COPY CAP MURDER

Book 4 in the Hat Shop Mystery series

by Jenn McKinlay

The New York Times bestselling author of At the Drop of a Hat returns to her London hat shop with a fresh tale of milliners and murder.

For Scarlett Parker, part of the fun of living in London is celebrating the British holidays, and she’s excited to share her first Bonfire Night with her cousin Vivian Tremont. Invited to a posh party by their friend Harrison Wentworth, Scarlett and Viv decide to promote their hat shop, Mim’s Whims, by donning a few of their more outrageous creations. The hats prove to be quite the conversation starters as the girls mix and mingle with the guests—never suspecting that one of them is a killer. 

It’s a cold, clear night, perfect for the British tradition of tossing a straw stuffed effigy of Guy Fawkes, traitor to the crown, onto the bonfire. But instead of a straw man, they realize in the heat of the moment that the would-be Guy Fawkes is actually Harrison’s office rival and he’s been murdered. Before the smoke has cleared, Harrison is the Metropolitan police’s prime suspect, and Scarlett and Vivian must find the real homicidal hothead before their dear friend’s life goes up in flames.

MY REVIEW

COPY CAP MURDER is the feather in the cap of the Hat Shop mysteries!

I have loved author Jenn McKinlay’s writing ever since reading a book in her Cupcake Bakery Mystery series several years ago. Her style is crisp, witty, and just plain wonderful to read. Every new book by this author is a treat.

Fun and enchanting characters such as Scarlett Parker and her cousin Vivian Tremont, are to me key components to these great stories. The combination of the characters along with the mystery, intrigue, and humor serve to make these books must reads for cozy mystery fans.

This is one author who certainly knows how to get and hold her readers’ attention. COPY CAP MURDER is filled to the brim with everything that makes McKinlay’s books enjoyable. Page after marvelous page kept me rooted to my chair until I reached the exciting conclusion, which was cleverly done, and as always a great surprise. You could say I was bowlered over. ;-)

If you have a bee in your bonnet for an exceptional read, COPY CAP MURDER is the book for you!

Make sure to check out the back of the book for an excerpt from VANILLA BEANED, the next story in the exciting Cupcake Bakery Mystery series!

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Release Date: January 5, 2016

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THE CAKES OF MONTE CRISTO

Book 6 in the Piece Of Cake Mystery series 

by Jacklyn Brady

In the fresh new Piece of Cake Mystery from the national bestselling author of Rebel Without a Cake, a pastry chef becomes embroiled in a suspicious death as a mysterious curse casts a pall over an annual New Orleans ball.
 
Rita Lucero, co-owner of New Orleans’s Zydeco Cakes, is thrilled to be catering an annual ball held at the Monte Cristo Hotel. Designing the high-end desserts is her priority—until she stumbles upon a mystery long-buried at her shop. It’s an ornate ruby necklace, hidden underneath her staircase and rumored to be cursed. 
 
After the gem’s appraiser suddenly drops dead and Rita herself is targeted by a menacing stranger, she’s no longer laughing at local superstition. Now with five cakes on order and an investigation into the necklace’s past revealing layers of unsettling clues, Rita has reason to keep looking over her shoulder while she’s frosting. Because any way you slice it, the next victim of the legendary curse could be her.

MY REVIEW

THE CAKES OF MONTE CRISTO is a delicious recipe of mystery, mayhem, and murder.

Six books into this series and author Jacklyn Brady still knows what it takes to keep her readers engaged and happy. THE CAKES OF MONTE CRISTO is for certain the icing on the cake of this series!

The intricate plot of this story captured me. Each chapter being better than the last, I found myself reading far later into the night than I should have. But it was worth it to see how this wonderfully written book turned out.

The characters in the Piece Of Cake Mystery series, old and new, are all so multi-layered. There are times I related to protagonist, Rita Lucero, and other times when I didn’t see eye to eye with her. But that’s a good thing. It added to the realism of her character.

There is no doubt about it…author Brady has another hit on her hands. I’m sure you’ll agree when you’re slicing through the pages of this mystery.

Make sure to check out the back of the book for some tasty recipes!

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Release Date: January 5, 2016

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It's

Cozy Food Friday!

That means it's time to share a recipe from 

another great cozy mystery!

Today I'm featuring a recipe from

SWEET PEPPER HERO

by

J.J. COOK

Book 4 in the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery series

Old rivalries heat up in the fourth Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade mystery from the national bestselling author of In Hot Water.

Fire chief Stella Griffin has been put in charge of judging the annual recipe contest, but Eric—her resident ghost and true culinary genius—has vanished. Before she can track down his latest haunt, she’s called in to investigate a local moonshine distillery that was set ablaze, making her realize there’s more than pies and cakes cooking in Sweet Pepper. 

As rumors of a revived whiskey war ignite, Stella turns to the town’s elders to help her find answers. The past might have some clues as to what has sparked the present fires. But when following a lead lands her in buried rubble, Stella realizes she must extinguish this case fast or she might be going down in flames.

MY REVIEW

Cozy mysteries for 2016 are off to a fiery start, and SWEET PEPPER HERO is the spark igniting the blaze!

While I enjoy every series written by J.J. Cook/Joyce and Jim Lavene, the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery series is my very favorite, and hold a special place on my book shelves and in my heart.

I wait all year (not very patiently) for the newest Sweet Pepper book by J.J. Cook . . . It is ALWAYS worth the wait! Everything about this series, from the characters and setting, to the incredible writing style of the authors. Each installment consistently gets better and better. SWEET PEPPER HERO serves to prove that statement to be a fact.

Filled cover to cover with action, mystery, and fun, I was turning the pages faster and faster as I followed the solid plot and read my way to the explosive conclusion. I didn’t want this book to end!

SWEET PEPPER HERO is smoking hot, and is my first contender for best cozy mystery of 2016!

Check out the back of the book for pepper facts, and some yummy recipes! 

Here's a yummy recipe from the book that will spice up your Christmas/Holiday desserts! 

CHOCOLATE COOKIES WITH A BITE

From Joanie Lowder

Ingredients

1½ cups softened butter or margarine 

2 cups white sugar (or equivalent sweetener) 

4 eggs 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 cup unsweetened cocoa 

1 cup chocolate morsels 

5 cups all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1 teaspoon salt 

6 finely diced habanero peppers

Directions

Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. 

Set aside.

Beat beat in the eggs, vanilla, cocoa, and chocolate morsels. 

Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. 

Cut the pepper from the membrane and discard seeds. 

Mince peppers as finely as possible. 

Add peppers to the cookie dough. 

Chill the dough for an hour. 

Preheat the oven to 400°F. 

Roll out the dough on a smooth, floured surface until about ¼ inch thick. 

Cut into shapes or just make them round. 

Place cookies 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. 

Bake 6 to 8 minutes in the oven. Cool completely. 

Makes 2 to 4 dozen depending on the size of the cookies. 

Food photos are from Google Images. 

Your finished cookie make vary in appearance.

Sounds like a yummy way to heat up the holidays!

Please keep reading and check out my 

installments of 

Book Beginnings on Fridays

and

The Friday 56

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Book Beginnings and Friday 56

 for this week are also from

SWEET PEPPER HERO

Book Beginnings on Fridays is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader

Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading

My Book Beginnings...

Sweet Pepper fire chief Stella Griffin burned her hand on the cookie sheet she was removing from the oven. She shook it and stuck the injured digit in her mouth as she used the other hand to put the tray of chocolate and hot pepper cookies on the counter. 

The Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda's Voice

Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's okay.) *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you. *Post it.

My Friday 56...

They'd reached the top of the mountain. She parked the Cherokee in front of the cabin and shut off the engine. She'd put off saying it for a long time. This was a good opportunity since it was almost like they were starting over. 

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FOREIGN ÉCLAIRS

Book 9 in the White House Chef Mystery series 

by Julie Hyzy

White House executive chef Ollie Paras has served plenty of meals to foreign dignitaries from around the world. But someone is ready to serve her an ice-cold dish of revenge...
 
Things are about to really heat up for Ollie. News of a bombing and attempted breakout at a federal prison reveals that the brother of a terrorist she helped defeat is back with a vengeance. And after she gets mugged on her way home from work, the Secret Service won’t leave her side, fearing she is now a target.
 When a White House staff member is murdered, officials rush to action over a possible security breach. It may be time for Ollie to trade in her apron for a bullet-proof vest as she becomes part of a bold strategy to make sure this terrorist gets his just desserts...

MY REVIEW

Author Julie Hyzy knows how to pen a whodunit filled with mystery, intrigue, and heart pounding excitement. FOREIGN ÉCLAIRS is a real thrill ride, page after action packed page.

It’s always great to be back at the White House with Ollie Paras and the rest of the staff. Author Hyzy shares with her readers a side of the great house that is as entertaining as it is interesting.

FOREIGN ÉCLAIRS is the perfect addition to this bestselling series. Extremely well written with a plot that drew me in quickly, this story left me breathless by the conclusion. A conclusion I’d like to add, that found me with my jaw dropped in surprise.

Mystery, suspense, and political fans alike are all in for a monumentally good time with FOREIGN ÉCLAIRS. A big salute to you Julie Hyzy!

You’ll also find mouthwatering recipes at the back of the book!

Pre-order now

Release Date: January 5, 2016

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TO HELVETICA AND BACK

Book 1 in the Dangerous Type Mystery series 

by Paige Shelton

The New York Times bestselling author of the Farmers’ Market Mysteries and the Country Cooking School Mysteries introduces readers to Star City, Utah, and a little shop called the Rescued Word...

Star City is known for its slopes and its powder. But nestled in the valley of this ski resort town is a side street full of shops that specialize in the simple charms of earlier eras. One of those shops is the Rescued Word, where Chester Henry and his adult granddaughter Clare lovingly repair old typewriters and restore old books. Who ever thought their quaint store would hold the key to some modern-day trouble?

When a stranger to town demands they turn over an antique Underwood typewriter they’re repairing for a customer, Clare fears she may need to be rescued. A call to the police scares the man off, but later Clare finds his dead body in the back alley. What about a dusty old typewriter could possibly be worth killing for?

MY REVIEW

TO HELVETICA AND BACK is my type of mystery.

I was so excited when I heard author Paige Shelton had a new series coming out. Her Farmers’ Market and Country Cooking School Mysteries are always on my “must read” list. Ms. Shelton does not disappoint with her Dangerous Type mystery series.

The quaint location this story is set in is a place where I would want to spend the day browsing through the shops. Protagonist, Clare is relatable and enjoyable to read. I look forward to seeing her fleshed out more during the course of the series. Her grandfather, Chester is great too, and I love the dynamic between them.

The outstanding plot that was extremely well written, had me hooked early into the story and held me captive with every turn of the page. The exciting reveal left me breathless. I applaud author Shelton on her gift for surprises.

A great start to a series I hope will have a long run, TO HELVETICA AND BACK tapped the keys of my imagination and left this entertaining whodunit permanently inked in my mind. 

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Release Date: January 5, 2016

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DAISIES FOR INNOCENCE

Book 1 in the Enchanted Garden Mystery series 

by Bailey Cattrell

From Bailey Cattrell—who writes the New York Times bestselling Magical Bakery Mysteries as Bailey Cates—comes the first Enchanted Garden Mystery featuring custom perfume maker Elliana Allbright...

The Enchanted Garden behind Elliana Allbright’s perfume shop draws people of all ages with its fragrant flowers and lush greenery. But when the magical serenity is interrupted, it’s up to Ellie to sniff out a killer.
 
Ellie’s life has blossomed in Poppyville, California, since she opened Scents & Nonsense, a custom-made-perfume store. Her skills with aromas and botanical essences—some from her very own garden—seem almost…supernatural. Her perfumes can evoke emotions,  bring about change, or simply make people happy. Customers are flocking to the store to buy her wares or just to sit in her beautiful garden, sip tea and enjoy homemade cookies. 
 
But she smells trouble when she learns that her part-time assistant Josie is dating her ex. And before she can tell the young woman to beware of his charms, she finds Josie dead in the Enchanted Garden. Now the prime suspect in Josie’s murder, Ellie must search for the real culprit in Josie’s past—because it’ll take a miracle to nip this problem in the bud....

MY REVIEW

Author Bailey Cattrell (also known as Bailey Cates of the Magical Bakery series) has sowed the seeds of a wonderful new mystery series.

DAISIES FOR INNOCENCE, book one in the Enchanted Garden Mystery series, is wonderfully plotted with lots of twists to keep you on your toes. And the exciting reveal will have you on the edge of your seat.

I kept thinking of this story for some time after reading it. Protagonist Elliana “Ellie” Allbright, is simply a magical character I really enjoyed getting to know, as I did the supporting characters. I could picture myself sitting in Ellie’s lovely garden surrounded by all the enchanting flowers, and surprises that fill it. Taking in the enticing scents, enjoying tea and conversation. It really came to life for me.

The Enchanted Garden Mystery series is sure to be a scent-sational hit with mystery fans!

Be sure to check out the back of the book for recipes, aromatherapy, and an excerpt from BROWNIES AND BROOMSTICKS by Bailey Cates.

Pre-order now

Release Date: January 5, 2016

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think!

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