I have another fun cozy mystery to share with you.
Check out Fudging The Books, A Cookbook Nook Mystery.
It’s got chocolate and kitties. How can you resist?
Enjoy my review.
And don’t forget to enter the giveaways!
Yep, there are two awesome giveaways today!
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Fudging the Books (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)
Series: A Cookbook Nook Mystery (Book 4)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (August 4, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425279403
E-Book ASIN: B00QH8320E
My Review
It’s Pirate Week in Crystal Cove and it looks like one has already struck. Coco Chastain won’t be making an appearance as guest of honor at the Chocolate Cookbook Club. She might just land behind bars. Her editor, Alison, is found slumped over her computer, scissors stick out of her back, and Coco is the prime suspect.
Now, on top of decorating The Cookbook Nook and setting up festivities for Pirate Week, Jenna Hart also steps up to prove her friend, Coco, couldn’t possibly be the killer. Just what she needs. Another dead body.
I haven’t read the other books, but that didn’t hinder me a bit in enjoying this 4th book in the series. The author sprinkled bits of back story throughout while keeping the story flowing smoothly and the mystery deepening.
There were lots of suspects to choose from. I’d narrow it down to two, then had to rethink it as I was lead down some false trails, and the author added in some new bread crumbs.
Cozies are one of my favorite reads. I enjoy them in cool weather, snuggled up with a cuppa hot tea and a snuggie blanket. I also enjoy them in the summer, reading outside by the pool. They are fast, easy reads and I love a good mystery, or two, or three. LOL
A few other things I enjoy are the colorful quirky covers. Look at the sweet little kitty in the hammock. Tigger is prominent on all of the covers for this series.
The title is also fun. And it has chocolate in it. That’s a main staple for me to snack on while reading. So many yummy recipes are included at the end of the book too.
And the cast. Lots of colorful characters. Some more fun then others. That’s how I’m best entertained. Give me a bunch of new characters to get to know and I’m a happy camper.
While I don’t feel I have to go back and read the other books in this series to continue on to new ones, I will. I’d like to meet these characters fresh from the beginning and see what they were into before.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
The Agatha Award–winning author of Stirring the Plot returns to the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, California, where February brings Pirate Week, National Chocolate Month—and bitter murder…
Pirate Week is sweeping through Crystal Cove and keeping Jenna Hart and her bookstore, the Cookbook Nook, plenty busy. But she’s not too swamped to also host the local Chocolate Cookbook Club’s meeting—especially because the guest of honor is her friend, candy maker and cookbook author Coco Chastain.
Jenna whips up a delicious event amidst the rowdy festivities, but the mood is soon broken by robberies, simmering tempers, and a dead body—Coco’s editor, Alison. The suspects turn out to be more plentiful than a pot full of gold doubloons, so to prove Coco isn’t responsible for the dastardly deed, Jenna will have to stir up some clues and figure out who’s the real sticky-fingered killer…
INCLUDES RECIPES!
About This Author
DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California. As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more.
Author Links
Visit Daryl or Avery atwww.darylwoodgerber.com.
“They” blog on www.mysteryloverskitchen.com as well as www.killercharacters.com
http://www.darylwoodgerber.com
http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com
Purchase Links
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There are Two Giveaways!
First Giveaway
One winner gets their choice of a print copy of any book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery Series.
I know! It’ll be hard to choose from all of these fun books.
Entry is easy peasy.
Just leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and tell me why you love cozy mysteries!
Giveaway ends August 7th.
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Second Giveaway
Check out what you can win!
Awesome isn’t it?
Use the rafflecopter below to enter.
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
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Click on the links below to follow the tour for more fun reviews and chances to win!
Tour Participants
August 1 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review
August 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review
August 3 – fuonlyknew – Review
August 4 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review
August 5 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review
August 6 – Babs Book Bistro – Review
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!
I hope I win haven’t won any books for a while!
Cross your fingers and toes!!!
I spent years reading for classes and reading to my children. In 2013, I rediscovered reading for myself. I have been a fan of cozy mysteries ever since I read The Long Quiche Goodbye (by Avery Aames 😉 ) which I had actually won online, and was my first experience with the genre. I prefer cozies because the stories are good and I can read them anytime, anywhere and not be embarrassed. 😉 luann (dot) braley (at) gmail (dot) com
LuAnn, what a sweet memory to share! Thanks so much ~ Daryl
I’ve read Avery Ames too. I confess, I’m a cozy addict!
I enjoy reading books by Daryl Wood Gerber (I am a fan!), and I am excited by the newest installment of Cookbook Nook Mystery series. I started reading cozy mysteries because of my public library’s annual summer reading program. About 2 years ago, on the summer reading list was a cozy mystery book (which I read and fall in love with the genre). Ever since then, I have found more cozy authors and have accumulated a huge TBR list.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Let’s hear it for libraries!!! ~ Daryl
I started cozies from the library too. I believe the authors name is spelled Johnni Jacobs? I ate up her books and prowled the aisles looking for more fun cozies after reading all of hers.
I read cozy mysteries because they are a pleasant escape
Aren’t they. I start by taking in the cover art. Then my next favorite part is meeting all of the fun characters:)
I love cozies because I love a good mystery and each series has a theme. I like the culinary cozies a lot. I also like to get to know the characters.
Moonbay7399@gmail.com
That’s the fun of cozies, isn’t it? Getting to know an entire town of new people and feel like you could be a friend. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I’m huge on characters and cozies always have so many colorful ones with fun names!
This sounds like a great series to start. I love cozies cause they are just fun mystery reads. Most of them have a lot of quirky personalities in them. 🙂 booklady2007 @ gmail dot com
Stormi, I agree. Quirky personalities are fun reads!
You got that right, Stormi! Quirky is a good description:)
Cozy mysteries are always such fun reads without all the gore or scariness of a thriller. Plus I love when they’re related to food! Thanks for hosting the giveaways. This is definitely a series I’m looking forward to reading katherine.e.pitts(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoy the lightness of them too. And food, sewing, and critters are my favorite themes.
Thank you, Laura! This is a wonderful series and I’m so looking forward to reading Fudging the Books.
Oops, forgot email … patucker54 (at aol dot com)
You’re welcome, Patricia. I’m excited to share this series and had such a fun read.
I love Ellery’s books, ALL of them. She is a fantastic author who my partner and I love to read.
Noraadrienne – lots of people confuse me with Ellery Adams, but she’s a totally different person (and a good friend!) My OTHER person is Avery Aames. Sounds very similar. Hugs!! Daryl aka Avery
It surprised me when I discovered you were Avery too. Such a small world are books! LOL
I actually had to go to my personal library data base and double check when I realized what I’d done. Sorryyyyyy
I love cozies mysteries and the fact that each series has a theme. I also like to get to “know” the characters.
Peggy, thanks. I think characters make the books!
I love meeting the characters and getting familiar with the towns:)
Love cozies because they are not graphic. I especially love the ones related to food.
I like that too. And food is always a good thing. LOL
Love this series
I’m planning to read the others. Must have more!
Stirring the Pot looks like a fun book to read & I love Halloween. Love all your Mysteries, they bring a lot of joy & happiness in my life. Thanks for this awesome Giveaway, I appreciate the chance to win one of your books. Email is lindamay4852@yahoo.com.
I love Halloween too. My favorite holiday.
I love cozy mysteries! The reason why I’m drawn to them is because they are almost realistic. The relationship are real, the recipes are delicious and when you think you figured it out your wrong! Lol. Brandylee033183@yahoo.com
Brandy, I couldn’t agree more!
I hear ya. It’s like a mystery in a mystery in a…….!
I know! Always keeping you on your toes!
I will read practically anything and enjoy thrillers and “heavy” reading, but I always come back to cozies because they just feel so good. There is the mystery but also so much fun, food, pets. Thanks for the giveaway.
sallycootie@gmail.com
Sally, I read across genre, too, but I really enjoy a fun, delicious mystery.
I’m so like you, Sally!
Thanks for introducing me to these great mystery books.
I love to share!
Great books with great covers!
I know. I love the covers!
Sounds like another great cozy. Thanks for the great giveaway.
sherry @ fundinmental
You know me! Can’t resist them. LOL
I read all kinds of books, with mysteries a special favorite, but I turn to cozies as a “comfort read.” They’re mostly light-hearted, not too gruesome, full of colorful characters, and, yes, comforting. Not that there isn’t suspense and intrigue, but I seem cozies as more accessible than other types of mysteries.
mbunting@sbcglobal.net
A comfort read. That’s a good way to put it.
Very well put. Wish I’d said it. LOL
Reading a cozy mystery is an escape which is delightful and intriguing. Thanks for this lovely feature and great giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by, Anne. Delightful and intriguing they are!
I love Daryl’s Series…can’t wait for this book. Pirates, chocolate, murder? Yes!
You’ll have a lot of fun!
I enjoy cozy mysteries because they always have such interesting characters—and present the murder without a lot of blood and guts.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
That’s seems to be why we all love them!
i love cozies too! And it’s great that backstories are woven into this volume. Helped you to enjoy this installment to the fullest
The back stories help a lot and the author did it without a hitch:)
Ah, thanks. So glad you thought so. 😉 ~ Daryl
I love cozy mysteries because most of them have fun dialog between the characters and I like problem solving. It’s fun to figure out.
I love good dialogue and there’s usually more than one mystery.
I love cozy mysteries because you get a real puzzle to figure out but I skip the gore and guts. I dont want to read about brutality in detail, but I love a good mystery that both entertains and makes me think. RECIPES are a great bonus!!!!!!
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
They are a lighter mystery. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the bloody ones too. LOL
Sandy, I read across genre, but I totally get not wanting to read the gory stuff. I’ve put a number of books down because it just went too far. I like the mystery and solving most! ~ Daryl
This sounds like an interesting read Laura. Murder and cooking… and to really enjoy it despite not reading any of the previous books is great too! Awesome review.
Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
I do that a lot. Read a book mid series and then go back for the others. LOL
for the mysteries
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Oh Yeah!
I love this series. kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net
Lots to love!
I like cozies because of the feel of the ‘everywoman’, making her way in her life, with bumps in the road.
Funny you mention that. I was thinking I should have mentioned about that very thing in my review. LOL
Those bumps in the road. We all have them. It’s just what we make of them, a stumbling block or a thrill ride! ~Daryl
Sounds like a fun series. I’d love to win!
collettaskitchensink@yahoo.com
Colletta
Fun, fun, fun!!!
Nice review! I love cozy mysteries because they offer the intellectual fun of a mystery without the graphic violence and darkness of many thrillers. I can always count on justice being served – the mystery equivalent of a happy ending. Some of the “themed” cozies are fun because of the theme, as well.
My email is lark AT bookwyrmshoard DOT com .
That seems to be how we all feel about cozies:)