Trapped and Tested - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

TRAPPED AND TESTED by Sharon Marchisello
The Second DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery 

DeeLo Myer's niece Demi is thrilled when a DNA site connects her with a possible brother. But DeeLo has her reservations when she meets the too smooth Kwintone, especially when he's assigned to help her trap several community cats for the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Program. Not only does he show up late, he's dressed in a suit and takes off early! But when she sees his car by the side of the road with his phone inside she gets worried. A brief search leads her to a man bleeding on the ground calling for help. Before she knows it DeeLo is dealing with local politics, animal testing, and murder. Will she be able to solve the crime, save the cats, and stay out of jail? 

I really like DeeLo. She's smart, capable, and has a mission. I still can't stand Demi, although I like her a bit more by the end of the book, and I still don't like Barry, who's showing he's even more of a jerk than I thought in the first book! The mystery was compelling, especially as we learned more and more about the victim. And the mystery was not just the murder, there was also the mystery of Demi's birth father. Is Kwintone really her half brother? And what about....no spoilers. I also appreciated the local politics aspect of the story. Several surprises kept me intrigued with a major shock that I still have difficulty comprehending, especially as we'll have to deal with the consequences in future books.

As an animal lover with five rescue cats of my own, I truly appreciate the fact that this series deals with TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) as well as the needless use of animal testing and the unscrupulous ways some people obtain animals for testing. There is no preaching or proselytizing, just facts.

Lots of moving parts make TRAPPED AND TESTED a compelling mystery that deals with social issues as it entertains.

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 Trapped and Tested: A DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery by Sharon Marchisello

About Trapped and Tested

Trapped and Tested: A DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery
Cozy Mystery 2nd in the Series
Setting – Georgia
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books
Publication Date : December 16, 2025
Pages 274 

When DeeLo’s niece, Demi Myer, tries to find her father on an ancestry site, she meets Kwintone, a half-brother with a few secrets. After getting a speeding ticket, Kwintone is assigned to community service in the Pecan Point Humane Society’s Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return program—trapping cats with DeeLo on the new Oakwood Studios lot. The disinterested trainee leaves abruptly on his first night, and later DeeLo finds his car abandoned beside the road, phone on the seat.

Where is Kwintone, and is he connected to the stabbing of the CEO of Neuroscience Laboratories—a medical research facility that tests its products on cats?

DeeLo is still determined to change the county’s animal ordinance to support TNVR, but is the newcomer candidate she backs for the open commissioner slot involved in a murder?

About Sharon Marchisello

Sharon Marchisello is the author of the DeeLo Myer cat rescue mystery series, which began with Trap, Neuter, Die. She is a long-time volunteer and cat foster for the Fayette Humane Society (FHS) with a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. She also published three mysteries with Sunbury Press—Going Home (2014), Secrets of the Galapagos (2019), and Murder at Leisure Dreams - Galapagos (2025). Sharon has written short stories, a nonfiction book about personal finance, training manuals, screenplays, a blog, and book reviews. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, the Atlanta Writers Club, and the Hometown Novel Writers Association. Retired from a 27-year career with Delta Air Lines, she now lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, and serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the Peachtree City Library.

Website: sharonmarchisello.com (https://smarchisello.wordpress.com/)  

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A Dish Best Served Dead - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

A DISH BEST SERVED DEAD by T. C. LoTempio
The Third Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery

The Foodie Fest Convention has come to Branson, Georgia and former chef and food blogger Tiffany Austin is looking forward to checking out all the action. With a food truck competition and a special episode of the TV show Last Chef Standing there's plenty of good food along with innovative cooks and chefs. In fact, Tiffany's ex boyfriend is there representing her former restaurant, along with his fiance. Also there is Jason Barclay, a food critic with an attitude and a rapier sharp pen. Word has it that he's about to publish a tell-all book with movie rights in the works. After a fantastic meal at the opening banquet Tiffany decides to get some air before dessert. Checking out the fountain she saw earlier she notices a shoe sticking out of the water-a shoe attached to the foot of the very dead Jason Barclay. In between interviewing chefs and tasting lots of delectable food Tiffany will start to look into Jason's murder. Lots of people hated the man, but the killer had to be someone whose secrets he was about to reveal. With help from her best friend and new cameraman Tiffany will try to uncover the truth, hopefully before her own secrets are revealed.

I want to attend a Foodie Fest Convention, though preferably one without a murder. I love the ambiance of a culinary gathering. A bit of competition along with greeting old friends makes a fun festive setting with crowds adding to a huge list of suspects.While I like Tiffany, I did want to bop her on the head a few times. Not only does she need to come clean with Phil, she should have provided him with her clues, not hold on and wait until she'd investigated and determine what was relevant. I couldn't believe what she did at the end. No spoilers from me, but it was almost a too stupid to live moment which almost did get her killed.

I loved the variety of suspects and the fact that there were mysterious strangers as well as not so mysterious ones. I enjoyed the addition of Jimmy, a Watson to Tiffany's Sherlock, but with contacts! I liked how so many people were acting suspiciously, even people Tiffany trusted. I didn't and was somewhat surprised by her loyalty.

Scrumptious food, lots of suspects, and murder cook up a delicious entry to this culinary series. I look forward to the next one!

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 A Dish Best Served Dead: A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery by T. C. LoTempio

About A Dish Best Served Dead

A Dish Best Served Dead: A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - Georgia
Publisher: ‎ Beyond the Page
Publication Date: ‎ August 5, 2025
Print length: ‎ 258 pages

When a food convention turns fatal, Tiffany Austin will have to cook up a scheme to catch a killer . . .

The national Foodie Fest is in town and food blogger Tiffany Austin is thrilled to report on the event, even if it means crossing paths with an arrogant and annoying chef from her past. The man can’t help boasting of his success, but he also lets slip to Tiffany that he’s publishing a tell-all memoir that will be filled with scandalous secrets about many people in the food industry. It’s a risky career move, and maybe just plain risky, as Tiffany discovers later that day when she finds the chef’s dead body mere steps from the convention center.

With any number of reputations and careers at stake if the chef’s memoir were ever published, Tiffany realizes virtually everyone at the event is a suspect. Wending her way through the convention crowd in her guise as a reporter, she cautiously questions as many of the participants as she can, hoping to unearth a telling clue or a false alibi. Because while everyone has a skeleton or two in the closet, Tiffany knows someone at the food fest has a secret they’d kill to protect—and would kill for again if she gets too close to the truth . . .

Includes scrumptious Foodie Fest recipes!

About T. C. LoTempio

 

T.C. LoTempio is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of the Nick and Nora Mysteries, the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, and the Cat Rescue Mysteries. Born in New York City, she now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her two cats, Maxx and Rocco. Rocco prides himself on being the inspiration for her Nick and Nora series! For more information, check out her and her cat Rocco’s blog at www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com and visit her website at www.tclotempio.ne

• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5
• TWITTER/X: ROCCOBLOGGER
• WEBSITE: https://www.tclotempio.net/

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading A Dish Best Served Dead by T. C. LoTempio. This book is the third in the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery series and was released last month.

The Foodie Fest Convention has come to Branson, Georgia and former chef and food blogger Tiffany Austin is looking forward to checking out all the action. With a food truck competition and a special episode of the TV show Last Chef Standing there's plenty of good food along with innovative cooks and chefs. In fact, Tiffany's ex boyfriend is there representing her former restaurant, along with his fiance. Also there is Jason Barclay, a food critic with an attitude and a rapier sharp pen. Word has it that he's about to publish a tell-all book with movie rights in the works. After a fantastic meal at the opening banquet Tiffany decides to get some air before dessert. Checking out the fountain she saw earlier she notices a shoe sticking out of the water-a shoe attached to the foot of the very dead Jason Barclay. In between interviewing chefs and tasting lots of delectable food Tiffany will start to look into Jason's murder. Lots of people hated the man, but the killer had to be someone whose secrets he was about to reveal. With help from her best friend and new cameraman Tiffany will try to uncover the truth, hopefully before her own secrets are revealed.

Trap, Neuter, Die - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Sharon Marchisello to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Sharon writes the DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery series. TRAP, NEUTER, DIE is the first book in the series.

 
Kathy: TRAP, NEUTER, DIE shines a light on TNVR, Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return. How did you learn about this concept? Why is it important to tell people about it.

SM: I learned about TNVR when I became a volunteer for the Fayette Humane Society. Prior to that, I just assumed all cats were potential pets. It's important to tell people about TNVR because it's an effective and humane way to fight the pet overpopulation crisis.

Kathy: It's a frustrating truth that archaic laws as well as uncaring and/or evil people exist making life difficult for feral and stray cats. What can people do to help?

SM: The most important thing people can do is spay or neuter their pets. And if they see a colony of free-roaming cats, contact a rescue group that can help with TNVR. If the cats have ear tips, the colony may already be managed.

Kathy: I currently share my home with 5 cats, all rescues. Do you have cats of your own?

SM: I've had cats all my life, but I don't currently own one. We lost our 17-year-old cat several years ago, and my husband hesitates to get another. So, I've gone back to fostering cats for the Fayette Humane Society. I'm hoping he'll want to foster fail (adopt your foster) but so far, he's been resistant. Nevertheless, there's usually a cat or two in my house.

Kathy: In this first DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery DeeLo is sentenced to forty hours of community service with the local humane society. Have you ever volunteered with your local humane society or other rescue organization?

SM: Yes, I have been volunteering with the Fayette Humane Society since 2007. I started out fostering cats, then helped with adoption events. I've served as Secretary on their Board of Directors since 2011 and also do the grant writing. We get lots of short-term volunteers who have to do hours for school clubs or court-ordered community service so that's what gave me the idea to make DeeLo join the organization by doing community service.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

SM: One of my professors at USC believed writing genre fiction was the best way to get published, and he recommended that I write mysteries. Because I don't have a background in law enforcement or private investigation, I felt most comfortable writing about amateur sleuths. And I don't like a lot of graphic sex and violence, so the cozy genre is a good fit.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

SM: My first two mysteries aren't really cozies, although I do have amateur sleuths. I also write short stories in various genres. And I self-published a nonfiction book about personal finance. (LIVE WELL, GROW WEALTH - 2018).

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

SM: TRAP, NEUTER, DIE is the first in a 3-book series published by Level Best Books and featuring DeeLo Myer, a young woman who rescues cats and finds dead humans.

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

SM: Besides DeeLo, my favorite character is curmudgeon Catherine Foster, who admits she likes feral cats a lot better than human beings. She frequently makes politically incorrect comments about people who mistreat animals. I also enjoy writing Demi Myer, DeeLo's niece, who's more like a sister to DeeLo.

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

SM: For a long time, I wanted to feature an animal rescue group in a novel. Several years ago, several of us volunteers tried to get our county's animal ordinance changed to sanction TNVR, and drama ensued. (Some of that made it into my series.) And of course, being a mystery writer, I had to throw in a dead body.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

SM: I've always wanted my work to be published, but it took a long time to make it happen.

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

SM: I think it would be fun to invite Kurt Vonnegut, Ernest Hemingway, Agatha Christie, and Edgar Allen Poe. No idea how they'd all get along.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

SM: I'm reading several new mysteries in ebook from Net Galley. And for my book club, we're reading Jodi Picoult's novel, BY ANY OTHER NAME.

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

SM: Besides reading, writing, and animal rescue, I love to travel. My husband and I have taken over 70 cruises together and visited over 100 countries. I've always loved maps and learning other languages.

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

SM: I always have cheese and crackers, milk for my coffee (French roast, ground from the beans), and spinach for salads. And wine.

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

SM: My contract with Level Best is for three books. After that, we'll see what happens. Book two, TRAPPED AND TESTED, will be out in September. In it, DeeLo helps Demi find her biological father which leads to her involvement in the murder of the CEO of an animal testing lab. I've also written a sequel to my 2019 mystery from Sunbury Press, SECRETS OF THE GALAPAGOS. MURDER AT LEISURE DREAMS - GALAPAGOS will be out later this year and my editor asked if I plan to make it a series. I need to travel back to the Galapagos to get inspiration for another book!

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

SM: I love writing and turning out the best book I can. I think the most exciting part about being an author is having readers tell me they loved my book. Especially if it's someone I don't already know.

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Review

TRAP, NEUTER, DIE by Sharon Marchisello
The First DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery 

After one really bad decision Delores Diane Myer-Johansson, better known as Deelo Myer, finds herself sentenced to community service. An animal lover she is serving her time with the Pecan Point Humane Society, helping with the Trap-Neuter-Return program. Her supervisor, the gruff Catherine Foster is quick to point out that it's really the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program and that she much prefers cats to humans. As the pair set out traps behind a shopping plaza they notice Manny, the bookstore cat, running outside. Seeing the shop's backdoor open they go in only to discover the dead body of the owner. The police officer who arrives has a grudge against Catherine and barely believes them about murder. When the pair return to try to trap more cats he shows up again and arrests Catherine on an antiquated animal ordinance and suspicion of murder. Deelo vows to not only get Catherine released, but to change the outdated law. And if she has to solve a murder to do it, so be it!

TRAP, NEUTER, DIE grapples with some important societal issues, making the first DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery a little darker and a tad more realistic than most cozy mysteries. As a cat lover who supports several local rescues, and some not so local, I am impressed and grateful for all of the information about TNVR presented here, as well as showing an example of the idiotic animal laws that still exist.

I really enjoyed the story, a complex murder mystery with several subplots, lots of backstory, and some interesting possibilities raised for the future. While I really like Deelo and the irascible Catherine I can't stand Demi. I find her to be an immature self absorbed unspayed canine! Honestly, I wouldn't mind finding her a the murder victim in the next book! I also found Barry to be a bit much; a well written complicated character, but still, a bit much.

Serious issues are woven throughout TRAP, NEUTER, DIE creating an absorbing mystery that promotes feral cat welfare as it entertains.

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 Trap, Neuter, Die: A DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery by Sharon Marchisello

About Trap, Neuter, Die

Trap, Neuter, Die: A DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st of Series
Setting - Georgia
Publisher: ‎ Level Best Books (October 29, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 286 pages

DeeLo Myer, newly transplanted from Los Angeles to Pecan Point, Georgia, gets sentenced to forty hours of community service with the local humane society. She’s paired with the judgmental Catherine Foster, a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) guru who prefers feral cats to people. During DeeLo's first night on duty, she and Catherine are led by a cat to the strangled body of a local bookstore owner.

The cop who investigates seems less concerned with solving a homicide than with Catherine’s violation of an antiquated animal ordinance rendering TNVR illegal. The following evening, when he arrests Catherine for violating the said ordinance, and then holds her as a suspect in the murder, DeeLo vows to prove Catherine’s innocence and get the ridiculous law changed. How hard could it be? She enlists her boyfriend/boss and the resources of his law office. Her quest for justice and legislative change leads her to high-profile members of the community, some of whom have motives for murder.

About Sharon Marchisello

Sharon Marchisello is the author of the DeeLo Myer cozy mystery series from Level Best Books, starting with Trap, Neuter, Die (2024). Her two previous mysteries were published by Sunbury Press: Going Home (2014) and Secrets of the Galapagos (2019). She is an active member of Sisters in Crime. She contributed short stories to the anthologies Shhhh...Murder! (Darkhouse Books, 2018) Finally Home (Bienvenue Press, 2019) and Smoking Guns (Wildside Press, 2024). Her personal finance book Live Well, Grow Wealth (2018) was originally published as Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy, an e-book on Smashwords. Sharon has published travel articles, book reviews, corporate training manuals, and a personal finance blog called Countdown to Financial Fitness. She grew up in Tyler, Texas, and earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston in French and English. She studied for a year in Tours, France, on a Rotary scholarship and then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her Masters in Professional Writing at the University of Southern California. Retired from a 27-year career with Delta Air Lines, she lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, doing volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society, the Fayette County Master Gardeners UGA Extension, and the Friends of the Peachtree City Library.

Website: sharonmarchisello.com (https://smarchisello.wordpress.com/) 

Social Media Links: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SLMarchisello  

Twitter/X https://twitter.com/slmarchisello  

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The Con - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Jackie Layton to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Jackie writes the Organized Crime Cozy Mystery series. The Con is the second book in the series.

Kathy: Kate Sloan is a professional organizer. I could sure use her help. What about you? Are you an organized person?

JL: I am not naturally organized, and I work hard to have an organized home and office.


Kathy: In The Con Kate is hired to organize an office at Seaside Hideaway Resort. The problem is that her client is a con man. Have you ever had to deal with a con man-or a shady salesperson?

JL: We have dealt with a conman, and it was a confusing time. I learned a lot from that experience.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries? 

JL: I’ve enjoyed cozy mysteries before I even knew the term. I like the relationships between characters, and I like trying to solve the mystery.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

JL: No, I only write cozy mysteries.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.  

JL: In An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series, Kate Sloan has returned to Fox Island after becoming an empty nester. She’s in her early fifties, she’s a widow, and she is starting a professional organizing business with her best friend. She soon learns that she can use her organizing skills to solve mysteries.

In A Texas Flower Farmer series, Emma Justice, has lived in Lutz, Texas all her life. She knows the people, and when she discovers a murder victim, she feels like she can use her people skills to solve the murder.

In A Low Country Dog Walker series, Andi Grace Scott finds her mentor’s body. When she was younger, her parents were killed by a hit-and-run driver, and the driver was never caught. Because there was never justice for their deaths, she’s determined to solve the murder of her mentor.

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

JL: I don’t have a favorite character. I love them all in different ways. Andi Grace was my first, Emma loves flowers, and Kate is closest to my age.

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

JL: When we moved to South Carolina, we had to downsize. During this time, I watched organizing shows, and I studied books on home organization skills. This inspired me to create Kate Sloan, a professional organizer. The Con is set on the fictional town of Fox Island, Georgia, and it’s near Savannah. My husband and I used to live in Georgia, and this area is very special to us.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work? 

JL: It was always a dream, and I feel blessed to have my stories published.

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

JL: Agatha Christie, Diane Mott Davidson, Cara Black, and Carolyn Keene.

Kathy: What are you currently reading? 

JL: The Confidence Game by Maria Konnikova and The Return of Sherlock Holmes.

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

JL: I enjoy reading, traveling, walking on the beach, playing cards, and gardening.
 

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

JL: Coffee, creamer, tea, and popcorn.
 

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

JL: Yes, in 2025, the third book in A Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mystery Series, and An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series will release.

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

JL: I love meeting other authors and readers.

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 The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery by Jackie Layton

About The Con

The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Georgia
Publisher: ‎ Level Best Books (August 27, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 280 pages

Professional organizer Kate Sloan is hired by Ben Houser to organize his office at Seaside Hideaway Resort on Fox Island. Ben tells everybody he’s planning to revamp the resort. Ben throws money around and convinces people to invest with him. The first problem is, Ben’s a con man. The second problem is, Kate finds his dead body.

The killer believes Kate has incriminating evidence, and she must solve the mystery before she’s next on the hitman’s list.

About Jackie Layton

Jackie Layton is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. She lives on the coast of South Carolina, where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies.

Jackie always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Dateline and American Greed are two ways she gets ideas. She’s also a people watcher, and that can giver her ideas for stories or even a thread in a book.

Author Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieLaytonAuthor Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jackielaytonauthor/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/joyfuljel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcom Threads: Jackie Layton (@jackielaytonauthor) on Threads Goodreads: https://bit.ly/49XTfpf BookBub: https://bit.ly/37RqGQ8 Website: https://jackielaytoncozyauthor.com/

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A Crust to Die For - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Hilary Hanson to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Hilary on the pages of the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery series by T. C. LoTempio. A CRUST TO DIE FOR is the second book in the series and was released last week.

A chat with....Hilary Hanson!

Hello there! My name is Hilary Hanson, and I’m Tiffany Austin’s BFF, sidekick, partner in crime!

Tiff and I have been friends ever since grammar school, when she first treated me to some of her homemade chocolate chip cookies! Man, that girl could cook even at age 7!  It provided the basis for our lasting friendship.  She cooks and I eat!  How more perfect can you get?

I was thrilled when Tiff moved back to Branson (sorry to hear about her romantic troubles, but his loss was my gain).  I  like to think I was instrumental in her getting the food blogger job at Southern Style! Of course, the fact that our editor went to grammar school with us and always had a soft spot for Tiff didn’t hurt?

In Tiff’s latest adventure, A CRUST TO DIE FOR, she helps my sister Arleen out of a pretty big jam. A food critic is killed during a pizza bakeoff and my sister is high if not number one on the suspect list!  Naturally, I’m there to help! 

Does Tiff clear my sister? Well, you’ll just have to read A CRUST TO DIE FOR to find out!  Here’s hoping for many more adventures for Tiff and myself!

Love, Hilary

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Review

A CRUST TO DIE FOR by T. C. LoTempio
The Second Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery

 

Thrilled that Southern Style Magazine is using her pizza contest idea, Tiffany Austin is less than pleased when they are forced to use Bartholomew Driscoll as a replacement judge. Making enemies wherever he goes, the egotistical misogynistic food critic turned restaurateur has never forgotten the poor review Tiffany once gave his restaurant. Upon arrival, Driscoll is his usual surly self and is seen getting into arguments with a variety of people. When he's found dead and her best friend's sister becomes a prime suspect Tiffany promises to do all she can to find the murderer. Will she succeed, or will she once again find herself a target? 

I really like Tiffany and her subtle and not so subtle methods of investigation. She's caring, but sees things with eyes wide open. She's someone with whom you can easily relate. I enjoy her relationship with her friends and I look forward to seeing where her relationship with Bartell goes. 

 

I really enjoy when a louse gets murdered, as is the case here. There are always a lot of suspects, all with good motives. While I picked up on some things, there were enough surprises to keep me engaged, sometimes even catching me off guard.

A CRUST TO DIE FOR is a smart witty mystery full of friends and good food. Be sure to bring an appetite for pizza and sink your teeth into this delightful read.

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 A Crust to Die For (A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery) by Toni LoTempio

About A Crust To Die For 

A Crust to Die For (A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Georgia
Severn House (January 2, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 240 pages

The Bon-Appetempting Pizza Bake-Off has the small town of Branson, Georgia buzzing. Not least its organizer, Southern Style's food critic and blogger Tiffany Austin. But right before the finals one of the celebrity judges falls ill, and to Tiffany's horror the magazine replaces him with none other than handsome TV star and restaurateur Bartholomew Driscoll.

Tiffany once gave his restaurant a poor review, and she's convinced he's only accepted the job to get revenge. She fully expects Driscoll will find a way to ruin the contest . . . but she definitely doesn't expect to trip over his dead body backstage!

Soon, it's clear Tiffany wasn't the only person who had less than positive feelings towards the sharp-tongued Driscoll. She's surrounded by suspects - but which of the motley crew of contestants, family members and scorned friends and colleagues had the guts to commit murder?

With the help of her BFF Hilary and annoyingly handsome detective Bartell, and with cat Lily and puppy Cooper as emotional support, Tiffany investigates, only to discover that revenge is indeed a dish best served cold . . .

About T.C. LoTempio

T. C. LoTempio is the award-winning, national bestselling author of the Nick and Nora mystery series. Her cat, Rocco, provides the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat. She also writes the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery Series, as well as the Cat Rescue series. Her latest series is the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series from Severn House. Check out her and Rocco's blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, and visit her website, www.tclotempio.net, for more information.

Author Links: 

Webpage: http://www.tclotempio.net  

Blog: http://www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5  

Twitter/X: @RoccoBlogger  

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1195684.T_C_LoTempio?from_search=true&from_srp=true  

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Deacon of the Dead - A Guest Post and Giveaway

I'm pleased to allow MJ O'Neill to take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. MJ writes the Second Chance Inn Cozy Mystery series. Deacon of the Dead is the first book in the series and was released last month.

"Can We Murder the Grammar?” - Confessions of a Dyslexic Mystery Writer 

MJ O'Neill

As a child, reading felt like trying to solve a cryptic puzzle without any clues. I was terrible at it and frankly, saw little joy in the effort. There was no quicker way to get me to want to commit murder than to assign me a book report. That was until I stumbled upon my first mystery novel—suddenly, the challenge became thrilling. Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden became my secret keys to unlocking the world of words. The real-life mystery unfolded in the eighth grade during an after-school algebra session. As I squinted at the jumbled numbers, I asked my teacher how he managed to keep those pesky numbers all neatly aligned instead of dancing the conga—a concept as perplexing to me as the equation I was attempting to solve. That moment of confusion led to a revelation that cleared up so much of my educational fog—I was dyslexic.

For those unfamiliar, dyslexia is often associated with challenges in reading and writing due to difficulties in recognizing and decoding words. The math form, which I also have, is dyscalculia. Dyslexia affects spelling, writing, and sometimes even speaking. My kiddo has an auditory form which means when you say banana they hear bandana. It can make teenage conversations extra fun.

In layman's terms, dyslexia is like reading a mystery novel where the author has cheekily jumbled all the clues. It's not just bumbling with letters; it's your brain's quirky way of decoding the plot of the English language, only backwards and in heels (in my case).

The Detective's Dilemma: At first, my teacher’s insistence that I had something going on fell on deaf ears. In that era, girls, especially girls with good grades, didn’t have dyslexia. Thankfully, he was persistent and once I had a name for my unique lens, everything clicked into place. The 'aha' moment of diagnosis was akin to finding the last piece of the puzzle in a locked-room mystery.

The Plot Thickens (And So Does the Plot): When reviewing my upcoming thriller, a reader commented that the book was “wickedly, intensely plotted”. This, I believe, is the silver lining of my dyslexia, my superpower—my ability to envision wide and deep, the breadth and depth of a narrative, simultaneously. It's a talent that is immensely helpful in plotting complex, intricate tales. Red herrings and character connections fall effortlessly into place. I can see clues and connections up and down the story as I'm writing or revising. It's also why you want me in your next escape room challenge.

Crafting the Culprit: I describe myself as a 'plotty pantser'—I start with a firm grasp on the crime, the victim, and the culprit before I try to put words on a page. I always have an inciting incident and a setting, too. But I leave room for the mystery and connections to unfurl as I write. My arsenal includes color-coded sticky notes to track plot points and heavy revising on the go for coherence and continuity. Only when the story is solid do I brace myself for the final and most grueling step—tackling the mechanics of grammar and spelling.

My favorite writing teacher is Yale’s Verlyn Klinkenborg. His advice to writers is to only write short sentences. His book is cleverly named Several Short Sentences on Writing. Bad sentences are easier to spot and fix when their short. Dyslexics aren't really taught to read words. Instead, we're taught chunking. Paragraphs, sentences and even words are parsed into smaller chunks. My brain contains a massive database of phrases that have nuanced meanings. The spelling of any given word is inconsequential because I read and write the phrase. That means I'm always writing short sentences and gluing them together.

Go, Go Gadget:

The first time I ever submitted to a potential agent I was told that I'd never get published unless I hired a professional editor before submitting. That was cost prohibitive for me. Thankfully, technology has bridged many gaps for dyslexic writers, acting as a Watson to my Holmes, helping me outsmart the Moriarty of grammar and spelling pitfalls. I've gone from needing an army of editors to fine-tuning my manuscripts with the help of digital tools acting as my first line of defense before a piece ever reaches an editor. Though exhausting, this process is vital in polishing my work to a sheen that meets the scrutinizing eyes of agents and publishers.

For quick thoughts and those sudden bursts of inspiration, I turn to dictation tools. And to any budding writer out there, dyslexic or not, my counsel is this: embrace audio books as a way to immerse yourself in your genre, and find a writing process that plays to your strengths.

The Support Squad:

I cut my teeth in online writing forums, where constructive criticism and encouragement became the bedrock of my growth as a writer. For those treading similar paths, especially with learning differences, my advice is to find your people. They are invaluable allies on this journey.

The Morale of the Story:

A mentor once said to me that what made me different was what made me different and that my path forward lay in embracing it. They were right. Our unique abilities are not just quirks; they are our signature, our fingerprints on the murder weapon. My dyslexia is not merely a footnote in my story—it is a key character in my mystery novels, influencing plot twists and character arcs in ways that I could never have imagined.

To the readers, teachers, and parents out there—know that learning disabilities are surmountable. There is hope, and there are success stories. I am living proof that with the right support and strategies, anyone can conquer the written world. And I never would have known that to be true if someone hadn’t questioned “wait, your numbers are moving?”

Keep scribbling, sleuths, and trust that in the library of life, every book has a place. Every story matters, especially the ones that take a little extra effort to tell.

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 Deacon of the Dead: A Second Chance Inn Cozy Mystery by MJ O'Neill

About Deacon of the Dead 

Deacon of the Dead: A Second Chance Inn Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Georgia
Sweet Devotions (October 10, 2023)
Print length: ‎ 274 pages

Come Sit a Spell in Clinton, Georgia. Home to Southern Sass, Romance, Murder, and (Fake) Zombie Fun - a charming cozy mystery book series from award-winning author MJ O'Neill

Who Knew Fake Zombies Could Stir Up Such Real Trouble? When Harmony Holt’s daddy lands in the hospital putting their family inn on the brink of foreclosure, she’s dragged back to her quirky hometown, Clinton, Georgia, with an unconventional rescue plan: zombies. Well, zombie tours to be precise. As autumn unveils its colors, she concocts a daring plan to intertwine the town's newfound fame as film site for the hit TV show Walker, Zombie Ranger with it's upcoming fall festival, all to save her family’s legacy—and ideally, while dodging any awkward encounters with her ex, Seth.

But when Deacon Miller, a vocal opponent of her undead tourism idea, is found murdered in the middle of her zombie-fueled grand opening, shot with her inn’s gun, no less, she’s in a heap of trouble on both fronts. Now, with her tour permit hanging by a thread, land snatchers are clamoring for a piece of her property, and the local businesses that banked on her venture are in the lurch. To top it off, she’s prime suspect in the Deacon’s murder. Her sole beacon of hope? Sheriff Seth Johnson, her ex.

Is it a Second Chance at Love or a Second Chance for Murder? Dive into this fall treat by award-winning author MJ O'Neill, a unique blend of cozy mystery and romance, sprinkled with Southern sass and autumn charm. Can Harmony save her family legacy and find where her heart truly belongs, or are some secrets better kept whispered in regrets?

About MJ O'Neill

MJ O’Neill is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and literacy advocate.

Her love of mysteries started as a dyslexic child who relied on Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden to get through the dreaded book report. Now, she is a fierce advocate for literacy and stands firm against literary censorship.

Her professional writing adventure began when she owned a chocolate factory where writing mysteries was a safer bet than “murdering customers”. Currently, you might spot MJ rambling around the Pacific Northwest in her jeep, with her teenager and fierce Yorkie, on the hunt for bigfoot and her next captivating tale.

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.mjoneillauthor.com  

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

BookBub Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mj-o-neill  

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

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MJONeillAuthor  

Purchase Link: Amazon  

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