Wednesday, February 24, 2016


MING TEA MURDER
Book 16 in the Tea Shop Mysteries
by Laura Childs


It’s scones and scandal for Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning in this Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.
 
Normally Theodosia wouldn’t attend a black-tie affair for all the tea in China. But she can hardly say no to her handsome boyfriend, Max, who directs public relations for the Gibbes Museum in Charleston. Max has organized an amazing gala opening for an exhibit of a genuine eighteenth-century Chinese teahouse, and the crème de la crème of Charleston society is invited. 
 
Max even rented a photo booth to give guests a memory of the occasion. But Theodosia makes a grim discovery behind the booth’s curtains: the body of museum donor Edgar Webster. When Max becomes a suspect, it’s up to Theodosia to examine the life of the fallen philanthropist and find out who really wanted him to pay up…


INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

MY REVIEW

NOTE: This is my original review from the hardcover edition released in 2015.

Author Laura Childs has brewed another strong story that is steeped in mystery.

In this sixteenth installment of the Tea Shop Mystery series, Ms. Childs started the action off early. There was no waiting around for the dead body to pop in this one! Page after page, chapter after chapter, it was a glorious blend of mystery, fun, and excitement. The action kept flowing, and the suspense went from simmering to boiling hot until reaching the climatic reveal.

I really enjoyed the characters in this story. I loved the interaction between them.  Theodosia was a very likeable protagonist. She’s someone I’d like to sit and chat with.

Pick a day when you have time to yourself, brew a pot of your favorite tea, prepare the finger sandwiches and scones, and get ready to spend the entire day with MING TEA MURDER.

Don’t close the book once the story is over. Keep reading and explore the new book previews and blurbs, the announcement of a new thriller series, excellent tea resources, wonderful Tea Time Tips, and almost a dozen delightfully tempting recipes! 

Available March 1!
Pre-order today!


As always, please leave a comment and 
let me know what you think!

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Tuesday, February 23, 2016


HAPPY NEW RELEASE DAY 
All of these great titles are out today!
Which ones are on your "must have" list?


When a glass-making competition turns deadly, glass shop owner Savannah Webb must search for a window into a criminal's mind…

As the new proprietor of Webb's Glass Shop, Savannah has been appointed to fill her late father's shoes as a judge for the Spinnaker Arts Festival, held in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. With her innovative glass works, the clear winner is Megan Loyola, a student of Savannah's former mentor. 

But when Megan doesn't show up to accept her $25,000 award, rumors start flying. And when Savannah discovers the woman's dead body on festival grounds, the police immediately suspect her of murder. To keep from appearing before a judge herself, Savannah sorts through the broken pieces of glass scattered around the victim for clues as to who took this killer competition too far…


Business has never been better at the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa in Blossom Valley, California. But a murder has two of its top employees ploughing for clues at a commune where tree-huggers are wary of the modern world--and a killer may be disturbing their peace… 

When Dana Lewis and Zennia Patrakio go to the Blossom Valley farmer's market, they expect to find luscious fruits and vegetables to delight the spa's guests. They are not expecting to see Birch Keller, Zennia's one true love. But Zennia's excitement over "the one who got away" is short-lived when Birch is found dead in her garden. Kitchen-challenged Dana takes over grief-stricken Zennia's cooking duties at the spa--but the biggest challenge will be searching for answers at the commune where Birch had been living. The residents are nuttier than granola, and as Dana tills up the truth, she'll discover a killer with a wholly unwholesome appetite for revenge… 

Hardcover

Everyone in Lake Eden, Minnesota, may have had their doubts, but at long last, Hannah Swensen is getting married!

Hannah is thrilled to be marrying Ross Barton, her college crush. And her excitement only grows when she learns he’ll be able to join her on her trip to New York City for the Food Channel’s dessert chef contest. They get a taste of the Big Apple before Hannah wins the Hometown Challenge and the producers bring all the contestants to Lake Eden to tape the remainder of the show. It’s nerve-wracking enough being judged by Alain Duquesne, a celebrity chef with a nasty reputation. But it’s even more chilling to find him stabbed to death in the Lake Eden Inn’s walk-in cooler—before he’s even had a chance to taste Hannah’s Butterscotch Sugar Cookies! Now Hannah has not only lost her advantage, she’ll have to solve a mystery with more layers than a five-tiered wedding cake…


An autumn chill has settled over Busman's Harbor, Maine, but Julia Snowden is warming up the town by offering lobster stew at the local diner. When her landlord discovers a dead body in the walk-in refrigerator, Julia must figure out who ordered up a side of murder.

Nothing's colder than a corpse--especially one stashed inside a sub-zero fridge. The victim spent his last night on earth dining at the restaurant bar, so naturally Julia finds herself at the center of the ensuing investigation. Lost in the November fog, however, is who'd want to kill the unidentified stranger--and why. It might have something to do with a suspicious group of retirees and a decades-old tragedy to which they're all connected. One thing's for sure: Julia's going to make solving this mystery her early bird special…

Includes Traditional Maine Clambake Recipes!


Hardcover

Springtime in Mississippi is abloom with beauty, but the library’s employees are too busy worrying to stop and smell the flowers. The new library director, Elwyn Dillard, is a brash, unfriendly Yankee who’s on a mission to cut costs—and his first targets are the archive and the rare book collection.
 
As annoying as a long-overdue book, Dillard quickly raises the hackles of everyone on staff, including Charlie’s fiery friend Melba—whom Dillard wants to replace with someone younger. But his biggest offense is declaring all four-legged creatures banned from the stacks. 
 
With enemies aplenty, the suspect list is long when Dillard’s body is discovered in the library. But things take a turn for the worse when a threatening e-mail throws suspicion on Melba.
 
Charlie is convinced that his friend is no murderer, especially when he catches sight of a menacing stranger lurking around the library. Now he and Diesel will have to read between the lines, before Melba is shelved under “G” for guilty…


Hardcover 

James Harrison has recently moved to a restored hunting lodge in Sutherland with his gorgeous private nurse Gloria Dainty. When Hamish visits Mr. Harrison to welcome him to the neighborhood, the old man treats him very rudely. Gloria apologizes for her employer's behavior, and Hamish takes the plunge and invites her out for dinner. On the appointed evening, Hamish waits for Gloria at the restaurant. And waits. Gloria never shows up. Four days later, Gloria's body washes up on the beach near Braikie. Now without a date and without his former policeman Dick Fraser (who left the force to buy a bakery), Hamish must find out who killed the beautiful new resident of Sutherland, and why, before the murderer strikes again....


Penelope Sutherland and her Red Carpet Catering company just got their big break as the on-set caterer for an upcoming blockbuster. But when she discovers a dead body outside her house, Penelope finds herself in hot water. Things start to boil over when serious accidents threaten the lives of the cast and crew. And when the film’s star, who happens to be Penelope’s best friend, is poisoned, the entire production is nearly shut down. Threats and accusations send Penelope out of the frying pan and into the fire as she struggles to keep her company afloat. Before Penelope can dish up dessert, she must find the killer or she’ll be the one served up on a silver platter. Related subjects include: women sleuths, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuth books, murder mysteries, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), book club recommendations.


Filming a movie on a sunny Florida beach may seem like working in paradise, but dealing with the brutal heat, a difficult director and a leading lady with a serious aversion to seafood makes for a challenging task for Penelope Sutherland and her Red Carpet Catering crew. After two girls go missing during a raucous beach party thrown by the movie's director, the cast and crew fall out of favor with the Andrea Island locals.
When a flashy celebrity chef is accused of the crime, Penelope Sutherland steps in to help her former culinary school instructor find the truth. Surrounded by suspicious locals with a history all their own, Penelope uncovers clues from the past that reveal an undercurrent of evil amid the magnificent sandy beaches.
Some great titles.
February just got better!

As always, please leave a comment and 
let me know what you think!

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upper right hand corner of this page.

Monday, February 22, 2016


DEATH OF A BACON HEIRESS
Book 7 in the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mysteries 
by Lee Hollis


For food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell, becoming a local culinary celebrity opens lots of doors. Unfortunately, one leads straight to cold-blooded murder…

When Hayley is invited to do a cooking demo on one of daytime's most popular talk shows, it's a welcome distraction from her empty nest blues. And the newfound fame certainly has its perks--especially when Olivia Redmond, the posh bacon heiress of Redmond Meats, offers Hayley a writing gig with a juicy paycheck. 
But Hayley's good fortune fizzles fast. The heiress is found dead with her pet pot-bellied pig, Pork Chop, squealing bloody murder beside her body, and clogged arteries aren't to blame. It turns out Olivia's inherited a wealth of enemies over the years, and as Hayley trims the fat off a mounting list of suspects, it's clear that being rich and hot-tempered can be a recipe for disaster… 

Includes seven delectable recipes from Hayley's kitchen!

MY REVIEW


Another fabulous installment in a series that has been one of my favorites since the beginning!

The Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mysteries never fail to make me laugh. The cast of regular characters in this series are absolutely marvelous to read. They are so varied. Each character adds just the right personality to this eclectic group. Author Lee Hollis comes up with some of the best one liners, and hysterical conversations and situations. There is never a dull moment with any of them.

DEATH OF A BACON HEIRESS not only did justice to the rest of the series, it elevated it. That’s not something I would have thought possible. But this was a superb mystery written with a skill that simply amazed me. While the main mystery in the book was completely absorbing, there were also smaller storylines mix in that served to make this book even more outstanding.

I would be hard pressed to pick my favorite part of story, but I will leave you with two words that will always make DEATH OF A BACON HEIRESS memorable to me…Pork Chop. J

As always, Hollis has included yummy cocktail and food recipes. You’ll also find an excerpt from the next Hayley Powell mystery, DEATH OF A PUMPKIN CARVER!

Available March 29!
Pre-order today!


As always, please leave a comment and 
let me know what you think!

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Sunday, February 21, 2016



MURDER MOST WHOLESOME
Book 5 in the Blossom Valley Mysteries 
by Staci McLaughlin


Business has never been better at the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa in Blossom Valley, California. But a murder has two of its top employees ploughing for clues at a commune where tree-huggers are wary of the modern world--and a killer may be disturbing their peace… 

When Dana Lewis and Zennia Patrakio go to the Blossom Valley farmer's market, they expect to find luscious fruits and vegetables to delight the spa's guests. They are not expecting to see Birch Keller, Zennia's one true love. But Zennia's excitement over "the one who got away" is short-lived when Birch is found dead in her garden. Kitchen-challenged Dana takes over grief-stricken Zennia's cooking duties at the spa--but the biggest challenge will be searching for answers at the commune where Birch had been living. The residents are nuttier than granola, and as Dana tills up the truth, she'll discover a killer with a wholly unwholesome appetite for revenge… 

MY REVIEW


A fresh mystery with a healthy helping of intrigue!

I’ve been wanting to start this series for quite some time, but another book/series always seemed to crop up. I am so happy the chance arrived for me to read MURDER MOST WHOLESOME. Now I know what I’ve been missing, and I don’t want to miss anymore!

I thought I’d be lost starting with this fifth book in the Blossom Valley Mysteries, but I wasn’t at all. I was immediately drawn in by author Staci McLaughlin’s writing and her wonderful characters. I made an instant connection with series lead, Dana Lewis who works marketing at the O’Connell Organic Farm & Spa. She hates vegetables almost as much as I do! J

MURDER MOST WHOLESOME truly was a wonderful read. Author McLaughlin treated this story like a farmer does her crops, nourishing each word, every sentence, until finally cultivating a finished product that held my attention from the beginning until the delicious conclusion.

While I patiently await (or maybe not so) the next book in this new to me series, I’ll be harvesting the first four installments, and enjoying the fruits of Ms. McLaughlin’s labor. I suggest you pick one for yourself too.

Make sure to check out the back of the book for tips and recipes from the O’Connell Organic Farm & Spa!

 Available February 23!
Pre-order today!


As always, please leave a comment and 
let me know what you think!

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Saturday, February 20, 2016


A MUDDIED MURDER
Book one in the Greenhouse Mysteries 
by Wendy Tyson


 When Megan Sawyer gives up her big-city law career to care for her grandmother and run the family’s organic farm and café, she expects to find peace and tranquility in her scenic hometown of Winsome, Pennsylvania. Instead, her goat goes missing, rain muddies her fields, the town denies her business permits, and her family’s Colonial-era farm sucks up the remains of her savings. Just when she thinks she’s reached the bottom of the rain barrel, Megan and the town’s hunky veterinarian discover the local zoning commissioner’s battered body in her barn. Now Megan is thrust into the middle of a murder investigation—and she’s the chief suspect. Can Megan dig through small-town secrets, local politics, and old grievances in time to find a killer before that killer strikes again?

MY REVIEW


A fabulous start to what I hope will be a long running series!

This first book in the Greenhouse Mysteries by author Wendy Tyson had everything I look for in a great mystery. A perfect setting, an interesting profession for the protagonist, and characters I would love to know in real life.

By the end of chapter one of A MUDDIED MURDER I was besotted with character Megan Sawyer, an attorney turned farmer/café owner, her grandmother Bibi, and local vet Dr. Finn. As I read more of the story I was laughing hysterically thanks to Megan’s store manager Clover Hand, and her boyfriend Police Chief Bob King.

Quick witted and intelligent writing drew me into this book from the beginning, and held me captive through the thrilling reveal, and delightful ending. Wonderful storytelling at its best.

Wendy Tyson has a sure bet of a hit series on her hands. I’m looking forward to book two, BITTER HARVEST. Come on 2017!

Available March 29!
Pre-order today!


As always, please leave a comment and 
let me know what you think!

Follow my blog by 
clicking on the link in the 
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Friday, February 19, 2016


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
DRAPE EXPECTATIONS
Book 4 in the Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mysteries
by
Karen Rose Smith


Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery Series, Book 4 

These days, home stager Caprice De Luca's calendar is a full house. Her grandmother's health is failing, her wayward uncle is stirring the pot, and she's torn between two equally eligible suitors. With so much drama in her personal life, Caprice is grateful to have Ace Richland, a former 80s rock star, ask her to stage his girlfriend's house. But Alanna Goodwin is a tough customer who balks at Caprice's ideas and all but commandeers the staging. Caprice almost isn't surprised when the snappish Southern belle is strangled to death with a tieback from her tacky velvet drapes. But just as she draws back the curtains on the truth, Caprice realizes she may be next on a murderer's set list...

STAGED TO DEATH, Book 1
DEADLY DECOR, Book 2
GILT BY ASSOCIATION, Book 3
DRAPE EXPECTATIONS, Book 4
SILENCE OF THE LAMPS, Book 5 May 2016

MY REVIEW


Fans of the Caprice De Luca series will be thrilled with DRAPE EXPECTATIONS.

I’ve had the pleasure of following this series since book one, STAGED TO DEATH first came out. It’s been such a pleasure watching this series take off and grow. I eagerly look forward to more installments.

Author Karen Rose Smith has created wonderful characters for this series. They’re lead by protagonist Caprice De Luca who is such an original character in her career and her fashion and decorating choices. She may favor the retro look, but Caprice is a twenty-first century woman for sure. And, her love for animals certainly won me over.

In DRAPE EXPECTATIONS, Caprice finds herself in the position of trying to prove her friend Ace innocent of murder. This story was excellent from beginning to end. The victim certainly had the personality to make plenty of enemies, so suspects were not in short supply. Every question that arose seemed to only raise more. Lots of twists and plenty of intrigue kept this book moving at a quick pace straight through to the exciting conclusion.

Make sure to check out the back of the book for great recipes and a sneak peek of book five, SILENCE OF THE LAMPS.

On to the recipe!

Caprice's Chicken Cacciatore
from DRAPE EXPECTATIONS by Karen Rose Smith Copyright © 2015
All photos courtesy of Karen Rose Smith

Preheat oven to 350⁰
1 hour prep time
Approximately 1 and ½ hours baking time

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage cut into 1 inch pieces (sweet or hot – your choice!)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 cup chopped sweet bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
1 cup celery
3 cans fire roasted tomatoes
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1½ teaspoons salt
Add ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper if using mild sausage


Brown the sausage pieces in vegetable oil for about 10 minutes on medium, stirring to brown on all sides.  (Do not burn. You want the oil with sausage drippings to coat the onion, pepper and celery.)  
Add onion, pepper and celery and saute for about 3 minutes. 
To this mixture add the three cans of fire roasted tomatoes and the spices.  Simmer on low while browning the thighs.

Ingredients

8 chicken thighs (3½ pounds)
1 ½ cup flour
3 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons oregano
4 tablespoons butter



Put flour, salt, pepper and oregano in a Ziplock bag and shake to mix.  
Melt butter in 11–12" deep-sided skillet.  
Drop thighs into the bag with flour mixture two at a time and shake until they are coated.  
Then brown the thighs in the skillet on medium high until all sides are golden brown.  
Place the browned thighs in a lasagna pan.  
Pour sausage mixture over the thighs.  
Bake uncovered at 350⁰ about 1½ hours until thighs are tender and falling off the bone.  
Use meat thermometer to assure proper doneness.

This dish can be served over pasta (I cook a pound) of your choice or complemented by side dishes such as mashed potatoes.


What a wonderful, hearty meal for this cold winter weather!

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 from 
SILENCE OF THE LAMPS
Book 5 in the Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mysteries 
by Karen Rose Smith


Available April 26!
Pre-order your copy today!

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...

Caprice De Luca caught sight of the guest who stepped over the threshold. She braced for trouble on this balmy June Saturday afternoon.   

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...

Caprice knew that devastating news was enough of a shock to make a person forget her name. She said, "We don't want to keep you. We just wanted to give you our condolences. Do you have someplace you can stay? I imagine the forensics unit will have the house tied up at least through tomorrow." 


As always, please leave a comment and 
let me know what you think!

Follow my blog by 
clicking on the link in the 
upper right hand corner of this page.