Posts Tagged ‘cozy mystery’

 

Chicken Culprit

A Backyard Farming Mystery Series

by Vikki Walton

 

Chicken Culprit: Backyard Farming Mystery Series
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Colorado
Morewellson, LTD
Print Length: 251 pages
Digital ASIN: B079SS1C4S

My Review

There are many things I enjoy about cozies. I like meeting all of the quirky characters. The stories are usually set in small towns. I live in one and can relate. And the mysteries, while mostly murders, aren’t gruesome.

Anne Freemont hasn’t even had time to settle into the old Victorian she just purchased before she’s tangled up in the murder of her neighbor. While not a suspect herself, a young woman she’s become friends with is the main suspect and begs her to help clear her name. Having no idea how to go about it, the town rallies and they all put on their sleuthing caps.

I easily connected with Anne. Moving from a bustling city to a small town takes getting used to. Everyone knows each other’s business and don’t hesitate to butt into hers. When her new friend, Kandi, is arrested for murder and asks her for help, I found it a fresh angle that she has no idea where to start. Most cozies have the character diving in enthusiastically, having some ideas on how to go about it. Anne has none. Luckily, she has a secret that helps her.

The friendship between Anne and Kandi is a fun one. Years separate them but they have a lot of common interests. Kandi’s use of the work like in every other sentence drives Anne nuts but they soon find it a source of amusement.

The small town of Carolan Springs is filled with a slew of interesting characters. How they welcomed Anne into their midst was comical and heart warming. Anne recognizes that being a newcomer might help her in her investigation as she might notices things that the residents, being so familiar with each other, might not. A fresh set of eyes and ears you might say.

The mystery is a tough one. I usually spot a few bread crumbs, but didn’t catch one this time. When the author finally reveals what happened, I was caught completely by surprise. Never saw it coming.

And I really liked the ending. Some might think it was sappy, but I thought it was precious.

Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas

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Synopsis

Finally healing after her heart-breaking divorce, Anne Freemont is ready to put the painful past behind her.

Discovering an old Victorian for sale in the small mountain town of Carolan Springs may be just what she needs. The beauty of Colorado beckons, so Anne heads west to start her new life.

Yet, before Anne’s completely settled in, her neighbor is found dead in his compost pile. What’s worse is that Anne’s quirky young neighbor, Kandi Jenkins, could be the killer. When Kandi begs for her help, Anne feels she has no choice but to help the young woman.

However, she finds herself quickly at odds with the local sheriff. And while she uncovers more of the community’s secrets, she’s also exploring her awakening feelings for Sam Powers, the town’s deputy coroner.

Once Anne starts looking at who could be the real killer, the suspect list keeps getting longer and longer. It seems that Carolan Springs is a place of many secrets. But who would want to murder Ralph and who’s willing to kill again to keep their secret?

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About Author Vikki Walton

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Vikki Walton is a suburban homesteader aka the Havensteader. She has chickens, gardens, and bees and is a certified permaculture designer. She’s also the author of nonfiction books. She loves to travel, is a global house and pet sitter and when not out in the garden or hiking in beautiful Colorado, is plotting her next mystery.

Author Links:

Website / Author on Facebook / Facebook

Purchase Link : Amazon

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Follow The Tour

April 16 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

April 16 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

April 16 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE

April 17 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – REVIEW

April 17 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

April 17 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 17 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

April 18 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

April 18 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

April 18 – Books Direct – GUEST POST

April 19 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – REVIEW

April 19 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 19 – Jane Reads – REVIEW

April 19 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

April 20 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW

April 20 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

April 20 – Varietats – REVIEW

April 21 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

April 21 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 21 – fundinmental – REVIEW

April 22 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

April 22 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

April 22 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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I can’t ever pass up one of Lauren’s books and this is the first in a brand new series!

Check out Ice. Watch the book trailer.

Enjoy my review.

And don’t forget to enter the awesome giveaway!

Ice

Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries #1

by Lauren Carr

ICE by Lauren Carr
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Category:  Adult fiction, 380 pages
Genre:  Mystery, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Cozy
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  February 26, 2018
Tour dates:  April 2 to 30, 2018
Content Rating:  PG (It’s a murder mystery and there is mild violence. Very mild swearing no F-bombs. No on-stage sex scenes.)

My Review

I started reading this at night and finally had to set it aside when my eyes got blurry. I woke up n the dark, around 5:46 A.M. and the booked popped right into my head. So, I turned on the light and started back up with it, devouring it in a couple of hours.

  I’ve read other books by Lauren and shared reviews saying how much I loved her mysteries and her characters, both human and other. This was a brand new cast of characters and I had such a great time getting to know them.

Chris retired from the FBI. A man in his mid forties, he moved home to his mother’s farm to raise his three daughters after his wife was killed in a terrorist attack overseas. It works well for all of them.

The opening scene is a bit sad as Chris is spreading the ashes of his beloved german shepherd companion. Kind of bittersweet, but it doesn’t stay that way for long because a new dog enters the life of the family. Sterling is a two year old german shepherd who was recently retired from the police force after he was injured and his handler and fellow officer was killed. I had a feeling these two would help each other heal. What I didn’t expect was how Sterling would steal my heart. I confess he was the character I wanted most to read about. Lauren makes the non human character’s as much a part of her stories as their human counterparts. Some of Sterling’s quirks are hilarious. The scene at the casino was so fun. As was his penchant for country music. And what can I say, I’m a dog lover.

On to the mystery, or I should say mysteries, as there are several to untangle. From a couple of cold cases to recent murders, Chris is dragged back into law enforcement as a consultant and things get hairy. Lauren can create such great plots. You really have no clue who did what until right at the end. I did catch one bread crumb that turned out to be right. The rest, I couldn’t figure out the culprits til they were caught. One character I had hopes for didn’t go the way I wanted. Shows how the author can deliver such genuine characters, take you down so many false trails, and serve up the culprits in ways that keep you guessing.

A big bonus that Lauren does is supply a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. She details each one and also puts them in the order they appear in the story. Even the non human ones. It helps when you can’t quite remember who someone is. But even with so many characters, you easily become familiar with them and nothing slows down the reading.

I couldn’t find one thing to fault with Ice. It kept me riveted. I connected with and loved so many of the characters. Cracked up more times that I could count. Enjoyed the brushes with romance. And was very satisfied with how it was all wrapped up.

An exciting, superb new series and I can’t wait for more.

Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas

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Synopsis

The clues for a close-to-the-heart missing person’s case heat up when Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on the cold case.

When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappear, the court of public opinion finds young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot!

Buy The Book: Amazon

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Author Lauren Carr

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Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

​Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram

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Follow The Tour

April 2 – Working Mommy Journal – review / giveaway
April 2 – Live To Read ~ Krystal – review / guest post / giveaway
April 2 – XoXo Book Blog – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 3 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – review / guest post / giveaway
April 3 – Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 4 – Paulette’s Papers – book spotlight / giveaway
April 4 – Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author – book spotlight
April 5 – The World As I See It – review / giveaway
April 5 – Writers and Authors – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 6 – Olio by Marilyn – review / author interview / giveaway
April 6 – Books And Tea – review / guest post
April 9 – Blooming with Books – review / giveaway
April 10 – 411 on Books, Authors, and Publishing News – bk spotlight / int / giveaway
April 10 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – review / giveaway
April 11 – Books are love – review / author interview
April 12 – Library of Clean Reads – review / giveaway
April 12 – Nighttime Reading Center – review / giveaway
April 13 – My Reading Journeys – review / author interview / giveaway
April 17 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – review
April 17 – Lovely Loveday – review
April 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
April 19 – FUONLYKNEW – review / giveaway
April 20 – Mystery Suspense Reviews – book spotlight
April 20 – fundinmental – review / author interview / giveaway
April 23 – Two Points of Interest – review
April 24 – Svetlana’s Reads and Views – review
April 25 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – review
April 26 – The Book Drealms – review / giveaway
April 27 – Pause for Tales – review / guest post
April 27 – LadyJ’s Bookish Nook – review / giveaway
April 30 – Jessica Cassidy – review / author interview / giveaway

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.
Til Death Do Us Party
A Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery #4
by Vickie Fee
Genre: Cozy Mystery
 
Las Vegas knows how to party, and for once, event planner Liv McKay won’t
be entirely behind the scenes. The Dixie gang is in Sin City to
celebrate Mama and Earl’s rockin’ Elvis-themed wedding. And
between juggling the botched bachelorette party and a problem-plagued
soirée back home, Liv’s ready to double down on some fun. 
Mama & Earl’s happily-ever-after seems like a sure thing, but all
bets (and nuptials) are off when they get to the Burning Love Wedding
Chapel. Their Elvis-impersonating minister has left the building . .
. permanently. And even worse, Liv’s cousin, Little Junior, is
suspected of his murder.
With Mama’s happy ending on the table and Little Junior about to lose it
all, the stakes are higher than ever. Liv and her best friend, Di,
must hit the Strip to find the real killer before he finally plays his ace…
High energy, dead bodies and exposed lies. . . . A must read.”
RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars, on Death Crashes the Party
A wonderful cozy mystery.”
Suspense Magazine on It’s Your Party, Die If You Want To
Readers
should welcome this look at a very Southern lifestyle, complete with
appended party plans.”
Kirkus Reviews on One Fete in the Grave
 
 
Vickie Fee is a past president of the Malice in Memphis chapter of
Sisters in Crime and current member of the Wisconsin Sisters in
Crime. She has a degree in journalism and spent many years as a
newspaper reporter, covering small Southern towns populated with
colorful characters, much like those in the fictional town of Dixie.
She now lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with her husband, John.
She grew up in the South on a steady diet of Nancy Drew and iced tea,
and when she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading mysteries and
watching B movies from the 1930s and ‘40s.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!
 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

I’ve enjoyed the previous books in Elena Hartwell’s Eddie Shoes Mystery series and this newest one is just as fun.

Check out the book. Enjoy my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a copy!

Three Strikes, You’re Dead

An Eddie Shoes Mystery

by Elena Hartwell


Three Strikes, You’re Dead (Eddie Shoes Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Camel Press (April 1, 2018)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1603817271
Digital 13: 9781603817288

My Review

You can’t help but love Eddie Shoes. She’s a tough gal and a now seasoned private investigator who has to juggle her eccentric mother, Chava, who’s always butting her nose into Eddie’s business, along with a mob connected father that tries to protect his daughter but his connections make being near him a questionable risk.

A relaxing weekend at a resort with her mother becomes a new case, or two, for Eddie when she rescues a man from a forest fire. As the man is dying he asks Eddie to find his missing daughter. With very little to go on, she’ll have to draw on all of her investigative skills to solve both cases.

What I enjoy so much about this series is the characters. Eddie is a tough cookie but also vulnerable.  Her mother, Chava, is a hoot. Another tough cookie but a bit on the zany side. And her father, who she’s just coming to really know, is a bit intimidating but also wants to be a part of Eddie’s life. These three make for some funny character dynamics.

The mystery is convoluted. Not easily solved. And I must have missed some bread crumbs as the final reveal caught me by surprise.

Fans of cozies with colorful character’s will enjoy this series. You could read this without having read the first books. The author drops some bones so you have an idea where everyone stands. But I’d recommend you start at the beginning and fully connect with these characters. You’ll catch up on all the fun that way.

I sure had a rip roaring time with this newest Eddie Shoes mystery. You can count me in for the next one!

Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas

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Synopsis

Private investigator Eddie Shoes heads to a resort outside Leavenworth, Washington, for a mother-daughter getaway weekend. Eddie’s mother Chava wants to celebrate her new job at a casino by footing the bill for the two of them, and who is Eddie to say no?

On the first morning, Eddie goes on an easy solo hike, and a few hours later, stumbles upon a makeshift campsite and a gravely injured man. A forest fire breaks out and she struggles to save him before the flames overcome them both. Before succumbing to his injuries, the man hands her a valuable rosary. He tells her his daughter is missing and begs for her help. Is Eddie now working for a dead man?

Barely escaping the fire, Eddie wakes in the hospital to find both her parents have arrived on the scene. Will Eddie’s card-counting mother and mob-connected father help or hinder the investigation? The police search in vain for a body. How will Eddie find the missing girl with only Eddie’s memory of the man’s face and a photo of his daughter to go on?

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About Author Elena Hartwell

CREDIT MARK PERLSTEIN

After twenty years in the theater, Elena Hartwell turned her dramatic skills to fiction. Her first novel, One Dead, Two to Go introduces Eddie Shoes, private eye. Called “the most fun detective since Richard Castle stumbled into the 12th precinct,” by author Peter Clines, I’DTale Magazine stated, “this quirky combination of a mother-daughter reunion turned crime-fighting duo will captivate readers.”

In addition to her work as a novelist, Elena teaches playwriting at Bellevue College and tours the country to lead writing workshops.

When she’s not writing or teaching, her favorite place to be is at the farm with her horses, Jasper and Radar, or at her home, on the middle fork of the Snoqualmie River in North Bend, Washington, with her husband, their dog, Polar, and their trio of cats, Jackson, Coal Train, and Luna, aka, “the other cat upstairs.” Elena holds a B.A. from the University of San Diego, a M.Ed. from the University of Washington, Tacoma, and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads / Pinterest

Purchase Links

Amazon / B&N

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One lucky winner will receive a print copy of Three Strikes, You’re Dead. Fill out the rafflecopter to enter.

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Follow the tour for more fun posts

April 1 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

April 1 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 2 – Babs Book Bistro – CHARACTER GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

April 3 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST

April 4 – Books Direct – GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

April 5 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW

April 6 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

April 6 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

April 7 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 8 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 9 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 10 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

April 11 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

April 12 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

April 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

April 13 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW

April 14 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

.
Murder, She Knit
A Knit & Nibble Mystery Book 1
by Peggy Ehrhart
Genre: Cozy Mystery
 
Since her only daughter left for college, widow Pamela Paterson has kept
busy as associate editor of a craft magazine and founder of the Knit
and Nibble knitting club in quaint Arborville, New Jersey. Now, she’s
trying out a new hobby—solving murders!
Pamela is hosting the next Knit and Nibble meeting and can’t wait to liven
up her otherwise empty home with colorful yarn, baking, and a little
harmless gossip. She even recruits Amy Morgan, an old friend who
recently moved to town, as the group’s newest member. But on the
night of the gathering, Amy doesn’t show. Not until Pamela finds
the woman dead outside—a knitting needle stabbed through the front
of her handmade sweater . . .
Someone committed murder before taking off with Amy’s knitting bag, and
Pamela realizes that only she can spot the deadly details hidden in
mysterious skeins. But when another murder occurs, naming the
culprit—and living to spin the tale—will be more difficult than
Pamela ever imagined . . .
Knitting tips and delicious recipe included!
 
Peggy Ehrhart is a former English professor who lives in Leonia, New
Jersey, where she writes mysteries and plays blues guitar. She holds
a Ph.D. in medieval literature from the University of Illinois and
taught writing and literature at Queens College, CUNY, and Fairleigh
Dickinson University, where she was a tenured full professor. Her
short stories have appeared in Futures Mystery Anthology
Magazine, Crime and Suspense, Flashing in the Gutters, Spinetingler,
Crime Scene: New Jersey 2, and Murder New York Style. A longtime
member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, Peggy
served on the board of MWA New York as head of the Mentor Committee.
She was president of Sisters in Crime NY/TriState from 2013 to 2015.
Peggy regularly attends mystery writing conferences and participates
in conference panels and also gives talks on mystery fiction at
libraries in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!
 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday hosted by Ambrosia  @ The Purple Booker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

My Teaser for this week is from

Shadow Canyon

A Coyote Wells Mystery #2

by Vickie McKeehan

38750467

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Genre: Cozy Mystery

 My teaser from page 52 in the paperback.

Gemma watched as Rufus wasted no time snatching up a dirty and soggy sock monkey.

She winced at the condition of it — smelly and dirtier than ever.  “It’s amazing that I’m even considering letting you drag that thing into my car, Just so you know, as soon as we get home it gets tossed into the washer. Don’t look at me like that, sport. That thing smells like dead sardines.

Chocolate, Labrador, Dog, Summer, Beach, Sand, Pup

This scene cracked me up. Rufus was pouting because he lost his favorite toy. Gemma goes above and beyond to find it. The things we do for our dogs. LOL

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Read on if you want to know more.

Synopsis

Murder with a side of chocolate.

Exhausted from dealing with the annual Sun Bringer Festival, Gemma Channing and her ex, Lando Bonner, are hanging out at the beach, trying to recover from the three-day event when her longtime nemesis is found dead on the sand dunes. As rumors grow about Mallory’s demise, many in Coyote Wells feel like Gemma is responsible.

Determined to find out who did it, Gemma goes into overdrive to find the real killer. With the help of Lando and her friends, they dig deeper into Mallory’s past, hoping to uncover all of her secrets. But they get more than they bargained for when the tables turn. The new theory brings a longtime mystery to the forefront, one that’s been hanging around for three decades…unsolved. What does it mean for the people in Coyote Wells when the secret’s uncovered? And will Gemma be able to figure things out before anyone else dies?

Amazon / B&N

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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.
Crust No One
A Bread Shop Mystery #2
by Winnie Archer
Genre: Cozy Mystery
 
Business is booming at Yeast of Eden. But with a deadly mystery taking over
the seaside town of Santa Sofia, the Mexican bread shop can’t
possibly leaven a killer’s appetite . . .
For once, Ivy Culpepper feels fulfilled. An apprenticeship at Yeast of
Eden has opened her world to time-honored baking techniques under
owner Olaya Solis’s guidance—as well as the freshest small-town
gossip, courtesy of chatty regulars known as the Blackbird Ladies.
Ivy even begins accepting that she and restaurateur Miguel Baptista
may never again rekindle their romance—despite the undeniable
tension between them . . .
But she’s tied to Miguel again when his trusted produce supplier goes
missing. Old Hank Riviera’s financial troubles would make anyone
consider running away forever. And with his relationship woes, there
are plenty of people who might want to see Hank disappear. As Ivy,
with the help of her octogenarian sidekick, turns to the loose-lipped
Blackbird Ladies for leads, she soon finds herself caught in a web of
lies stickier than a batch of Olaya’s popular pastries . . .
 
 
The indefatigable Winnie Archer is a middle school teacher by
day and a writer by night. Born in a beach town in California, she
now lives in an inspiring century-old house in North Texas and loves
being surrounded by real-life history. She fantasizes about spending
summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship
with both yoga and chocolate, adores pumpkin spice lattes, is devoted
to her five kids and husband, and can’t believe she’s lucky
enough to be living the life of her dreams.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

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:

Mystic Falls

A Coyote Wells Mystery #1

  by Vickie McKeehan

36549974

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Genre: Cozy Mystery

From page 56 in the Paperback.

“Mind if I bring Rufus in?” Gemma asked when Paloma opened the door.

Dog Canine Labrador Retriever Chocolate To

“Now how could I mind such a well-behaved big boy coming in to visit my Dinkums?”

Dinkums, Gemma discovered, was twenty pounds of adorable West Highland Terrier, and mostly a bundle of white fur.

Dog, Terrier, Small Dog, Animal, Pet

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Read on if you want to know more.

Synopsis

Emotionally reeling after the death of her grandmother, Gemma Channing is settling into Coyote Wells, the hometown where she grew up, after a ten-year absence. While trying to come to terms with the loss of her Gram, disturbing things begin to happen. Women are disappearing. Just when she begins to realize Coyote Wells has changed—and not for the better—she’s forced to bump heads with Lando Bonner, her ex, a man who still carries around a grudge. But since she’s digging for answers trying to explain exactly how her grandmother died, she needs his help. It won’t be easy. Lando has never forgiven her for leaving him. Tensions flair between the two as a killer grips the town in fear. Is it kill or be killed? Who will the killer target next? And when will it all end?

Amazon / B&N

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

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Requiem for a Rescue Dog Queen banner

Title: REQUIEM FOR A RESCUE DOG QUEEN
Author: M.K. Scott
Publisher: Sleeping Dragon Press
Pages: 240
Genre: Cozy Mystery

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My Review

Nala Bonne is still teaching pre-school as her new private investigations company gets on it’s feet. Things start looking up when she gets a new case. Someone is stalking the rescue dog queen and her charges. Nala calls on all of her resources to stop the stalker in their tracks.

While Nala was a delightful character with her completely disorganized life and seat of your pants investigation techniques, I must admit that Max, the talking dog, stole the show. I could almost hear his snark and see him try to manipulate with his puppy dog eyes. It was funny that people gave Max a lot of credit for things that Nala had actually done. I guess a talking dog would upstage most anyone.

Not having read the first book, which I plan to go back and do, I was a bit confused about why Nala’s dog, Max, could speak. Once I figured that out, I was able to focus on the mystery and enjoy all of the quirky character’s I came across.

The mystery starts off as a maybe stalking and takes a dark turn for the rescue dog queen. I had several character’s on my suspect list, but when the culprit was revealed, none of them made the cut. I like when the author provides false leads and keeps me guessing.

I enjoyed this fun mystery and getting to know the star players, two and four-legged and want to continue following the series to see what kind of pickle they get into next.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Pre-school teacher turned private eye Nala Bonne, and her opinionated dog, Max, have a nose for evil doings in Circle City. They’ve recently gone to the dogs, make that rescue dogs. Not everyone in Indianapolis has a soft spot for a homeless pup. Someone has it out for the dogs and the people who love them. A midnight call jolts Nala and Max into action as they rush to the aid of a local rescue dog queen, but it may already be too late.

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Enjoy the book excerpt:

Forget about it and enjoy the moment. Her hair streamed behind her as the boat picked up speed. Even though it had been a hot Indian Summer day, going this fast on the water chilled her. The windbreaker she brought just in case would solve the issue but would cover up the flirty top she’d donned for the date. Should she be comfortable or becoming?

A loud noise interrupted before she could decide. The lake remained empty and calm, except for the wake behind the boat. Using her flat hand as a sun shield for her eyes, she peered toward the shore to figure out who might be playing the same trio of notes repeatedly. No one on the shoreline, which only deepened the mystery. It sounded so familiar. In an aha moment, she realized it was her phone. Unfortunately, the realization forced her to open her eyes in her dark bedroom.

The red numerals on her clock indicated it was one-thirty in the morning. It was too late or too early for anyone to call. The sound stopped when she realized the tune had been the one she assigned to Karly, her best friend. Karly would only call her this late if it was an emergency. A cold canine nose touched her hand as she reached for her phone on the nightstand.

“Go back to sleep, Max. It doesn’t involve you.”

Even though it was dark and Max was a black German shepherd mix, she would have sworn the dog cocked his head and gave her an oh, really look. The damp nose disappeared with the sound of dog nails on the wood floor as Max settled on the floor. She could hear him mutter under his breath, “We’ll see.”

Yeah, dealing with a talking dog could be problematic at times. Her fingers found the phone which now had a glowing dot on the dashboard for notifications. Before she could call back, the phone rang again, vibrating in her hand. Karly again.

“Why in the world would you be calling me in the middle of the night?”

Her friend’s breathless voice gasped out. “We need your help!”

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M.K. Scott

M.K. Scott is the husband and wife writing team behind The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries and The Talking Dog Detective Agency. Morgan K Wyatt is the general wordsmith, while her husband, Scott, is the grammar hammer and physics specialist. He uses his engineering skills to explain how fast a body falls when pushed over a cliff and various other felonious activities. The Internet and experts in the field provide forensic information, while the recipes and B and B details require a more hands-on approach. Morgan’s daughter, who manages a hotel, provides guest horror stories to fuel the plot lines. The couple’s dog, Chance, is the inspiration behind Jasper, Donna’s dog. Overall, both are a fun series to create and read.

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Six Feet Under

A Kenni Lowry Mystery

by Tonya Kappes

Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Kentucky
Henery Press (March 13, 2018)
Paperback: 268 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1635113082

My Review

A new Kenni Lowry mystery is something I can’t pass up.

I love the idea of a female sheriff and Kenni takes the cake. She’s tough yet vulnerable, especially when her mother butts into her business, and smart too.  And she’s falling in love! The new romance is going to be put to the test though. A new murder case puts her mother at the top of the list of suspects and she’s tempted to go outside her legal boundaries to clear her mother’s name. She could use a little help from the other side of the grave and her poppa is happy to oblige.

This series never gets old. There’s a bit of romance, a juicy murder, a sprinkling of the paranormal, and a whole lot of southern flavor and shenanigans. All the fixins you need for a fun cozy mystery.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth. And let me tell you, this broth is in trouble. Get ready for a Southern showdown.

The residents of Cottonwood, Kentucky are sent into a tizzy when the Culinary Channel comes to town to film an episode of Southern Home Cookin’ with celebrity chef Frank Von Lee.

Especially Sheriff Kenni Lowry.

Her mama’s award-winning chicken pot pie is what brought Frank to town, and they don’t make hair in the South bigger than her mama’s ego after the news.

When Frank Von Lee is found dead from food poisoning and the most likely culprit is Mama’s chicken pot pie, Kenni’s poppa, the former sheriff, comes back from the Great Beyond to assist in the investigation.

But nothing’s prepared Kenni for such a personal tie to a case, and she finds herself pushing the limits of the laws she’s sworn to protect.

This book’s so delicious it’ll make your mouth water and leave you hankerin’ for more.

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About Author Tonya Kapps

For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been publishing numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plot lines and quirky characters but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans.
Sign up for her newsletter on her website at Tonyakappes.com .

Visit Tonya:

Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes

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Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Pinterest

Purchase Links:

Amazon B&N  kobo

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