BOOK TOUR

I'm thrilled to be a stop on the blog tour for

THE HIDDEN CORPSE

Book 2 in the Food Blogger Mysteries

by Debra Sennefelder

Former reality TV baking show contestant and recent divorcée Hope Early is trying to find her recipe for success as a food blogger—but murder keeps getting in the mix . . .
 
When Hope’s elderly neighbor perishes in a home fire, she can't help but feel somewhat responsible. Only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her over, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn't even remember cooking. Clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone.
 
But it turns out she wasn't alone. When a second body is discovered in the basement of the burned house, suddenly what appeared to be a tragic accident is beginning to look like premeditated murder. As rumors spread like wildfire, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer, but she might be jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire . . . 
 
Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

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!!!GIVEAWAY!!!

 5 lucky readers will each win a print copy of

THE HIDDEN CORPSE

USA only

Enter using the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.

Winner will be chosen after April 9 at the end of the tour

This giveaway is through Great Escape Book Tours, not Lisa Ks Book Reviews.

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MY REVIEW

The cozy mystery sub-genre is filled with fabulous authors. But author Debra Sennefelder is one that cozies have been needing for a long time.

The first thing I have to say in, author Sennefelder has created a great bunch of characters. I really enjoy protagonist Hope Early. Other than being a blogger like myself, there are many things we have in common. I feel a real kinship to her. And, she’s a pleasure to read. All the characters in this series are. I’ve had a great time following them over the last two books in the Food Blogger Mysteries, and I can’t wait to learn more about them and watch them grow for many, many adventures to come!

THE HIDDEN CORPSE was an incredibly well done mystery. With more than one murder, and suspects all over, I was second and third guessing myself all the way through, and still didn’t get it right. Not the who, and not the why.  

A real reading experience and a half, this book was packed with emotional ups and downs that had me laughing one minute and crying the next. I had to stop and catch my breath when I was finished reading it. And once my breathing was back to normal, I dove into the yummy recipes included!

There is no way you can go wrong with THE HIDDEN CORPSE.

About the Author

Debra Sennefelder, the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series, is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person. Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie and Billy. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Women's Fiction Writers Association and Romance Writers of America. 

  Author Links 

Website – Facebook – Goodreads 

Purchase Links 

Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - IndieBound 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway


TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 26 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW
March 26 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
March 27 - Off
March 28 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW
March 29 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
March 30 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
March 31 – Community Books – REVIEW
March 31 - Lisa Ks Book Review – REVIEW
April 1 – Literary Gold – REVIEW
April 2 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – REVIEW
April 2 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
April 3 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
April 4 – StoreyBook Reviews - REVIEW
April 5 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
April 6 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
April 6 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW
April 7 – Elle G. Reads – REVIEW
April 7 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW
April 8 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
April 8 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
April 9 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW
April 9 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 9 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think about today's blog!

Follow my blog by submitting your email in 

upper right hand corner of this page. (on the side bar).

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Author

Lori Herter's

debut cozy mystery is out today!

Ms. Herter is a talented author best known 

for her wonderful romances. 

I was thrilled to learn she was going to write not one but three cozy mystery novellas

 together in an anthology!

THE CAT COLLECTOR

What happens when a former romance author writes mysteries? A cozy novella series with a wholesome love story woven in.

THE CAT COLLECTOR COZY MYSTERY SERIES

Three lovable felines play a part in a trio of engaging mysteries, while a romantic flame kindles between Veterinary Technician Claudia Bailey and Police Detective Steve O’Rourke.

Includes these novellas:

THE COFFEE CAPER: Widowed and approaching forty, Claudia Bailey is happy working at the Briarwood Cat Clinic in suburban Chicago. When she discovers the murdered body of her church’s deceitful new minister, no-nonsense Detective Steve O’Rourke views her as a prime suspect. Claudia’s quiet, comfortable life is deeply shaken. Nevertheless, she helps Steve look for clues, unexpectedly putting herself in jeopardy, all the while treating a Maine Coon named Knickerbocker with a litter pan problem.

THE WINGED WITNESS: Tom and Ethel Radek bring Jasmine, their desperately ill Himalayan, to the Briarwood Cat Clinic. When Tom is found stabbed to death later that day, Claudia and Steve have a new mystery to solve. The only witness to the homicide is Tom’s obnoxious parrot Hal. Meanwhile, will Jasmine recover from surgery? As the investigation continues, it’s increasingly clear Steve is smitten with Claudia. How does Claudia feel? Conflicted and unsure, yet she can’t deny she finds Steve attractive.

THE CLAIRVOYANT CAT: Wrigley, a deaf rescue cat, became famous for predicting the winners of Chicago Cubs’ baseball games. When Lydia Worthington, Wrigley’s wealthy owner, is murdered in her lavish home during an attempted catnapping, Steve and Claudia must solve a newsworthy homicide. Another issue is who will take care of the famed but traumatized Wrigley? An unexpected turn of events endangers Claudia and her Clinic co-workers. In the meantime, Steve drops the L word and hints at marriage. Claudia must examine her true feelings. Does she want to marry again? Or continue paddling her own canoe and risk losing Steve?

😸🐈😺🐈😽

!!!GIVEAWAY!!!

Three lucky readers will win a Kindle copy of

THE CAT COLLECTOR COZY MYSTERY SERIES!

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter

USA only

😸🐈😺🐈😽

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think about today's blog!

Follow my blog by submitting your email in 

upper right hand corner of this page. (on the side bar).

Reading from your phone? Scroll to the bottom of your page and click"View web version". Then follow the above directions.

It's

Cozy Food Friday!

That means it's time to share a recipe from 

another great cozy mystery!

This week's recipe is from

THE DIVA COOKS UP A STORM

Book 11 in the Domestic Diva Mysteries

by Krista Davis

When a trendy, underground dinner club leaves some guests six-feet-under the table, entertaining professional and amateur sleuth Sophie Winston hopes she has all the right ingredients to put a murderer on ice in New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis’s new Domestic Diva mystery . . .
 
Domestic diva Sophie Winston can whip up an elaborate event in her sleep, but as the hippest hostess she rarely gets to enjoy the full guest treatment. Which is why her best friend Nina Reid Norwood loops her in to the latest culinary craze: a pop-up gourmet dinner party. The celebrity chef, the epicurean menu, and the high-profile attendees are all a surprise, turning the decadent dining experience into the hottest ticket in Old Town. But Sophie’s just pleased as punch that she finally has an opportunity to join her fellow foodies in some fun.
 
The posh party proves to be a recipe for disaster when Hollis Haberman sours spirits by bringing his own hot new dish—his young trophy wife. With Hollis’s son and ex-wife in attendance, there may be more heat at the table than in the kitchen. But by aperitifs, Sophie discovers Hollis swallowing his last bits of air, and she must scramble to stop a killer before the swanky supper becomes anyone else’s last meal.
 
Includes delicious recipes and entertaining tips!

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Coca-Cola Cake

photo property of recipesforourdailybread.com

Photos are from Google Images and/or Pinterest. Your finished product may differ in appearance.

Note: If you would like to toast the ½ cup of pecans for the frosting, do so before baking the cake. If you don't have buttermilk, add ½ teaspoon of white vinegar to ½ cup milk and let stand a few minutes.

Cake

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

1 cup butter

1 cup Coca-Cola

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

½ cup buttermilk

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1½ miniature marshmallows

photo property of SouthernKitchen

Directions

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

   Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. 

   Combine sugar and flour in a large bowl. Whisk well and set aside. 

   Mix together butter, 1 cup Coca-Cola, and cocoa in a pot. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Pour over sugar and flour mixture and stir, blending well. 

   In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla. Add to Coca-Cola mixture. Add marshmallows and stir well. (Note: The marshmallows will not melt.)

   Pour into a prepared pan and bake 35 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

photo property of Allrecipes

Frosting

Ingredients

Note: Frosting and cake should be warm when applying the frosting.

½ cup butter

1-3 tablespoons cocoa powder

6 tablespoons Coco-Cola

1 pound (1 box) confectioner's sugar

½ cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional)

    About 10 minutes before the cake will be done, place ½ cup butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, and 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola in a pot. Pour over the powdered sugar and mix well. Add vanilla and mix. Spread over cake while both cake and frosting are still warm. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

OH. MY. GOODNESS!

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think!

Follow my blog by submitting your email in 

upper right hand corner of this page. (on the side bar).

Reading from your phone? Scroll to the bottom of your page and click"View web version". Then follow the above directions.

WHAT'S COOKING?

An Ocean Full of Sweets!

Wait. What? 😉

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This one had my sweet tooth so excited!

THE MERMAID COOKBOOK

by Alix Carey

Make a splash and be the mermaid you always wanted to be with this beautiful, magical cookbook. Think Mermania meets Hello Kitty Cupcake!

The mysteries of the deep come to light in this delightful cookbook packed with pearls and sparkles. From a Sandcastle Cake and Turtle Doughnuts to Jam Clams and Treasure Trifle, fulfill all your dreams of becoming a mermaid. Or at least eating like one. Color photographs are paired with easy-to-follow recipes. Besides various desserts (cupcakes, celebration cakes, cookies, and bars and bites), the cookbook also includes party food (i.e. Crispy Starfish Churros), breakfast (i.e. Mermaid Toast), and drinks (i.e. Seaplendid Smoothie) sections. Each recipe also shows estimated time to make and difficulty rating.

MY REVIEW

This delightful sweets cookbook is exactly what you need when planning beach or summer themed parties, or just making something fun for home, school or work. You would also be a big hit at any bake sale!

After short introduction you’ll learn your Mermaid name, (mine is Sparkling Tide Dancer J), and read up on Kitchen Essentials such as Equipment, and Ingredients.

Chapters include Cupcakes, Celebration Cakes, Cookies, Bars and Bites, Party Food, Breakfast, Desserts, and Drinks!

Among the amazing yummies you’ll find are Heart of the Ocean Cupcakes, Mermaid Scale Cupcakes, Mermaid Kisses Cake, Sandcastle Showstopper, Sea Holly Shortbread, Hermit Crab Cookies, Stormy Sea Brownies, Mermazing Fudge, Mesmerizing Madeleines, Coral Reef  Éclairs, Starfish Pancakes, Turtle Waffles, Seafoam Mousse, Tropical Swiss Rolls, Mertastic  Milkshake, Sea Breeze Slushie, and more!  

THE MERMAID COOKBOOK with a visually adorable cookbook, with easy to follow recipes, and decorating ideas. I love photos in recipe books, and this one has some instructional photos as well as finished products.

If you love baking and creating fun, eatable sweets, THE MERMAID COOKBOOK is for you!

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think!

Follow my blog by submitting your email in 

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Today I'm joining Berkley Mystery

in hosting author

Julia Buckley

and her new release

DEATH WAITS IN THE DARK

Book 4 in the Writer's Apprentice Mysteries

Available April 2

 Pre-order today!

Writer's apprentice Lena London is back and better than ever when her friend bestselling suspense novelist Camilla Graham needs help solving a town murder that hits a little too close to home...

It's summertime, and Lena and Camilla are busy working away while a town vandal runs amok. Things get even more complicated when Jane Wyland pays Camilla a not-so-friendly visit and gives her an ultimatum: reveal Camilla's husband James's family secret, or she will. Lena assures Camilla that nothing will come of the woman's threats, since the family has no secrets to hide.

When Jane Wyland is later found dead, they're convinced that whatever secret she was planning to expose led to her death. With Lena's assistance, Camilla is determined to solve the case before the finger points at her...

📚📚📖📚📚

!!!GIVEAWAY!!!

1 lucky reader will win a print copy of

DEATH WAITS IN THE DARK

USA only

Enter using the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post

📚📖📚📖📚

MY REVIEW

With the Writer’s Apprentice Mysteries, author Julia Buckley continues to show that a cozy mystery can be a little more intense without going too far. It’s almost as if she has channeled the great traditional mystery authors who have come before her.

DEATH WAITS IN THE DARK is by far my favorite story in this series to date. That’s saying something considering how much I enjoyed the first three. Julia Buckley just seems to have pulled out all of the stops with this one. I was so caught up in every aspect of the story. It’s a wonderfully plotted mystery for sure, but it was so much more than that to me. 

I was enthralled with the past correspondence between James Graham and Camilla Easton at the beginning of each chapter of DEATH WAITS IN THE DARK. I honestly could read an entire book of nothing but that. (Hmmm…Ms. Buckley, what do you say? “THE LETTERS OF JAMES GRAHAM AND CAMILLIA EASTON”. I’ll be the first to pre-order it!)

I could go on and on with my review of DEATH WAITS IN THE DARK. I have so much I want to say! But I think it’s best to just say this . . . Read this book! If you are a fan of the series already, you are in for such a treat! If you haven’t read any of this series yet, please, get them all now and read them back to back.

There’s an excerpt from book five in the series, DEATH WITH A DARK RED ROSE at the back of the book that will leave you feeling tortured waiting for its release. With every Writer’s Apprentice book better than the one before, it’s sure to be amazing!

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think!

Follow my blog by submitting your email in 

upper right hand corner of this page

(on the side bar).

Reading from your phone? Scroll to the bottom of your page and click "View web version".

Then follow the above directions.