Wheels & Dirty Deals - A Spotlight, Excerpt, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to share an excerpt from Wheels & Dirty Deals, the sixth book in the Harper and Moon Investigations series by Trixie Silvertale.

 An Excerpt:

“Grams! Just because you traveled all over Europe with Max, your second of five
husbands, doesn’t mean taking Erick to Europe is going to end in our divorce!”

“It wasn’t divorce that ended Max and me.” The ghost of my not-as-dearly-
departed-as-everyone-thinks grandmother drifts toward the ceiling of the plush apartment, which lies hidden away behind the secret bookcase leading to the bookshop I inherited. 

“I’m sorry for your loss, Grams.” An ache strangles my breath. I don’t even want to
imagine losing Erick . . . No. Nope.

Myrtle Isadora gazes down, her translucent eyes swirling with love and sorrow in
equal measure. “Max was undeniably himself. To the bitter end.” She sniffs sharply. “Who
knows? If I hadn’t lost my kidney in our tragic car accident, I might never have gotten
sober. Without my sobriety, I never would’ve had a chance to have a son. Without
Jacob . . .” Her ethereal voice drifts off.

You don’t have to be a psychic to pick up the unspoken thought. If my father had
never been born, I would never have been born. I’m not vain enough to think that the
world couldn’t survive without Mitzy Moon, but I know how full and wonderful my life has
been since discovering an unexpected family in almost-Canada.

“I wish you could’ve met my mother.” My gaze follows an osprey as it flies past the
window and reels out over the great lake tucked into the harbor behind Bell, Book &
Candle Bookshop. “Coraline Moon was everything I wanted to be when I grew up.”

Grams swooshes down from her high perch and wraps her glowing limbs around
me in a hum of loving energy. “Nonsense! You’re exactly who you’re meant to be.
Wonderful. Amazing. The very best granddaughter any grandmother could ever wish for.”
Ghost tears well in the corners of her eyes like storm surge against a dam, and I hop out
of the rolly chair in front of the computer as I slide from her ghostly embrace.

“No tears. You know I missed the chance to slip you an afterlife handkerchief.” We
share a wistful grin as we both recall the moment she almost faded away, and it took the
concerted effort of all those in the inner “ghost” circle to hold her on this side of the veil. 

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Wheels and Dirty Deals: Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Harper and Moon Investigations) by Trixie Silvertale

About Wheels and Dirty Deals

Wheels and Dirty Deals: Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Harper and Moon Investigations)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery 6th in Series
Setting - Pin Cherry Harbor - also known as "almost-Canada."
Publisher: ‎ Sittin' On A Goldmine Productions LLC (February 18, 2025) •
Number of Pages - 250

A cryptic murder. A complete lack of suspects. Can our psychic sleuth find a lead or is she spinning her wheels?

Mitzy Moon is brimming with excitement. Planning an anniversary surprise, she's working overtime to hide the details of a luxurious European vacation from her husband. But before she can book a single ticket, a shockingly suspicious murder lands in her lap.

With only a flimsy lead, Mitzy heads undercover into the local roller derby league. And though she rallies her entitled feline and meddling Ghost-ma to help hunt down clues, she fears if she can’t break out of the pack, this bout will turn deadly.

Can Mitzy find the killer, or will this be her final lap around the track?

Wheels and Dirty Deals is the sixth book in the hilarious paranormal cozy mystery series, Harper and Moon Investigations, a spinoff from the popular Mitzy Moon Mysteries. If you like snarky heroines, supernatural intrigue, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Trixie Silvertale’s twisty mystery.

Buy Wheels and Dirty Deals to put the guilty in the penalty box today!

About Trixie Silvertale

 

USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and obsesses about all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in her Mitzy Moon Mysteries and Harper and Moon Investigations, and she's thrilled to write them and share them with you. 

Author Links: 

Trixie’s Website https://trixiesilvertale.com  

Trixie’s Patreon https://patreon.com/TrixieSilvertaleCozyMysteryBooks  

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/trixiesilvertale  

BookBub Author https://www.bookbub.com/authors/trixie-silvertale 

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

 Facebook Author https://www.facebook.com/TrixieSilvertale/ 

 Purchase Link - Amazon -

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Soft Serve Sleighing - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

SOFT SERVE SLEIGHING by Lena Gregory
The Fifth Coffee & Cream Café Mystery 

It's a blizzard! Danika Delaney and her friends are snug inside her shop ,the Coffee & Cream Café, as severe winter conditions have shut down all of Watchogue. The arrival of three young women in the midst of a snow storm shouldn't be cause for alarm, but trouble starts when Brynleigh Star, the YouTube influencer, tries to extort Dani in exchange for a good review, then leaves without paying for the multitude of food the trio consumed. Still seething Dani tries to embrace winter fun by giving in to her friend's desire to go sledding. But a wild ride down the town's only hill leads Dani right into Brynleigh's dead body. With the woman's entourage calling Dani a murderer and a brawl breaking out in her shop Dani and her friends once again find themselves in the midst of a murder investigation. Will they be able to put the killer on ice? 

There may be a blizzard outside, but SOFT SERVE SLEIGHING will warm your heart. I love this series so much and this fifth entry is a great addition. The friendship between Dani, Eli, and Gwen is a treasure. They would do anything for each other whether it be tracking down a killer or building a snowman! That level of devotion makes the horribleness of Brynleigh Star and her "friends" all the more upsetting.

The mystery was complex with lots of possibilities to explore. I appreciated how Dani tried to let Jake and the police investigate without becoming too involved, but how could she say no to Eli. And what trouble she get into being an armchair detective? Plenty. Serious danger impacts everything and there are plenty of heart pounding and heart stopping moments!

Love and laughter fill SOFT SERVE SLEIGHING with joy, creating a fun and memorable mystery. So grab a bowl of ice cream, no matter the weather, and settle in for a satisfying read!

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Soft Serve Sleighing (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory

About Soft Serve Sleighing

Soft Serve Sleighing (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 5th in Series
Setting – Long Island, NY
Publisher: ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing (January 28, 2025)
Number of Pages - 226

From author Lena Gregory comes a delightfully delicious cozy mystery...

With most of Eastern Long Island closed down for a blizzard, Danika Delaney and her friends are holed up in her old fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, with ice cream and hot chocolate. However, their plans to wait out the storm in cozy company are interrupted when a popular YouTuber and her two companions show up at the door—they've been trapped by the storm, and Dani generously offers to serve them breakfast. But her generosity isn't rewarded in kind, as the reviewer then tries to extort money from Dani in exchange for a good review! When the storm finally clears, Dani is happy to have seen the last of them.

Or so she thought.

Dani and her friends decide to go sleigh riding the morning after the storm clears, but instead of a winter wonderland, they find the extorting YouTuber...dead! To make matters worse, Dani suddenly finds herself accused of the woman's murder. Intent on restoring her reputation, Dani sets out to prove she didn’t do it. This is one storm she's not sure she can weather...

About Lena Gregory

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

• Newsletter: http://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1.
• Website: http://www.lenagregory.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/

Purchase Links Amazon B&N Kobo 

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Star-Crossed Egg Tarts - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review

 

STAR-CROSSED EGG TARTS by Jennifer J. Chow
The Second Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery

While her mother may be content staying in the Gold Bakery, now that Felicity Jin has come into her own baking magic she'd love to expand their business. So it is that she's providing the egg tarts "cake" for the Lum-Wu wedding accompanied by her best friend, Kelvin, who's providing the flowers. Despite a missing groomsman and divorced parents who can't stand each other the bride and groom happily say, "I do". But as Felicity checks on her pastries she finds the missing man under the table-stabbed with Kelvin's shears. Now Felicity will try to uncover the real killer with the help of her best friend and a little bit of magic.

A volatile wedding party is at the heart of the second Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery. I enjoyed watching Felicity and Kelvin infiltrate this discordant group of friends, continually bringing delicious treats in order to check motives and track suspects. Several subplots are seamlessly tied in to the murder, the appearance of Felicity's father, the development of her powers, and her friendship with Kelvin, each of which add a layer of complexity to this delightfully nuanced story.

So much of STAR-CROSSED EGG TARTS had me smiling. The depth of feeling these characters have for each other jumps off of the page and gives me the warm fuzzies. Seeing the interactions between Mama Jin and Detective Sun, the friendship between Felicity and Kelvin, even the love of Felicity and her bunny bring a magic of its own to the book.

Asian pastries, rich characterizations, an intricately plotted mystery, and a hint of magic combine to make STAR-CROSSED EGG TARTS a fantastic tale that will have you craving egg tarts and fortune cookies.

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

STAR-CROSSED EGG TARTS

by Jennifer J Chow

January 27 - February 21, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A MAGICAL FORTUNE COOKIE NOVEL

 

Jin Bakery has been asked to cater the Lum-Wu outdoor wedding at Pixie Park. The day of the ceremony, Felicity is finishing the “cake” of tiered egg tarts as the wedding party arrives for the ceremony. When one of the groomsmen, Miles Wu, doesn’t arrive, Felicity’s best friend and local florist Kelvin generously steps in for him and the wedding goes smoothly―until cake cutting time.

That’s when Felicity finds Miles’ dead body beneath the table with her egg tarts display, stabbed by Kelvin’s gardening shears. With the detective’s sights on Kelvin, Felicity starts sleuthing away to prove his innocence, revealing dark secrets about all the wedding's attendants. They each had something to hide―and a reason to quiet Miles forever. To make matters worse, Felicity’s powers of prediction are on the fritz thanks to the emotional turmoil of a surprise visit from her estranged father.

When the groom gets poisoned at the send-off party and winds up in a coma, the stakes are even higher, not to mention Felicity’s feelings for Kelvin are beginning to feel more than friendly. Will Felicity’s magic return in time to catch the true culprit and rescue her budding relationship with Kelvin?

Praise for the Magical Fortune Cookie series and Jennifer J. Chow:

"A spellbinding whodunit unfolds in the first installment of Jennifer J. Chow’s Magical Fortune Cookie series."
~ Woman's World

"The story itself is light, sweet, and delectable. The ensemble of interesting characters adds a crispy texture to the narrative, and, true to the cozy mystery genre, a central mystery―the ill-fated fortune―keeps readers engaged from start to finish."
~ The Big Thrill

"This first in a new series featuring a likable Chinese American heroine will appeal to fans of Jenn McKinlay, Eve Calder, or Joanne Fluke."
~ Booklist

"Nobody writes cozy mysteries quite like Jennifer J. Chow. No matter what is going wrong in my life, I know that all I need to do for some comfort is turn to one of Chow's books. Chow has done it again with Ill-Fated Fortune. I did not want to leave Felicity's side even for a moment, and you won't want to either."
~ Jesse Q. Sutanto, Edgar Award-winning author of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

"A magical new culinary cozy mystery series filled with family, friendship, and heart―and a pinch of real magic."
~ Gigi Pandian, USA Today bestselling author of the Secret Staircase Mysteries on Ill-Fated Fortune

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Amateur Sleuth, Asian American fiction
Published by: Minotaur
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781250351623 (ISBN10: 1250351626)
Series: The Magical Fortune Cookie series, #2
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Minotaur

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

I put the last egg tart in place on the tiered circular display, stepped back, and admired my handiwork. From a distance, if you squinted and tilted your head just right, you might actually mistake it for a wedding cake made of gold, or Jin. Fitting, since “Jin” was both my surname and the Mandarin word for “gold.” I grinned. Guess I’d been fated for this job.

Happily, I even got to rope in loved ones as other vendors. My best friend, Kelvin Love (who has the most fitting name to cater a wedding), handled the elaborate floral displays. And my godmother, Alma Paz, made the candle arrangements, including the votives for the cake table. She’d even handcrafted bowl-shaped lace holders for each votive candle.

Once the late afternoon dissolved into evening, the small candles would be lit, and the cake made of egg tarts would turn into an enchanting display. Quite literally, because my mom had used her magic to bake joy into every last bite. After all, that’s what we Jins do—pour joy into our signature recipe treats to flow out to others. Except my own brand of magic came with an extra bonus: I made special fortune cookies that provided happiness and accurately predicted future happenings.

I added a stash of business cards to the table. I’d been made official co-owner of Jin Bakery with my mom, and I now had business cards to attest to that exciting fact. Besides, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have my contact info out there. If people were in the area for the wedding, maybe they’d decide to check out our local bakery, too.

Plus, many of the guests were from nearby Fresno, the bride’s hometown, though a fair share hailed from up north, where the groom’s relatives lived. It wasn’t too much of a trek from NorCal to visit Pixie, right? Not for delicious egg tarts, pineapple buns, and fortune cookies, all coated with magic.

“It’s beautiful,” someone whispered from near my shoulder. I would have startled at the interruption, but the voice was so gentle, it didn’t scare me in the least.

A bridesmaid must have snuck into the main tent without my noticing. Maybe the soft grass surrounding the tent had masked her footsteps. Or she’d minced along in those stiletto sandals.

She was a wisp of a young woman, just a few years past twenty. Even though I was twenty-eight, I couldn’t imagine having ever been so bright-eyed and hopeful as the girl before me. The twin honey-colored braids wrapped around her head only added to her youthfulness.

“Haley, was it?” I asked.

She nodded, almost bouncing on her heels. “You remembered my name.”

“It’s distinctive. Very pretty.”

She flushed a sweet shade of pink. “I like your name, too. Felicity is lovely.”

“Is that a rose tucked behind your ear?” I asked, pointing to the blossom, the full pink petals brushing up against a tiny golden ear cuff lined with diamonds.

She widened her green eyes at me. “Uh, is that okay? I mean, do you mind? Are you and Kelvin together—”

“It’s fine,” I said, waving away her concern. “Kelvin and I are just friends.” Best friends, technically. “I take it he’s still working on the flower arch outside?”

“Said he was ‘securing the petals.’” Kelvin was a stickler for floral quality. Guess that’s what made us good entrepreneurs in our little town of Pixie.

I glanced at Haley’s T-shirt and jeans. “What time is it? Do you need to change?”

“Four forty-five,” she said. “I better get ready.”

The wedding guests would show up at six. Right now, only us hired help and the wedding party, plus the parents of the bride and groom, were roaming the surrounding green space.

“Jada’s in our tent doing makeup, and she said she’d help me,” Haley said.

“I should get going, too.” I’d promised the bride, Leanne, that I’d check on the tea ceremony. Not that I’d be super helpful. I’m third-gen Chinese American and had had to google what the traditional tea ritual entailed.

I followed Haley’s bouncing steps out of the larger main tent into the lush green of Pixie Park. Our town’s biggest park definitely had enough space for the Lum-Wu ceremony. The bride and groom had asked to pitch four tents for the event: a reception tent for food, his and her tents for wedding prep, and a tent for the traditional tea serving ritual.

Pixie Park also boasted a large hill, and it was sure to look magnificent with its aerial view for the actual wedding ceremony and exchanging of vows. Kelvin was on the hill now, fussing over the flowers on the custom arch he’d made.

I waved at him. He bobbed his head at me, his fingers still patting petals into place. Kelvin looked good fancied up, in a dress shirt and pressed slacks. His usual go-to was a casual Henley and jeans.

There was a rainbow of beautiful blossoms decorating the immense arch he’d constructed. I didn’t know why Kelvin was so worried. There wasn’t a breeze to be found. It was perfect, and the flowers should stay put.

If anything, the temperature was slightly too warm today. Thankfully, it was dry heat, typical of the San Joaquin Valley. Whoever thought tea was a great idea in July had not factored in the weather. Then again, traditions were important. I headed over to the tea tent, and as soon as I put my head through the flap, Leanne squealed.

“You came to help. Thank goodness,” she said. The bride-to-be wore a red qipao with a golden phoenix trailing down the front. Her hair was pinned up, and pearls were scattered across the hairdo as decoration, matching the dangling pearl earrings she wore.

“How can I assist?” I asked.

“With the hot plate. You’re good in the kitchen. Er, bakery. Can you get it started?”

“I can try.” I mean, I was hired to cater the cake, not the tea. But I’d done the bare minimum online research. Maybe I could fake my way through.

***

Excerpt from Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J Chow. Copyright 2025 by Jennifer J Chow. Reproduced with permission from St. Martin’s Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Lilian Jackson Braun Award-nominated author. Jennifer J. Chow writes cozy mysteries filled with hope and heritage.

Catch Up With Jennifer J Chow:
www.JenniferJChow.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @jenniferjchow
Instagram - @jenjchow
Threads - @jenjchow
Facebook - @JenJChow

 

 

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Secrets, Songbirds, & Succulents - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

SECRETS, SONGBIRDS, & SUCCULENTS by Iris March

The Third Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery

Molly Green and her twin sister May, owners of Patty's Plant Place, are looking forward to the town's  weekend-long festival celebrating the Buckeye Trail. Molly has created living plant arrangements to decorate the community park and the sisters are eagerly anticipating hikes, bird watching, and other fun events. The first hike had barely begun when everyone is forced to turn back as a body was discovered in the ravine just off the trail. Molly is stunned to learn that the victim is Ragan, a graduate student who worked across the way. When the police set sights on their friend, who happens to be Ragan's boss, the sisters vow to prove his innocence.

SECRETS, SONGBIRDS, & SUCCULENTS provides an interesting mystery with some unpleasant characters. There were lots of possible suspects and motives, including a creepy fiance and over eager sister. I like how Molly and her friends come together, not only to solve a mystery, but to have fun and enjoy each other's company.

Each installment in the Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery series makes me want to dig in the dirt, plant some plants, and buy a succulent! After reading this entry I also wanted to learn more about the birds in my area. I really enjoy the eco-friendly aspects of this book, from recycling to learning about the nature in our backyard. I was surprised, therefore when the hummingbird food dedicated birders were putting out was described as red. Almost all scientific and nature guides say that red dye is not necessary and can even be harmful. It's best to just use sugar and water.

Grab your bird guide and settle in for a nature themed story. SECRETS, SONGBIRDS, & SUCCULENTS is not just another walk in the park, it's a well plotted mystery filled with interesting characters.  

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 Secrets, Songbirds, and Succulents: A Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery by Iris March

About Secrets, Songbirds, and Succulents

Secrets, Songbirds, and Succulents: A Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - Ohio
Publisher: ‎ Wandering Gingko Press (January 23, 2025)
206 Pages

The annual Buckeye Trail Town Festival. A trail construction site. And one dead naturalist.

The charming town of Hawthorn Heights is celebrating its connection to the Buckeye Trail with a weekend-long town festival. When a local naturalist is found dead at the bottom of a ravine off the trail, amateur sleuth and garden center manager Molly Green finds herself tangled in a murder investigation - again.

As the Trail Festival concludes, Molly unearths unexpected secrets about the bird-obsessed naturalist’s life along with other people in her small community. When the police focus on who Molly knows is the wrong suspect, she starts her own investigation with her flock of fellow amateur detectives. Will Molly and her team identify the killer or will they fly away free?

Secrets, Songbirds, and Succulents is a heartwarming and suspenseful cozy mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of small-town mysteries and amateur sleuths with both birding and eco-friendly themes.

About Iris March

Iris March has a reputation for killing houseplants and now she’s killing people off in books? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Iris has spent two decades working in the sustainability field and is usually either reading a book or on a trail. She lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and three cats.

Author Links: 

Website https://irismarchbooks.com/  

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

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076150266393  

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22404252.Iris_March  

Purchase Link - Amazon -

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Soft Serve Sleighing by Lena Gregory. This book is the fifth in the Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series and was released yesterday.

It's a blizzard! Danika Delaney and her friends are snug inside her shop ,the Coffee & Cream Café, as severe winter conditions have shut down all of Watchogue. The arrival of three young women in the midst of a snow storm shouldn't be cause for alarm, but trouble starts when Brynleigh Star, the YouTube influencer, tries to extort Dani in exchange for a good review, then leaves without paying for the multitude of food the trio consumed. Still seething Dani tries to embrace winter fun by giving in to her friend's desire to go sledding. But a wild ride down the town's only hill leads Dani right into Brynleigh's dead body. With the woman's entourage calling Dani a murderer and a brawl breaking out in her shop Dani and her friends once again find themselves in the midst of a murder investigation. Will they be able to put the killer on ice?

Knife Skills for Beginners - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a recent release. Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin is the first book in the Chef Paul Delamare Mystery series. It was released at the end of last month.

Blurb:

The Chester Square Cookery School in the heart of London offers students a refined setting in which to master the fine art of choux pastry and hone their hollandaise. True, the ornate mansion doesn’t quite sparkle the way it used to—a feeling chef Paul Delamare is familiar with these days. Worn out and newly broke, he’d be tempted to turn down the request to fill in as teacher for a week-long residential course, if anyone other than Christian Wagner were asking.

Christian is one of Paul’s oldest friends, as well as the former recipient of two Michelin stars and host of Pass the Gravy! Thanks to a broken arm, he’s unable to teach the upcoming session himself, and recruits Paul as stand-in. The students are a motley crew, most of whom seem more interested in ogling the surroundings (including handsome Christian) than learning the best ways to temper chocolate.

Yet despite his misgivings, Paul starts to enjoy imparting his extensive knowledge to the recruits—until someone turns up dead, murdered with a cleaver Paul used earlier that day to prep a pair of squabs. Did one of his students take the lesson on knife techniques too much to heart, or was this the result of a long-simmering grudge? In between clearing his own name and teaching his class how to perfectly poach a chicken, he’ll have to figure out who’s the killer, and avoid being the next one to get butchered . . .

Wine & Whispers - A Review

Review

WINE & WHISPERS by Daisy Landish
The First Sophie Brooks Mystery 

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.  

WINE & WHISPERS is a very confusing book. While the premise is good there are serious problems. Characters pop out of nowhere and it's written as if they've been in the book all along. There's no sign of law enforcement until practically the end and then it's as if Sophie has had lots of dealings with them. The worst was when there was a sentence saying that soon a main character would be dead. Next thing we know he is dead-but absolutely no mention of how he died. Was it a natural death? An accident? Murder? No idea-there's not even a funeral. Then near the end of the book they state there was a funeral. Then there's the repetition. Near identical scenes happen multiple times. 

Sophie is a food writer, although Oliver keeps referring to her as a detective (and just who is Oliver?), and the mystery has to do with a winery, but there's really no talk of food...or wine making for that matter so I really wouldn't classify this as a culinary mystery. 

With some heavy editing WINE & WHISPERS could turn into a fine mystery, but as it is I was left more befuddled than satisfied.

Murder in Season - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

MURDER IN SEASON by Mary Winters
The Third Lady of Letters Mystery

Amelia, Lady Amesbury, is thrilled when her mother and younger sister Margaret come to London for an unexpected visit. Unfortunately, this isn't purely a social call. Margaret caused a bit of a scandal in Mells and has come to stay for the Season. While Aunt Tabitha isn't thrilled with the situation, or the rough and tumble Madge, Amelia is happy to spend time with her fun loving sister and decides to host a ball which will be both a debut for Madge and Amesbury Manor's first ball since Amelia has come out of mourning. However, when a guest falls ill after a verbal altercation with Madge and later dies, the detective in charge is certain that Madge is a murderer and will do whatever he can to find her guilty! Amelia will leave no stone unturned as she simultaneously searches for the real killer and the jewel thief who is plaguing Mayfair!

A tomboy sister from the country having her first London Season? You know that's a recipe for disaster...and a lot of laughs. Not only do I love Madge and her carefree attitude I love how Amelia both loosens up, and tries to reign her sister in...at least a little. As always, I really enjoy the letters to Lady Agony and Amelia's replies. They not only correspond to the plot, but give some housekeeping tips of the day. I love the addition of a notorious fence and hope we see more of him in future installments.

There is so much to love about the third Lady of Letters Mystery. A finely crafted mystery with well developed characters provides the backbone, but the subplot of Amelia's relationship with Simon is just as compelling. Men can be so vexing!

Scandals, power struggles, and a vendetta inlaid with charm, humor and romance combine to make MURDER IN SEASON a thoroughly delightful Victorian mystery.

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Murder in Season (A Lady of Letters Mystery) by Mary Winters

About Murder in Season

Murder in Season (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - London, 1860
Publisher: ‎ Severn House; Main edition (December 3, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 240 pages

Join Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury as she tries to juggle a new Season and a new murder in this charmingly deadly historical mystery.

"A beautiful debutante, a wealthy widow, and a dead would-be baron. What could be more exciting?"

Countess by day, secret advice columnist by night, Amelia Amesbury has life happily balanced on a quill's edge . . . until her sister Margaret shows up in London under a blanket of scandal and Amelia is catapulted out of mourning and into the ton's unforgiving Season.

However Madge's Season debut is marred by a rather inconvenient death at the dining table as the infamous Mr Radcliffe takes ill and is later confirmed dead by poisoning. With Madge being the last person to have cross words with the soon-to-be baron, the ton's gossip mill - and the police - are looking to pin the murder on her.

Adding to the ton's troubles is a jewellery thief targeting the most lavish of Society's houses. Is the murderer and the thief one in the same? It falls to Amelia once again to uncover the secrets buried deep within the pages before her sister goes down for the crimes.

Perfect for fans of witty historical mystery and Regency romances with a similar feel to Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey.

About Mary Winters

 

Mary Winters is the Edgar Award-nominated author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. Book one, Murder in Postscript, was a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Mary is also the author of two cozy mystery series and writes short fiction. Three of her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching, reading, or spending time with her family. She lives with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets in the Midwest. Find out more about Mary at MaryWintersAuthor.com.  

Author Links: 

Website http://www.Marywintersauthor.com  

Blog http://www.Marywintersauthor.com/blog  

Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/marywintersauthor  

Instagram http://www.Instagram.com/marywintersauthor  

Purchase Links Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop 

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Secrets, Songbirds, & Succulents by Iris March. This is the third book in the Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery series and will be released tomorrow.

Molly Green and her twin sister May, owners of Patty's Plant Place, are looking forward to the town's  weekend-long festival celebrating the Buckeye Trail. Molly has created living plant arrangements to decorate the community park and the sisters are eagerly anticipating hikes, bird watching, and other fun events. The first hike had barely begun when everyone is forced to turn back as a body was discovered in the ravine just off the trail. Molly is stunned to learn that the victim is Ragan, a graduate student who worked across the way. When the police set sights on their friend, who happens to be Ragan's boss, the sisters vow to prove his innocence.

Haunting and Homicide - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book being released today. Haunting and Homicide by Ava Burke is the first book in the Ghost Tour Mystery series.

Blurb:

Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher has a gift: she can see dead people. But in New Orleans, Louisiana, this is not a drawback. On the contrary, her ability to see ghosts helps her host viral ghost tours through the historic Garden District. When rival tour guide Adam Brandt–who accused her of faking her encounters to undercut his business–is found murdered, Lou is the only one who can see him . . . his ghost, that is.

It’s no secret Adam and Lou were feuding and with the absence of a suspect, she’s the only one with a clear motive. After detective Dylan Finch, Lou’s longtime crush, reveals the murder weapon was a ceremonial dagger from Lou’s shop, she’s officially declared the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, Lou starts investigating right away.

Weaving her way through Adam’s business partnerships, friendships, and kinships, Lou must uncover who wished to see him dead before the killer tries to silence her forever.

Six Stunning Sirens - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a series in which I've fallen woefully behind. Six Stunning Sirens by Lynn Cahoon is the sixth book in the Kitchen Witch Mystery series.

Blurb:

In a triumph for Mia’s catering business and cooking school, Mia’s Morsels is chosen to host a fall festival event in their Idaho mountain town—which means managing a bunch of stage moms and their social-media obsessed daughters as they get ready for the big beauty contest. There’s a lot riding on the results of the Harvest Moon Festival—it’s where the winning family receives an inside track to coven power.

But after one stage mom is found dead, and another winds up in the hospital, the coven suspects magical meddling. With a week to go before the coronation of the new queen, Mia must draw on her sleuthing powers to find out what’s going on—and whether this competition has gotten a little too cutthroat . . .

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.