Corsets and Casualties - A Review

 Review

CORSETS AND CASUALTIES by Gayle Leeson
The Sixth Ghostly Fashionista Mystery 

 

Amanda Tucker is having fun designing retro inspired clothes and costumes for the upcoming Halloween holiday. When Ford shows her an old bible he bought at an estate sale Amanda is surprised to see familiar names, relatives of her ghostly friend, Max. One name, however, isn't familiar to the flapper. It turns out there was an aunt she never knew about. When Max's nephew and Amanda's grandfather go to the auction house to see if they can find other family items they're met with a police barricade-the owner has been shot! Amanda will have to piece together old family secrets and modern day family angst in order to discover more about Max's relatives. Will she find answers or will her curiosity get her killed?

 

Relationships are the bedrock of the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series. Whether it's the loving familial relationships between Amanda and Grandpa as well as Dwight, Zoe, and Max or the romantic relationship between Amanda and Jason, or even the friendship between everyone at the Shops on Main, the care they have for each other makes for a brighter world and a more fulfilling read. 

 

I truly love this series and find it heartwarming as well as funny. I'd like to hang out with these characters and I seriously want Amanda to design me an outfit! I know I'd be the elephant's eyebrows. The mystery, well, mysteries, were compelling and the subplots emotional. Red herrings lead readers to a variety of possible conclusions with various characters assisting with their suspicious behavior.

New family drama as well as old combine in CORSETS AND CASUALTIES, eventually bringing friends and family closer together in this charming mystery.

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 -

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading A Perilous Premiere by Gail Meath. This book is the first in the Stone and Steele Mystery series and was published last month. 

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!

Christmas Cloches and Corpses - A Review

Review

CHRISTMAS CLOCHES AND CORPSES by Gayle Leeson
The Third Ghostly Fashionista Mystery 

Something fishy is going on at the Winter Garden Nursing Home. Within days residents have suddenly died and Dwight believes he may be next. Amanda Tucker wonders if her ghostly friend’s nephew is merely being paranoid, but a visit to the facility has her worried. Shifty administrators and nasty nurses too eager to sedate the residents give credence to Dwight’s belief that something’s not right. Will Amanda be able to help, even if the man’s daughter doesn’t want her involved?  

I really enjoyed this third visit with Amanda, Max, and the gang. I love the relationship between Amanda and her grandfather, as well as seeing how the love reaches out to Max, Zoe, and Dwight. Most of the characters here are great, including the precocious girl who comes to visit and even the dour Ms. Oakes.

I enjoyed the mystery and the sad reality that people in some nursing homes face. Despite that reality, the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series is positive and uplifting. There's such a sense of community, from the shop owners of Shops on Main who come together to celebrate Christmas and help a young detective to Max's family and friends-all coming together to protect one of their own. There is one character, whoever, who really made me mad. I can't stand Maggie. While many people make excuses for her, I find her behavior intolerable. I wouldn't mind if she was the victim in a future story, although I suppose keeping her alive adds conflict to the stories.

Although I am far from being a fashionista, I love reading the details about the vintage clothing Amanda makes. Add the fun of a ghostly spitfire who also has a heart of gold and you have a heartwarming series that makes you smile and laugh out loud.

With the backdrop of Christmas CHRISTMAS CLOCHES AND CORPSES delivers a fun, yet touching mystery.

Currently Reading...

I’m currently reading Christmas Cloches and Corpses by Gayle Leeson. This book is the third in the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series.

Something fishy is going on at the Winter Garden Nursing Home. Within days residents have suddenly died and Dwight believes he may be next. Amanda Tucker wonders if her ghostly friend’s nephew is merely being paranoid, but a visit to the facility has her worried. Shifty administrators and nasty nurses too eager to sedate the residents give credence to Dwight’s belief that something’s not right. Will Amanda be able to help, even if the man’s daughter doesn’t want her involved?

Gone but not for Garden - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a new release. Gone but not for Garden by Kate Collins is the fourth book in the Goddess of Greene St. Mystery series and it is being released today! I have to admit I got behind in this series, but I hope to catch up soon!

Blurb:

Athena Spencer works with her big Greek-American family (whom she also anonymously blogs about) at their garden center near Lake Michigan. She’s also gained a reputation for crime-solving—and that’s what brings flower-shop owner and fellow sleuth Abby Knight Salvare to her door . . .
 
Abby has come from Indiana to this Lake Michigan town to help her cousin, Jillian, who was emceeing a local fashion show and now stands accused of murdering one of the models. Some of Sequoia’s most prominent citizens were there on the catwalk, so there’s increasing pressure to have the next event be a perp walk.
 
The clueless Jillian is in jail after ignoring orders not to leave town, and she isn’t happy—orange is not her color. Along with her handsome PI partner, Case, Athena starts making inquiries, while tiptoeing around the wives of the town’s mayor and police chief. In the meantime, the two detectives are becoming fast friends. After all, in addition to homicide, Abby and Athena share an interest in horticulture—though right now the only thing they’re growing is their list of suspects . . .

Peril in Paris - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a recent release in a series in which I'm woefully far behind. Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen is the sixteenth book in the Royal Spyness Mystery series. Today is its release day!

Blurb:

What a delight it is to finally be able to enjoy a simple meal again! I have been in the throes of morning sickness for the last few months as Darcy and I prepare to welcome a brand-new addition to our little family. Now that I am feeling better, I have realized I am dreadfully bored! It seems that all my nearest and dearest are off leading their own busy lives while I sit at home and attempt to train our two adorably naughty puppies. Fun as it may be, it is hard not to long for a little adventure, a change of pace, before my true confinement begins when the baby comes.

Happily, it seems that Darcy has read my mind. When I receive a letter from my glamorous best friend, Belinda, Darcy suggests we take a trip to Paris to visit her. It seems he also has a spot of business of which to take care, so I will be staying in Belinda’s flat as she works feverishly on Coco Chanel’s fall collection. I happen to know Coco from a disastrous encounter in Nice years ago, and I am hoping this visit will go much more smoothly. But I soon learn that nothing about my time in Paris is going to be simple . . . or safe for that matter.

Darcy has asked me to take on a small chore as a part of his latest assignment. I am to covertly retrieve something from an attendee of Coco’s show. It seems easy enough, but I discover that this little errand could have terrifying consequences for a world on the brink of war. When things go horribly wrong, I am left to find a killer all while trying to fend off a French policeman who is certain that I am a criminal mastermind. But I have no plans to deliver my darling little one in a prison cell, and so I will muster every ounce of my courage to save the day . . . and, quite possibly, the world!

What Not to Wear to a Graveyard - A Book Blast!

What Not to Wear to a Graveyard (A Resale Boutique Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

BOOK BLAST

About What Not to Wear to a Graveyard

What Not to Wear to a Graveyard (A Resale Boutique Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
A Resale Boutique Mystery Novella
Lyrical Press (September 8, 2020)
Print length: ‎ 97 pages

After trading her Manhattan digs for her upstate hometown, fashionista Kelly Quinn has big plans for her grandmother’s consignment shop. But this All Hallow’s Eve someone is already dressed to kill . . .

A socialite’s missing dog has made front page news in Lucky Cove—complete with a hefty reward. But between renovating the consignment shop, planning her costume for a 1970s themed Halloween party, and scouting a location for a fashion shoot, Kelly doesn’t have time to search. Yet a visit to the local colonial-era cemetery—ideal for the moody atmosphere she’s after—soon turns up the precious pooch. Kelly’s looking forward to collecting the check—until she makes a gruesome discovery in an abandoned farmhouse: The dog’s owner, stabbed through the heart.

Kelly can’t help wondering why Constance Lane was traipsing around the farmhouse in stilettos. But as Kelly gets decked out in a vintage disco caftan, that isn’t the only fashion misstatement spooking her. Hidden in the dead woman’s past is a secret that could be the motive for the murder. And as the Halloween party gets started, even a menacing clown and a threatening bearded lady can’t keep Kelly from trick or treating for the truth—even if it means her last dance . . .

About Debra Sennefelder

 

Debra Sennefelder is the acclaimed author of the Food Blogger Mysteries, the Resale Boutique Mystery Series and the upcoming Cookie Shop Mystery series. An avid reader who reads across a range of genres, mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery.

Her first novel, THE UNINVITED CORPSE (A Food Blogger mystery) was published in 2018.When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzu, Connie.  

Author Links:  

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pzv3VJ  

Website: http://bit.ly/2lQwSNi  

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2qjwHyT  

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2mkLpnz  

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2DpMPE8  

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2EQh6da 

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo -

Beauty and the Deceased - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book on my TBR pile. Beauty and the Deceased by Debra Sennefelder is the fourth book in the Resale Boutique Mystery series.

Blurb:

Kelly Quinn’s Long Island consignment shop offers high style at secondhand prices—but when a body is found on the beach, she needs to start hunting for a wolf in sheep’s clothing . . .
 
Kelly is thrilled when she gets a visit from a cousin she hasn’t seen in years. Becky’s cosmetics company is taking off, and she just might have laid the foundation for a big-money buyout. It’s a time to celebrate—but Kelly is heartbroken when a killer puts an end to their happy reunion during a mysterious midnight meeting near the shore.
 
Despite multiple warnings to steer clear, Kelly starts shadowing a variety of suspects both inside and outside the beauty business—when she isn’t busy filling the racks of the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique with lots of new inventory from a local shopaholic. Gossip and accusations are flying, but there’s no glossing over this ugly crime, and she’s going to make sure the culprit faces justice…

Bodies and Bows - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book on my TBR pile. I somehow missed the release of Bodies and Bows by Elizabeth Penney. This book is the third in the Apron Shop Mystery series.

Blurb:

Iris Buckley is hoping for a bit of rest and relaxation now that the summertime rush is winding down in Blueberry Cove, Maine. Her apron shop Ruffles & Bows has been a huge success, her friendships are stronger than ever, and now she’s ready for all of the end of summer cookouts on the beach that she can handle.

But before Iris can even turn on the grill, Bella’s latest fling, former Olympian sailor and gorgeous bad boy Lance Pederson is killed in a hit and run while jogging at dawn—and all the evidence points to Bella herself.

Suddenly the month of August isn’t looking so restful, since now Iris has been roped into the Lighthouse Rehabilitation Committee, helping her friend Sophie plan a wedding, and—most importantly of all—tracking down a killer and clearing Bella’s good name before everything unravels.

 

Burden of Poof - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Julie Anne Lindsey back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Julie Anne writes the Bonnie & Clyde Mystery series. BURDEN OF POOF is the first book in the series and was released last week.

JAL: Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for inviting me over to hang out a bit today! It’s so much fun that you’re sharing your blog with me! I’m excited to get started and chat about my new series! What a great opportunity!


Kathy: It's great to have you with us today. You start a new series with BURDEN OF PROOF. What led you to the world of used clothing? 

JAL: In BURDEN OF POOF, my heroine, Bonnie, and her kitty companion, Clyde, team up to open a second-chance shop in Bonnie’s hometown of Bliss, Georgia. I chose a second-chance shop for a few fun reasons.

First, I love the idea of turning castoff items into new creations. There’s something magical about giving renewed purpose to perfectly good things that have gotten a little battered, old, or out of style. Secondly, I think the shop is a great metaphor for Bonnie, who left home young and full of hope, but returned home facing 40 and newly divorced. She gets a new life, new purpose and a fresh jolt of joy in this series. Finally, I thought the shop was relevant to the small, rural farming community where Bonnie lives. There’s not a lot of money in Bliss, and shopping is somewhat limited. Having a store where folks can come in on a budget and leave feeling like royalty seemed just about right. Bonnie grew up on a flower farm, and is very aware of how much stretching the average paycheck gets. Now, she’s doing
something she loves and helping her community in the process.


Kathy: Do you tend to shop at second hand stores, giving clothes a second chance yourself?

JAL: I love estate sales and auctions. I’m not much of a clothing person, so I gravitate to places where I can find solid, well-made furniture and household items with style, beauty and craftsmanship. Most things are mass produced today to keep costs down, and I forget that, until I’m awestruck by the detail
and craftsmanship I discover in old homes and antique shops. I want it all!


Kathy: I love that Bonnie has a cat named Clyde. How did you decide to pick this criminal duo as the namesakes for your characters? 

JAL: As a cozy author, I never stop looking for fun or funny book and series titles. This idea came to mind while reading the Truly Devious young adult mystery series by Maureen Johnson. She references Bonnie and Clyde in a portion of the books, flashing back to that era, and I realized those names would 
work perfectly for an adorable cozy duo.


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

JAL: This story was inspired by my love of rural, southern small towns, and the theme of finding a place to belong and thrive, regardless of circumstance. I wanted to see my newly divorced heroine come home to lick her wounds and discover it was a blessing. She is beautiful, wonderful and worthy. She has a brilliant future ahead of her and a furry best friend by her side. I hoped the story would give readers a sense of joy and hope.


Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between? 

JAL: I write about 6-8 novels a year, for four publishers, as three people, so time is everything. As a result, I’m a dedicated outliner. I know how many words I need, and how many chapters that requires. I outline thoroughly and aim to write a chapter a day. By keeping this schedule, I can accurately predict when I will be available to take on a new contract, even if it’s two years away. My agent and I often fill my writing calendar 16-18 months at a time.

Occasionally, the stories deviate from the outline, but overall, I’m pretty good at setting things up and staying on track for time management’s sake. Even if the characters take a detour from time to time.


Kathy: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing? 

JAL: I love the interaction portion of marketing, and I chat with my readers as often as possible, every day if I can! I have a special reader group on Facebook called COZY QUEENS where I post updates, take polls and share early news with fans and friends. I even dedicated this book to that group! We’re always looking for new members, so come on over 😉


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books? 

JAL: Absolutely! 2021 has been my busiest year yet! Hold onto your hats! As many of you know, I write the Cider Shop Mysteries, and book 3, THE CIDER SHOP RULES, just released July 27th.

I’m also Bree Baker, and PARTNERS IN LIME, book 6 in the Seaside Café Mysteries released August 31st.

I write the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries as Jacqueline Frost, and book 3, SLASHING THROUGH THE SNOW, releases October 12th!

I write romantic suspense for Harlequin’s Intrigue line, and I have two new releases coming this fall. KENTUCKY CRIME RING in late September and STAY HIDDEN in late October.

As for Bonnie & Clyde, you can expect three more new adventures from them this year including SEVEN DEADLY SEQUINS next month, BEATING THE WRAP in November, and EYELET WITNESS in December. If I stay on track, there will also be a secret project releasing before Christmas!

As a bonus, I’ve written a fun, FREE, downloadable prequel to the series, and you can see where it all began in WHEN BONNIE MET CLYDE, available here: https://outbound.julieannelindsey.com/g9UWwY7815kgbDCo

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Review

BURDEN OF POOF by Julie Anne Lindsey
The First Bonnie & Clyde Mystery

Bonnie gives new life to dresses, will she be able to create a new one for herself?

Still reeling from the bitter end of her marriage Bonnie Balfour is back in her hometown of Bliss, Georgia trying to make a go of her second chance dress shop. But all the flowers from her parents organic flower farm and love from her cat Clyde can't help when she finds Viola Abbott-Harrington dead under a pile of clothing donations. The new detective from Cleveland is certain that Bonnie is guilty of murder and Bonnie is determined to prove him wrong. Will she be able to find the real killer while making her shop shine? Or will a killer put her out of business...permanently?

BURDEN OF POOF is a story of proving you're good enough. Life isn't always kind, but it's the determination you have along with the choices you make that makes the difference. Bonnie is a sweet protagonist who's starting to get her gumption back. Looking for the good in others, she's more apt to find it, than not. The town of Bliss fulfills its Hallmark like setting with charming shops and townsfolk who know and care for each other. I am so intrigued by the bookshop and can't wait to learn more of its secrets. I love the whole concept of Sutton and her special plants. I'm a big fan of Judy. I wish Sutton would choose a plant for me! I'm also in love with Clyde, the incredibly dapper cat.

 

An idyllic town, charming characters, the spark of romance, and a fun mystery make BURDEN OF POOF a great start to a new cozy mystery series.

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Burden of Poof (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries) by Julie Anne Lindsey

About Burden of Poof

Burden of Poof (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: ‎ Cozy Queen Publishing LLC (September 15, 2021)
Paperback: ‎ 254 pages

An amateur sleuth named Bonnie and her kitty companion Clyde, with names like those, what could possibly go wrong?

Life hasn't sparkled too brightly for Bonnie Balfour over the past few years, but a heart-breaking divorce has brought her back to her small rural hometown of Bliss, Georgia, and things are starting to shape up.

The proud new owner of Bless Her Heart—a second chance dress shop and boutique on the town square—Bonnie thinks thirty-eight might not be too late for a fresh start in life after all.

Until a grouchy old widow turns up dead in a pile of donations meant for Bonnie’s shop, and the town’s new detective pins her to the top of his suspect list!

To save her shop, dream and reputation, Bonnie must coordinate clues and stitch together the truth about her innocence, but the unreasonably handsome detective and prying eyes of the local gossip mill are fast fraying her nerves.

When a series of anonymous attacks begin to hem her in, Bonnie fears the real killer is fixing to make her his next victim. Can this amateur sleuth measure up?

 

About Julie Anne Lindsey

Julie Anne Lindsey is an award-winning and bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than forty novels since her debut in 2013 and currently writes series as herself, as well as under multiple pen names, for Harlequin, Kensington, Sourcebooks and Crooked Lane Books.

When Julie's not creating new worlds or fostering the epic love of fictional characters, she can be found in Kent, Ohio, enjoying her blessed Midwestern life. And probably plotting murder with her shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world. Learn more about Julie at julieannelindsey.com

Author Links: 

Website: https://www.julieannelindsey.com/  

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

 Cozy Queens Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cozyqueensjulieannelindsey  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieALindsey  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4692170.Julie_Anne_Lindsey  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I am currently reading Burden of Poof by Julie Anne Lindsey. This book is the first in the Bonnie and Clyde Mystery series and was released today! 

Still reeling from the bitter end of her marriage Bonnie Balfour is back in her hometown of Bliss, Georgia trying to make a go of her second chance dress shop. But all the flowers from her parents organic flower farm and love from her cat Clyde can't help when she finds Viola Abbott-Harrington dead under a pile of clothing donations. The new detective from Cleveland is certain that Bonnie is guilty of murder and Bonnie is determined to prove him wrong. Will she be able to find the real killer while making her shop shine? Or will a killer put her out of business...permanently?

A Fashionable Fate Review

 Review

A FASHIONABLE FATE by Ileana Munoz Renfroe
The First Rosa the Cuban Psychic Mystery 

Rosa de los Reyes is preparing for THE event on Colten Island, her fashion show featuring her latest designs. Everyone will be there, from island residents to guests ferrying over from Miami. Rosa is even prepared to deal with the diva model, Cynthia. When Rosa goes to pick her up from rehearsal she sees Cynthia's ghost in front of her cottage. With her spirit guide, Raul, dealing with the newly departed, Rosa knows she will have to help the Sheriff solve the murder. Her abuela has been getting troubling messages from her Tarot cards, so Rosa knows she can't be too careful. Will she be able to solve the murder or will it be curtains for her?

Although A FASHIONABLE FATE is the first book in the series, I often felt that I was coming into the story late as Rosa mentioned other cases she and her friends had solved. It was easy enough to become acquainted with the characters, however. I really liked Nana, Rosa's grandmother. She's intelligent, caring, fun, and is a great Tarot reader and psychic. I also really enjoyed Rosa's flighty mother who tends to either cook or faint when stressed. Unfortunately, I found most of the other characters underdeveloped and two dimensional. Rosa is a fashion designer who also happens to be a psychic who feels the Sheriff, though nice, is incapable of doing his job without her help. Although I know a lot about her, including the decision about her future plans, her emotions were never really explored, and everything seemed superficial.

I like the fact that the book features a Cuban American protagonist. I enjoyed the ethnic touches, learning some customs and hearing about the delicious food. I was happy to discover recipes in the book as well. 

While the first Rosa the Cuban Psychic Mystery has a great premise, the writing is stilted with awkward dialogue, changes in tense, and at one point there was even a change in point of view from third person to first person. This debut novel had great possibilities but suffered from poor editing. A strong copy editor could have caught these issues and may have corralled the meandering storylines to help create a cohesive mystery.

A FASHIONABLE FATE brings together fashion and the paranormal in a uniquely flavored mystery. This debut mystery shows promise with a unique set of characters in an island setting.

Thread and Dead - A Review

Review

THREAD AND DEAD by Elizabeth Penney

The Second Apron Shop Mystery

As Blueberry Cove, Maine is gearing up for Lobster Fest Iris Buckley is excited to be offered antique linens from one of the elite "summer cottages". In addition to selling some linens, Eleanor is renting rooms in the once glorious mansion to a team of environmentalists, much to the chagrin of her nephew and sole heir who wants her to sell. While rock climbing nearby Iris and her friends discover the body of one of the environmentalists. Does her murder have something to do with the seaweed farming project? Or something closer to home? It couldn't have anything to do with Eleanor's request that Iris help her look into her mother's mysterious past, could it? In addition to running Ruffles & Bows and enjoying the Lobster Fest activities Iris decides to do all she can to help Eleanor as well as find justice for the murdered young woman...no matter the cost.

More than one mystery can be found in the pages of the second Apron Shop Mystery and I love how they're intertwined, not only with each other, but with the everyday life of the characters. Things don't come to a halt because of a dead body. While Iris does ask questions and directly agrees to help Eleanor find out more about her mother, she also runs her shop, participates in town events, and hangs out with her friends. 

I really like Iris Buckley and her friends. They are supportive and fiercely loyal. I especially like how Grammie is always included in the girls' nights and is, in general, treated as one of the gang. And a gang it is with several couples in the mix. The couples add an interesting dynamic as there are several romantic relationship quandaries here. And while couples have a major role, the women aren't dependent on the men and can save the day themselves.

There's an interesting juxtaposition of old and new in THREAD AND DEAD. Not only do we have the old in the antique linens and clothes, as well as the mystery of Eleanor's mother, and Shorehaven, but we have the new of seaweed farming and technology to preserve Maine's coast and waters, not to mention cuisine. We also have the combination of old and new in Iris and her habit of wearing vintage fashions as well as solving mysteries old and new alike.

THREAD AND DEAD is a delightful mystery featuring good friends and a wonderful cat. Its blending of vintage and modern make an appealing twist in a charming series.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Thread and Dead by Elizabeth Penney. This book is the second in the Apron Shop Mystery series and will be released next week.

As Blueberry Cove, Maine is gearing up for Lobster Fest Iris Buckley is excited to be offered antique linens from one of the elite "summer cottages". In addition to selling some linens, Eleanor is renting rooms in the once glorious mansion to a team of environmentalists, much to the chagrin of her nephew and sole heir who wants her to sell. While rock climbing nearby Iris and her friends discover the body of one of the environmentalists. Does her murder have something to do with the seaweed farming project? Or something closer to home? It couldn't have anything to do with Eleanor's request that Iris help her look into her mother's mysterious past, could it? In addition to running Ruffles & Bows and enjoying the Lobster Fest activities Iris decides to do all she can to help Eleanor as well as find justice for the murdered young woman...no matter the cost.

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Perils and Lace by Gayle Leeson. This book is the second in the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series and was released earlier this month.

Always ready for a challenge, Amanda Tucker agrees to help design the costumes for the high school's production of Beauty and the Beast. While coming up with creative designs for ottomans and feather dusters, she can't help but hear the rumors about the director having an affair with another teacher and notice that the smart as a whip student stage manager is hiding something. When the director is poisoned, Amanda fears for the students and the well being of her friend Connie, who found the woman. While helping her ghostly friend Max get a social media presence, looking our for the young stage manager, and getting closer to her boyfriend, Amanda will keep her eyes and ears open and see if she can discover just who killed Sandra Kelly.

Perils and Lace - A Book Blast!

BOOK BLAST! BOOK BLAST! BOOK BLAST! 

 

Perils and Lace: A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery (Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Series) by Gayle Leeson

About Perils and Lace

 

Perils and Lace: A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery 

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series  

Publisher: Grace Abraham Publishing  

Number of Pages - 212 (approx.) 

A murderer outwitting a quirky flapper ghost? Seams unlikely!

Budding retro fashion designer and entrepreneur Amanda Tucker is thrilled about making costumes for Winter Garden High School’s production of Beauty and the Beast. But when the play’s director Sandra Kelly is poisoned, Amanda realizes there’s a murderer in their midst. She’s determined to keep herself and the students safe, so when her ghostly fashionista friend Max suggests they investigate, Amanda rolls up her sleeves and prepares to follow the deadly pattern…

About Gayle Leeson

Amanda Lee, she wrote the Embroidery Mystery series, and as Gayle Trent, she writes the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. Going forward, Gayle intends to keep her writing until the Gayle Leeson name. She has a series of women's fiction novellas set in a shopping mall that has been converted to include micro-apartments (the Kinsey Falls series) and is enjoying writing the Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Series, the Down South Cafe series, and co-writing the Victoria Square series with Lorraine Bartlett.

   
Author Links:
Websites: https://www.ghostlyfashionista.com/current-release and https://www.gayleleeson.com Newsletter sign-up form: https://forms.aweber.com/form/14/1780369214.htm  
Twitter: @GayleTrent  
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  

Purchase Link - Amazon 

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Hems & Homicide - A Review & Giveaway

Review

HEMS & HOMICIDE by Elizabeth Penney

The First Apron Shop Mystery

Iris Buckley's online store selling aprons and vintage linens has been a success. Now she's partnering with her grandma to open a brink and mortar store in Blueberry Cove, Maine. The two have their work cut out for them, for though their storefront has great bones, it's a bit decrepit. Still, they're not afraid of stained ceilings, creaky floors, and spiders. The skeleton in the basement, however, is another matter. Grammie believes the remains are those of her friend Star Moonshine, a young woman who disappeared in the early 1970s. News of the skeleton spreads quickly and Iris is soon receiving threats. Not one to back down she's determined to not only open her store, but discover just what happened to Star all those years ago.

The first Apron Shop Mystery introduces readers to Iris Buckley, a nice, somewhat klutzy and socially awkward woman with a penchant wearing for mid century modern clothing. She's also not afraid to stand up for herself and is willing to defend herself and her friends. Iris is surrounded by a cadre of good friends and her loving grandmother who make good compatriots in their first encounter with murder. Blueberry Cove, Maine, a small town on the rise, makes a charming setting and vivid descriptions make me want to visit.

I really like that the mystery starts with a cold case. The skeleton is easily identified, but no one knows her real name. I appreciate how Iris and her friends piece together the puzzle of who Star Moonshine really is with old memories, pictures, diaries, and research. And I love how that research led to a unique former commune with a Shakespearean theme and my favorite characters, Alfie, Trooper, and Bacon. I certainly hope we see more of them in future books!

With a multilayered plot and unique characters with flair HEMS & HOMICIDE makes a solid start to a new series.

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Hems & Homicide (Apron Shop Series) by Elizabeth Penney

About Hems & Homicide

 

Hems & Homicide (Apron Shop Series) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series  

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 31, 2019)  

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages

Welcome to the first in the Apron Shop mystery series by Elizabeth Penney, set in the quaint village of Blueberry Cove, Maine where an expert seamstress turned amateur sleuth is getting measured for murder. . .

Iris Buckley is sew ready for a change. After the death of her beloved grandfather, Iris decides to stay in her Maine hometown to help out her widowed grandmother, Anne—and bring her online hand-made apron designs to real-time retail life. Her and Anne’s shop, Ruffles & Bows, is set to include all the latest and vintage linen fashions, a studio for sewing groups and classes, and a friendly orange cat. The only thing that they were not planning to have on the property? A skeleton in the basement.

Anne recognizes the remains of an old friend, and when a second body shows up in the apron shop—this time their corrupt landlord, whom Anne had been feuding with for decades—she becomes a prime suspect. Now, it’s up to Iris to help clear her name. Enlisting the help of her old high-school crush Ian Stewart who, like certain fabrics, has only gotten better-looking with age and her plucky BFF Madison Morris, Iris must piece together an investigation to find out who the real killer is. . .and find a way to keep her brand-new business from being scrapped in the process.

About Elizabeth Penney

Elizabeth Penney is an author, entrepreneur, and local food advocate living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In addition to writing full-time, she operates a small farm. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. She is represented by the fabulous Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic.

Elizabeth's writing credits include over twenty mysteries, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She's also written screenplays with her musician husband.

She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.

Author Links:
Webpage: www.elizabethpenneyauthor.com  
Twitter: @liz2penney  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7877413.Elizabeth_Penney  
Purchase Links - Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Hems & Homicide by Elizabeth Penney. This book is the first in the Apron Shop Mystery series and was released last month.

Iris Buckley's online store selling aprons and vintage linens has been a success. Now she's partnering with her grandma to open a brink and mortar store in Blueberry Cove, Maine. The two have their work cut out for them, for though their storefront has great bones, it's a bit decrepit. Still, they're not afraid of stained ceilings, creaky floors, and spiders. The skeleton in the basement, however, is another matter. Grammie believes the remains are those of her friend Star Moonshine, a young woman who disappeared in the early 1970s. News of the skeleton spreads quickly and Iris is soon receiving threats. Not one to back down she's determined to not only open her store, but discover just what happened to Star all those years ago.

Silenced in Sequins - A Review & Giveaway

Review

SILENCED IN SEQUINS by Debra Sennefelder

The Second Resale Boutique Mystery

Kelly Quinn is not in the Christmas mood. Her dreams of increased business and popularity after receiving several items on consignment from a reality TV star turn into a nightmare when the two dueling reality "ladies" battle after one shows up wearing the other's cast off clothing! When one of them vows to destroy Kelly's business, Kelly wants to find a way to make things better, but what she finds is the Long Island Lady's dead body! Now the prime suspect wants Kelly to help her, the producer wants her on the show, and the detective in charge wants her away from her investigation and her brother! All that combined with discovering a secret from her late Granny that could uproot Kelly and all she's worked for, it's no wonder Kelly can't find her holiday spirit.

SILENCED IN SEQUINS deals with secrets. Not only do the cast and crew of the Long Island Ladies have secrets, Kelly's late granny has a whopper of one. Indeed the plot hinges upon how people deal with these secrets.

The second Resale Boutique Mystery showcases a wide variety of characters, those you like, those that pique your interest, and those you love to hate, or at least really really dislike. Kelly is likeable. She's trying hard to build a business for herself, repair relationships with family and friends, and make people proud of her. At times, however, I find myself yelling at her for her lack of good judgement and annoying thought process. Still, she's evolving and I hope she continues to grow as the series progresses.

SILENCED IN SEQUINS brings together guilty pleasures, lifestyles of the rich and wanna be famous, and murder in a charming mystery.

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Silenced in Sequins (A Resale Boutique Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

About Silenced in Sequins

 

Silenced in Sequins (A Resale Boutique Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series  

Publisher: Lyrical Press (January 7, 2020)  

Print Length 256 Pages 

Former Manhattan fashion buyer Kelly Quinn is turning her grandmother’s outdated consignment shop into her quaint hometown’s hot spot for upscale style—until her second-hand couture makes the scene of an ice-cold crime . . .

With her bottom line looking a little threadbare, Kelly is going all out to promote the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique. She’s counting on Black Friday to recover her start-up expenses—including a website and an advertising blitz. But the publicity is overkill when two warring divas, and one sparkly evening dress, thrust Kelly and her fledgling business into a scandal she can’t afford.

The gorgeous garment came to Kelly from the walk-in closets of Wendy Johnson, one of reality TV’s Long Island Ladies. When Wendy’s former co-star, Diana Delacourte, graces a Christmas gala in the dress that was once her rival’s, a very public catfight ensues. But is Wendy to blame when sequin-clad Diana turns up dead? Dodging the show’s ever-present cameras—and a detective’s stern warnings—Kelly hunts for a killer before the powerful celebrity-suspect makes good on her threats and rips her to shreds . . .

About Debra Sennefelder

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

Author Links: Website – Facebook – Goodreads  

Purchase Links Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play

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