A Perilous Premiere - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

A PERILOUS PREMIERE by Gail Meath
The First Stone & Steele Mystery

Fashion designer Vivian Steele had it all, a wonderful business, a great friendship with film star Carole Lombard, and a happy marriage of almost a year. Until her husband was gunned down. Determined to seek justice she worked to find her husband's killer, only to discover he couldn't have done it. That shock was just the tip of the iceberg. A phone call led her to a dead body and the fact that her husband was leading a double life; one that's putting hers in jeopardy. Teaming up with a louse might be her best option, not only to uncover all of her husband's secrets, but to save her own life!

A PERILOUS PREMIERE utilizes the glamorous backdrop of the Golden Age of Hollywood to perfection, bridging the opulent lives of film stars and the rich with the reality of the working class and the grittiness of gangsters and ne'er do wells. I really liked Vivian Steel with her determination and sense of style. I am also intrigued by her mysterious background. Tantalizing snippets of her life before Hollywood are given and I look forward to learning more. I enjoyed the relationship between Vivian and Preston Stone, from distaste to bantering cooperation. With each surprising the other, the pair make an exciting team.

Vengeance, treachery, and murder come together in A PERILOUS PREMIERE, a smart new mystery featuring great interplay by interesting characters while offering lots of surprises and some cute dogs!

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 A Perilous Premiere (Stone & Steele Mysteries) by Gail Meath

About A Perilous Premiere

A Perilous Premiere (Stone & Steele Mysteries)
Historical Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - California
Publisher: ‎ Cranberry Pond Publishing (November 15, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 182 pages

Solving their own murders is the least of their problems…and the beginning of Stone & Steele, a reluctant yet surprisingly skilled investigative team.

The Golden Age of Hollywood, 1938. Vivian Steele moved to California to start a new life. She opened a fashion boutique in Beverly Hills, befriended Carole Lombard, the actress, and married a successful banker. But when her husband is murdered, Vivian discovers she isn't the only one hiding a few secrets.

An anonymous phone call lures Vivian to a plush hotel room where she stumbles upon the dead body of a beautiful young actress – her husband’s mistress. To add fuel to the fire, she's not alone.

Preston Stone, her adversary and Hollywood’s notorious playboy, is standing beside her. Suspiciously, they part ways only to find themselves alone again at a movie premiere two days later, and the message becomes brutally clear. They’re both the next targets of a cold-blooded killer.

Together, Vivian and Preston are thrown into a deadly race to find a missing collection of valuable coins and stop a vicious killer before they become the next murder victims. But first, they need to stop pointing their fingers at each other.

A Perilous Premiere is the first book in this exciting new 1930s Stone & Steele mystery series starring a great cast of characters ranging from the rich and famous to Bella, a Boston Terrier, her new friend, Boris, a Saint Bernard, and a few other endearing folks. (A pretty clean read)

About Gail Meath

Gail Meath is the author of the multi-award-winning Jax Diamond Mysteries, the fun series about of a wise-cracking PI, his sweet German Shepherd partner, Ace, and his Broadway singing heartthrob, Laura, as they solve crazy crimes during the Roaring Twenties. She's currently working on the first book in her exciting new 1930s mystery series, Stone & Steele Mysteries, takes place during the glamorous Golden Age of Hollywood. As always, she blends the most loveable characters with a good, solid mystery.

Gail also has a growing list of other award-winning historical romances, mysteries, westerns, and fictional biographies of true heroines. She lives in a small village in Upstate New York with her husband and their sweet, little Boston Terrier, and she spends loads of time with her grandchildren.

Author Links: 

Website: https://www.gailmeath.com 

Facebook: https://facebook.com/gailmeathauthor  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailmeathauthor  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220631482-a-perilous-premiere  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/a-perilous-premiere-by-gail-meath  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org -

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Golden Hour Murder by Jeanne Quigley. This book is the second in the Robyn Cavanagh Mystery series and will be released next month.

While working as an accountant is the bread and butter that keeps her solvent, Robyn Cavanagh is proud that her interest in photography has developed into a lucrative sideline. In addition to taking family portraits she's just landed a job as photographer for Linden Acres Farm. Recalling happy memories at the family farm herself Robyn is now preserving the joy found in every aspect of the place, from its apple orchards to the Fall Fun Festival to the family itself. Given fairly free rein Robyn is excited to arrive at the farm as dawn breaks, that golden hour when the sunlight perfectly illuminates the fruit. After taking a variety of photos her session comes to an abrupt end when she discovers the body of Doug Paxton, the newly named CEO. Was this a tragic accident? Or murder? As Robyn continues to capture Linden Acres in photographs she's also making discrete inquiries to help capture a killer.

The Perfect One - A Cover Reveal & Giveaway

THE PERFECT ONE

by Shelly M Patel

January 14, 2025 Cover Reveal

Synopsis:

Lyla and Jack seemed to have it all. A picture-perfect marriage, thriving careers, and a future brimming with promise. Lyla, an ambitious District Attorney, earned accolades in Virginia Beach, while Jack, the town’s steadfast sheriff, stood as her most powerful ally. Their close bond with the Davidsons—Riya, a celebrated author, and Brent, a cunning defense attorney—added a touch of warmth to their seemingly idyllic lives.

But perfection is often a mirage.

The illusion shatters when Brent Davidson is found savagely murdered at Lyla and Jack’s remote cabin. Suspicion immediately falls on Lyla, the last person to see him alive. The once-solid foundation of her life begins to crumble as whispers of guilt grow louder, threatening to destroy everything she holds dear.

Removed from the investigation due to his connection to the suspect, Jack is forced to watch helplessly as the case is handed to Detective Aiden. Aiden is a relentless investigator with a personal vendetta against both Jack and Lyla. He is determined to see Lyla behind bars, no matter what the cost.

When the body of Lyla’s stepfather—missing for fifteen years—is discovered, the investigation takes an even darker turn.

Lyla is entangled in a web of lies, betrayals, and deadly secrets as her past collides violently with her present. With mounting evidence tying her to not one but two murders, she faces the terrifying possibility that she may never clear her name. Paranoia takes root, and Lyla and Jack begin questioning everyone, even each other.

Is this the work of a bitter adversary from Lyla’s courtroom victories? Or is the actual threat lurking much closer—someone they once trusted implicitly, now bent on tearing their world apart? With her career, marriage, and freedom at stake, Lyla must race against time to untangle the twisted threads of deceit and unmask the real killer before it's too late.

How well do we truly know anyone?

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Thrillers, Suspense, Womens Fiction
Published by: Indie
Scheduled Publication Date: March 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 269

 

Author Bio:

Shelly M. Patel enjoys writing mystery books. Her first Children's book, Jake has Dyslexia, entered the Reader's Choice award in 2021. In 2023, she won second place in CloutBooks for the Reader's Choice Award for her novel When Secrets Kill. She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, three beautiful children, and their dog, Teddy

Catch Up With Shelly:
BooksByShelly.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @shellymauthor
Instagram - @shellympatel
Threads - @shellympatel
Facebook

 

 

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Wine to Whispers - A Guest Post and Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Daisy Landish to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Daisy writes the Sophie Brooks Mystery series. Wine and Whispers is the first book in the series and was released yesterday.

Why Cozy Mysteries Will Always Be My Favorite Escape
By Daisy Landish

When life gets hectic and the world feels overwhelming, I turn to cozy mysteries like an old friend offering a cup of tea and a listening ear. There’s something uniquely comforting about this genre—a perfect balance of intrigue, charm, and the assurance that justice will prevail. As both a writer and a reader of cozy mysteries, I’ve spent countless hours immersed in these delightful worlds, and I’d love to share why they’ve stolen my heart.

The Charm of Small-Town Life

Cozy mysteries almost always take place in picturesque settings—charming villages, idyllic seaside towns, or tight-knit communities where everyone knows everyone else’s business. As a reader, these settings feel like home, even if I’ve never been there before. Whether it’s Jessica Fletcher’s Cabot Cove or M.C. Beaton’s Carsely, these fictional towns are a reminder of the beauty and quirkiness of small-town life.

As a writer, creating these settings is one of my favorite parts of the process. In my Sophie Brooks Mysteries, the farm-to-table world of Sonoma becomes a character in itself. It’s more than just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing part of the story, with its vineyards, markets, and the occasional secret hiding in plain sight.


Amateur Sleuths We Love

The heart of every cozy mystery is its amateur sleuth. These aren’t hardened detectives—they’re bakers, librarians, gardeners, or food bloggers like Sophie, who find themselves unraveling crimes out of sheer determination (and a little bit of stubbornness). They remind us that anyone, no matter how ordinary, can rise to extraordinary challenges.

What I love most about these characters is how relatable they are. They’re not perfect, and they often juggle sleuthing with the everyday chaos of life. Who hasn’t felt like they’re trying to solve a mystery while also remembering to pick up groceries?


The Gentle Thrill of Intrigue

While cozy mysteries involve murder and mayhem, they’re never gory or graphic. The focus is on the puzzle—piecing together clues, deciphering motives, and uncovering the truth. For readers, it’s like solving a crossword puzzle with a story wrapped around it.

The thrill of a cozy mystery lies in its subtlety. The suspect could be the friendly neighbor who always bakes pies or the charming newcomer in town. The clues are often hidden in plain sight, waiting for the sleuth (and the reader) to connect the dots. It’s a mental challenge without the stress, and it’s oh-so-satisfying when the culprit is finally revealed.


The Promise of Justice

At the heart of every cozy mystery is the promise that justice will be served. No matter how dark the crime, we know the sleuth will solve the case, and the wrongdoer will face the consequences. In a world that often feels chaotic, this assurance is a welcome reprieve.

That sense of resolution is one of the reasons I love writing cozy mysteries. It’s a chance to explore complex characters and conflicts, but also to tie everything up in a way that feels satisfying and complete.


A Warm, Welcoming Escape

Ultimately, cozy mysteries are about more than just solving crimes—they’re about community, resilience, and finding light in dark times. They’re a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, people can come together, rebuild, and grow.

Whether you’re curling up with a favorite cozy or diving into a new series, I hope these stories bring you the same joy they’ve brought me. And if you haven’t yet dipped your toes into the genre, consider this your invitation—grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite chair, and prepare to be charmed.

 

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 Wine and Whispers: A Cozy Mystery (Sophie Brooks Mysteries) by Daisy Landish

About Wine and Whispers

Wine and Whispers: A Cozy Mystery (Sophie Brooks Mysteries)
Culinary Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - California
Publisher: ‎ Beaches and Trails Publishing (January 11, 2025)
Digital: 170 Pages

In the heart of wine country, secrets run as deep as the vines.

Sophie Brooks, a food blogger and digital nomad, heads to Sonoma’s wine country to explore its famous vineyards. But when a mysterious disappearance shatters the idyllic landscape, Sophie must uncover the truth hidden among the whispers and the wine.

Food blogger and digital nomad Sophie Brooks is on her first stop in Sonoma, California, where the wine flows as freely as the secrets. Eager to showcase the region’s farm-to-table dining scene, Sophie is ready to indulge in the local wines and meet the passionate people behind them. But when one of the vineyard’s owners goes missing, the peaceful countryside takes a dark turn.

As whispers of betrayal and old grudges swirl through the vines, Sophie finds herself caught in the middle of a mystery that threatens to unravel the very fabric of this picturesque wine country. With her sharp instincts and a love for uncovering the truth, Sophie must navigate the delicate balance between tasting fine wines and untangling deadly secrets.

Can she solve the mystery before the whispers turn into something more dangerous?

About Daisy Landish

Daisy Landish is a sweet romance and cozy mystery author, whose clean and sweet stories have tugged at readers’ heartstrings around the world. When she’s not writing love stories, Daisy spends her time reading, hiking at dawn, and riding into the sunset on her horse, Rosebud.

Author Links:  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/daisylandishromance  

Twitter/X https://www.twitter.com/daisy_landish  

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/daisylandishromance  

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/daisy-landish 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/daisylandishbooks  

Books 2 Read https://books2read.com/ap/RaNzqq/Daisy-Landish  

Overdrive https://www.overdrive.com/creators/3244971/daisy-landish  

Newsletter https://www.daisylandishromance.substack.com  

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/daisylandish  

Website http://www.daisylandishromance.com  

Purchase Links: Amazon - B & N -  Publisher - Apple - Smashwords - Everand - fable –

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Deadly Performance - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

DEADLY PERFORMANCE by Kate Parker
The Twelfth Deadly Mystery

 

June 1941 finds Olivia Redmond hot, short tempered, and generally out of sorts. After her apartment is bombed by the Nazis she's forced  to move in with her father. Her husband, Adam, has resumed his duties in the army and his visits are few and far between. In an attempt to perk Livvy up Sir Henry loans her services to The Stage, an entertainment newspaper run by his old friend Si. When Livvy learns of trouble on the set of Have You Seen My Mother-in-Law her interest is definitely piqued. When the dastardly director drops dead in front of her Olivia thinks her story may be more suited to the Daily Premier rather than the The Stage!

DEADLY PERFORMANCE gives a behind the scenes look at theatre during WWII. I found it interesting what performances were chosen to be staged during this time-comedies and revues, as well as the fact that tours were common, so people all over the country were able to attend performances. As with every Deadly mystery the characterization is everything. No part is too small as all characters are well rounded people with needs, desires, and great back stories...even if we don't know what those stories are! Livvy's relationship with her father has appeared to regressed and we don't get to see much of Adam, but Livvy's other friendships stand her well as she deals with a group of new, well fleshed out characters. The mystery was absorbing and various happenings made me wonder if events were connected.

Secrets, historic detail, and a finely tuned mystery make DEADLY PERFORMANCE a delightfully captivating story in one of my favorite series!

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Deadly Performance: A World War II Mystery (Deadly Series) by Kate Parker

About Deadly Performance

Deadly Performance: A World War II Mystery (Deadly Series)
Historical Cozy Mystery 12th in Series
Setting -West End of London, Summer, 1941
Publisher: ‎ JDP Press (December 9, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 301 pages

Behind the spotlights and glamour lurk secrets and murder.

Amid the grim realities of wartime Britain, inside during the blackout hidden from the tatters left by the Blitz, glitz and glamour live onstage in the West End. But at one theater, The Regent, a malevolent force is causing escalating problems. Sabotage, damage and injury feed mistrust among the cast and crew.

Then during opening night, the hated director drops dead from poison, and Olivia Redmond's colorful, kindly editor is arrested for murder. Determined to investigate, Olivia finds secrets piling up among the bodies. But which secret leads to a crafty killer who won't hesitate to remove anyone in their way, including Olivia.

About Kate Parker 

 

Kate Parker has long wanted to build a time travel machine. However, after several false starts, she gave up and created time travel by going back in time inside her books. Since she's fond of murder mysteries, it is probably best that all of her travel is inside books or police from various ages would be hunting her. When not recreating old time buildings and fashions, she can be found with a modern computer and modern air conditioning in North Carolina with her daughter and a 115 lb. puppy who could just crash through any time barrier.

Author Links: 

Website - http://www.kateparkerbooks.com  

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/Author.Kate.Parker  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Apple - Kobo 

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Wine and Whispers by Daisy Landish. This book is the first in the Sophie Brooks Mystery series and will be released later this week.

Sophie Brooks has come to Sonoma, California for a fresh start. Leaving the fast paced Oregon restaurant world and her lying ex behind she's staying in a guesthouse next to the Cartwright Vineyard. Planning to write a farm to table blog while working on her book, Sophie soon discovers the quiet town is not as peaceful as it first appeared. There's more than meets the eye including manipulation, bribery, and threats stemming from a bitter feud between rival wineries. Despite being warned away Sophie is determined to uncover the secrets of Sonoma.

Some New Year Advice

As the new year begins I thought we could do with some advice for the year ahead. I posed the question to several characters from mystery series and this is what they said:

 

“Happiness in life is not about getting what you want, it’s about loving what you get.”

~ Zell, eighty-one-year-old amateur sleuth in the Magical Mystery Book Club series by Elizabeth Pantley. CAROUSELS AND CHARACTERS will release January 15th. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGVX668R

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Advice from Ella Shane's hard-working Irish Aunt Ellen: 

"When in doubt, do something constructive."   

Mentioned in A Fatal Reception, the most recent Ella Shane mystery, recently named to the 2024 Reviewer Favorites list at Aunt Agatha's, available here: A Fatal Reception: An Ella Shane Mystery a book by Kathleen Maple Kalb

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The new year is a chance to refresh and recharge. Like a well-balanced meal, make sure to nourish every part of yourself—your mind, body, and spirit. Cook a meal that brings you joy, share it with those you love, and savor every moment. Food, like a good book, has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.

Allie Katz from the Literary Dining Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber
https://darylwoodgerber.com/

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Advice from Jitty from the Sarah Booth Delaney series by Carolyn Haines --

"Don't come a knockin' if the van is rockin'."

https://carolynhaines.com/

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Until recently, I haven't had many successes in my life, unlike my twin sister, Allie. Oddly, I never give up hope. At New Year's, I like to remind myself, as Scarlett did, "Tomorrow is another day." Anything can happen - in love, at the wine bar I manage, or with solving the occasional homicide that presents itself - and it might be something good.

Cece Barton
DEADLY CRUSH by Edith Maxwell, which released in November, is the second Cece Barton Mystery from Kensington Publishing.

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Advice for 2025 from Jocie Müller, Age 10, from Vintage Kitchen Mysteries by Victoria Hamilton:  

"You can never make too many puns. Did you know that there's this kid in my class who collects candy canes? They're all in mint condition! Do you know what I use to write my puns? A pun-cil! So... make more puns in 2025. It's going to be a particularly punny year."

Watch for Jocie and the whole family in the latest Vintage Kitchen Mystery, 'Cat Got Your Tongs' coming from Victoria Hamilton Mysteries in March, 2025!

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Declan from the "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery series by A. J. Devlin has this to say:

“At least I ain’t afraid o’usin’ me balls!”

This is what Declan says to get Jed to take the case in Bronco Buster — it’s also a pretty spot on take on his outlook on life — “quit being’ a wanker and ‘man up’ might be the take away underneath the Irish slang. 

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Hello and Happy New Year! My name is Lucy Berberian. I’m taking a break as manager from my family’s Mediterranean restaurant, Kebab Kitchen, to ponder my New Year’s resolution. This year, after a lot of thought, I decided to try something different. Instead of my typical “eat healthier and lose extra pounds” resolution (because working in a restaurant is too tempting), I decided to pick a cause that’s special to me and regularly volunteer to help others. I wish you all a happy and healthy 2025!

The Kebab Kitchen Mysteries by Tina Kashian
http://tinakashian.com/

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"Last year was a bit rough in Watchogue, but tough years always end, and new years always begin, bringing their own share of ups and downs, their own challenges and successes. My advice would be, remember the good times and celebrate your victories, even the small ones."

 --Danika Delaney -
The Coffee & Cream Mystery series by Lena Gregory
http://www.lenagregory.com/

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If I were to recommend the cultivation of any one virtue in the New Year, it would be the practice of mindful listening. I think there's always a temptation to be the speaker, the entertainer, the one soaking up the limelight, but it is in the practice of listening to others that we gain understanding and empathy of our human nature. It's aided me tremendously in my writing, opened the door to many new friendships, and even helped me solve a murder or two along the way.

Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early
Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Barbara Early: 9780593820049 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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“Survive everything—and do it with style.”

~ With love from "Madame" of The Coffeehouse Mysteries by Cleo Coyle
New Release Coming April 2025: No Roast for the Weary

To learn more or pre-order: https://cleocoylebooks.com/2024/12/05/21-no-roast-for-the-weary-by-cleo-coyle/

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Pay attention to your dogs and cats. They sense things that we don’t.

From Holly Miller, the protagonist in THE WAGTAIL MURDER CLUB by Krista Davis, coming on February 4th. 

https://www.kristadavis.com/

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My mom Eileen always tells me, “Don’t borrow trouble, Kate.” I have no idea what she means—with our family, trouble is on permanent loan!

—Kate Buckley, THE JIG IS UP by Lisa Q. Mathews
https://www.lisaqmathews.com/

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As for me, I'll encourage you to take time for yourself, enjoy life as best you can, and to paraphrase Declan-use your balls!