Archive for the ‘Cozy Mystery’ Category

Die To Your Own Tune ~ An Octavia Fields Mystery By Rebecca McKinnon

Posted: April 18, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
1

.

Die to Your Own Tune (Octavia Fields Mysteries)
by Rebecca McKinnon


Die to Your Own Tune (Octavia Fields Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Rocky Mountains
Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 23, 2026
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GL4TKBD3

,
goodreads badge

After months of giving into her wanderlust, free-spirited violist Octavia Fields is ready to get back to her Aerie Pines music shop. But she hasn’t even had a chance to unpack before running into her teenage nemesis, who’s there to solo with the Aerie Peaks Symphony. Things get even more interesting when Octavia learns the conductor is none other than her ex-boyfriend, who seems to think they’re engaged.

After finding her nemesis dead, Octavia jumps barefoot-first into another investigation. But Detective Dreamy isn’t about to let her investigate alone — he knows her knack for attracting trouble. And he wants to keep an eye on the ex who’s twisted being separated for a year into an engagement.

When Octavia’s asked to step in as the new soloist, she has to balance investigating with rehearsals. And what should be an honor puts Octavia directly in the spotlight — and possibly the killer’s crosshairs. With tension mounting both on stage and off, Octavia realizes someone might be tuning up for an encore performance.

She needs to unmask the killer before the final curtain falls and Octavia takes the deadliest bow of all!

.

About Author Rebecca McKinnon

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere, but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

Author Links: Website / Instagram / Facebook / Goodreads / BookBub

Purchase Link – Amazon 

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

April 13 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

April 13 – Books1987  – SPOTLIGHT

April 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

April 15 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

April 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT

April 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 16 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

April 17 – Sarandipity’s – SPOTLIGHT

April 17 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 19 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

April 20 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

April 21 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 22 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 24 – deal sharing aunt – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

.

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Crying In The Chapel By Teresa Trent ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 13, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways
Tags: , ,
2

 

Crying in the Chapel by Teresa Trent Banner

.

CRYING IN THE CHAPEL
by Teresa Trent
April 6 – May 1, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
Swinging Sixties Mystery Series

  It’s August 1965, and Dot Morgan is finally getting married to the dashing reporter Ben Dalton. Her wedding day, August 14th, promises to be perfect—if only it didn’t follow Friday the 13th. What could go wrong? Planning a wedding with the members of the Camden Chapel, Dot thinks she’s overwhelmed, but then it gets worse when a body is found on the church lawn. Dot decides to focus on her wedding to Ben, but when police reveal the victim didn’t jump from the belfry he was pushed—she can no longer look away. Her suspects aren’t hardened criminals; they’re the same church members who bring casseroles and ask about her family. With her wedding day fast approaching, Dot must unmask a killer hiding in plain sight, or the secrets of Camden Chapel will remain buried in the summer heat.

 

.

Book Details:

.

Genre: Cozy Historical Mystery

Published by: Level Best Books – Historia Imprint Publication Date: March 10, 2026 Number of Pages: 174 Pbk ISBN: 979-8-89820-167-8 Series: Swinging Sixties Mystery Series, Book 5 || Each is a Stand-Alone Mystery

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

.

Mystery Series

.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub   Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub   Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub   Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

.

Enjoy this peek inside:

.

I entered the empty chapel holding a white leather bridal planning notebook, gifted to me by my own mother. The sturdy three-ring notebook held sections for guest lists, food, and the venue, and in the back pocket, my mother had included a small book from Emily Post, the etiquette goddess, on how to handle anything from duplicate gifts to late guests. Parts of the book were straight out of the Fifties, and things modern people in the Sixties rarely adhered to, but somehow it was good to have a book to tell me where the forks went in a place setting or how to properly plan a big event. Turns out, wedding planning involves a million different decisions, and today, I was working on the flowers. I decided my primary flower would be white daisies with other flowers worked in around them. I wanted the bouquets, the church, and the reception to be bursting with Gerber daisies. The best part was, they would also be on my wedding gown. The Camden Chapel sanctuary was relatively small and could hold up to one hundred and fifty people. There were classrooms and offices situated on the other side of the church, and surprisingly, there were three floors. It had been a big building project for a town as small as Camden, but hope springs eternal that the heathens from the Dallas area will choose to commute and live in our bedroom community. My assignment from Vernice was to pick up frames that would hook onto the pews to allow the florist to arrange flowers on the end of each row. After retrieving the frames, I was to deliver them to Lily Salem, the florist. Ben suggested her because he knew her from the private school they both attended. She had recently moved to town and opened Lily’s of the Field at the end of Main Street. For decades, Camden’s only flower shop was Henley Flowers, and they were still going strong. When I worked at the funeral home, I had daily chats with Gertrude Henley, and they were excellent at delivering on time. It would be tough for a new flower shop to get established in Camden, but we hoped our wedding would give Lily’s new business some good exposure. Up front, standing on a metal stepladder, was Earl Gunther, the church caretaker. Vernice told me to ask him about these contraptions she called pew hooks. Earl was in his late fifties, with a slightly receding hairline that lent itself more to white than grey. He wore brown overalls with black buckles over a tan button-down shirt. He was replacing a lightbulb in the fixture that hung from the vaulted ceiling. His hand rested on the top of the ladder as he turned the bulb in the socket. “Excuse me,” I said in a quiet voice, not wanting to make him jump and possibly fall off the ladder. At his age, a fall could do some damage. “Are you Earl?” “Yes, ma’am. How can I help you?” His voice was gentle and measured, like a kindly grandfather. “Vernice told me you could get some pew hooks out of the closet somewhere?” He descended the ladder. “Are you the new florist or the bride-to-be?” I blushed. In the last month, I had picked up a new name. People now referred to me as the bride before they used my name. They grinned at me when they said it and I wondered what they were thinking. “I’m the bride. I’m Dot Morgan.” “Nice to meet you.” He put a finger to his temple and repeated my name. “Dot Morgan. Why does that name ring a bell?” “I’m not sure. I’m not a member here. My fiancé is Ben Dalton.” He shook his head. “No. That’s not it.” He stepped back slightly and focused on my face. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers. “That’s it. I saw your picture in the paper. I have a knack for remembering things. That’s what made me a good patrolman so many years ago. People would say stuff, mostly drunk people who were trying to drive, and then forget what they said. I didn’t forget.” “You were a policeman?” “Oh yes. Twenty-five years. I joined the force after a stint in the army. I mostly did patrol. I’ve brought half this town to the drunk tank, and I know about every husband and wife who fight so much that the neighbors call, too. I retired back in ’57. So, how do I know about you?” As he observed me like a man looking for a piece to a jigsaw puzzle, I shifted from one foot to the other. I was never comfortable when someone connected me to those articles. I had been in the paper several times, mostly having to do with catching killers. The thought of it sounded like something out of The Fugitive on TV. Once people put it together that I was that girl, they treated me differently, and sometimes worse, even acting differently around me. They were waiting for me to find out something they might be hiding. My parents’ mailman once asked me if I knew what was happening with Mrs. Hitchcock down the street. I told him I didn’t really know her, and he laughed and said, “But I hear that when you don’t know, you have a way of finding out.” Was there something nefarious going on with Mrs. Hitchcock? I had no idea, nor did I want to find out. But the mailman imagined me as a clandestine source of information, brimming with details about the lives of Camden’s people. “Hey, Earl,” Clarence Shellhammer said from the door. “I need to talk to you about something.” He motioned for Earl to come closer. “Excuse me,” Earl said. He stepped to the back of the sanctuary, and the two men began to whisper. Clarence looked very bothered and kept pointing to the front of the church. I heard the word “pipes” and then, very clearly, that Earl needed to mind his own business. Earl nodded and whispered something I couldn’t hear. Then he smiled and patted Clarence on the arm. Clarence pulled away. And then looked over to me. “Sorry for interrupting.” As Clarence left, Earl turned and pointed a finger at me as he walked back to where we had been talking. “You were involved with that murder out at the lake. From what I read in the paper, you practically solved that case for the police.” He smiled, making friendly creases on his cheeks. “You’re a smart girl. Good to see a young woman who is as smart as she is pretty.” I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I mumbled out a thank you. He stared at me for a few more seconds and then suddenly nodded, remembering my request. “Right. I’ll get those pew hooks for you, Detective Dot.” “Although a friend of mine is on the police, I’m not a detective, Earl. I’m just a secretary. An out-of-work secretary, right now.” Earl’s head bobbed back slightly as a look of surprise came over his features. “You’re too humble. I’m a good judge of character. And as far as just being a secretary, young lady, you just never know what you are capable of until you stop judging yourself.” As he walked away, I fought rolling my eyes at the moniker Detective Dot. How silly. Plus, I hated to admit how much I enjoyed hearing it. *** Excerpt from Crying in the Chapel by Teresa Trent. Copyright 2026 by Teresa Trent. Reproduced with permission from Teresa Trent. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Teresa Trent:

,

Crying in the Chapel by Teresa Trent

Teresa Trent is the author of four different mystery series. The Swinging Sixties Series which features Dot in a small town in Texas starting in 1962. The Henry Park Series, which features Gabby, an artist in Colorado who is also psychic and The Piney Woods Series featuring Nora, a woman who came to a small town in Texas to find out she is related to many of the people there. Her first series, The Pecan Bayou Series, she started writing way back in 2011. That series has nine books and features Betsy, a woman who writes helpful hints and solves mysteries. Teresa is the voice of the Books to the Ceiling Podcast where she narrates scenes from new mysteries coming on to the market. Books to the Ceiling is featured wherever you listen to podcasts. Teresa lives in Texas with her husband and son.

.
Catch Up With Teresa Trent:

TeresaTrent.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub – @TeresaTrent Instagram – @teresatrent_cozymys Threads – @teresatrent_cozymys X – @ttrent_cozymys Facebook – @teresatrentmysterywriter

 

.
Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

Here Comes The Bride… And Your Chance To Win
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Teresa Trent. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

.

Crying in the Chapel by Teresa Trent | Gift Card Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Battered – Smothered – Charred ~ The Whipped And Sipped Cozy Mystery Series By G.P. Gottlieb

Posted: April 12, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
0

.

About The Whipped and Sipped Cozy Mystery Series

Welcome to Whipped & Sipped—where the pastries are guilt-free, the coffee is strong, and the gossip might just get you killed.
Murder is on the menu—served warm with muffins and lattes.

.


Battered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Illinois
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anamcara Press LLC
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 10, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 284 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1960462695
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960462695
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960462701
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FQJTGGLJ
Audiobook
ASIN B07Z8XLRBL

.
goodreads badge

Alene Baron has built more than a café—she’s built a community. At Whipped & Sipped, customers linger over Ruthie’s decadent-but-healthy desserts, children flock to Saturday story hour, and knitting groups craft blankets for refugee families. Alene prides herself on knowing her patrons so well she can often place “a wholegrain blueberry muffin on the counter before the customer themselves knew” they wanted it.

But when her neighbor and close friend is murdered, Alene’s cozy world begins to unravel. Suddenly, everyone she knows could be a suspect, and she starts noticing the smallest inconsistencies, furtive glances, and unexplained comings and goings around the café. With each clue and misstep, Alene pieces together a tangled web of secrets, realizing that danger may be closer than she ever imagined—and that her own family could be in the killer’s sights.

With her sharp eye for detail, wry sense of humor, and fierce devotion to her children, Alene steps into the role of amateur sleuth. But in a community where tempers flare over hot chocolate, grudges linger for years, and secrets hide beneath friendly smiles, finding the killer may prove harder than whipping up the perfect soufflé.

Battered, the first in G.P. Gottlieb’s Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series, is a delectable blend of mouthwatering recipes, quirky neighborhood drama, and page-turning suspense. Perfect for fans of culinary cozies, it’s a tale where friendship, food, and murder are always on the menu.

.


Smothered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Illinois
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anamcara Press LLC
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 30, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1960462792
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960462794
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960462800
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GKNS2QY5
GoodReads Ling Coming Soon

Murder is on the menu—served warm with muffins and lattes.

In the second Whipped and Sipped Mystery, café owner Alene Baron isn’t exactly grieving when the neighboring business owner is found dead in his office. Stanley Huff was shady, sloppy, and smug about his dubious food supplements—and his watery smoothies didn’t help. He also never cleaned up his trash in their shared alley. Stanley had plenty of enemies. Unfortunately, one of them may be Alene’s own employee—who has now vanished.

The real surprise isn’t who wanted him dead—it’s how many people did. Drawn into the investigation, caterer and reluctant sleuth Alene uncovers a snarl of family drama involving a missing will, bitter heirs, and long-buried financial secrets. Every lead contradicts the last, red herrings pile up, and resentments simmer just beneath the surface.

As the mystery deepens, Alene juggles more than suspects. Between running her café, caring for her family, and protecting her staff, she finds herself relying on sharp instincts, quiet observation, and a steady supply of inventive vegan dishes. Food and detection go hand in hand, adding warmth, humor, and heart to every turn of the case.
With its cozy charm and relatable heroine, Smothered is more than a clever whodunit. It explores family ties, the corrosive pull of greed, and the small truths people reveal under pressure. Rich in character, culinary flair, and emotional insight, this mystery delivers satisfying twists—and leaves a lasting aftertaste.

.


Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Illinois
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anamcara Press LLC
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 30, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 250 pages
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960462831
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GQ1PY589

.
goodreads badge

At the Whipped and Sipped Café, Alene Baron knows how to handle a kitchen fire—but this blaze may burn far beyond her control.

When a suspicious fire draws Alene, her loyal friend Kacey, and Kacey’s boyfriend Kofi to a charred property in search of salvaged wood, they expect nothing more than a little trespassing and a lot of soot. Instead, whispers of arson swirl through their tight-knit community—and before long, a body turns up amid the ashes.

Kofi fears the police will come knocking. Kacey fears someone saw them. And Alene is caught in the middle, torn between protecting the people she loves and telling the truth to her partner, homicide detective Frank. Shaw Because in this town, secrets don’t stay buried. They smolder.

.

About Author G.P. Gottlieb

.

G. P. Gottlieb has been a musician, teacher, and administrator, but she’s happiest writing recipe-laced murder mysteries and inventing mostly vegetarian recipes that are nothing like what she learned in courses at Chicago’s French Pastry School. Gottlieb is active in Sisters in Crime (Chicago and Colorado) and has interviewed over 275 authors as a host for New Books in Literature, a podcast channel on the New Books Network. She writes stories and essays that are published in a variety of journals and blogs, is a mother and grandmother, and lives with her husband in a Chicago high-rise that is strikingly similar to the building portrayed in the Whipped and Sipped Mystery series.

Author Links: Website / BlueSky / Facebook / Instagram

 Medium.com / Substack / Twitter/X

Purchase Links

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

April 8 – Jody’s Bookish Haven– SPOTLIGHT

April 9 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 9 – Storybook Lady– REVIEW (All 3 Books) – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 10 – Because I said so – adventures in parenting – REVIEW

April 11 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

April 12 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 13 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 14 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT 

April 14 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

April 15 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 16 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 18 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

April 19 – deal sharing aunt – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 20 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW (All 3 Books) – Recipe

April 21 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW (Book 1), RECIPE

.

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

A Blue Ribbon Murder ~ An Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery By T. C. LoTempio

Posted: April 11, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
0

.

A Blue Ribbon Murder (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries)
by T. C. LoTempio


A Blue Ribbon Murder (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Connecticut
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 31, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13: 9781966322467
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966322443
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GPT7LN4H

.
goodreads badge

When the organizer of a major cat competition is murdered and the grand prize is stolen, Shell McMillan will have to claw through the clues to catch a killer . . .

The Kitty Club Cat Show has come to Fox Hollow, and everyone from casual cat lovers to competitive breeders has shown up for the contest. Pet shop owner Shell McMillan has two cats entered, and like everyone else she has her eye on the grand prize, a vibrant red leash with a solid gold cat-head figurine attached. As the judging begins, cat owners clash and the fur flies, until a power outage throws the whole arena into darkness. But when the lights come back up, the event’s organizer is found dead and the grand prize is missing.

Shell knows the obvious suspect is the victim’s stepson, who’s up to his neck in gambling debts and would kill to get his hands on his inheritance. But there are plenty of disgruntled competitors to consider too, including some who had an old score to settle with the victim. Every clue is catnip for Shell, especially as she puzzles out whether the thief and the murderer are the same person. Either way, with two crimes to solve and a killer on the loose, she’ll have to tread carefully so that her dreams of Best in Show don’t end with Rest in Peace . . .

.

About Author T. C. LoTempio

While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic.  She and her cat pen the Nick and Nora mystery series originally from Berkley Prime Crime and now with Beyond the Page Publishing.  They also write the Pet Shop Series and the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series and brand new Cozy Bookshop Mysteries!

You can cat-ch up with them at ROCCO’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or her website, www.tclotempio.net

Social Media Links
Webpage     Blog     Facebook   X

Purchase Links
Amazon   B&N   Kobo

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

.

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

April 6 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

April 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 7 – Sarandipity’s– CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 7 – Christy’s Cozy Corners– SPOTLIGHT

April 8 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

April 9 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

April 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 10 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

April 11 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 12 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 13 – Angel’s Book Nook– SPOTLIGHT

April 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 15 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 15 – Because I said so – adventures in parenting – REVIEW

April 16 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 17 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

April 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

/

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Two Purloined Pillows ~ A Nimble Needle Mystery By Allie Pleiter

Posted: April 4, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
1

.

Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery)
by Allie Pleiter


Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – North Carolina
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 31, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496752031
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496752031
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496752055
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FGRZ45KV
Audiobook ASIN: B0FR3WWJ4M
Audio CD ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8228762817

.
goodreads badge

When 30-something graphic artist Shelby Phillips reluctantly returned to her small hometown outside Asheville, North Carolina to manage her mother’s needlepoint shop, she thought it was temporary. But getting entangled in murder investigations has a timeline of its own…

It’s been a little over a year since Shelby started managing Nina’s Nimble Needle following her office-romance and career implosion, and Shelby’s mom has finally handed her the reins—technically, at least. Next, Shelby is excited to oversee two well-known needlepoint designers who will be participating in the town’s first two-week-long arts festival . . .

Laura Bitters and Paul Bardo have each stitched up one-of-a-kind pillows that should be big wins for the Nimble Needle at the festival’s auction . . . until the pillows vanish amid a sudden string of shoplifting incidents.

To add to the knot in Shelby’s stomach, Laura proves highly anxious, while Paul is an egomaniac who believes Laura has been stealing his customers for years. But things go from bad to tragic when Laura behaves oddly at the auction dinner, then collapses—dead.

Soon after, Shelby makes a shocking discovery in Laura’s room at the local inn. Then tests reveal that Laura was poisoned. Resolved to piece together the truth, despite the police chief’s determination to keep her on the fringes, Shelby rallies her personal team, including her sister, Jessica, her friend Deb, and Jake, her potentially more than a friend. As an extra twist, a magazine reporter arrives with unsettling—yet useful—dirt that includes Laura and Paul.

What unravels is a skein of suspects, long-held resentment, bitter jealousy, and betrayal, from which Shelby will have to pull the one crucial thread tied to the killer: a murder-worthy motive . . .

.

About Author Allie Pleiter

Allie Pleiter gray shirt for press

An avid crafter, coffee junkie, and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction, working on as many as four books at a time.  The bestselling author of over seventy books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-plus-year career with over 1.9 million books sold.  In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. She lives in the Charlotte area with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.

Author Links: Instagram / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / LinkedIn 

Twitter/X / Pinterest / Goodreads / BookBub / Amazon

Purchase Links – Author Website – Amazon – B&N  – Kobo – Bookshop.org 

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

 

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

April 1 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

April 1 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 1 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW

April 2 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

April 2 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

April 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 3 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

April 4 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 4 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

April 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 5 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 6 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 6 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 7 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

,

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Murder, Local Style ~ An Orchid Isle Mystery By Leslie Karst

Posted: April 1, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
0

.

Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery)
by Leslie Karst


Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Hawaii
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 7, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1448316588
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448316588
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448316571
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FVLW3ZL8

.
goodreads badge

Retired caterer Valerie Corbin investigates a suspicious poisoning in this Orchid Isle cozy culinary mystery, featuring a feisty queer couple who swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions in tropical Hilo, Hawai‘i.

A dinner to die for!

It’s been an eventful transition, but retired caterer Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen are finally settling into life on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Val’s even joined the neighborhood orchid society to make some new friends. So when she’s asked to step in to cater their latest social event, as the newbie of the group she can’t exactly say no.

But what should have been a straightforward gig is soon a dining disaster when the food from the event poisons and kills the society president. As Val herself becomes a suspect in the murder investigation, she’s determined to uncover the truth. Who would want to kill the mild-mannered president of the orchid society?

Turns out the list is longer than a celebrity chef’s tasting menu. Apparently some of the residents did not “love thy neighbor.” Can she reveal the killer’s identity before they strike again?

This mouthwatering cozy mystery is perfect for fans of Ellen Byron, Jennifer J Chow, Lucy Burdette, and Raquel V Reyes, and includes a selection of delicious Hawaiian recipes to cook at home.

.

About Author Leslie Karst 

Leslie Karst is the Lefty and Macavity Award-nominated author of the Orchid Isle mysteries Waters of Destruction and Molten Death, of the Sally Solari mystery series, and of the IBPA Ben Franklin and IPPY award silver medal-winning memoir, Justice is Served: A Tale of Scallops, the Law, and Cooking for RBG. After years waiting tables and singing in a new wave rock band, she decided she was ready for a “real” job and ended up at Stanford Law School, then returned to school to study the culinary arts. Now retired from the law, Leslie splits her time between Hilo, Hawai‘i and Santa Cruz, California, spending her days writing, cooking, cycling, gardening, and observing cocktail hour promptly at five o’clock.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / BookBub / Goodreads 

Chicks on the Case / Mystery Lovers Kitchen 

Purchase Links
Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Bookshop

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 30 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

March 30 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

March 31 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – RECIPE

April 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 1 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 2 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

April 2 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 3 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 3 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 4 – Because I said so – REVIEW

April 5 – Elizabeth McKenna – Blog – SPOTLIGHT

April 6 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

April 7 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW  

April 8 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

April 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 9 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

April 10 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 11 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

April 11 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

April 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

 

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Driftless Spirits ~ Secrets In Casten’s Horn By Karen Ringel

Posted: March 29, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
1

.

Driftless Spirits (Secrets in Casten’s Horn)
by Karen Ringel


Driftless Spirits (Secrets in Casten’s Horn)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting: The Driftless area of Wisconsin, in a fictional town called Casten’s Horn
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Casten House Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 30, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8231084883
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0G11YHMBK
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FXN5T913

.
goodreads badge

Charlotte Burke can’t shake her recurring dream.

Over and over again she dreams of finding a mysterious journal on a candlelit desk while wandering through a strange house in the middle of the night. Every dream has shown her a framed picture of an old woman sitting at the same desk, except the latest version. Last night, the woman stood and offered Charlotte a keyring. In the morning, Charlotte woke up with her car keys in her hand.

Her best friend is worried but skeptical when Charlotte insists the house is real. The dream is metaphorical, Ivy says, reflecting Charlotte’s restless state. Ivy gifts her a journal and urges her to take the trip her subconscious is demanding before she wakes up behind the wheel. A roadtrip of self-discovery will help Charlotte figure out what she really wants.

Charlotte agrees to the roadtrip but not for Ivy’s reasons. To her, the house, the journal and the woman in her dream are all too real. She sets off to do the impossible. If she can find the house and uncover its secrets in time, she might save far more than her driftless life.

.

About Author Karen Ringel

In 2020, Karen Ringel retired from an engineering career to settle in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin with her husband. After taking some time to adapt to the rural lifestyle, she started creating the fictional Casten’s Horn, imagining how a small town might have been founded in the secluded valley she lives in. Always a researcher at heart, her books include references to real bits of history and traditions in an effort to enhance her stories. She writes what she likes to read: small-town mysteries with a cozy feel.

Author Links:

Author website, where I blog about my writing and the Driftless area of Wisconsin: https://castenhousebooks.com/

Goodreads author page, where “Ask the Author” is enabled, and I’m happy to answer questions: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/61067885.Karen_Ringel

Purchase links:
Universal Link   Amazon Kindle    Amazon Print    Apple   B&N (ebook and print)   Kobo

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 23 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

March 23 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

March 24 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 25 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 26 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 27 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT

March 28 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

March 29 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 30 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 31 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 2 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – Because I said so – adventures in parenting. – REVIEW

April 4 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

April 5 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

.

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Arson, Old Lace And Murder ~ A Charlie Kingsley Mystery By Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

Posted: March 28, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
0

.

Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
by Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek


Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Redemption, Wisconsin, in the 1990s
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 25, 2026
Number of Pages 200
Paperback
ISBN: 9798893510393
ASIN : B0GNZPYN1L
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FHQHXNGR

.
goodreads badge

Charlie Kingsley is not a private investigator. She makes and sells custom teas out of her home. Which is why she initially refused to look into a recent case of a bar that had burned down.

Yes, it was tragic that the owner’s body was found inside. But this is an arson case, and what does she possibly know about arson?

Except…one of the waitresses is missing.

Who’s pregnant.

Who everyone thought was having an affair with the owner of the bar.

How can Charlie say no to the owner’s widow? And when Charlie accidentally finds the pregnant waitress, things start to take a strange turn. And suddenly, Charlie finds herself thrust into a decades-old mystery that haunts Redemption to this day.

A mystery that could very well cost Charlie her life.

Meet Charlie. Also known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She’s back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.

.

About Author Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

While each book is a standalone, you may find it more enjoyable to read the books in order, which is:

The Murder Before Christmas
Ice Cold Murder
Murder Next Door
Murder Among Friends
The Murder of Sleepy Hollow
Red Hot Murder
A Cornucopia of Murder
Arson, Old Lace and Murder
Masquerading as Murder (coming 2026)

Other books in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series include:
A Grave Error (prequel)
Loch Ness Murder
A Wedding to Murder For
Three French Hens and a Murder
A Room For Murder
Margaritas and Murder
Secret Santa Murder (coming 2026)

Author Links –  Website     Facebook     Instagram

Purchase Link – Amazon 

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 23 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

March 23 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

March 24 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

March 25 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW 

March 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

March 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

March 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 29 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 30 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

April 1 – Because I said So – REVIEW

April 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read– REVIEW

April 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST  

April 2 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 4 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 5 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

.

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Terror In Taffeta ~ A Destination Wedding Mystery By Marla Cooper

Posted: March 28, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
0

.

Terror in Taffeta: (Destination Wedding Mysteries)
by Marla Cooper


Terror in Taffeta (Destination Wedding Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – San Miguel de Allende – Mexico
Independently Published (March 24, 2026)
Number of Pages: 288
.

goodreads badge

.

Wedding planner Kelsey McKenna is just a few hours away from wrapping up her latest job when one of the bridesmaids upstages the couple by collapsing into a floral arrangement. Kelsey soon discovers that the girl hasn’t just fainted—she’s dead. When the bride’s sister is arrested for murder, the demanding mother of the bride insists that Kelsey fix the matter at once. And although Kelsey is pretty sure investigating a murder isn’t in her contract, crossing the well-connected Mrs. Abernathy could be a career-killer. Before she can leave Mexico and get back to planning weddings, Kelsey must deal with stubborn detectives, a rekindled romance, and late-night death threats in this smart, funny cozy mystery debut.

.

About Author Marla Cooper 

.

MARLA COOPER is the author of the Kelsey McKenna Destination Wedding Mysteries. As a freelance writer, Marla has written all sorts of things, from advertising copy to travel guidebooks to the occasional haiku, and it was while ghostwriting a guide to destination weddings that she found inspiration for her series. She currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and a few too many cats. She is the Vice President of Sisters in Crime, Heart of Texas chapter.

Author Links : Instagram / Threads / Facebook

Purchase Links –  Amazon / Goodreads

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 19 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

March 19 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 20 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

March 21 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 23 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 24 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 25 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW  

March 26 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

March 27 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

March 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 29 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 30 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW

March 31 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 1 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

 

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Call In For Murder ~ A Neon Desert Novel By Tammy Barker

Posted: March 22, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
0

.

Call In For Murder: A Neon Desert Novel
by Tammy Barker

.

CALL IN FOR MURDER COVER 3
Call In For Murder: A Neon Desert Novel
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Nevada
Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 19, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 238 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8999862600
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8999862617
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FVMJMQ3R

.
goodreads badge

Call-in radio host Ashley Compton is Las Vegas’s best friend when it comes to giving relationship tips to strangers. But when a repeat caller is found murdered after exposing her woes on the air and accepting the challenge to put up or shut up, Ashley questions if her homespun advice was the catalyst for the murder.

Afraid of losing her job and destroying her reputation, Ashley heads to the seedy side of Las Vegas to snoop around. There she encounters shady dealings: lies, gambling, adultery, and potential criminal activities. When her two-timing and felonious suspects spout glib excuses to justify their behaviors, she digs deeper and is threatened, injured, and gets what she dishes out: advice she doesn’t always like.

Can Ashley’s sleuthing skills catch the killer, or will she end up just another crime statistic? Can she save her career, or will she be put on the Do-Not-Call list?

.

About Author Tammy Barker

TAMMY BARKER

Tammy Barker is a serious, by-the-book Washington DC government accountant by day and a wildly imaginative fiction writer by night. She writes contemporary traditional amateur sleuth mystery novels and historical pulp fiction short stories. Her other loves include reading anything, restoring or refurbishing vintage items, small home repairs, cooking and baking, classical piano, and wishing she lived during the 1940s and 1950s. She is on Facebook, and her website is https://tammybarkerwriter.com.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Instagram

Purchase Links – Amazon Digital – Amazon Print – B&N Print

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

.

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 16 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

March 16 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 17 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

March 18 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW             

March 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

March 19 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

March 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 20 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

March 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

March 21 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

March 21 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

March 22 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 24 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 24 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 25 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

 

 

great escapes virtual book tours logo

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Older Entries
Newer Entries