Archive for the ‘Cozy Mystery’ Category

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Ladle to the Grave
by Connie Archer

The mystery is such fun and with old and new characters and an ending that will leave you hungry (pun intended) for the next book!
~A Chick Who Reads

Even though I knew there was going to be murder involved, Ladle to the Grave was simply a cozy (pun intended) comfort read from beginning to end.
~Read Your Writes

This was a cup of tea kind of mystery. This is an interesting story, great pacing, nice characters and soup. What more can you want!
~I Wish I Lived In a Library

I adored the characters Lucky and Sophie are a hoot. This book is indeed cozy from the first page. I wanted the pages to keep going and not end.
~Bab’s Book Bistro

LADLE TO THE GRAVE was just as wonderful as the first three books in this series. No, wait. Scratch that. LADLE TO THE GRAVE was even MORE wonderful than the first three titles.
~Lisa K’s Book Reviews

Ladle to the Grave
(A Soup Lover’s Mystery)

4th in Series
Cozy Mystery
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (March 3, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425273111
E-Book ASIN: B00LMGLY7E

22668776

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 My Review

I sure do enjoy cozy mysteries and I have a new one to share today.

When I first started reading this, mention of a pagan ritual had me going back to the cover on my Kindle to be sure I was reading the right book. Several local women have formed a coven and are performing the ritual of spring, the Beltaine, when one of their members dies after drinking a potion.

This is where Lucky, owner of By The Spoonful, a popular soup cafe, enters the story, as her grandfather, Jack, was the one who gathered the herbs and spices for the brew. She begins her own investigation to clear his name after he comes under suspicion of foul play.

As if that’s not enough, her best friend, Sophie, and her fiance, Sage, an employee at the soup shop, are planning their wedding and when the two women are visiting the site of Sophie’s future home, they stumble upon a man drowned in the stream that runs through the property.

As the bodies pile up and light of suspicion is cast upon family and loved ones, Sophie places herself in the middle of the investigation and paints a dangerous target on herself. It’s only a matter of time before things start boiling over.

There’s more than one plot to follow in this story, but the author kept it flowing smoothly. I don’t usually get caught by surprise in a cozy, but there were two big ones for me in this book. One made me cry. And one set me back as I realized I hadn’t solved this mystery. This kept me on my toes and emotionally engaged.

One part that had me chuckling was the wedding. Sophie and Sage are planning a small, private one. But the town folk are bombarding Lucky about what to buy the couple and when their invitations will arrive.  I was anticipating a big pickle about this and wasn’t disappointed.

I enjoyed all of the colorful characters and a few became near and dear to me. A few others felt familiar, as I’m from a small town, much like Snowflake, where everybody knows everybody, and there are those few people that seem to be everywhere at once and know everything.

Even though this is the fourth book in the series. I easily got familiar with the characters and references to previous events had me curious to go back and read the series from the beginning. It’s always fun to begin at the beginning and find out how and why the characters ended up where they are.

A fun cozy and a series I”ll be following. I hope you give it a try.

4 Stars

***

Synopsis

By the Spoonful is Snowflake, Vermont’s most popular soup shop, but owner Lucky Jamieson doesn’t have any time to enjoy her success—she’s too busy trying to keep a lid on false accusations against her loved ones…

It’s almost May, and some of the local ladies have organized a pagan celebration in the woods to welcome spring. But the evening goes terribly wrong when one of the attendees winds up dead, apparently poisoned by an herbal concoction prepared by Lucky’s grandfather, Jack.

Lucky’s sure her grandfather could not have made such a tragic mistake. But before she can clear him of suspicion, her best friend, Sophie, is diverted from planning her wedding to By the Spoonful chef Sage DuBois when she finds a dead man floating in the creek on her property. Now it’s up to Lucky to get both Sophie and Jack out of hot water before a killer stirs up more trouble…

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Connie.Archer.XX

About This Author

Connie Archer is the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.

A Spoonful of Murder, [http://amzn.to/1pRKL9TA]

A Broth of Betrayal [http://amzn.to/1ofLs86] and

A Roux of Revenge [http://amzn.to/1ofLCMD]

are set in the imaginary village of Snowflake, Vermont.

The fourth book in the series,

Ladle to the Grave, [http://amzn.to/Zs1GGg] will be released on March 3, 2015.

 

Links:

Website:  www.conniearchermysteries.com

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/ConnieArcherMysteries

Twitter:  @SnowflakeVT

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/1y1CYeM

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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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!

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Valentine’s Day is Murder
by Carolyn Arnold

It ‘s a mystery fast to read but very exciting, set in a beautiful place like Jamaica: splendid sea, fantastic beaches, tempting cocktails and lots of sun.
~LibriAmoriMiei

This was a quick, enjoyable read. Fast paced, beautiful setting of Ocho Rios, Jamaica,
~Tea and A Book

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Valentine’s Day is Murder
(McKinley Mysteries series Book 8)

23922975
Cozy Mystery
E-Book File Size: 527 KB
Print Length: 117 pages
ASIN: B00OO729NQ

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My Review

The story takes place in exotic Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I’ve always wanted to go there, but until I do, I’ll visit vicariously through this fun cozy mystery.

Sean and Sara will soon be celebrating their One year Anniversary and this will also be their first Velentine’s Day as a married couple.

Their plans will have to be put on hold when they receive a phone call from Meredith, their dear friend Jimmy’s new girlfriend, that he’s disappeared. They drop everything and fly to Ocho Riosto find him.

Sara and Sean are both former police officers and now own their own private investigation company and put these talents to work as soon as they land. All is not sunny and welcoming in Jamaica and they have to move fast to save Jimmy, protect Meredith, and stay alive themselves.

When I reached the finale and discovered the culprits, it came as a complete surprise. I’m wondering if their story was told in a previous book from this series.

This is the eight book in the McKinley Mystery Series but I had no trouble reading this before the other books. The author focused on this mystery and introduced the characters in a way that made them quickly become familiar and easy to engage with.

Sean and Sara are still in the newlywed mode and share some sweet moments. They are a bit gushy with their endearments, hence the mention of the newlywed mode.

I came away from this happy with the ending and eager to go to the beginning and get to know the characters better. To explore how they came to be where they were in this book.

A fun, fast read, that will bring me back for more of this series.

4 Stars

~~~

Synopsis

From bestselling author Carolyn Arnold…
Strap in for an adventure that will take you to the beautiful island of Jamaica and have you wanting a piña colada.

Jimmy finally takes a vacation–and a chance on love–only to be abducted. His female companion originally thinks he had cold feet about their relationship, but Sean and Sara know there’s more to it. Jimmy isn’t the type to just up and disappear, let alone leave a lady stranded.

Setting out on their private jet, Sean and Sara reach the tropical paradise of Ocho Rios, Jamaica with sightseeing as the last thing on their minds.

With a gold coin being their initial tie to Jimmy’s kidnapper, Sean and Sara even speculate about the involvement of pirates. Yet as the hours pass, and there’s no word from Jimmy’s captors, Sean and Sara will need to figure out the real motive before it’s too late.

With help from their friend, Adam, back in Albany, the pieces come together and not a moment too soon.

8th in the Amazon Bestselling McKinley Mystery Series

Enjoy this glimpse inside!

From Chapter 4

Pineapples & Alibis

 

“There was no answer in her room. She may be out by the pool.” The front desk clerk lowered the phone’s receiver and gestured toward a wall of windows that faced a pool, and, beyond that, the sea.

“Thank you,” Sean said.

“No worries.” The clerk smiled and flipped some papers over that she had been working on when they had approached her to call up to Meredith’s room.

Tourists, clad in bathing suits in a spectrum of colors, dotted both the poolside and the beach. It had Sara wishing all she and Sean had to do was enjoy the scenery.

The sun was beating down, the warmth all-encompassing, but thankfully, the humidity wasn’t extreme. Sara still wished to slip out of her dress to reveal the bikini she wore underneath. The thought of the rays kissing her skin was almost too much to dismiss from her mind.

She scanned the horde of vacationers and spotted Meredith lying out on a lounge chair. She sat up as if she sensed Sara watching.

“There she is, Sean.” Sara nudged her head toward Meredith.

“She doesn’t look too upset, does she?”

Sara put a hand on Sean’s shoulder. “We’re not going to assume she’s behind this.”

He stayed put. “She’s not behind this and yet she’s new to his life and he’s never gone missing before.”

“We promised on the flight we would give her the benefit of the doubt, unless something came up to convince us of her involvement.”

“I’m starting to rethink that decision.”

“If Jimmy trusted her—”

“Yes, then we should too.”

“That’s right.” Sara pressed her lips, hoping she conveyed more conviction than she felt at times—this being one of those times.

rgb Valentine is Murder Final Paperback

~~

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes ~ Kobo

 

Carolyn Author Photo 2013 ColorAbout This Author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is the bestselling author of the Madison Knight series, the Brandon Fisher series, and the McKinley Mysteries. Her love for writing dates back to her teen years, but her passion was reignited in 2006 when a fellow employee said “tell me a story.” Since then Carolyn has never looked back.

Her writing has since been compared to New York Times Bestsellers such as JD Robb, Mary Higgins Clark, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, and more.

Carolyn was born in 1976 in a rural town of Ontario, Canada, and she currently lives with her husband and two beagles in a city near Toronto.

For more information on the author visit https://carolynarnold.net/

 

Tour Participants

January 15 – Michele Lynn Seigfried’s Blog – Spotlight

January 16 – Marie’s Cozy Corner – Spotlight

January 19 – The Gal in the Blue Mask – Spotlight

January 20 – Jane Reads – Spotlight

January 21 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight

January 22 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review

January 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight

January 25 – A Blue Million Books – Spotlight

January 27 – Christa Reads and Writes – Spotlight

February 1 – Tea and A Book – Review

February 5 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – Spotlight

February 6 – Babs Book Bistro – Spotlight

February 9 – Community Bookstop – Review

February 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Spotlight

February 11 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – Spotlight

February 12 – fuonlyknew – Review

February 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – Spotlight

February 14 – Brooke Blogs – Review

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

 

 

I’ve got a really fun cozy to tell you about.

This is the first book in the series and there are three more. All of them are quite short but loads of fun.

This first book is free so check out the links after my review to grab your copy.

My Favorite Corpse

A Skullduggery Inn Cozy Read #1

by Kathy Carmichael

15828866

 

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My Review

 I knew I had to read this book when I learned the setting for the story was my hometown. How cool is that!

Ashley, the owner of the Skullduggery Inn, is a girl after my own heart. She’s a huge book fan and named the rooms in her inn after her favorite authors. My mother stayed at The Marriott Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Her favorite movie is Somewhere In Time and she got to stay in the room they used for the movie. There are references to books and movies laced throughout the story.

The story takes place in Fairhope, Alabama, on Mobile Bay. Ashley hurries down to the bay when she hears there’s a Jubilee. A Jubilee is when the small fish, crabs, shrimp and such swarm to shallow waters due to low oxygen in the bay. This only happens in two places in the world. Here and in Japan. I’ve been to several and you can literally wade in and scoop up some good eats.

That is Ashley’s plan until her excitement is shattered when she reaches down and stops just short of grabbing a human foot, which is still attached to a body. Panicked, she looks around for someone to help her when one of her guests,Trevor Stone, happens along. She sends him to notify the authorities and waits for his return. And she waits. And waits.

Finally she gives up and returns to the inn, where she finds Trevor sound asleep. He says he never saw the body so maybe she was mistaken.

When the police arrive she leads them to the spot where she found the body and all that’s there is a piece of driftwood. The officer is convinced that’s what she saw and mistook for a dead person in the dark. But Ashley knows better.

With nothing else she can do about it, she hurries to get her fresh catch ready to serve up to her guests later that night. Opening a pantry door she discovers come kittens.  The mother cat slips outside and she rushes to catch her. Stumbling through the woods she steps through to the beach and what does she find. Sitting on a bench is the dead guy from the night before. He’s still dead and starting to smell ripe.

I really enjoyed the scenes with the kittens. It made me think of the restaurant owners on the causeway that takes you across Mobile Bay. They work with the local veterinarians to capture, vaccinate, and spay or neuter the cats before setting them loose again. This keeps them healthy and the population under control.

The cat coalition and restaurant owners work together to feed the cats. There are many dangers for them on the causeway. Snakes and alligators. They are not your friendly house cats. They’re feral and wise. I’m sure some slip through those traps and surprise the owners with their kittens.

Back to the scene of the crime. There’s no cell service so she has to return to the inn to call the police and once again, when they arrive, the body is gone. Ashley is in the middle of something strange and will get to the bottom of it one way or another.

This was such a good mystery, funny with a hint of romance. It was made more fun as I recognized a lot of the places described in the book. I knew the location of The Skullduggery Inn and the place where Ashley first saw the body in the bay. I often went fishing there with my brother.

Now, when I go there, I’ll be thinking of this book and looking for dead bodies. LOL

I should tell you, this is a short story, a teaser for more books to come. You are left hanging out to dry, but the ending is still a good one. I’ll be diving into more of this series.

4 Stars

~~~

Synopsis

Novella. My Favorite Corpse centers around Ashley Sands, the owner of a mystery-themed inn located on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. An amateur sleuth, Ashley finds a corpse washed to shore at her inn’s private beach. She must learn what happened before her guests begin checking out. While Ashley’s mystery weekend guests usually enjoy the occasional dead body, they prefer the never-previously-animated kind.

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FREEBIE ALERT!

This is a free download on Amazon right now. You can get a copy HERE.

~~~

About The Author

Kathy Carmichael


Award-winning author, Kathy Carmichael, writes mysteries, women’s fiction and romance. Her 2009 release, HOT FLASH, was named by the American Library Association’s BOOKLIST as one of the Top 10 Romance Fiction titles for 2009. Her latest release (and her first mystery novel), DIARY OF A CONFESSIONS QUEEN, received a starred review from BOOKLIST.

She lives on Florida’s west coast, along with her husband, two not-so-wee sons, 2 black cats, and a bevy of dust bunnies.

Kathy loves talking with readers and other writers. She’s a popular guest lecturer at libraries, bookstores and writers’ conferences.

Despite rumors to the contrary, she has never been recruited by the CIA or the other CIA (Culinary Institute of America).

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon

Other books in the series.

17564872  22850684  23352483

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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Hi ya’ll. I have so much to share with you today!

I have my review of As Gouda As Dead.

There’s a delicious recipe for you to try.

Plus two giveaways. And ones a scavenger hunt!

Come on in and join the fun!

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As Gouda as Dead
(CHEESE SHOP MYSTERY)

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22668765

Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (February 3, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425273319 / E-Book ASIN: B00LMGK43E

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 My Review

I sure do enjoy cozy mysteries and I’m thrilled each time I discover a new series and author.

I’ll be following this one.

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and a week of special events is planned in the town of Providence, Ohio.

Charlotte Bessette, owner of Fromagerie Bessette, is especially excited because she’s finally marrying the man of her dreams, Jordan Pace, this coming weekend. That is until she finds a dead body dumped in the large vat full of milk at her fiances cheese farm.

Charlotte and Jordan decide to postpone their wedding until the case is resolved, once it’s proven to be a murder.

I was worried about them. No matter that he assured her they will get married in the spring. No matter that he professed his ongoing love in the tender love notes he leaves for her to discover. Something, a feeling I got, had me wondering if the wedding would occur. I know I’m suspicious by nature. If it were my fiance, he’d probably throw his hands up in frustration.

When Charlotte stumbles upon another dead body, Chief of Police Umburto Urso relents and listens to her theories, her conclusions. It’s a race to find the killer before more people are killed.

The author’s descriptions of Providence made me feel right at home. I live in a small single tax colony founded by artists. The downtown area is filled with small shops, bakeries, coffee houses, and restaurants. And just like in this book, the owners all know each other, all use each others wares, and all chip in when something needs doing. It’s a tight knit community and you’d never meet a more loyal, friendly bunch.

I’d recommend you have some napkins handy while reading this one. The food described in these pages is delicious. I swear I could smell and taste it and my mouth was watering. There are some wonderful recipes included at the end, so be sure to check them out.

4 Stars

 

Synopsis


Someone is cheesed off . . .

Providence, Ohio, is celebrating Valentine’s Day with weeklong events, including lovers’ baskets with heart-shaped cheeses at Fromagerie Bessette. Charlotte Bessette is celebrating by finally walking down the aisle with the man of her dreams, handsome artisanal cheese farmer, Jordan Pace. But when a beloved bar owner is discovered murdered on Jordan’s farm, he believes they should reschedule their wedding given the grim turn of events.

Charlotte is heartsick over the postponement. This killer crossed the wrong woman. No one, but no one, is ruining her wedding plans!

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Recipe

Potato Bacon Parmesan Soup

The protagonist of my Cookbook Nook mysteries would probably blanch at the number of ingredients in this recipe, but Charlotte Bessette, the cheese shop owner in the Cheese Shop mysteries would have no problem with it. She loves to cook. She knows some recipes take more steps. She loves to add cheese to just about everything. The Parmesan cheese in this recipe adds just the right about of yum! This is perfect for a cold winter night. Even better if you’re snuggling up with a good book! Anybody planning to read AS GOUDA AS DEAD?

PS: You’ll notice there is no flour in this recipe. The potatoes do all the work of thickening the soup, so this is gluten-free!

 

POTATO BACON PUREE SOUP

[serves 6)

Lori_Potato_Baconsoup

 

Ingredients:

2 pounds large Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4)

6 strips bacon

1 yellow onion, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup half-and-half

2 cups milk (I used 2%, but you can use regular, too)

¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon of salt (for boiling water)

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon white pepper

Extra Parmesan for garnish

Directions:

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1 tablespoon salt. While water is heating, cut the potatoes into quarters. Add cut potatoes to boiling water and bring to a boil. Cook for 20-25 minutes until tender. [A fork should slide easily in and out.] Drain well. Return the potatoes to the pot and cover, heat off.

Meanwhile, chop onions and saute in butter on low for about 10 minutes.

Also cook the bacon to crispy, let cool on paper towels. Break into pieces. Tip: I use scissors to get the bigger pieces chopped. Set aside. (Reserve 2 pieces for the garnish)

In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the half-and-half and cheese until it simmers. Add the bacon.

With a handheld mixer, beat the hot potatoes in the pot until they are broken up. [You can also use a masher.] Slowly add the cream, salt, pepper, then beat until smooth.   [Note, right at this moment, you have fabulous mashed potatoes. You can skip the next step–adding milk—and serve as a side dish.]

Now, proceeding to make the soup. Add the 2 cups of milk. If the potato soup needs to be reheated, cover and cook gently over low heat until warm. [A few minutes.] Pour into 6 serving bowls and sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese & bacon. Serve hot.

 

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Say Cheese!

As part of her Great Escapes Book Tour
Avery Aames is including an
I Love A Mystery Secret Code Game!

Here’s how it works:
1 – Collect the Secret Code Word at each of Avery Aames Escape Blog Tour stops.
Check out Avery’s delicious recipe on Each Blog Stop
to collect the Secret Word for that stop.

2 – At the end of Avery’s blog tour, put the words together and
form the Secret Code Sentence.

Then CLICK HERE to be taken to the tour page  and insert the Secret Code Sentence in the form with your name, email address and mailing address.

3. One Lucky Winner will receive a Fabulous Prize Package including an autographed copy as As Gouda As Dead, an I love A Mystery Tote and fun swag!

4. 10 Runner’s Up will receive a
Cheese Shop/Cookbook Nook kitchen jar opener and recipe cards.

All winners will be randomly selected from all entries submitted.

Winners will be contacted via email and the prize will be sent to the address you provided on the form.

Have fun and get searching!

Avery

I LOVE A MYSTERY SECRET CODE GAME:
.
The 3rd of the 7 words in Avery’s I Love A Mystery Secret Code Contest is
Great
.
.
I LOVE A MYSTERY
.
Other stops on the tour are listed at the bottom of the post.

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Daryl Wood Gerber 0218 100dpi

 

About This Author

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. 

As 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. 

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.averyaames.com

http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com

http://killercharacters.com

Facebook: Daryl ~   Avery

Twitter: @AveryAames @DarylWoodGerber

Goodreads: 

Daryl Wood Gerber

Avery Aames

Purchase Links 
Amazon ~ B&N~ Book Depository

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Tour Participants

January 26 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 27 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 28 – fuonlyknew – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 29 – Michele Lynn Seigfried’s Blog – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 30 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 31 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

February 1 – Traveling With T – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

 

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I have one print copy of As Gouda As Dead to give away.

Entry is easy. Just leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:

“Do you ever try the recipes provided in the cozy mysteries you read?”

Giveaway ends February 4th.

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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The Cat that Played the Market Banner 851 x 315

I love cozy mysteries. The colorful covers. The quirky titles.

Each series has a theme, culinary, artistic, needlework, cats, dogs…

Obviously this series is all about the cats.

Check out the covers.

Meet the cast of characters.

Enjoy the excerpt.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

~~~

The Cats that Played the Market

The Cats that . . .

Cozy Mystery Series

Book 4

Karen Anne Golden

 

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Date of Publication: November 25, 2014

ISBN:  13:978-1503033276  /  ASIN: B00Q71LBYA

Number of pages: 296 / Word Count: 37,384

Cover Artist: Christy Carlyle of Gilded Heart Design

 

Book Description:

 

They’re back! Scout, Abra, Iris, Lilac and Abby — the cats you’ve grown to love — are once again caught up in intrigue and mayhem.

A blizzard blows into Indiana, bringing gifts, gala events, and a ghastly murder to heiress Katherine “Katz” Kendall. It’s Katherine’s birthday, and she gets more than she bargains for when Colleen and her mum visit the Victorian mansion to celebrate. Handsome boyfriend Jake adds to the joys of the season.

After all hell breaks loose at the Erie Museum’s opening, Katherine and her five cats unwittingly stumble upon clues that help solve a mystery. But has Scout lost her special abilities? Or will Katz find that another one of her amazing felines is a super-sleuth? With the cats providing clues, it’s up to Katherine and her friends to piece together the murderous puzzle . . . before the town goes bust!

 

Available at Amazon

Series Reading Order

 

Book 1

The Cats that Surfed the Web

19148125

Amazon

 

Book 2

The Cats that Chased the Storm

20937487

Amazon

 

Book 3

The Cats that Told a Fortune

22853315

Amazon

 

Book 4

The Cats that Played the Market

Amazon

 

Excerpt: Prologue

LATE DECEMBER

 

Katherine ran to her car, opened the door, and jumped in. Nervously fumbling with the clasp on her crossover bag, she extracted her cell and called Jake. “I’ve got an emergency,” she said breathlessly. “Chief London wants me out of town.”

“Why?” Jake asked in disbelief.

Katherine turned the ignition, floored the accelerator, and peeled out on Main Street. “I’m heading to the pink mansion now. I don’t have time to explain.”

“Katz, I’m not far. I’ll meet you there and help corral the cats. We’ll decide later where to go.”

“Colleen’s with Daryl, but her mum’s home. Park in back and use your key to the basement. I’ll see you in a few.”

Driving in front of the house, she was shocked to see a red pickup blocking her parking spot. Surely that’s not the stolen vehicle, she thought.

Quickly getting out of the car, she rushed up the steps to the front porch landing. She was startled when Colleen’s mum opened the door.

“Hello, Katz. I was just headin’ to the kitchen to make a bit of tea,” she slurred.

Katherine took one whiff of Mum’s breath and knew she’d been drinking. “Is everything okay?” she asked worriedly.

“Why do you ask, dear? You look like you’ve been touched by a banshee!”

“Whose truck is that?”

“I’ve been talkin’ a bit of treason with your friend from the library. They’re waitin’ for you in the living room. I’ll fix some tea.”

Katherine took Mum by the arm. “Come with me,” she insisted. She directed her to the stairwell.

Mum resisted. “Whatever ‘tis the matter?”

Katherine said firmly, “Shhh! Lower your voice. Go to your room and lock the door. I only have one friend from the library, and Michelle doesn’t drive a red pickup with out of state plates.”

“Oh, it’s somebody else. I didn’t catch their name. What’s goin’ on?”

“I beg of you. Just do as I ask,” Katherine implored. “When you get to your room, call Colleen and tell her to not come back to the house until she hears from me.”

“In the name of all the saints,” Mum said, as she staggered upstairs.

Katherine sprinted past Mum to her back hallway bedroom. She was alarmed to see the door standing wide-open. She had specifically shut the door so the cats wouldn’t bother Colleen’s mum while she was away.

“Dammit,” she said, surveying the room. The cats were not there. She pulled the Glock out of the gun safe and joined Mum outside her door.

“You’re not goin’ to use that thing, are you?” Mum said frantically. “Why don’t we call the police?”

“I’m going to call the police! Please relax,” Katherine reassured and then, with rising alarm in her voice, “Where are the cats?”

“The last time I saw them, they were toastin’ their buns on the kitchen register.”

“Hurry! Get in your room.”

Mum finally went in and locked the door.

Katherine yanked her cell out of her bag and called Chief London. “I think the stolen vehicle is parked in front of my house,” she said anxiously. “It’s a red pickup.”

“Katz, stay in your vehicle. Do NOT go inside,” the chief ordered. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“That’s a problem because I’m already inside.” She disconnected the call and tapped Jake’s number. It rang and rang, then went into voice mail. “Don’t come. Chief’s on his way.” She put the cell in her back pocket.

Gripping the Glock with both hands, she cautiously walked downstairs. Suspecting the person in the living room was armed, Katherine swiftly searched downstairs, leaving the living room for last. She had to get to the cats in the kitchen, and shut that door so they wouldn’t run into the living room. Entering the kitchen, she was shocked to find the cats weren’t on the register or on the window valance. Oh, my God. They’re in the living room with a murderer.

 

About the Author:

Karen Anne Golden

 

Karen Anne Golden released her first book, “The Cats that Surfed the Web,” in December 2013. In one year, she added three other books to The Cats that …Cozy Animal Mystery series. “The Cats That Played the Market” is the fourth book.

Karen received a bachelor’s degree in History/Education from Columbus College, Columbus, Georgia. She obtained a master’s degree in anthropology at Purdue University, and then conducted ethnographic field research (all-but-the Ph.D. dissertation) in Brighton Beach, New York.

When she decided that an academic career wasn’t for her, she worked for a major computer company, riding the subway from Brooklyn to mid-town Manhattan. But her heart wasn’t in the big city. Karen saved for years until she was able to buy a Victorian house in Indiana.

Now she lives in a Queen Anne built in 1897; it’s a “painted lady” with four colors in the paint scheme. She’s spent many hours restoring her beloved house. With the house finished, she has time to do what she’s passionate about — writing. She has opened her house to many cats, mostly “rescues.”

Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon

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Tour Giveaway Prizes:

2 $25 Amazon Giftcards

2 Signed Paperbacks of The Cats that Played the Market -Open to US Shipping

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Welcome to The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

 

This is a really fun meme!

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!

My 56 for this week is from

My Favorite Corpse

A Skullduggery Inn Cozy Read #1

by Kathy Carmichael

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My 56

Immediately Michele called from the storage room, “Kittens. There are more kittens in here.”

“More kittens?” Kiki cried. Total pandemonium broke out. Kiki darted into the storage  room while Michele ran out of it, and I pushed my tray of crabs at her. “Take this.”

“Where are you going?”

“To find Mama cat,” I said, running out the door in pursuit of her.

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Synopsis

Novella. My Favorite Corpse centers around Ashley Sands, the owner of a mystery-themed inn located on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. An amateur sleuth, Ashley finds a corpse washed to shore at her inn’s private beach. She must learn what happened before her guests begin checking out. While Ashley’s mystery weekend guests usually enjoy the occasional dead body, they prefer the never-previously-animated kind.

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When I spotted this story took place on Mobile Bay I had to read it. I live on Mobile Bay and was excited to see if I recognized anything.

FREEBIE ALERT!

This is a free download on Amzaon right now. You can get a copy HERE.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Leave your link and I’ll drop by your 56.

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kill em with cayenne  banner

More fun with Piper Prescott and the gang from Brandywine Creek

I read the first book, Rosemary and Crime, and really enjoyed it. I’ve included my review further into this post.

Now, I’m ready to see what the gang has been up to in Kill ’em with Cayenne.

Please, enjoy my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

kill em with cayenne cover

Kill ‘Em with Cayenne
(Spice Shop Mystery Series)

2nd in Series
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (December 16, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1250011053

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My Review

I really enjoyed Rosemary & Crime, the first book in the Spice Shop Mystery Series so I knew I had to return to Brandwine Creek and see what Piper Prescott and her gang were up to now.

Piper’s been very busy at her shop, Spice It Up, and now she’ll be even busier. It’s time for the yearly Brandywine Creek BBQ Festival and the town will be filled with strangers coming to compete.  Many of the locals will be competing too.

You can sense trouble brewing when Becca and Maybelle both enter the contest. These too have no fondness for each other and have been bitter enemies since back in middle school.

Trouble boils over when Becca is found dead and Maybelle becomes suspect number 1.

There are many things I look for in a cozy mystery. A fun title. Colorful cover art. Loveable, laughable characters. A well developed location for the story. A dastardly, elusive villain. And sweet, teasing romance.

I wasn’t disappointed with this book.

Kill ’em with Cayenne. How could I resist that title and it connects to Piper and her shop, Spice It Up.

The cover art is simple, yet charming and I’m wondering if the spilled spice represents the murder. Quite creative. I’d pick it up if I happened to spot it on a shelf.

The characters are many, with colorful names, and their personalities are easily distinguished. You have the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The villain is not who you’d expect so the mystery is sustained til the end.

The town of Brandywine Creek is just what you’d expect in a small town. I live in one and felt quite at home. We have a lot of festivals and BBQ and chili cook offs are huge here in the south.

The romance is sweet and just becoming teasing. I do wonder whether Piper and Sheriff Wyatt McBride will spice it up in the next book.

This is a cozy mystery series for all fans of the genre. You’ll love the characters, boo the villain, and become enchanted with the colorful town. It’s all good, clean fun. And there are some yummy recipes included at the end of this book that you might want to try for yourself.

4 Stars

If you found this review helpful, please like it on Amazon HERE.

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Synopsis

A brand new finger-lickin’ good mystery featuring small-town Georgia spice shop owner Piper Prescott, a smart and spunky amateur sleuth…

Spices are flying off the shelves of Spice It Up!, and Piper Prescott couldn’t be happier. It’s that time of year again—time for the annual Brandywine Creek Barbecue Festival. Soon contestants and BBQ aficionados from all over the Southeast will converge on the town. Many of Brandywine Creek’s citizens plan to participate in the week-long festivities and are busily concocting savory rubs and sassy sauces. Among the locals vying for the grand prize are Becca Dapkins and Maybelle Humphries. The women have been arch enemies ever since Buzz Oliver dumped Maybelle after a thirteen-year courtship and started seeing Becca.

When Becca’s body is found near one of the festival booths, bludgeoned by a brisket, Maybelle becomes one of Chief Wyatt McBride’s top suspects. Determined to help clear her friend’s name, Piper begins her own investigation, much to McBride’s consternation. As the festival draws closer, will Piper and Reba Mae be able to find the real killer and clear Maybelle’s name? Will Piper make it to the annual shag contest with Doug Winters, the mild-mannered vet she’s been seeing? And, who will win the BBQ cook-off?

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gail

About This Author

Friends accuse Gail Oust of flunking retirement.  While working as a nurse/vascular technologist, Gail penned nine historical romances under the pseudonym of Elizabeth Turner.  It wasn’t until after she and her husband retired to South Carolina that inspiration struck for a mystery.  Hearing the words “maybe it’s a dead body” while golfing with friends fired her imagination for the Bunco Babe Mystery series published by NAL.  Gail is currently writing the Spice Shop Mysteries published by Minotaur/St. Martin’s Press.  Kill ‘em with Cayenne, the second in the series, was released December 2014.  Her interests include reading, travel, golf, and spending time with friends and family.

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Links:  www.gailoust.com, Gail Oust Author on Facebook, and Goodreads.

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N Book Depository

 

First Book in Series

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My Review

Fresh out of a divorce, Piper decides to go into business for herself, opening a spice shop. When Mario, the chef who was supposed to do a cooking demonstration for her grand opening is murdered, Piper becomes the prime suspect.

She discovered the body. She handled the murder weapon. And she was seen arguing with the victim earlier.

The fun begins when Piper and her best friend Reba Mae, a delightfully colorful gal, decide to do their own sleuthing. They are caught doing a stake out by the hunky Chief of Police, Wyatt.

I’m all for character driven stories. These characters are all flawed, all trying to make their way. This leads to lots of hi-jinx and laughs.

Piper is down to earth but also vulnerable. CJ, her jerk of a husband, dumped her for a woman almost as young as her daughter. Starting over at middle age is never easy and she has to contend with a daughter who is acting out, her butinsky ex, and a sexy policeman, while trying to prove her innocence and get her new business off the ground.

The author sets the stage, introduces her characters, drops in the crime, and sets you off to read and discover the clues, while adding in a budding romance and some very believable life situations.

Trying to solve this mystery was vexing. Each time I thought I had my suspect, I was wrong and had to continue sorting out the clues.

When I reached the end it was just what I wanted.

Anyone looking for a new cozy mystery series with an easy flowing writing style, colorful characters, and a crime to solve, should give Rosemary and Crime a go.

4 Stars

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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!

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Welcome to Ashland, Oregon, home of the world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the setting for Ellie Alexander’s debut mystery MEET YOUR BAKER.
MEET YOUR BAKER is a culinary mystery centered in the fictional bakeshop, Torte, with a mother/daughter pastry duo. It includes original handcrafted recipes. Meet Ashland!
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In Ashland you’ll find an eclectic community of artists, outdoor adventure seekers, college students, farmers, retirees and a constant stream of tourists. At nearly 2,000 feet in elevation, its Mediterranean summers make it the perfect spot to watch Shakespeare under the stars or hike one of the surrounding peaks. In the winter, Ashland becomes home to ski enthusiasts with nearby Mt. Ashland, and plenty of backcountry trails. ​
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a charming English village with Ashland’s Shakespeare-inspired pubs, restaurants and shops.
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Meander through Lithia Park where you’ll pass ancient trees, grassy patches and picnic benches, and wild deer. Be sure to get a glimpse of the towering Oregon Shakespeare Festival buildings, and stop to drink from Lithia’s mineral spring fountains.
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Take Shakespeare’s stairs to “the bricks” where theater lovers and actors gather before performances.
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Finally, end your day with a sweet treat at one of Ashland’s many divine bakeshops.
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Be sure to check out the blog tour that is filled with reviews, interviews and guest posts by the author! The tour starts January 5th and runs through the 16th. Check out the schedule!

 

About MEET YOUR BAKER:

Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bake shop where the treats are so good that, sometimes, it’s criminal…

After graduating from culinary school, Juliet Capshaw returns to her quaint hometown of Ashland, Oregon, to heal a broken heart and help her mom at the family bakery. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is bringing in lots of tourists looking for some crumpets to go with their heroic couplets. But when one of Torte’s customers turns up dead, there’s much ado about murder…

“Sure to satisfy both dedicated foodies and ardent mystery lovers alike.”

―Jessie Crockett, author of Drizzled with Death

The victim is Nancy Hudson, the festival’s newest board member. A modern-day Lady Macbeth, Nancy has given more than a few actors and artists enough reasons to kill her…but still. The silver lining? Jules’s high school sweetheart, Thomas, is the investigator on the case. His flirtations are as delicious as ever, and Jules can’t help but want to have her cake and eat it too. But will she have her just desserts? Murder might be bad for business, but love is the sweetest treat of all…

“Alexander weaves a tasty tale of deceit, family ties, delicious pastries, and murder.” ―Edith Maxwell, author of A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die

 

About the Author:
Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.
Links: 
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Giveaway:
Paperback copy of Meet Your Baker, Chai Tea, designer baking liners and a Starbucks gift card.
Open to US addresses only.
Ends 1/6/15
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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
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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!

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I had such a blast reading these books and I’m looking forward to sharing my reviews with you.
Private Investigator Dan Landis is a hoot and his love interest, Abbey, is packin dynamite.
You’re gonna want to read these!
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The Five Santas
The Oncoming Storm Series Book #1
By- Jay Mims
Genre- Mystery, Detective, Cozy
 
Dan Landis is a private investigator who makes his living peeping in windows and taking compromising photos to make a quick buck. But, even adultery has an off-season, and to make some quick cash, Dan’s been hired by a department store to work as a loss prevention agent.
 
Then he finds Santa stuffed behind a dumpster. One Santa leads to another, and before he knows it, Dan’s up to his sugar plums in murder, intrigue and holiday cheer. It’s up to Dan to save Christmas, find the Kringle Killer and choose the perfect gift for the quirky blonde in his life.
 
 
 
 
   
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My Review
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Business is slow for P.I. Dan Landis. Not a lot of people needing him to catch cheating spouses during Christmas. So he moonlights as a security guard in a department store.

Bored to tears, he finally gets some action and chases a thief out the back door. The perp gets away but Dan has bigger problems. He’s just stumbled on Santa, and he’s quite dead. And soon he’s wading through dead Santas.. They start piling up, as the title The Five Santas says.

From not much happening, to catching the Kringle Killer and shopping for the perfect gift for his partner, Abbey,there’s never a dull moment for Dan.

Usually, when you picture a private detective, you envision someone tall, dark, and deadly. Dan is all of those things. But he’s also got some odd quirks, like using movie quotes in  his conversations and wearing his trademark day-glo socks. He has an odd way about him but he’s very much his own man.

His relationship with his partner, Abbey, is still new. Though this isn’t central to the story, it sure spices things up. I just worry about playing where you work.

The humor is all over the place in this book. The mystery of the Kringle Killer isn’t readily apparent. Each character is strongly written, easy to distinguish and empathize with. The romance is sweet, snarky, and maddening. And the action is fast, fast, fast.

Bring on the next book. I’m ready for more.

4 Stars

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(more…)

BY COOK OR BY CROOK  large banner640

I’ve found a new cozy mystery series!

Usually I come into a series after the beginning and have to go back to catch earlier books. This time I have the first book in the Five Ingredient Mysteries, By Cook or by Crook, by Maya Corrigan.

Check it out.

Enjoy my review.

And enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed print copy of your very own!

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20702316By Cook or by Crook
(A Five-Ingredient Mystery)

New Cozy Series
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kensington (November 4, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1617731389
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Synopsis:

Take one burned-out city girl. Add a crusty codger, a pinch of gossip, and a dash of romance. Stir in a generous helping of murder and you’ve got the ingredients for one truly delicious mystery…

Haunted by the car accident that ended her career as a cookbook publicist, Val Deniston has traded in the chaos of New York City for a quieter life near the Chesapeake Bay. Living with her curmudgeonly grandfather in the tourist town of Bayport is hardly glamorous, but she enjoys working at the Cool Down Café at the local fitness club, and she finally has time to work on her long-planned cookbook. But when one of the club’s patrons is found dead, she’ll have to cook up a scheme to find the killer. 

Includes 8 five-ingredient recipes!

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My Review

With tennis, vying for manager of the Cool Down Cafe, and trying to sell real estate, there are some pretty serious competitions going on in this book.

That’s what makes this such a fun mystery.

When one of the woman from the local tennis club is found murdered, there’s also an unsolved hit-and -run, and some arson going on and it may all tie together, or not.

I bet Val didn’t expect to be helping the police with a murder when she left New York City behind to move in with her grumpy grandfather in the small town of Bayport in Chesapeake Bay.

Managing the cafe and playing on the local tennis team, Val quickly gets to know a lot of the people in this small town. And like most small towns, it’s hard to keep a secret and the gossip is rampant.

Val is drawn into the murder investigation when she discovers the body of a fellow tennis player. And the number one suspect is her cousin. Not wanting to believe her capable of murder, Val starts her own investigation, but being a stickler, she doesn’t scratch her cousin off the list of suspects. And that list is long.

As Val’s suspect list shrinks, the danger escalates. She’s being stalked and someone ran her off the road. She’s getting close, but to which case. The hit-and-run, the arson, the murder, or all three?

The author had me going in circles trying to figure out who the killer was. It wasn’t obvious. There were lots of false trails. And I didn’t have a clue until about two thirds of the way through the book. There was still a ways to go so I knew things could change and have me suspecting someone else, so I paid close attention, sniffing for clues.

This cozy mystery had a lot to offer.  Several mysteries, lots of colorful characters, danger, and romance.

Val and Gunnar are flirting with a burgeoning romance. This wasn’t the main focus in the mystery, just a dollop of whipped cream to add zest, and it’s early in the romance stage.

Val has her own personal mystery to solve too. Her memory of the car crash that ended her budding career in New York is still not clear. Did she cause the crash or was it an accident?

Lots of questions and the author gave me the answers bit by bit. There was no rush to wrap this up, and the ending left me happy and eager for more.

4 Stars

Thanks so much to the publisher and author for this ARC for my honest review.

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maya corrigan

About This Author

Maya Corrigan lives near Washington, D.C., within easy driving distance of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the setting for this series. She has taught courses in writing, detective fiction, and American literature at Georgetown University and NOVA community college. A winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, she has published essays on drama and short stories under her full name of Mary Ann Corrigan. Visit her at mayacorrigan.com.

 

 

 

Author Links

WebPage: mayacorrigan.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maya-CorriganBooks/305167769636032

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N

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I have one signed print copy to give away.

To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question:

“What’s your favorite food?”

Giveaway ends November 10th.

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Tour Participants

November 4 – fuonlyknew – Review, Giveaway

November 5 – The Bookwyrm’s Hoard – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

November 6 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Giveaway

November 7 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

November 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review

November 9 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview

November 10 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Giveaway

 

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

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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!

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