Posts Tagged ‘cozy mystery’

Wicked Stitch by Amanda Lee ~ A Cozy Embroidery Mystery Review and Giveaway

Posted: April 9, 2015 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: , , ,
24

wicked stitch large banner640

I have another fun cozy mystery to share with you!

Wicked Stitch is the 8th book in the Embroidery Mystery Series but you don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy this one.

I started this series with the fifth book and then read the 7th book before reading Wicked Stitch. I plan to go back and start from the beginning. I’d like to be there when Marcy first moved to Tallulah Falls.

Enjoy my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

~~~

Wicked Stitch
by Amanda Lee

,

A great cozy mystery…
~Bab’s Book Bistro

Wicked Stitch:
An Embroidery Mystery
Series: Embroidery Mystery (Book 8)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Signet (April 7, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0451467409
E-Book ASIN: B00MNN7GXQ

goodreads-badge-add-plus

 My Review

It’s good to be back with my friends in Tallulah Falls. There’s big doings going on. The town is hosting the Renaissance Fair and all of the business owners are setting up booths to ply their wares and dressing up in period costumes.

Marcy plans on displaying some of the blackwork embroidery she’s been working on along with some other stuff from her shop, The Seven year Stitch.

Everything is going swimmingly until Marcy visits the booth next to hers. The booth belongs to her nemesis, Nellie, who just recently opened up a needlework shop right next door to Marcie’s and even copied her interior decorating.

Trying to once again mend fences, Marcie visits Nellie’s booth only to find her collapsed on the floor, a scarf wound tightly around her neck.

Marcy calls her boyfriend,detective Ted Nash, to report what she found and she’s quickly cleared as a suspect. Well almost. Nellie’s sister, Clara, swears Marcy killed her. The two sisters never liked Marcy from the moment she moved to Tallulah falls and made her life miserable.

Marcy and Ted put their heads together to try to solve the murder, along with an arson case that might be connected. Marcy’s booth gets trashed, people get assaulted, and a killer roams the crowds, invisible is his costume.

It’s never dull in Tallulah Falls. For such a small town, there’s always trouble and poor Marcy seems to always land in the middle of it.

All of the usual characters are back, the good and the bad. I swear those sisters, Nellie and Clara, are meaner than snakes. I was as enraged as Marcy to learn that Nellie had set up shop right next door to her, plying a lot of the same merchandise, trying to steal her customers, and copying her interior decor. I guess it could be considered a compliment and I have a feeling Marcy wouldn’t lose many customers to mean old Nellie.

Not that I’d wish Nellie dead. The obvious suspect would be Marcy. I know Marcy can handle herself and she’s gotten really close with Ted. Their romance is steaming along and they had me giggling and sighing. They are so sweet together. And Marcy’s Irish wolfhound, Angus, is as adorable as ever. I love when the author gives an animal a part in their story. There’s a sweet little rabbit too and Angus adores it. Unfortunately, it belongs to Nellie. I think play dates will be unlikely.

Once the killer was revealed, and it was a surprise to me, I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked a little more action. It was over so quickly. Perhaps I just didn’t want it to be the end yet.

Spring is here and summer will soon follow. I’d recommend this as a fun mystery to read while sitting outside taking in the fresh air or lounging by the pool. I’m looking forward to visiting Tallulah Falls again.

4 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis:

When murder strikes the small town of Tallulah Falls, embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer isn’t afraid of getting into the knitty-gritty to clear her own name…

For most small-business owners in Tallulah Falls, the upcoming Renaissance Faire is a wonderful way to promote their specialty shops. For Marcy’s nemesis, Nellie, and her sister Clara, it’s an opportunity to finally put Marcy and her shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, out of business. Apparently the sisters like to keep their grudges all in the family and have set up a competing booth right next to Marcy’s at the Faire.

When Clara is discovered dead in her own booth—strangled by the scarf she had almost finished knitting—Marcy becomes the prime suspect. Now she has to do whatever it takes to keep her reputation from unraveling and get to the bottom of a most deadly yarn…

~~~~~

GC4

About This Author

Gayle Trent (writing as Amanda Lee) writes the embroidery mystery series. The series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back. Gayle/Amanda lives in Virginia when she’s not inhabiting the fictional world of Tallulah Falls.

 

Author  Links

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N Book Depository Kobo Google Play

~~~

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

Teaser Tuesdays #108 ~ A Fright To The Death by Dawn Eastman

Posted: March 31, 2015 in Cozy Mystery, Teaser Tuesdays
Tags: , ,
48

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.

TeaserTuesdays2014e

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 Tease for this week is from

A Fright To The Death

A Family Fortune Mystery #3

by Dawn Eastman

 

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

My Teasers from pages 54 and 106 in the paperback.

From page 54:

Vi had been known to interview dogs, cats, and even woodland creatures to try to solve a mystery.

From page 106:

The bear bounded off the snowmobile and let out a very canine woof.

~~~

Synopsis

From the author of Be Careful What You Witch For, here is the newest Family Fortune Mystery, starring former cop Clyde Fortune, who—snowbound with her kooky family in a creepy castle—is climbing the walls and combing the halls, looking for a cold-blooded killer…

After their flight to Mexico is cancelled, Clyde and her detective boyfriend, Mac, end up snowed in with their families at a supposedly haunted hotel. Clyde’s tarot card reading mother, Rose, is making dire predictions for the weekend, and self-proclaimed pet psychic Aunt Vi is enchanted by the legend of the hotel’s ghost—until the power goes out and a body turns up.

With a hotel full of stranded suspects, Clyde will have to draw on all her skills—both the police ones she’d rather forget and the psychic ones she’d rather ignore—to solve the bone-chilling mystery before someone else gets iced…

~~~

I’ll be reviewing this in April for the tour and can’t wait to tell you about it. It’s equal parts scary good and funny. What a cast of characters and great scenario! I’ve been giggling like a school girl:)

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

stick out tongue photo: rr-sticking-out-tongue roadrunner-stick-out-tongue.gif

Review & Giveaway ~ Out From Under, Pea Pod Girls Investigations ~ Ya gotta love em!

Posted: March 18, 2015 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews, Series
Tags: , , ,
18
.
I was so excited after I finished reading Out From Under. I hope you’ll read it so we can talk about it. So many scenes had me laughing and I sure wish I had friends like these.
.
Come on in and meet the gals.
.
Enjoy my review.
.
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
.
~~~~
.
My Review
It’s never too late to start your life anew. Tallulah Dewy Townz, at 52 yrs. old, quits her investigator’s job at Child Welfare Services and opens her own investigation business. There’s plenty of cases to go around in Wenatchee, Washington.
.
Once she finds office space, it isn’t long before she has several new employees. Her 72 year old neighbor, Arizona Wyatt Zanderfield, offers her secretarial skills cheap.
.
And when Tallulah’s  best friends, Gigi VanWey; Pea Pod Girl #1 and Babs Rosencratz; Pea Pod Girl #3 stop in to check out her new business, it feels natural, only right to hire the gals too. With Tallulah being Pea Pad Girl #2, now they can get down to the nitty gritty. And boy, do they.
.
I can’t count how many times I busted out laughing while reading this book. The author gave me some seasoned ladies to fall in love with.
.
Each of the Pea Pod Girls is tough, says exactly what they are thinking, and are like momma bears if anyone threatens the others. The author flashes back to show how the girls met, and the laugh riot never stopped.
.
And before I forget, wait until you get a load of Arizona. She’s hired as a secretary, but she’s not afraid to stick her nose in the case. Her shouts to the girls from the outer office had me snickering. I could just see her out there, leaning towards the inner office door, growing impatient, and shouting at them to get to the good stuff.
.
Their first case is a doozy. Cyndi Lou Montgomery gets caught with her pants down, literally. A recovering sugar daddy addict, she falls off the wagon and someone gets pictures and a video of her in some very compromising positions and they want money to keep quiet. The poor thing, She has a loving husband and this one lapse could cost her everything.
.
I don’t know what I loved more. The fact that these gals were around my age. That they were full of p#ss and vinegar. How tight there friendship was. Or how much snark they could sling.
.
All through the book I was thinking, “Bring it.” Cause these ladies are like terriers when they got their teeth into the case. Give them a wrecking ball and all obstacles fall.
.
I raise a glass to these authors. They gave me such a fun, thrilling read. I truly didn’t want it to end. Just loved the Pea Pod Gals.
5 Stars
.
~~~~~
Out From Under
Pea Pod Girls’ Investigations Book #1
By- Melanie Donithan, Dee Middleton-Taylor, and Suzanne Curry
Genre- Romance/Mystery/Humor
Expected Publication Date- March 2015
 
Three small town, middle-aged women with big town dreams open up The Pea Pod Girls’ Investigations. Gigi VanWey, the Amazon Queen, Tallulah Dewy Townz, the pint-sized rebel who can open a can of whoop ass, and Babs Rosencrantz, the Jewish Guru, had no idea how much trouble they could stir up with their first case. These extremely resourceful women are three peas in a pod who know how to get a job done.
 
Their first client, trophy wife and recovering-sugar-daddy-addict Cyndi Lou Montgomery, wants to find out how one minute she’s watching the Douglas County 4th of July celebration and the next, waking up in the Douglas County Prize Bull Barn in a most un-lady-like situation. Now Cyndi is being blackmailed, and given specific instructions to follow.
 
The Pea Pod Girls didn’t know that a home explosion, being shot at, missing evidence and unwanted help from the new town sheriff, Jackson Lee – who, by the way, is so hot you could fry an egg on his fine ass – would be part of the job.
 
The case comes to a head when the Pea Pod Girls set a trap for the blackmailer at the annual Midnight Madness Costume Ball.
 
Will the Pea Pod Girls be able to solve the mystery before the clock strikes midnight?
 
  
 

(more…)

Valentine’s Day Is Murder ~ Cozy Mystery Tour Review

Posted: February 12, 2015 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, reviews, Series
Tags: , ,
2

great escape tour banner large carolyn arnold 640

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

~~~~

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

goodreads-badge-add-plus

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

~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

 

 

As Gouda As Dead ~ A deliciously fun cozy mystery review and giveaway

Posted: January 28, 2015 in Author Interview, Contests, Cozy Mystery, Giveaway Hop, giveaways, reviews, Romance
Tags: , , , ,
51

great escape tour banner large good as gouda640

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!

~~~

As Gouda as Dead
(CHEESE SHOP MYSTERY)

.

22668765

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

.
goodreads-badge-add-plus

 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!

~~~~

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.

 

~~~~

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.

~~~~

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

~~~~

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

 

~~~

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

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!

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

Meet Your Baker ~ A Bakeshop Mystery Release Day Giveaway

Posted: December 30, 2014 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, Release day
Tags: , , ,
8
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!
.
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.
.
.
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.
.
.
.
Take Shakespeare’s stairs to “the bricks” where theater lovers and actors gather before performances.
.
.
.
Finally, end your day with a sweet treat at one of Ashland’s many divine bakeshops.
.
.
.
.
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: 
.
giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

 

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
.
.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
.
.
~~~

 

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

The Oncoming Storm Series ~ P.I. Dan Landis Brings It!

Posted: December 19, 2014 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, reviews, Series
Tags: , ,
7
.
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!
.
.
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.
 
 
 
 
   
.
My Review
.

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

.

(more…)

A Five-Ingredient Mystery ~ By Cook or by Crook ~ Cozy Review & Giveaway

Posted: November 4, 2014 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: , , ,
45

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!

~~~

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
goodreads-badge-add-plus

 

 

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!

~~~

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.

~~~

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

~~~

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.

~~~

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!

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

A Crafty Christmas by Mollie Cox Bryan ~ Cozy Mystery Review and Giveaway

Posted: October 15, 2014 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: , , ,
6

a crafty christmas large banner 640

I can’t resist a cozy mystery. Everything about them, from the cover, to the title, to the characters, make them irresistable.

Mollis Cox Bryan is a new author to me and I had such fun getting to know her characters and trying to solve the mystery.

Come on in and meet the scrapbooking crop from Cumberland Creek.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

A Crafty Christmas
by Mollie Cox Bryan

.

Seriously, it is awesome! I love holiday themed books. As a scrabooker and card maker, this book really appealed to me and I loved reading and experiencing scrapbooking fun with the characters.
~Brooke’s Blogs

I LOVE this series…What I like best about this series is the way Bryan has created a wonderful ensemble of characters. They really fit together as a team.
~Booklady’s Booknotes

A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS is a great way to start getting into the holiday spirit and I think you should go right out get it and let the season begin! ♥♥♥♥♥
~Rantin’ Ravin’ and Reading

I enjoy Mollie’s writing style and how she puts twists and turns throughout the entire book. She keeps me guessing all the way to the end.
~Griperang’s Bookmarks

The mystery starts right from the get go, with Sheila tripping over the dead body of one of the other crafters….it was quite a fun read.
~A Chick Who Reads

I truly enjoyed this book. The characters continue to be their wonderful, unique, quirky selves. The location of a scrapbooking cruise was great …
~Books Are Life – Vita Libri

Mollie Cox Bryan has done it again, Her characters are likeable and the story keeps you reading until the end. I couldn’t put this book down.
~Shelley’s Book Case

A Crafty Christmas

A Cumberland Creek Mystery

by Mollie Cox Bryan

Publisher: Kensington (October 7, 2014)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0758293565

.
goodreads-badge-add-plus

My Review

Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres. The colorful covers, the quirky characters, and the easy flowing story, along with the mystery, make for enjoyable reading.

After a bumpy start of meeting the large cast of characters and learning who’s who, I settled in for a fun cozy mystery.

You can gather from the title that this story occurs around the Christmas holidays.

Sheila, one of the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Crop has won a design contest. She takes a few friends along with her on the ten-day cruise. The theme for the cruise is scrapbooking so they should have fun, learn new techniques, and make some friends.

Sounds fun until Sheila literally trips over a dead body.  Out at sea, not able to make port because of a tropical storm, Sheila and her friends are stuck on board with a murderer. And, as the investigation deepens, its suspected Sheila might have been the original target. Now they just need to get home in one piece. The storm is the least of their worries.

This story takes place on the sea and back home in Cumberland Creek simultaneously. I liked how that worked.

Friends and family back home dug through the ships manifest, checking for clues and suspicious characters while keeping in touch with their friends on the ship. They worked back and forth, trying to figure out who might be the next target and why.

I liked these scrapbooking ladies. They were a close-knit group, with some having more than one generation in the crop. They didn’t always get along or agree on things, but when push came to shove, they banded together, putting up a loyal front.

With characters spanning more than one generation you get some fun jargon. I always get a laugh when my mother says something like, “Bees on a bicycle” or actually says “Pshaw.” These people felt genuine, comfortable, familiar. Kind of like my own family.

Another great thing about cozies, there’s usually a murder, but the scenes aren’t described in gory detail. You get the idea and then the sleuthing begins, with plenty of bread crumbs and false trails to keep you busy.

This story had a surprise ending for me. It seemed a bit deeper than the usual cozy. The mystery somewhat more twisted.

I enjoyed meeting the characters of Cumberland Creek and look forward to seeing them again.

4 Stars

~~~~

Synopsis

Christmas is just around the corner, and the ladies of the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Crop are thrilled when Sheila wins the first place prize in a scrapbooking design contest: a ten-day scrapbook-themed cruise in the Caribbean. Vera and Paige decide to tag along, which should pose the perfect opportunity to learn some new techniques, mingle with fellow croppers, and get in some rest and relaxation before the chaos of Christmas. But when Sheila finds a famous crafter dead, and investigators determine she was poisoned, the luxury cruise veers toward disaster as Sheila becomes the number one suspect – or was she really the intended victim? Just as the croppers begin un-wrapping the truth, a storm strands them at sea, and they’ll find it’s harder than ever to survive the holidays with a killer on deck…

.

MOLLIE

About This Author

Mollie Cox Bryan writes the Cumberland Creek Mysteries, published by Kensington. The first book, Scrapbook of Secrets, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel of 2012; the next one Scrapped, was published in January 2013. Death of an Irish Diva is the third in the series. Plans for the series include two more novels and two novellas—the first one Scrappy Summer will be available in summer 2014. She writes, gardens, runs, and scrapbooks in Waynesboro, Va. with her husband and two daughters.

Author Links

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N

~~~

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

$25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
.
3 eBook copies of A Crafty Christmas (Winners choice of format)
.
Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

Tour Participants

October 7 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post

October 7 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview

October 8 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review

October 9 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review

October10 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review

October 11 – A Chick Who Reads – Review

October 12 – Books Are Life – Vita Libri – Review

October 13 – Shelley’s Book Case– Review

October 14 – Thoughts in Progress – Review

October 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview

October 15 – fuonlyknew ~ Laura’s ramblins and reviews – Review

October 16 – Mystery Playground – Guest Post*

October 17 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review, Guest Post

October 18 – Cicero’s Children – Interview

October 19 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review

October 20 – Dalene’s Book Reviews – Review

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

Event organized by Great Escapes Book Tours.

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

Cozy Mystery Cover Reveal and Giveaway ~ Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander

Posted: September 17, 2014 in Cover Reveal, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, Series
Tags: , , , ,
13
baker
.
Today we’re excited to announce the cover reveal of Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander. This is a cozy mystery that releases December 30th by St. Martin’s Press. This is the first in the Bakeshop Mystery series!
.
I’m a huge fan of cozies and can’t wait to read this one!
.
The great thing about cozies is their cover art and titles. They always have fun, quirky titles and the cover art s always so colorful.
As is the cover for Meet Your Baker. The title cracked me up and the cover charmed me.
.
What do you think?!!!
.
Also got a great giveaway so don’t forget to enter.
.
MeetYourBaker
.

About the Book:

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: 
.
.
giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png
.
Giveaway:
.
Prize package of goodies (US only)
.
MEET YOUR BAKER giveaway
.
Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.
.
Raffle button
.
.
~~~~
.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

 

Older Entries
Newer Entries