaf ears. In the end, not even a pan of lasagna and a neighborly smile could save Anna!
Find out in A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller if Detective Solace will be able to handle Anna's crazy antics, or if he will make her vow to stay OUT of the realm of 'Murder and Mayhem' once and for all.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
170 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2020
42 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Denise Bannerman
12 books72 followersCheryl Denise Bannerman is an award-winning, multi-genre author of 10 self-published books. She is the winner of the 2018 Book Excellence Award for her book of poetry, Words Never Spoken, winner of the Best Books Awards in the category of African American fiction in 2020 for Black Child to Black Woman, and 2021 Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention in the Fiction - Urban genre for Black Child to Black Woman. She is also a Semi-Finalist in the MLC Audiobook Awards with a 2020 IMDb Nomination for Book 1 of the Anna Romano Mystery Series, Cats, Cannolis, and a Curious Kidnapping.
Within the author’s first three works of fiction, Black Child to Black Woman, Words Never Spoken, and A Killer's Reflection, the author addresses critical topics of social concern, such as alcohol and drug addictions, racism and bigotry, domestic abuse and violence, suicide, and child molestation.
In her latest releases, a cozy mystery series entitled the Anna Romano Mystery Series, she hopes to provide relief from a somewhat somber world and spread laughter and smiles with the main character’s witty humor and ‘unintentional stumbling’ over dead bodies and into murder investigations.
Her goal in life is to keep writing and continue helping victims of Domestic Abuse/Violence, Grief and ANON family groups, and Corporate Health and Wellness groups, to heal through words — encouraging them to ‘write the pain’ via journaling, and expressing themselves through short stories, songs, and poetry.
She currently resides in Orlando, Florida, where she runs her 29-year-old Virtual Training and Development company, specializing in Instructional Design and eLearning.
In her spare time, she loves to read murder mysteries, attend museums, watch movies, try new cuisines, shop with her daughter, and take in the sun on the beach. And, although this author’s works are fiction, she has incorporated many of her personal life experiences into their stories.
Within the author’s first three works of fiction, Black Child to Black Woman, Words Never Spoken, and A Killer's Reflection, the author addresses critical topics of social concern, such as alcohol and drug addictions, racism and bigotry, domestic abuse and violence, suicide, and child molestation.
In her latest releases, a cozy mystery series entitled the Anna Romano Mystery Series, she hopes to provide relief from a somewhat somber world and spread laughter and smiles with the main character’s witty humor and ‘unintentional stumbling’ over dead bodies and into murder investigations.
Her goal in life is to keep writing and continue helping victims of Domestic Abuse/Violence, Grief and ANON family groups, and Corporate Health and Wellness groups, to heal through words — encouraging them to ‘write the pain’ via journaling, and expressing themselves through short stories, songs, and poetry.
She currently resides in Orlando, Florida, where she runs her 29-year-old Virtual Training and Development company, specializing in Instructional Design and eLearning.
In her spare time, she loves to read murder mysteries, attend museums, watch movies, try new cuisines, shop with her daughter, and take in the sun on the beach. And, although this author’s works are fiction, she has incorporated many of her personal life experiences into their stories.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 14, 2023
This was a cute, quick read. I laughed a few times throughout the book and found that Anna was likeable and relatable. I wasn’t a fan, however, of the multiple points of view: I got used to the switching between Anna and John, but then when the third POV was added in, it was a little more muddled for me and I thought it took me out of the story; I prefer for that information to be gained during investigation rather than doled out though another person’s eyes. Otherwise, I enjoyed this story and look forward to future installments.
I received a copy from the author for an honest review.
I received a copy from the author for an honest review.
March 28, 2019
A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagne and a Bestseller is such a fun read, pulp fiction at its best.
Anna Romano is a writer, who plays detective and gets herself into trouble more than once. She’s stubborn as well, much to the despair of her boyfriend, the handsome Detective John Solace.
While shopping in a local supermarket, Anna witnesses two women fighting….intrigued she starts looking into it, despite the handsome detective John asking her to keep out of it……Does she ? Of course not, she dives in head first…she then attends a fancy ball intending to speak to the wronged woman, but instead finds her dead body in the bathroom….
Anna still can’t let the case go and goes searching for the other woman, only to find her dead too……
Where will it end…? Anna with a knife at her throat ?…….will the killer be brought to justice?……..
The story itself is told from different perspectives, Anna’s, Johns and sometimes the suspect…in this crime caper filled with humour, likeable characters, many cats and cold lasagne.. an easy, fun read.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Anna Romano is a writer, who plays detective and gets herself into trouble more than once. She’s stubborn as well, much to the despair of her boyfriend, the handsome Detective John Solace.
While shopping in a local supermarket, Anna witnesses two women fighting….intrigued she starts looking into it, despite the handsome detective John asking her to keep out of it……Does she ? Of course not, she dives in head first…she then attends a fancy ball intending to speak to the wronged woman, but instead finds her dead body in the bathroom….
Anna still can’t let the case go and goes searching for the other woman, only to find her dead too……
Where will it end…? Anna with a knife at her throat ?…….will the killer be brought to justice?……..
The story itself is told from different perspectives, Anna’s, Johns and sometimes the suspect…in this crime caper filled with humour, likeable characters, many cats and cold lasagne.. an easy, fun read.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
March 10, 2019
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagne and a Bestseller is a fun, quick read (at under 200 pages) which is both entertaining and features a really likeable protagonist, author Anna Romano (who also features in Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping.) With her maverick tendencies and out-of-control curiosity, is isn’t long after hearing about a fight between a wife and mistress at the supermarket before Anna wades in to try and work out who the ‘other’ woman is, despite the pleading from her detective-boyfriend John to stay out of it. This completely incessant need to find out the truth is what keeps Anna in the middle of everything, solving problem after problem despite her boyfriend being the one who *should* be doing all the snooping!
I haven’t read any other novels in this series but this didn’t have a negative effect on my enjoyment, and I can imagine fans of this series welcoming more action from entertaining Anna.
There are many American-isms in this novel (it is set in America, and by an American author so that’s no surprise!) so it makes a change from the various British crime novels I’ve read recently.
It’s a ridiculous story but it is also a lot of fun, and it’s an easy read when you fancy something light-hearted and entertaining. This is definitely a cosy, carb-filled mystery - perfect for a winter night!
A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagne and a Bestseller is a fun, quick read (at under 200 pages) which is both entertaining and features a really likeable protagonist, author Anna Romano (who also features in Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping.) With her maverick tendencies and out-of-control curiosity, is isn’t long after hearing about a fight between a wife and mistress at the supermarket before Anna wades in to try and work out who the ‘other’ woman is, despite the pleading from her detective-boyfriend John to stay out of it. This completely incessant need to find out the truth is what keeps Anna in the middle of everything, solving problem after problem despite her boyfriend being the one who *should* be doing all the snooping!
I haven’t read any other novels in this series but this didn’t have a negative effect on my enjoyment, and I can imagine fans of this series welcoming more action from entertaining Anna.
There are many American-isms in this novel (it is set in America, and by an American author so that’s no surprise!) so it makes a change from the various British crime novels I’ve read recently.
It’s a ridiculous story but it is also a lot of fun, and it’s an easy read when you fancy something light-hearted and entertaining. This is definitely a cosy, carb-filled mystery - perfect for a winter night!
September 2, 2019
Holy Cannoli, I Should Have Known...
I enjoy amateur sleuth mysteries and any book that has to do with a writer or writing, so when I saw this book at my favorite book review site, I was immediately drawn to it. I always look at the book blurb to see what I have in store for me just before I read. When I did this, I found myself rather appalled at the poor punctuation and incorrect words. So I headed into the novel itself with low expectations. Unfortunately, they were met. I am a freelance editor by trade, so perhaps I am more sensitive to these kinds of issues, but I found the errors in grammar, punctuation, and usage to be so frequent that I actually got completely distracted and couldn’t really read the story. I felt like I was looking for the next error and inconsistency rather than enjoying the story and the characters. For instance, there were comma splices—which is an error that really gets on my nerves. Within the same non-dialogue sentence, she opted to use both double quotes and single quotes to set off text; pick one and stick with it! I also found that it was a little confusing to have both Anna and John as first-person point-of-view characters because the author did not signal the change. A simple name just below the chapter title would have been sufficient. She doesn't strictly alternate viewpoint every chapter, so this was definitely a bit jarring. This book was in need of the firm hand of a good copyeditor. If those kinds of issues don't bother you, you may very well enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I enjoy amateur sleuth mysteries and any book that has to do with a writer or writing, so when I saw this book at my favorite book review site, I was immediately drawn to it. I always look at the book blurb to see what I have in store for me just before I read. When I did this, I found myself rather appalled at the poor punctuation and incorrect words. So I headed into the novel itself with low expectations. Unfortunately, they were met. I am a freelance editor by trade, so perhaps I am more sensitive to these kinds of issues, but I found the errors in grammar, punctuation, and usage to be so frequent that I actually got completely distracted and couldn’t really read the story. I felt like I was looking for the next error and inconsistency rather than enjoying the story and the characters. For instance, there were comma splices—which is an error that really gets on my nerves. Within the same non-dialogue sentence, she opted to use both double quotes and single quotes to set off text; pick one and stick with it! I also found that it was a little confusing to have both Anna and John as first-person point-of-view characters because the author did not signal the change. A simple name just below the chapter title would have been sufficient. She doesn't strictly alternate viewpoint every chapter, so this was definitely a bit jarring. This book was in need of the firm hand of a good copyeditor. If those kinds of issues don't bother you, you may very well enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
September 3, 2019
Things are looking up for writer and cat momma Anna Romano. She has found herself a new beau in Detective John Solace and all seems right in the world. That is until she goes to the grocery store and witnesses a fight between a woman and her husband’s mistress. Anna can’t keep her nose out of things and when first the wife is killed and then the mistress, Anna gets herself in a precarious situation.
This is a delightful quick read cozy mystery filled with humor, madcap adventure, and even a bit of romance. Perfect for when you need a relaxing read by the pool or to pass the time while riding the metro.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a delightful quick read cozy mystery filled with humor, madcap adventure, and even a bit of romance. Perfect for when you need a relaxing read by the pool or to pass the time while riding the metro.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 19, 2019
Anna Romano is back!
What better way to entertain a cat lady than with a cat fight at the supermarket? Somehow Anna gets involved in a case concerning a scorned wife and a cheating husband. She figures she might as well score an interview with the wife for her next story. The last thing she expected to find was the wife dead on the bathroom floor at some fancy party. Death by a red stiletto. It was a bloody scene. Although how much force would you need to be able to drive a stiletto heel through a human skull? Ouch!
Now the question: Who could've wanted her dead? "This poor woman was being cheated on by her husband, is attacked by her husband’s mistress, and then murdered the same night." (56)
This story doesn't have just one murder; it has TWO murders. And, of course, Anna would be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Once again, Anna charms readers with her witty and candid commentary. This was definitely a juicier case than the last one.
An entertaining mystery!
What better way to entertain a cat lady than with a cat fight at the supermarket? Somehow Anna gets involved in a case concerning a scorned wife and a cheating husband. She figures she might as well score an interview with the wife for her next story. The last thing she expected to find was the wife dead on the bathroom floor at some fancy party. Death by a red stiletto. It was a bloody scene. Although how much force would you need to be able to drive a stiletto heel through a human skull? Ouch!
Now the question: Who could've wanted her dead? "This poor woman was being cheated on by her husband, is attacked by her husband’s mistress, and then murdered the same night." (56)
This story doesn't have just one murder; it has TWO murders. And, of course, Anna would be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Once again, Anna charms readers with her witty and candid commentary. This was definitely a juicier case than the last one.
An entertaining mystery!
September 1, 2019
Anna Romano has a knack for trouble. Even dropping off a lasagna nearly gets her killed. Trying to follow up on the details related to a brawl on the cereal aisle at he local grocery leads to her finding another body and being embroiled in a confounding case.
The serial infidelities of a wealthy man and the ripples in the lives of those around him are profound.
Anna and her detective must work hard to survive the fallout. Though tragic, Anna still manages to bring humorous insights and elements to all encounters and recaps.
Murder and destruction of families can be a little funny when Anna Romano is involved.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The serial infidelities of a wealthy man and the ripples in the lives of those around him are profound.
Anna and her detective must work hard to survive the fallout. Though tragic, Anna still manages to bring humorous insights and elements to all encounters and recaps.
Murder and destruction of families can be a little funny when Anna Romano is involved.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 4, 2021
Cozy mysteries always have that light sense of fun, mystery, romance, and small town. With this second installment in this quickie series, I find that I am falling in love with the witt, the food, and of course Anna.
Sandra Murphy made a clear connection with the characters and the story. I was lulled right into all the chaos and hilarity of Anna and her world. This was a quickie that had me fully in-tuned. Thank you Cheryl.
***
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Cheryl Denise Bannerman. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Sandra Murphy made a clear connection with the characters and the story. I was lulled right into all the chaos and hilarity of Anna and her world. This was a quickie that had me fully in-tuned. Thank you Cheryl.
***
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Cheryl Denise Bannerman. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
September 16, 2019
"A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller" is the second book in The Anna Romano Mystery Series. I am really enjoying this series and find it to be a fun read for a lazy weekend afternoon. The characters are well developed, likable, quirky, and relatable. The storyline is well written with zany adventures, murder, and some romance. There are some editing issues but hopefully, those will be fixed.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.
September 1, 2019
An unspeakable crime in a peaceful town is the beginning of John’s and Anna’s adventure. Cheryl Denise Bannerman has woven an entertaining mystery with engaging characters and a host of suspects. I recommend this novel and suggest reading the entire series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 7, 2019
I enjoyed the characters and the story but, as others stated, did get a bit confused in the beginning as to who was narrating. Once I got their ‘voice’ in my head, it was much easier. I look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 17, 2019
This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and I love the way she writes, her characters and her stories! So funny and yet so action-packed with just a hint of romance. I highly recommend this author and this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 29, 2021
Review for Audiobookworm Tour
Book 2 was definitely saucier than the first. Throw in an influential family, a mistress, a public tantrum, and you've got yourself a scandal! Be still my heart.
Bannerman created a series filled with homegrown characters that I want to know. I love Anna.
Murphy does a great job bringing the story to life.
Book 2 was definitely saucier than the first. Throw in an influential family, a mistress, a public tantrum, and you've got yourself a scandal! Be still my heart.
Bannerman created a series filled with homegrown characters that I want to know. I love Anna.
Murphy does a great job bringing the story to life.
July 24, 2023
Great book very interesting.
The auther did a great job.
I loved this book. It kept me Glued to seat. I loved Anne she is a great person. John knew that Anne was the partner he had been seeking, he would just have to put up with her getting involved into his cases. After all said and done a great book.
The auther did a great job.
I loved this book. It kept me Glued to seat. I loved Anne she is a great person. John knew that Anne was the partner he had been seeking, he would just have to put up with her getting involved into his cases. After all said and done a great book.
September 2, 2019
This is the second book in this series. Anna gets herself in trouble for snooping in a case for a juicy story. I thought the second book was good however I liked the first one better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 4, 2019
The title alone will grab your attention. Reading the story with the entertaining characters and plot will keep you turning the pages. A great cozy mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2019
I’m enjoying this series. The stories are fast and fun reads, the characters are just adorable and the murders are twisted and surprising. Can’t wait for more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 14, 2023
I really hated that her nickname was rosebud. I don’t know - this book just didn’t do anything for me. It was only 102 pages but it just fell flat for me.
March 29, 2019
A few months ago I was invited to take part in the blog tour for Cats, Cannolis, And A Curious Kidnapping, the first absorbing and original novel in the Anna Romano series and I fell in love with this character, so when I was invited to read the second novel of this series I accepted right away, curious to see in what hilarious and suspenseful situation Anna would get involved this time. I’d like to thank Emma for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and providing me with a copy of A BLOODY STILETTO, COLD LASAGNA AND A BESTSELLER.
Anna Romano is an author living in New Jersey with her seven cats. Following the events of the first book, she acquired a certain notoriety and also a boyfriend, for the joy of her friends and family who thought she would die single. John Solace is a detective and he really likes Anna, but he spends most of the time worried about the fact that his girlfriend seems to be have a gift of stumbling over dead bodies. After hearing two women fight over a man while grocery shopping, Anna decides to find out more about it, thinking that it would be a good story for a book, but instead she finds the body of one of the women stabbed with a stiletto. And the more her boyfriend John tries to keep her away from the case, the more Anna finds herself involved in it.
Once again, Anna Romano made me laugh with her adventures. The story is entertaining and suspenseful at the same time, captivating and refreshing, witty and romantic. I was happy to read about Anna and John’s love story and how their relationship develops. I also enjoyed reading about Anna’s tasty Italian dishes: her lasagna, biscuits, and muffins made my mouth water.
My only complaint about A BLOODY STILETTO, COLD LASAGNA AND A BESTSELLER is that it’s too short. I love reading Anna Romano’s adventures and I am already looking forward to book number 3!
Anna Romano is an author living in New Jersey with her seven cats. Following the events of the first book, she acquired a certain notoriety and also a boyfriend, for the joy of her friends and family who thought she would die single. John Solace is a detective and he really likes Anna, but he spends most of the time worried about the fact that his girlfriend seems to be have a gift of stumbling over dead bodies. After hearing two women fight over a man while grocery shopping, Anna decides to find out more about it, thinking that it would be a good story for a book, but instead she finds the body of one of the women stabbed with a stiletto. And the more her boyfriend John tries to keep her away from the case, the more Anna finds herself involved in it.
Once again, Anna Romano made me laugh with her adventures. The story is entertaining and suspenseful at the same time, captivating and refreshing, witty and romantic. I was happy to read about Anna and John’s love story and how their relationship develops. I also enjoyed reading about Anna’s tasty Italian dishes: her lasagna, biscuits, and muffins made my mouth water.
My only complaint about A BLOODY STILETTO, COLD LASAGNA AND A BESTSELLER is that it’s too short. I love reading Anna Romano’s adventures and I am already looking forward to book number 3!
March 27, 2021
As I was easily distracted during the last book in this series I made sure I did things that would distract me - folding laundry, washing dishes - while listening to this book. I followed the story better. The person reading the book is different than who did the first audiobook. I didn't think this narrator did a very good job with Det. John Solace's voice. I was often confused about his character because he sounded female. I still think Anna Romano has the potential to be a great character but I still don't feel connected to any of the characters. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.
July 6, 2023
More shenanigans from Anna Romano, the Italian bombshell. She can’t leave a mystery alone, along the way she gets herself in all kinds of trouble. Her romance was progressing nicely, will it continue. So many question to answer. I was looking forward to this 2nd book and was not disappointed. A third one is coming and i can’t wait.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews