Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Blood, Sweat, and Tiers by Nancy Warren. This book is the fifth in the Great Witches Baking Show Mystery series.

More than baking is at stake when Poppy Wilkinson learns that the Earl of Frome may be shooting birds illegally, even taking aim at the hawk who seems to have a connection with her. Poppy is determined to protect the wildlife from the earl and his bully of a gamekeeper. She's not the only one as a group of birdwatchers descends upon the grounds, disrupting the competition as they march toward the hall. When Poppy finds their elderly leader shot dead by the gamekeeper's cottage she wonders if the earl was getting rid of, what to him, was just another nuisance. Despite the murder and all of the other distractions Broomewode Hall provides Poppy needs to focus on her baking or else her tiered cake will leave her in tears!

Boarding with Murder - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Kathryn Long to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Kathryn writes the Sierra Pines B&B Mystery series. Boarding with Murder is the first book in the series and was released earlier this month.

Kathy: In Boarding with Murder, we meet Ali Winston who has inherited her aunt's B&B. Have you ever wanted to run such an establishment?

KL: The mere suggestion sounds stressful to me! LOL Seriously, I despise housecleaning, which means I most definitely would need to hire someone to do that, and I tend to be pretty shy, which would make it hard meeting new people all the time.
 

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

KL: Reading them. Whenever I want to escape in stories that are heartwarming and cheerful, they are my go-to. Writing them just came naturally.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

KL: I've ventured into other genres but then didn't go beyond that. I have published a traditional mystery, Buried in Sin; romantic suspense, A Deadly Deed Grows; and even ventured into contemporary romance/women's fiction with When I Choose. From now on I stick to mystery, whether cozy or traditional. That's my wheelhouse.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

KL: When Ali Winston loses her job as a screenwriter, she visits her great aunt but finds she's passed away, and Ali has inherited her B&B. The series centers around the small town of Sierra Pines and the bed and breakfast. Plenty of movie references and the occasional show biz character are included in the storyline.

I also write a cozy series under the pen name, Bailee Abbott. Book one in the Paint by Murder mysteries, A Brush with Murder is due out in October. Izzie Abbington opens a painting event business along the shore of Chautauqua Lake in southwest New York, and it's one of several craft shops situated on Artisan Alley. Chloe, her sister, comes home to Whisper Cove to help run it. Murder keeps the sisters under the county detective's radar. 

 

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

KL: That's tough to pick just one. I think it would be a tie between Gladys Bellwether and Florence Greeley. Gladys is eccentric and tends to drive you crazy with her incessant chatter, but the movie and Hollywood references are always interesting. And her kind and generous heart will endear readers to her. Florence, on the other hand, is feisty, opinionated, self-centered, yet entertaining. And if you can look underneath the surface, every once in a while, you'll find a softer more vulnerable side to her.

Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

KL: The movie classics and my love of Cary Grant, especially in Charade and To Catch a Thief, but also many of his older movies. While watching Arsenic and Old Lace, I thought it would be interesting to write about characters like the Brewster sisters who were quirky, dark, and endearing. And the idea to make many of my characters part of show business gave me the opportunity to put all those movie references in the story.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

KL: I've actually been at this for over twenty years. It was difficult to put myself out there and share what I'd written. Sometimes, you just have to hold your breath and take a leap! With this series, I found an agent who is fantastic! She's found publishers for both this series and my Paint by Murder series. I couldn't be more pleased.

Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

KL: Stephen King, James Lee Burke, John Steinbeck, and Emily Dickinson.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

KL: Booked for Death by Vicki Delaney on Kindle and Mumbo Gumbo Murder by Laura Childs on audio, and Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower in paperback. Yes, I need all formats to fit all occasions :-)

Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

KL: Watching classic movies, traveling to out-of-way places, researching historical tidbits, and all the holidays with family!

Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

KL: Muenster cheese, peanut butter cups, mac and cheese, and tortilla chips 

 

Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

KL: I'm working on book 3 in the B&B series -- Blooming with Murder. (the second one, Snowed Under Murder is turned in and waiting for edits). Next, I will work on the second one in the Paint by Murder series -- Ghosted and Framed (tentatively titled).

Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

KL: Being blessed to create stories. Every single time I finish one, I can't believe that's my writing, my creation. I'm so lucky!

************************************************************************

 Boarding with Murder by Kathryn Long

About Boarding With Murder

Boarding with Murder (A Sierra Pines B&B Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: Camel Press (March 9, 2021)
Paperback: 220 pages

Take one quaint B&B, two kind but quirky caretakers, a dead aunt, a murdered friend, and you have mystery. Ali Winston finds she's inherited trouble along with her aunt's B&B, but can she reveal the killer before the curtain closes?

About Kathryn Long

Retired teacher, Kathryn Long now spends her days plotting and writing mysteries. Her most recent credits are romantic suspense novel, A DEADLY DEED GROWS and mystery, BURIED IN SIN. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. Under the pen name, Bailee Abbott this author writes the Paint by Murder cozy series, starting with A BRUSH WITH MURDER soon to be released. Kathryn lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio.

Author Links: 

Author website: https://www.kathrynlongauthor.com  

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynLong.Books 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/klongauthor 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4203129.Kathryn_Long  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathylong7487/  

Product Links:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Apple
• Kobo

 

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A Bundt Instrument - A Review

 Review

A BUNDT INSTRUMENT by Nancy Warren
The Fourth Great Witches Baking Show Mystery 

Amateur baker Poppy Wilkinson knows that she has to keep her nose to the grindstone if she wants to remain in the Great British Baking Contest after last week's lackluster performance. But when she's asked to make the cake for a wedding the day before the competition resumes, she can't say no. One reason is that the maid of honor simply won't take no for an answer, the other is that the wedding is at Broomewode Hall. Hoping to increase her business as well as delve into her heritage, Poppy is taken aback when once more murder descends on the Hall. Could the murderer be a member of the wedding party? Or could Poppy's newfound powers be somehow to blame? Will Poppy be able to focus on her bakes with a murderer on the loose? She'd better, or this week might be her last! 

I'm delighted to be back under the tent with Poppy, although this time out a lot of the action happens before the words "ready, set, bake" are heard. I enjoyed having a whole set of new characters for the murder to revolve around. We meet a seemingly lovely wedding party. Seemingly is the appropriate word, however, as one of them is surely the murderer. The maid of honor is a bit of a maidzilla, if you will, and the brother of the bride seems a surly sot, but in general everyone seems delightful. I enjoyed following Poppy as she tried to figure out who wanted to ruin what was looking to be a perfect wedding day.

I love how Poppy and her baking contestant friends combine a bit of sleuthing along with their bakes and how Elspeth is there to remind them of their primary responsibility-a perfect bake. I especially enjoy ghostly Gerry getting in on the sleuthing action as well. The book does an exemplary job of properly combining all of its ingredients: the murder, the baking competition, Poppy's search for her heritage, and the budding of Poppy's magicakal abilities. They meld together in a perfect marriage, unlike the book's unlucky couple.

A BUNDT INSTRUMENT is a scrumptious mystery filled with good friends and great bakes. There's also a glimmer of a possible romance on the horizon. So grab a cuppa along with a slice of bundt cake and sit back for a wonderful read.

Recipe Included

Truffles and Tragedy - A Review

 Review

TRUFFLES AND TRAGEDY by Gayle Leeson
The Sixth Down South Cafe Mystery 

 

Amy Flowers is proud of the success of her Down South Cafe. She supports her staff too, whether it's encouraging Scott in his baking endeavors or her cousin, Jackie, who is getting her business degree. Amy is even giving an online presentation for Jackie's class. Soon after she begins the professor seems to suddenly become ill and collapses during the live feed. When it's discovered the professor was poisoned, hot tempered Jackie jumps to the top of the suspect list due to a loud disagreement with the man. When evidence is found implicating Jackie, Amy knows someone must be setting her up. As her boyfriend begins a formal investigation Amy rallies the Down South Cafe staff and they start their own investigation. Who wanted, not only the professor dead, but Jackie to take the blame?

The sixth Down South Cafe Mystery combines family loyalty with a perplexing murder. Amy has to balance her desire to prove her cousin's innocence with her trust in her boyfriend, Ryan, a deputy investigating the murder. She does an admirable job too, being there and supporting Jackie as well as being there for Ryan, and doing a little sleuthing on her own...and with the help of her crew. It's a well thought out mystery with a multitude of red herrings that led me on a merry chase for a killer, and the correct motive.

I loved the whole subplot of Dilly's racoon. I was also introduced to two characters I'd be be happy to punch; or at least pull their hair, drag them through the mud, and break their high heels. Bless their hearts.

 

TRUFFLES AND TRAGEDY is a tasty mystery as comforting as the food served in the Down South Cafe. Savory with a bite, I relish the next installment.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading A Bundt Intrument by Nancy Warren. This book is the fourth in the Great Witches Baking Show Mystery series.

Amateur baker Poppy Wilkinson knows that she has to keep her nose to the grindstone if she wants to remain in the Great British Baking Contest after last week's lackluster performance. But when she's asked to make the cake for a wedding the day before the competition resumes, she can't say no. One reason is that the maid of honor simply won't take no for an answer, the other is that the wedding is at Broomewode Hall. Hoping to increase her business as well as delve into her heritage, Poppy is taken aback when once more murder descends on the Hall. Could the murderer be a member of the wedding party? Or could Poppy's newfound powers be somehow to blame? Will Poppy be able to focus on her bakes with a murderer on the loose? She'd better, or this week might be her last!

 

The Influencer - A Recipe & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Frankie Bow to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Frankie writes the Professor Molly Mystery series. The Influencer is the tenth book in the series and was released last week.

Professor Molly Barda, protagonist of the Professor Molly Mysteries, is at best an indifferent cook. These days she does her best to pretend she knows her way around her own kitchen. But before she married local restaurateur Donnie Gonsalves, Molly’s kitchen was just another room to put stuff. Her freezer contained vodka and pantyhose, and her fridge stored leftover takeout and coffee cream, and her oven was used for overflow shoe storage. She has set off the smoke alarm trying to make coffee.

But there is one recipe that is simple enough for Molly to handle, and so tasty that it’s actually worth the effort. When Molly misses Cal-Mex cuisine (and there’s not much of that in Mahina, Hawaii) she pulls out her treasured family recipe and makes El Dorado Casserole.

El Dorado Casserole

Ingredients:
------------
0a) 1/3 to 3/4 lbs cheese (monterey jack and cheddar, combined)

0b) Large bag unsalted tortilla chips
---
1a) 1.5 lbs chopped beef

1b) 1 onion

1c) 4 garlic cloves

1d) 1 can (16oz) black olives

1e) ground cumin (to taste)
---
2a) 1.5 lbs ripe roma tomatoes

(or 2 16oz cans whole stewed tomatoes).

2b) 4 6oz cans tomato paste
---
3a) 1 large sour cream (16oz)

3b) 1 large cottage cheese (16oz)

3c) 2 small cans chopped green ortega chiles
--- 

Instructions: 

STEP 0:

Take the cheese from (0a). Chop or shred if it’s not already shredded. Put aside.

STEP 1:

Take ingredients (1a)-(1e) and saute everything until onions are soft and beef is browned.

STEP 2:

Cook ingredients (2a)-(2b) until tomatoes are soft. Add the browned beef mixture from STEP 1 and bring up to a simmer.

STEP 3:

Take ingredients (3a)-(3c). Mix sour cream, cottage cheese, and chiles in a large bowl.

STEP 4:

Grease the inside of a big Dutch oven or casserole.

STEP 5:

Layer all the prepared ingredients in the Dutch oven or casserole as follows:

¥ 1 layer crumbled tortilla chips (about 1/3 of bag)

¥ 1/2 the tomato/meat sauce mixture

¥ All of the sour cream/cottage cheese mixture

¥ 1 layer of whole tortilla chips (about 1/3 of bag)

¥ 1/2 the chopped-up cheese

¥ The rest of the tomato/meat sauce mixture

¥ The rest of the chopped-up cheese on top

STEP 6:

Place Casserole into 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until cheese on top is browned.

STEP 7:

Remove Casserole when done, and top with chips for decoration. Serve hot.

**********************************************************************

 The Influencer (Professor Molly Mysteries) by Frankie Bow

About The Influencer

The Influencer (Professor Molly Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 10th in Series
Publisher: Hawaiian Heritage Press (March 17, 2021)
Print length : 205 pages

In Which Professor Molly Learns There Is, In Fact, Such a Thing as Bad Publicity

It's spring break. Donnie's taken the baby to visit relatives on the mainland, and Professor Molly finally has time to catch up on the assessment paperwork she owes the Student Retention Office.

Molly's new renter is a social media star seeking privacy in remote Mahina. The arrangement seems to be working out--until her celebrity renter disappears. Molly and her best friend Emma dutifully call in the Mahina PD and try to stay out of the way. But when fame creates its own reality distortion field, everyone has an angle and nothing is as it seems.

About Frankie Bow

Like Professor Molly, Frankie Bow teaches at a public university. Unlike her protagonist, she is blessed with delightful students, sane colleagues, and a perfectly nice office chair. She believes if life isn’t fair, at least it can be entertaining. In addition to writing murder mysteries, she publishes in scholarly journals under her real name. Her experience with academic publishing has taught her to take nothing personally.

Author Links: 

Webpage

Blog  

Facebook  

Twitter  

Goodreads 

 Bookbub  

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Rakuten/Kobo Angus & Robertson Apple  

 

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Truffles and Tragedy - A Spotlight & Giveaway

I'm happy to shine a spotlight on a new release. Truffles and Tragedy by Gayle Leeson is the sixth book in the Down South Cafe Mystery and was released last week. I hope you'll come back to this blog Friday, when I'll share my review.

 Truffles and Tragedy: A Down South Cafe Mystery Book by Gayle Leeson

About Truffles and Tragedy

Truffles and Tragedy: A Down South Cafe Mystery
Cozy Mystery 6th in Series
Publisher: Grace Abraham Publishing (March 16, 2021)
Number of Pages: 295 (approximately)

Down South Cafe owner Amy Flowers learns her chocolate truffles might not be the only things her patrons find "out of this world."

When her cousin, Jackie, asks her to give a presentation to her online class, Amy thinks all she has to worry about is speaking before a group. But then the nitpicky professor collapses. He has been murdered, and hot-tempered Jackie is the prime suspect. Some online forums are even speculating that the professor was an extra-terrestrial, so Amy must sort out fact from fiction to get to the truth.

Certain the real killer is setting Jackie up, will Amy be able to outwit the killer and save her cousin?

About Gayle Leeson

Gayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. Gayle has also written as Amanda Lee and Gayle Trent. Going forward, Gayle intends to keep her writing under the Gayle Leeson name. She lives with her beautiful family in the hills of Southwest Virginia.

Author Links: 

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Gayle-Leeson/e/B01NBSTBDU/  

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gayle-leeson 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/426208.Gayle_Trent  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GayleTrent  

Newsletter sign-up form: https://forms.aweber.com/form/14/1780369214.htm  

Purchase Link - Amazon   

 

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Murder By Page One - An Interview & Review

I'm pleased to welcome Olivia Matthews to Cozy Up With Kathy. Olivia writes the Peach Coast Library Mystery series. MURDER BY PAGE ONE is the first book in the series and will be released next week.

 
Kathy: In MURDER BY PAGE ONE we meet Marvey Harris, a librarian. Most book lovers love libraries and their librarians. My mom was a page in a library and I once considered getting my Master's Degree in Library Science. Have you ever wanted to be a librarian?

OM: Hi, Kathy! Thank you so much for inviting me to visit with you and your community. I'm excited and honored to be here.

Yes, I absolutely wanted to be a librarian. I worked part time in a couple of libraries. At one of those libraries, I worked the circulation desk and loved it! I loved helping people find and reserve books. I loved recommending books. So fun!


Kathy: In her spare time Marvey makes book-themed jewelry. Is this something you do as well?

OM: Not book covers. LOL! I wish I could draw that well. Marvey makes the pendant jewelry I wish I could make. Ha!


Kathy: Marvey has a cranky cat. Do you have a cat of your own, cranky or otherwise?

OM: Over the years, I've had three cats. One was pretty grouchy. One was so loving, and one could care less if I never came home. Ha! After my third cat - the loving one - died, I decided no one could replace him. It may not seem that way, but my third cat is the inspiration for Phoenix. Phoenix really is loving. He's just having a hard time adjusting to their move from Brooklyn to Peach Coast.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

OM: The mysteries. Ha! I love puzzling out the mystery. I love when justice prevails. I love falling into a story without worrying about grizzly scenes of brutality or torture. I once read a mystery that was wonderful. Strong characters, fast pace, really well written. I couldn't put it down. But there was this really grizzly scene in the book. Years later, I still can't reflect on those characters or that plot without also remembering the brutality of that scene, and I don't like that.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

OM: Thank you for asking. Yes, I do. While I write mysteries as Olivia Matthews, I write romance as Patricia Sargeant and as Regina Hart. If you'd like, you can find out more about my books at PatriciaSargeant.com.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

OM: Thank you for asking. MURDER BY PAGE ONE is the first book in my new Peach Coast Library Mystery series. The key thing I'd like your community to know about my series is Marvey's a reluctant amateur sleuth who's a fish-out-of-water librarian; a native New Yorker who relocates to a small coastal town in Georgia and helps investigate murders with the help of her Librarian Team friends on the inside and her two non-librarian friends on the outside.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

OM: My favorite character is Marvey. She loves being a librarian and is so passionate about libraries. I'm passionate about libraries, too. Libraries are critical to a strong and successful community. Libraries allow all members of a community access to knowledge not just in the form of books and other lending materials. Other services they provide include homework help, job search training, and summer reading programs for students to help prevent "summer melt," which is the loss of critical reading and learning skills studies have shown students experience during summer breaks.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

OM: Yes. This series was inspired by and is a tribute to librarians. I'm blessed to have this storytelling platform. I hope people enjoy escaping into my story world, but while they're with me, there are messages I'd like to share or points I'd like to emphasize. With this series, I'd like to share with people why libraries are so special and why they're important to communities. As you stated at the beginning, readers love libraries, but some haven't considered why we love them so much. Have you ever lived in or have knowledge of communities that don't have a strong library system? Residents of those communities often don't have free access to computers or the internet. They don't have spaces where they could photocopy documents or print them. Library systems need our support because communities need libraries.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

OM: Oh, wow. That was actually a really long journey. I wanted to publish my work because I wanted to share my stories. I've always read, but I fell in love with reading when I was nine years old. I remember hugging BLACK HEARTS IN BATTERSEA by Joan Aiken to my chest and thinking, "One day, I want to write a book that makes me feel as happy as this story makes me feel."


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

OM: Oh, this one is hard. Oh, my word. Only four? Hold on. I need to think. Let's come back to this one.

OK. I'd invite Beverly Jenkins. She's a wonderful conversationalist and her historical romances brings the past to life through engaging, three dimensional characters. Oh, no. Only three slots left. Kathy! Oh, my word. This is really hard. Priscilla Oliveras. She writes romance with a Latin flavor and I love experiencing and learning about other cultures. Kelley Garrett has a wicked sense of humor. that comes through in her mysteries. Oh, no. Oh, no. Running out of spots. SG Wong has a really sharp mind and you can tell that through her mysteries. And Farrah Rochon's contemporary romances are fun and energetic just like her. All of these authors are still with us. Thank God. And I encourage everyone to read their work. You can thank me for the recommendations later. Ha!


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

OM: One of the books I'm currently reading is RISE OF THE JUMBIES by Tracey Baptiste. It's a young adult fantasy. Yes, young adult. Age is nothing but a number, and a good book is a good book. I'll have you know I still read comic books, too. Ha!


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

OM: Right now, my biggest hobby/interest is sleeping. I'm on deadline with my next Peach Coast Library Mystery book, working on a proposal for the one after that, getting my taxes together, and I'm working on a super-secret project. The struggle is real. Ha! But I'm sorry to say I don't have as many hobbies as I used to. I used to crotchet, sew, bake. The only "hobby" I've maintained is exercising and that's more for my health.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

OM: LOL! I'd rather name four items I wish I always had in my fridge or pantry: Ice cream. Chocolate bars. Cake. Pie. Oh, OK. I'll throw in a salad for healthy eating. LOL!


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

OM: Thank you so much for asking, Kathy. Yes, I'm working on the second book in my Peach Coast Library Mystery series. This one is MURDER OUT OF CHARACTER. There's a serial killer in Peach Coast! And I'm working on the proposal for a third book in the series. Let's join hands and think positive thoughts that one will be accepted, too.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

OM: I love storytelling. I really do. I love creating the characters, and the world and reality they live in.


Kathy: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

OM: Kathy, thank *you* so very much for allowing me this opportunity to visit with you and your community and for putting up with my cheeky answers. Happy reading! 

**********************************************************************

Review

MURDER BY PAGE ONE by Olivia Matthews
The First Peach Coast Library Mystery

Librarian Marvey Harris may be a transplant to Georgia from New York City, but even she knows when someone says "bless her heart" it's not a good thing.  Attending a book signing with local man-about-town Spence Holt, Marvey is happy to support her new best friend, Jo, who happens to own the bookstore. While the other authors are setting up, new author and the recipient of those "bless her hearts" is conspicuously out of sight, preparing her own books in the back storage room. Fed up with the woman, Jo goes to hurry her up, with Marvey and Spence tagging along. Instead of a showboating author, however, they find a dead one. While the deputies have Jo in their sights for the murder, Marvey knows she's innocent. Marvey, along with Spence and her fellow librarians, plans to provide the deputies with better suspects. Will their assistance be accepted, or will a killer put a stop to their snooping? 

With a spunky protagonist, a close knit group of friends and co-workers, a charming locale, and a darn good mystery, there's a lot to like about the debut Peach Coast Library Mystery. Marvey is smart, determined, caring, and a dedicated librarian. Her Brooklyn fish out of water works well and seeing her acclimate to small town Southern living is amusing. I love the fact that she is creating a dictionary of Southern sayings. I also smile at her catch phrase, "Do you have a library card?"

I had one major issue with the book, however. The victim was killed in the back storage room of a bookstore, but the killer would have had to pass everyone in the bookstore as there was only one entrance. That could never happen. Not the killer walking past everyone, but the fact that a store would only have one means of entry. Talk about a fire code violation! There was an easy solution as well, simply have the back door alarmed or somehow blocked. Despite the inner building code officer inside me shaking her head in disbelief, I was able to continue on and really enjoy the rest of the story.

MURDER BY PAGE ONE is a charming debut mystery that promotes friendship and libraries. I can't wait to return to Peach Coast for some scrumptious peach cobbler and Marvey's next mystery.

***********************************************************************

Murder by Page One: A Peach Coast Library Mystery by Olivia Matthews

About Murder Page One

Murder by Page One: A Peach Coast Library Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing (March 23, 2021)
Print length: 328 pages

If you love Hallmark mystery movies, you’ll love this cozy mystery with humor, intrigue, and a librarian amateur sleuth.

Marvey, a librarian, has moved from Brooklyn to a quirky small town in Georgia. When she’s not at the library organizing events for readers, she’s handcrafting book-themed jewelry and looking after her cranky cat. At times, her new life in the South still feels strange...and that’s before the discovery of the dead body in the bookstore.

After one of her friends becomes a suspect, Marvey sets out to solve the murder mystery. She even convinces Spence, the wealthy and charming newspaper owner, to help. With his ties to the community, her talents for research, and her fellow librarians’ knowledge, Marvey pursues the truth. But as she gets closer to it, could she be facing a deadly plot twist?

This first in series cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Classic Peach Cobbler.

About Olivia Matthews

Olivia Matthews is the cozy mystery pseudonym for Patricia Sargeant, a national best-selling, award-winning author. Her work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews. For more information about Patricia and her work, visit PatriciaSargeant.com.

Author Links: 

Website: https://PatriciaSargeant.com.  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BooksbyPatricia 

 BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/olivia-matthews  

Purchase Links - Amazon - Hallmark Publishing - Apple - Barnes & Noble - Bookshop - Fantastic Fiction - Kobo -

 

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews. This book is the first in the Peach Coast Library Mystery series and will be released next week.

Librarian Marvey Harris may be a transplant to Georgia from New York City, but even she knows when someone says "bless her heart" it's not a good thing.  Attending a book signing with local man-about-town Spence Holt, Marvey is happy to support her new best friend, Jo, who happens to own the bookstore. While the other authors were setting up, new author and the recipient of those "bless her hearts" was conspicuously out of sight, preparing her own books in the back storage room. Fed up with the woman, Jo goes to hurry her up, with Marvey and Spence tagging along. Instead of a showboating author, however, they find a dead one. While the deputies have Jo in their sights for the murder, Marvey knows she's innocent. Marvey, along with Spence and her fellow librarians, plans to provide the deputies with better suspects. Will their assistance be accepted, or will a killer put a stop to their snooping?

The Disappearance of Emily - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EMILY by Elizabeth Pantley
The Second Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic Book 

It's been a month since Hayden arrived in Destiny Falls and despite feeling happy and at home she desperately misses her loved ones in Seattle. Continuing to adjust to her new life, Hayden is given a job as the new editor of an online newspaper for the town. Searching out stories and meeting new people lead Hayden to a strange encounter with the captain of the mysterious ferry. With a plea to meet and dire warnings if she tells anyone Hayden is beyond curious. But before they can meet the captain is found murdered leading Hayden to try to figure out what the woman meant to tell her. Did it have something to do with the ferry and the island no one will talk about? As Hayden tries to learn more about Destiny Falls and its secrets, family and friends are put at risk. Will Hayden lose everything she just gained?

Everything seems a little bit too perfect in Destiny Falls with its gorgeous weather and delightful buildings and landscape that change on a whim, but in the second book in the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic series Hayden starts to uncover information about the dark side to her new home. Not only was I delighted by her search to uncover the secrets of Destiny Falls, my jaw was hanging open by the final pages. 

I like Hayden despite her youthful enthusiasm. While she can be a bit immature, her good heart and curious nature make me root for her. Wisecracking Latifa makes me laugh and I love the addition of Lola as well as how the house responded to her arrival. The bad guys are more silly than sinister, but the danger is real and the unknowns make that danger more worrisome.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EMILY is a book about family and secrets in a subtly magical land. The growing family connections, the friendships, and the beautiful setting lured me in and the mysterious secrets yet to be uncovered make me eager for the next installment.

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 The Disappearance of Emily (Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series) by Elizabeth Pantley

About The Disappearance of Emily

The Disappearance of Emily (Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Independently Published (March 15, 2021)
Number of Pages 250

Hayden has settled into her alternate, magical new home of Destiny Falls. She’s learning about the people here and the enchanted place, but something is amiss. When too many things occur to call them coincidences, all signs point to the mysterious disappearance of her mother – way back when Hayden was just two days old. Could it be connected to the mysterious ferry? Can she identify and eliminate the threat before another person in her life is stolen away?

About Elizabeth Pantley

 

Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives near Seattle and is the mother of four and nana to one. This is her first work of fiction.  

Author Links – Website – Facebook – Instagram – Pinterest – Blog  

Purchase Links – Amazon  

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Cake and Corruption - A Spotlight, Excerpt, and Giveaway

Today I'm shining a spotlight on Cake and Corruption by S. C. Merritt. This book is the sixth in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series and was released earlier this month.

 
ABOUT THE BOOK:

It's wedding week and as mother of the bride, Glory wants her daughter’s wedding to be a day she’ll never forget. But when her address is found in the pocket of an unidentified body in a car crash, Glory’s biggest nightmare becomes reality. The past has followed her to Sweetwater Springs and it’s not going away without a fight. Can she solve the mystery and maybe even her husband’s two-year-old cold case murder in the process? 

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An Excerpt:

“Mornin’ Glory!” a voice called out. I swung around to see Leo Dixon and our regulars shuffling down the sidewalk. Like clockwork, this little mischievous crew arrived each morning for their usual coffee, breakfast, and the game of the day.

“Mornin’, Leo,” I greeted. “I see y’all are looking spry this morning.” His cronies, Billy Franks, Jimmy Don Baker, and Otto Becker followed him in. They took their seats and proceeded to pull out the Scrabble board. Today’s game of choice, I assumed. “Coffee all around?”

They all nodded. “And bring us some of whatever that is that’s got this place smelling so good!” Billy called back.

“Will do.” I smiled, walking over to the coffee bar to pour up their drinks. I placed two blueberry scones and two cream cheese danishes on a tray along with the coffee, some plates, forks, and napkins and walked back across the room.

“Scrabble, huh?” I commented, setting a cup of the steaming brew in front of each one.

“Yep.” Otto answered. “Got my dictionary right here to keep them honest.” He patted the tome lying next to him.

“Heard any news on the car crash out on Lakeview Road?” Leo took a bite of his scone and washed it down with a swallow of coffee.

I jerked my head around. “Car crash? What car crash?”

Leo brushed scone crumbles from his shirt. “Heard it on the scanner about a half hour ago. Said police were on the scene, so I’m sure your guy is out there.”

“I guess that explains why Hunt and Jake haven’t been in this morning,” I murmured to myself. “Did they say who was involved?”

“Nope. Just that it was a one car accident.”

“That is a very curvy stretch of road out to the lake. I hope it isn’t serious. I’ll give Hunt a call and see if he knows any details he can share.” I took my phone from my apron pocket and made the call.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he answered on the first ring. “I can’t talk right now. Can I call you later?”

“Are you out on Lakeview Road?”

“I figured word was out about the car crash. Yes, I’m here. In fact, we were the ones who discovered it. We came by it on our way back from camping last night. Jake took Tony on into town, but I stayed out here with the emergency crew. There’s not much I can say just yet, so don’t ask. The coroner’s van just pulled up. Gotta go.” He clicked off the call before I could get a word in edgewise.

“Coron­—" I tried to ask, but he was gone. I turned back to the regulars who were already deep into the heat of Scrabble competition.

“What did lover boy tell you?” Jimmy Don asked.

“Nothing much, except that the coroner’s van had arrived, so that definitely means there was at least one fatality. I always hate to hear that,” I said shaking my head. The doorbell chimed and a few more customers came in, so I greeted them and made my way to the pastry counter to take their orders.

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Book Info: 

Title: Cake and Corruption
Author’s name: S.C. Merritt
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series (Book 6)
Publish date: March 4, 2021
Publisher: S.C. Merritt
Page count: 184

Purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SLJKWN2

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S.C. Merritt - Biography

S.C. Merritt writes cozy mysteries featuring female sleuths, plots with a twist, lots of humor, and a little sprinkle of romance. Her Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery Series is set in a small, Alabama town full of quirky characters, delicious restaurants, and lots of murder. Recipes are included in each book.

When not writing, she is traveling, watching classic movies and tv shows, or collecting flamingos.

She lives in Mississippi with her husband and miniature Schnauzer, Izzy and dreams of living in a tropical locale someday.


Online links:

Website: https://www.scmerritt.com

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

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19874419.S_C_Merritt

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/s-c-merritt

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Click below for a chance to win the entire Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series.

SC Merritt Book Giveaway