Sunday, May 31, 2015


FAT CAT SPREADS OUT by Janet Cantrell
FATAL FORTUNE by Victoria Laurie

FAT CAT SPREADS OUT
Book 2 the Fat Cat Mystery series 
by Janet Cantrell


Butterscotch tabby Quincy is back and hungrier than ever in this frisky follow-up to Fat Cat at Large… 

A booth at the Bunyan County Harvest Fair seems like the perfect opportunity for Charity “Chase” Oliver and Anna Larson to promote their Bar None bakery business. Unfortunately, plus-sized pussycat Quincy has plans for their delicious dessert bars other than selling them to customers. After tearing through their inventory, Quincy goes roaming the fairgrounds in search of more delights.

But what he finds is murder. One of the top contenders in a butter-sculpting contest has been killed, and Chase is churning on the inside when she sees Quincy’s handsome veterinarian, Dr. Mike Ramos, being led away by the police. With a little help from a kitty with butter on his whiskers, Chase needs to find the real killer and clear the doctor’s good name.


Includes recipes for people and cats!

MY REVIEW


This is such a delightful series. Author Janet Cantrell has created a wonderful setting, with such likable characters, and some hilarious situations. She has truly embraced the cozy mystery genre, and I for one can’t get enough!

It was great to be back at The Bar None with Charity “Charlie”, Anna, and of course, that fat cat tabby himself, Quincy. Getting to read the thoughts going on in Quincy’s head is so fun! I’ve often wondered what my own pets are thinking.

For as much as I loved book one, FAT CAT AT LARGE, I have to say that this second installment, FAT CAT SPREADS OUT, was even better! The plot was perfection. The mystery was well thought out and had me scratching my head trying to figure out “whodunit” and why. I laughed out loud so often I lost count. And the thought of all those yummy treats had my tum growling through most of the book.

FAT CAT SPREADS OUT, indeed, the Fat Cat series itself, has everything a cozy mystery fan is looking for and more. Ms. Cantrell has penned one of the must read mysteries of the year!

And check out the back of the book for two great recipes. One for humans and one for cats!

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

FATAL FORTUNE
Book 12 the Physic Eye Mystery series 
by Victoria Laurie


Fans of Harper Connelly and TV’s Medium will love the psychic detective in this New York Times bestselling series…. 


Abby Cooper can’t believe her eyes after the police show her surveillance video of her best friend and business partner, Candice Fusco, shooting a man in cold blood. And when the cops tell her they think the victim has ties to the Mob—and perhaps Candice does too—Abby can’t believe her ears. Surely there is a logical explanation. But Candice is nowhere to be found.



Trusting her intuition, Abby decides to search for the truth in Vegas—which may be the biggest gamble of her life. Once in town she begins to uncover a rigged game of dirty double-dealing where the stakes are no less than life and death. And if she’s not careful, Abby can forget about ever leaving Las Vegas...alive.

MYREVIEW


I’ve only heard wonderful things about the Physic Eye Mystery series. Starting with book 11 didn’t have me at the disadvantage I thought it would. I found myself far into the book before I knew it.

Author Victoria Laurie is such a talented writer. While this was not quite a cozy in my opinion, it was an exciting mystery. The action started on page one and just kept gaining momentum right up to the reveal.

I don’t read many paranormals, though I do follow a few paracozy (I just made that word up) series that I love. The physic aspect of this book wasn’t too heavy, so it didn’t feel like it was the only focus of the story. To me, that’s a good thing.

All in all, FATAL FORTUNE is a book that will appeal to a variety of readers of different genres. But for those of you who follow my reviews to find new cozies, this does have a more thriller type of vive than one of a traditional cozy. 

Check out the back for the book when you’re done for a sneak peek of SENSE OF DECEPTON, lucky number thirteen in the Physic Eye series. 

FAT CAT SPREADS OUT 
and 
FATAL FORTUNE
are now available for pre-order! 

Both titles release 
Tuesday, June 2!


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.






Saturday, May 30, 2015


TYING THE KNOT by Elizabeth Craig
THE DIVE STEALS A CHOCOLATE KISS by Krista Davis

TYING THE KNOT
Book 5 in the Southern Quilting Mystery series 
by Elizabeth Craig


Wedding bells are ringing in Dappled Hills, North Carolina.  But when the festivities take an unexpected turn, quilter Beatrice Coleman must get crafty and catch a killer wedding crasher....


Everyone loves a wedding, and with the sister of Beatrice’s beau, Wyatt, about to say “I do,” Beatrice and the Village Quilters are pitching in to help with the nuptial plans. They’re hard at work making everything from wool boutonnieres to a quilt-shaped wedding cake. And all the talk of love and marriage has Beatrice thinking about her own budding romance with Wyatt.



But after she stumbles across the body of the original best man at the end of the reception, Beatrice must stop threading her needle and start collecting clues. She, along with the Village Quilters, will need to turn all their attention to solving a murder before another victim gets cut out.


MY REVIEW


This is the first book I’ve read in the Southern Quilting series, but it won’t be my last. I’d also like to add that this is the fifth book in the series and I didn’t feel lost at all. It has just made me want to go back and start with book one so I don’t miss one word of this excellent series.


I didn’t plan to read this book in one setting, but once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Author Elizabeth Craig has a smooth, flowing writing style that simply encouraged me to keep reading into the night. This was a wonderfully crafted mystery that really kept me guessing, as well as second guessing myself all the way up to the satisfying conclusion.

The setting was delightful, and I enjoyed every moment spent with Beatrice and the rest of the Village Quilters. They made me wish, not for the first time when reading a “crafting” cozy, that I could be a part of a group of ladies like this. And speaking of the characters, I simply adored Miss Sissy! I would truly love to read more about her.

Rather you’re a quilter or not (I’m not), you’ll love this southern cozy mystery. Just like a quilt, it’s full of warmth and character stitched together by a skilled and talented hand. Oh, and of course, murder! (That just didn’t blend with my warm quilt comparison) ;-)

Be sure to check the back of the book for some yummy recipes and helpful quilting tips!  

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


THE DIVA STEALS A CHOCOLATE KISS
Book 9 in the Domestic Diva Mystery series 
by Krista Davis


The New York Times bestselling author of The Diva Wraps It Up unwraps an all-new tale in which chocolate is the kiss of death… 

Domestic Diva Sophie Winston is in charge of the sweetest event in Old Town this summer. Amore Chocolates is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with a chocolate tasting at the mansion of the company’s CEO, Joe Merano—and Sophie is running the show. With cookies, candy, and five kinds of chocolate cake, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream! But when Joe goes missing, the celebration becomes bittersweet. And when Sophie discovers the body of a competing chocolatier in the guesthouse, the event turns downright deadly.

As if that wasn’t enough, Sophie’s been receiving daily boxes of sweet treats. After ruling out her new beau and her exes, Sophie wonders if someone’s trying to send her a message—and if she’s next on a chocoholic’s hit list…

Includes delicious recipes and entertaining tips!

MY REVIEW


Chocolate seems to be a theme for June’s upcoming releases. I don’t know about you, but I am more than okay with that!

This book starts with a great character guide to help the reader become more familiar with the characters. I’ve seen this in a lot of books recently and I think it’s a cool feature. Also, each chapter begins with a Dear Sophie or Dear Natasha letter. I had to keep myself from going through the whole book and reading them all at once!

This ninth installment of the Domestic Diva series may be the best so far. The storyline was wonderful. It pulled me in from the very first page and kept me entranced until the end.

While I can cook and bake, I am so far away from being a domestic diva. Series lead, Sophie Winston, makes it seem so easy. And she still has time to solve mysteries! The supporting characters are all so diverse, but they blend really well together. They are a group of people I wouldn’t mind hanging out with.

The worst part of THE DIVA STEALS A CHOCOLATE KISS was when it ended. I didn’t want it to! I’m already looking forward to book ten.

Don’t forget to check out the back of the book for some wonderful recipes and a sneak peek of MURDER MOST HOWL, the upcoming book in Krista’s Paws and Claws Mystery series!

TYING THE KNOT 
and 
THE DIVA STEALS A CHOCOLATE KISS
are now available for pre-order! 

Both titles release 
Tuesday, June 2!


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.

Friday, May 29, 2015


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 the cozy mystery 
SMOTHERED, COVERED & DEAD
A novella in the Jordan McAllister Mystery series
by
Liz Lipperman


Aspiring sportswriter Jordan McAllister never imagined she’d end up as a food critic for a small time newspaper. Writing the culinary column for the Ranchero Globe is a challenge, and even though she can’t make a grilled cheese sandwich without burning it, she has no trouble finding herself in hot water. 

When Rosie LaRue finds her ex in the apartment with her butcher knife in his chest, Jordan knows that she and the Empire Apartments gang must act quickly to keep their friend out of jail. Despite the fact that the deceased has a long list of people who wanted him dead, things aren’t always what they seem, and Jordan ends up in the hands of a crazed killer, desperately searching for a way to stay alive. 

Special Preview of the first three chapters of 
MISSION TO KILL (coming Sept 2015!) included.

SMOTHERED, COVERED & DEAD 
is now available in

Kindle  and  Nook


Today's Recipe

MYRTLE'S LEMON DELIGHT

Yields 12 servings

Ingredients

CRUST

1 ½ cups chopped pecans
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 
1 ½ sticks butter

FIRST LAYER

2 cans (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup lemon juice
6 egg yolks
½ teaspoon grated lemon rind


SECOND LAYER

1 ½ bars (8 ounce) cream cheese
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 ½ cups Cool Whip
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

THIRD LAYER

1 small box (1.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding
1 small box (1.4 ounces) instant lemon pudding
2 cups cold whole milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice

TOPPING

1 container (16 ounces) Cool Whip.


Crust: 

Melt butter then add flour and pecans. Press into bottom of 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Let cool.

First layer: 

Mix condensed milk, lemon juice, egg yolks and grated lemon rind and spread over cooled crust. Bake another 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Second layer: 

Combine cream cheese and powdered sugar together with vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1 ½ cups Cool Whip. Spread over cooled lemon layer.

Fourth layer: 

Combine all ingredients and beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Spread over pie and top with Cool Whip. Chill for at least 6 hours and refrigerate any leftovers. Can use instant chocolate pudding instead of the lemon one for Chocolate Delight.

NOTE: All images are from Google Images and Pinterest. 
Your dish may vary in appearance.

All I can say is....Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

About the author

National bestselling author of the THE CLUELESS COOK MYSTERIES Berkley Prime Crime
SMOTHERED, COVERED, and DEAD (Jordan McAllister mystery) coming May 11th
JAILHOUSE GLOCK (A Dead Sister Talking Mystery) Midnight Ink May, 2014
MISSION TO KILL (Garcia Girls Mystery) coming September 14th

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 

BUSHEL FULL OF MURDER
Book 6 in the Farmers' Market Mystery series
by Paige Shelton


The New York Times bestselling author of Merry Market Murder returns to Bailey’s Farmers’ Market where Becca Robins must get her cousin out of a jam…


This summer, Becca is looking forward to selling her delicious jams and preserves, but things are changing fast at the farmers’ market. A fleet of food trucks has arrived for a two week visit, peddling cupcakes, tacos, chicken wings, and more—including a gourmet hot dog  truck operated by Becca’s own cousin, Peyton.

Tensions between truck operators and market vendors over their required licenses reach a crescendo when the town’s  business  manager is murdered. With Peyton already under suspicion of stealing money and a secret recipe from the restaurant where she worked in Arizona, the cops start grilling her as their prime suspect. Now it’s up to Becca to clear her cousin and find out who at the market gave themselves a license to kill.


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...

"Close your eyes," he said.

I did as he instructed. 

"Okay, stick out your tongue," he said. 

I did. 

"Tell me what you think." He deposited a small drop of liquid onto my tongue.

"Mmm," I said a second later. "That is so good. Can I open my eyes now?"

"Sure." 

(Note from Lisa: Get your minds out of the gutter!

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...
From page 58 (page 56 was blank)

He was a nice enough guy, but I always has a sense he didn't that he didn't really want to be nice, that he was thinking of less than nice things to say but keeping them to himself as he vocalized pleasant sentiments instead. 


BUSHEL FULL OF MURDER
releases 
June 2
Pre-order now! 

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.