Two Purloined Pillows - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Shelby Phillips to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Shelby on the pages of the Nimble Needle Mystery series by Allie Pleiter. TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS is the second book in the series and was released last month.

Hello, I’m Shelby Phillips manager of Nina’s Nimble Needle needlepoint shop in the small North Carolina town of Gwen Lake. My mother, Nina, still owns the shop, and occasionally “forgets” that I manage it now.

Every ounce of managing is in high demand right now as two rival needlepoint canvas designers, the skittish Laura Bitters and the boorish Paul Bardo, vying for attention. They are here for Gwen Lake’s first-ever arts festival, and both consider themselves the star attraction. Laura and Paul are equally popular and talented, but neither one can stand the other. It’s taking every diplomatic skill I have to keep the peace. 

The job becomes much harder when the pillows each artists has stitched for a town auction both disappear. Accusations fly between the two, especially when other small items go missing around town. Gwen Lake’s festival is in peril.

I just think I’ve got the tension under control when one of them turns up dead. 

It will take all my stitching friends—Deb the scientist-turned-barista, my all-too-perfect sister Jessica, and our newest, handsomest stitcher town mechanic Jake—to unravel the mystery of how our guest artist met an untimely end. Thankfully, I get help from my mom’s shop customer regulars, the NYAGs. This group of “Not Your Average Grannies” lend their wit and wisdom to not only hold the town chaos at bay, but bring the killer to justice.

Police Chief Evan Tallen may not yet realize how a few pieces of needlepoint can solve a murder…but he will soon. 

As will you! Join me as we stitch up a tale of rivalries, artistic envy, a shocking affair, and a town event gone horribly wrong.

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Review

TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS by Allie Pleiter
The Second Nimble Needle Mystery 

Gwen Lake, North Carolina is holding its first Arts Festival and Shelby Phillips is eager to spread the love of crafting while also showing that art can be a career. Nina's Nimble Needle will be showcasing two famous needlepoint designers, the boorish Paul Bardo and Laura Bitters, the woman who encouraged Shelby's artistic ability when she was young. Unfortunately, the two despise each other and great pains must be made to keep the peace.Things get off to a rocky start when the two pillows designed and stitched by these artists are stolen. More petty pilferings occur and then on the opening night of the festival Laura collapses and dies. Was it murder? Shelby and her friends will have to unravel many secrets to find the truth...and a killer.

I enjoyed my trip to Gwen Lake and my own love for needlework has been rekindled. While I can't see myself cross stitching again. I can enjoy my time at Nina's Nimble Needle. The mystery was intriguing and I loved the various secrets and truths that were slowly revealed. I appreciate how Shelby works with the police. 

What I found most intriguing about TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS was the different faces people show as well as secrets they hide. Shelby thought the world of Laura, others had different experiences. Different  artists certainly showed their mercurial sides. These two sides is also seen with the NYAGs. In a way these differences can be seen even more obviously through Shelby's nephews. I, for one, would like to punch Hal for his views and encouraging the problems between his sons. 

A positive push for the arts and a fun mystery make TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS a delightful read.

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 Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery) by Allie Pleiter

About Two Purloined Pillows

 

Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series 
Setting - North Carolina 
Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies 
Publication Date: ‎ March 31, 2026 
Print Length: ‎ 272 pages

When 30-something graphic artist Shelby Phillips reluctantly returned to her small hometown outside Asheville, North Carolina to manage her mother’s needlepoint shop, she thought it was temporary. But getting entangled in murder investigations has a timeline of its own…

It’s been a little over a year since Shelby started managing Nina’s Nimble Needle following her office-romance and career implosion, and Shelby’s mom has finally handed her the reins—technically, at least. Next, Shelby is excited to oversee two well-known needlepoint designers who will be participating in the town’s first two-week-long arts festival . . .

Laura Bitters and Paul Bardo have each stitched up one-of-a-kind pillows that should be big wins for the Nimble Needle at the festival’s auction . . . until the pillows vanish amid a sudden string of shoplifting incidents.

To add to the knot in Shelby’s stomach, Laura proves highly anxious, while Paul is an egomaniac who believes Laura has been stealing his customers for years. But things go from bad to tragic when Laura behaves oddly at the auction dinner, then collapses—dead.

Soon after, Shelby makes a shocking discovery in Laura’s room at the local inn. Then tests reveal that Laura was poisoned. Resolved to piece together the truth, despite the police chief’s determination to keep her on the fringes, Shelby rallies her personal team, including her sister, Jessica, her friend Deb, and Jake, her potentially more than a friend. As an extra twist, a magazine reporter arrives with unsettling—yet useful—dirt that includes Laura and Paul.

What unravels is a skein of suspects, long-held resentment, bitter jealousy, and betrayal, from which Shelby will have to pull the one crucial thread tied to the killer: a murder-worthy motive . . .

About Allie Pleiter

An avid crafter, coffee junkie, and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction, working on as many as four books at a time. The bestselling author of over seventy books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-plus-year career with over 1.9 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. She lives in the Charlotte area with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.

Author Links: 

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

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alliepleiter  

Facebook group (books): https://www.facebook.com/groups/firesidewithallie/ 

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-pleiter-6a021b139  

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Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alliepleiter/  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/453346.Allie_Pleiter  

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-pleiter  

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Pleiter/e/B001H6IEUO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1  

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

Murder by the Millions - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

MURDER BY THE MILLIONS by Daryl Wood Gerber
The Second Literary Dining Mystery 

After the success of their Jane Austen Event Allie Catt, caterer and personal chef, and her best friend bookstore manager Tegan decide to move forward in time and host a soiree based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s THE GREAT GATSBY. Guests will dress up in jazz era inspired fashion and Allie will dream up delightful food dishes inspired by the period. When developer Jason Gardner shows up at Feast for the Eyes bookstore Tegan and Chloe are swooning, but Allie isn't so sure. The man intends to turn houses in the historic district into a mall! But his charming manner has started to thaw Allie, which makes it even more devastating when she finds his murdered body. What's even worse, her friend, Detective Zach Armstrong, considers her a suspect! Surely their disastrous kiss isn't behind this suspicion? Allie knows she'd better find him more suitable suspects, perhaps the Asheville developer known to use shady tactics or the local contractor who seemed to have a beef with the victim.

I really like the idea of literary themed events and I really love that almost the whole town of Ashevelle gets behind them too, even dressing up in period clothes. I appreciated the quotes from THE GREAT GATSBY that head each chapter and it was fun seeing Allie and Vanna come up with appropriate food. Vanna playing nice was almost as shocking as the murder!

The mystery was enjoyable, realizing Jason's ties to the town, his lost love, and the possible motives for his murder. I love how Allie and Tegan investigated while also working and preparing for their big event. Allie teasing out alibis and uncovering clues, with a little help from some friends.

MURDER BY THE MILLIONS combines classic literature and scrumptious food molding them into a delightful cozy mystery. I look forward to seeing what book the next themed party will be based on.   

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 Murder by the Millions (A Literary Dining Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber

About Murder by the Millions

Murder by the Millions (A Literary Dining Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - North Carolina
Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication Date: ‎ October 28, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 320 pages

In a beautiful mountain community near Asheville, North Carolina, caterer and personal chef Allie Catt serves up mouthwatering, literary-themed dinner parties inspired by her clients’ favorite books. Her next event is sure to be a roaring success—if a murderer isn’t a killjoy . . .

If it were true that the best thing a girl can be in this world is a fool, then Allie Catt would be out of luck. Fortunately, Allie’s business is a smashing success. And following her Pride and Prejudice event, grander plans await . . .

Feast for the Eyes bookstore manager and Allie’s best friend, Tegan, is hosting a book club soiree and wants it to be a glittering affair based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic Jazz Age-set novel, The Great Gatsby. Soon, Art Deco table settings and visions of flappers are dancing the Charleston in their heads. Even Tegan’s prickly sister, Vanna, is on board. And surely, Allie’s tuxedo cat, Darcy, thinks it’s the cat’s meow. Amid the planning, charismatic developer Jason Gardner arrives in town to buy some historic buildings on Main Street. He, too, has plans: to create a modern mall. Allie is more than concerned. She even wants to protest. But when Jason invites her to cater a lavish party, she finds him surprisingly likable. Then she’s summoned to his estate for a meeting—and finds him dead.

Once again Allie’s landed in the middle of a crime scene. Worse, one of her earrings is later discovered near the body. And when police learn she was upset about the mall, she’s suspect #1. Allie’s blossoming sleuthing skills once cleared Tegan’s name, but can she save herself—before a killer writes her a not-so-great Gatsbyesque ending . . .

About Daryl Wood Gerber

Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries, the French Bistro Mysteries, and the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, as well as the Cheese Shop Mysteries written under the name Avery Aames. She also writes standalone suspense novels and the Aspen Adams Novels of Suspense. Prior to her career as a novelist, she was an actress with roles in television shows including "Murder, She Wrote," and she wrote for the popular TV sitcom "Out of this World." Originally from the Bay Area, she now lives in Southern California, where she likes to cook, garden, and spend time with her frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky.

Author Links: 

WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com  

FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber 

 BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber  

YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1  

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/darylwoodgerber  

GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber  

TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@daryl_wood_gerber 

AMAZON: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page  

NEWSLETTER: https://darylwoodgerber.com/contact-media/  

Purchase Links AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSHOP.ORG KOBO MYSTERIOUS GALAXY

A Brew for Chaos - An Interview & Review

I'm pleased to welcome Esme Addison back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Esme writes the Enchanted Bay Mystery series. A BREW FOR CHAOS is the third book in the series and was released earlier this month.

 

Kathy: It's autumn in North Carolina and citizens of Bellamy Bay are getting ready for Oktoberfest and a craft beer competition. Do you enjoy craft beer? Do you have any favorites? 

EA: There was a time when I would never drink beer - just didn't like the taste. And then I discovered weird, eccentric craft beers and became really interested trying different types, taking artistic photos of beer in glasses with books or food - sometimes both. lol. I like porters and stouts and sour beers. I got into craft beer after reading Ellie Alexander's Sloan Krause mystery series - set in a brewery. Seriously!

Kathy: While Aleksandra Daniels would prefer to simply soak up autumnal vibes, her best friend Pepper is more excited by the upcoming anniversary of a spooky cold case. Which would you prefer, drinking cider with your significant other or investigating a cold case? 

EA: Definitely drinking a warm cider on a comfy sofa under a fuzzy blanket with my sweetheart.

Kathy: The Enchanted Bay Mystery contains aspects of Polish folklore, specifically the Mermaid of Warsaw and dragons of Krakow. There are also dwarves found in Wrocław. Would you consider adding these beings, although they arose from a more recent political movement than the others? 

EA: I've never heard of them. I have thought about delving deeper into the the Krakow dragon mythology and the mystical nature of the ground surrounding Wavel castle. - the Wavel Chakra.
 

Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story, A BREW FOR CHAOS? 

EA: A HEX FOR DANGER ends with Montgomery threatening the family, so I knew A BREW FOR CHAOS had to deliver that threat. I'd always imagined it would be...what it ends up being. I guess I was inspired by government conspiracies and what I think might really happen if this was a real scenario.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Alex? 

EA: Yes. The next book is set at Christmas, and the end of A BREW FOR CHAOS sets up the reader for the next milestone in Alex's life.


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? 

EA: I'm a plantser - a mix of both. I start with an outline - the beginning and end and wing the middle... until I get a bit lost. Then I'll outline again mid-book and find my way to the end.

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? 

EA: I worked in marketing after college, it was my minor actually so I enjoy it, and find marketing to be fun and creative. I like creating posts for Instagram - photos and video. It allows me to be creative and tell stories in a different way than writing. I also like newsletters because they keep me connected to my readers - but I unfortunately don't have the time to really devote to marketing and write and be a mom and have a day job... lol So that's the downside, not having the time to do all the marketing stuff that needs to be done.

Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books? 

EA: I'm working on the second book in the Secret Society Mysteries, a follow up to AN INTRIGUE OF WITCHES. The working title is THE SCOTA HEIR - but that could change. And as soon as that is done, I'll work on the next Enchanted Bay Mystery, and then I'd really like to write a cozy fall romcom. I've been outlining an idea and have written a few pages. 

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Review

A BREW FOR CHAOS by Esme Addison
The Third Enchanted Bay Mystery

Autumn is in the air in Bellamy Bay, North Carolina. Cooler temperatures, pumpkins, and Oktoberfest have Aleksandra Daniels looking forward to apple cider and cozying up with her detective boyfriend, Jack. Her friend, Pepper, however, is more interested in the cold case her boss and mentor is working on. Forty years ago was the Summer of Chaos when women were abducted never to be seen again. Even though she has a knack for solving crime, Alex would prefer to stay out of it...that is until Pepper's boss is found dead on the beach. With her cousin Minka on the outs with the family and actually working for dragon Montgomery Blue, Jack keeping something from her, and a mysterious houseguest, Alex will have to use all her powers and call on her intrinsic inner mermaid to keep her family safe and uncover the secrets of the Fisherman.

The third Enchanted Bay Mystery had me completely captivated. I was never a fan of Jack and he was certainly sending out more red flags. Fortunately, Alex seemed more aware that he was keeping something from her, and it was stunning when she discovered the truth...almost as stunning as meeting his mom. His mother, with her love of mermaids was an absolute delight and a unique addition to the story.

A BREW FOR CHAOS has a lot of threads, intricately woven with seemingly unrelated storylines ultimately connected. Being of Polish descent I especially love the ethnic touches found here. With most of my family coming from an area closer to Krakow and with an affinity for dragons, I still get somewhat offended that the dragons are cast in such a bad light. They are the villains of this series. And yet the wonderful thing about this series continues to be the shades of grey found in the characters...well, most dragons are painted fairly solidly black. Other characters show both good and bad aspects to their self. Jack being a prime example. 

With adroit plotting, a magickal background, and a fascinating mystery A BREW FOR CHAOS had me devouring the pages, with many a-ha moments as things fell into place. Grab a craft brew and perhaps a slice of makowiec and settle in for a great read.

Murder on the Page - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

MURDER ON THE PAGE by Daryl Wood Gerber
The First Literary Dining Mystery

Allie Catt runs a small catering business in her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. A lover of all things literary she's been hired to cater an event for Marigold Markel, owner of Feast for the Eyes bookstore and aunt of her best friend, Tegan. But when everyone arrives for the event they find a lifeless inside. The death is ruled a homicide and Tegan soon becomes a suspect. Despite being on friendly terms with the lead detective, Allie feels she must help solve the murder. While simultaneously planning a Pride and Prejudice themed memorial, Marigold's favorite book, Allie will look for clues to try to find a killer. But will the killer find her first?

Who would want to kill Marigold? It turns out the bookshop owner had more than one secret. There are lots of interesting dynamics between the characters in the first Literary Dining Mystery. Vanna is a character I loved to hate. She's a nasty piece of work who throws her sister under the bus and makes disparaging remarks about Allie's food. Brendan not only makes a great detective, but I love his burgeoning relationship with Allie. The various clues led me down a multitude of paths wondering who the killer was. I also appreciated how Allie kept her wits about her during the climactic scene!

It's no surprise that I love books so I love that a bookstore is at the center of MURDER ON THE PAGE along with nods to all things literary. I particularly enjoyed all of the PRIDE AND PREJUDICE references. Of course, I also love food, so not only do I love the food descriptions, but I love how Allie creates a menu with the Jane Austen theme! There are also recipes at the end of the book to devour.

Comforting food, books, and Jane Austen combine to make a delightful start to a new mystery series in MURDER ON THE PAGE.

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 Murder on the Page (A Literary Dining Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber

About Murder on the Page

Murder on the Page (A Literary Dining Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - North Carolina
Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies (October 22, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 336 pages

Featuring twin hooks that cozy readers can’t get enough of—classic books and delicious food—this new series from the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling author of several much loved series, including the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the French Bistro Mysteries, is a delicious treat for mystery lovers, especially fans of Ellery Adams, Krista Davis, and Lauren Elliott.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a genuinely top-notch party must be in want of a theme. Allie Catt, caterer and personal chef in the beautiful mountain community of Asheville, North Carolina, has devised a winning formula by using her clients’ favorite books as inspiration. Her first themed event is based on Pride and Prejudice (Allie’s cat, Darcy, approves), and it’s so popular that soon she has grand ideas for future parties based on Rebecca, The Great Gatsby, Babette’s Feast and more.

Business is booming, and a rival catering company is fuming. But there’s a sting in the tale when the aunt of one of Allie’s clients and best friends, Tegan, is murdered. Tegan is the victim’s sole heir, and quickly becomes the main suspect. Allie has no doubts about her friend’s innocence, but how to prove it?

Once again, her love of literature comes to the rescue, and with some guidance from her favorite fictional detectives, including Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes, Allie sifts through the clues.

With a little luck—and the kind of pluck that would make Elizabeth Bennett proud—she may be able to stop a killer from serving up a second course of murder . . .

About Daryl Wood Gerber

Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense including the well-received The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams suspense novels. Recently Daryl, who loves a challenge, published a Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: httsp://darylwoodgerber.com

Author Links: 

WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com  

FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber  

BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber  

YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1  

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/darylwoodgerber  

GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber  

TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@daryl_wood_gerber  

AMAZON: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page  

NEWSLETTER: https://darylwoodgerber.com/contact-media/ 

 Purchase Links AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSHOP.ORG KOBO MYSTERIOUS GALAXY 

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Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Murder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber. This book is the first in the Literary Dining Mystery series and will be released next week.

Allie Catt runs a small catering business in her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. A lover of all things literary she's been hired to cater an event for Marigold Markel, owner of Feast for the Eyes bookstore and aunt of her best friend, Tegan. But when everyone arrives for the event they find a lifeless inside. The death is ruled a homicide and Tegan soon becomes a suspect. Despite being on friendly terms with the lead detective, Allie feels she must help solve the murder. While simultaneously planning a Pride and Prejudice themed memorial, Marigold's favorite book, Allie will look for clues to try to find a killer. But will the killer find her first?

Come Shell or High Water - A Review

Review

 

COME SHELL OR HIGH WATER by Molly MacRae
The First Haunted Shell Shop Mystery

 

Convincing her friend Park Ranger Patricia Crowley to bring her to Ocracoke Island right after a hurricane may not have been the best decision, but Maureen was eager to get some answers only found on the island. After finding an exquisitely carved shell in the water and literally stumbling across a dead body, Maureen wakes up in the shop with two concerned senior citizens peering at her. Swearing she saw a man in a tricorn hat and hearing a voice no one else can hear Maureen wonders how badly she's been hurt. Unsure of what happened and with gaps in her memory she'll try to piece things together. But on the island who can she trust?

I had such high hopes for this series, shells, an island setting, and a ghost! Instead I found a convoluted storyline and unpleasant characters. The beginning of the story is very confusing with the reader as baffled as Maureen as to what happened to her. She's just arrived, then she wakes up in the Moon Shell shop, then it's back to just after she arrived and she's exploring. She has gaps in her memory, which is fine, but the reader is also clueless as to what's going in. None of the characters are trustworthy, thus difficult to forge a bond with or even like. The little girl is annoying and even Maureen has secrets. She's fairly judgemental too, at least when it comes to pirates. Eventually the confusion began to clear and I was intrigued to discover the various truths. I found the very end quite compelling piquing my interest in reading the next book in the series.

The first book in a new series COME SHELL OR HIGH WATER has seashells, a pirate ghost, and secrets aplenty. There are also delicious sounding recipes for some of the muffins that Burt makes.

A Killer Romance - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Summer Merriweather to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Summer on the pages of the Beach Reads Mystery series by Maggie Blackburn. A Killer Romance is the third book in the series and was released last week.

There is nothing romantic about Romeo and Juliet. So, as a Shakespeare scholar-cum-bookstore owner, I bristled when I read about Lana Livingston’s new romance being touted as a modern Romeo and Juliet, but with a happy ending. Well, then it’s not Romeo and Juliet. That’s pretty simple. Oh I know how these book marketing types are. They are sale people that barely read the books they are trying to get into the hands of bookstore owners and eventually readers. They are doing a great disservice to readers. They could at least read the books they are marketing.

That said, I know this “Romance by the Sea” event will be good for the bookstore, so I try to keep my mouth shut. (It’s getting harder by the minute.) February is a lackluster month for beach communities, so a few years back my mom came up with this event and it’s been a godsend to the community. Even though I despise Valentine’s Day—don’t get me started on that—I find myself looking forward to some of the upcoming events. There’s a new chocolatier in town and she’ll be doing a chocolate and wine tasting. I’m so excited that I could burst. Her chocolate is sublime. I’ve been lucky enough to help her with a few tastings of new products. It’s the least I could do—to help out my new business neighbor, right?

It helps that I like her a lot. I feel she’s a wonderful addition to our beach community. I think we all agree that she’s an asset. Mom would be very proud of the community spirit I’ve adopted. Okay, well not completely. But I’m working on it.

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 A Killer Romance (A Beach Reads Mystery) by Maggie Blackburn

About A Killer Romance

A Killer Romance (A Beach Reads Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - North Carolina
Crooked Lane Books (February 6, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 304 pages

Love and murder are in the air this Valentine’s day in Maggie Blackburn’s third Beach Reads mystery, perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Miranda James.

When Beach Reads bookshop hosts a Valentine’s Day event, “Romance by the Sea,” bookseller Summer Merriweather has no idea that the guest author is under investigation for her own husband’s murder. When that same author is found dead at the local bed and breakfast, nobody assumes it’s natural causes–there were plenty of people who wanted her dead.

As Summer searches for the truth about the author’s stranger-than-fiction life, Summer finds suspicious indications of shady behavior in the author’s belongings. But the casual sleuthing is quickly derailed when Summer’s friend Glads gets hauled in for the murder, and they launch a full-blown investigation to clear her name.

As Summer and company pick through the scant clues to solve the case, they may find more treachery and heartbreak than they bargained for.

About Maggie Blackburn

Maggie Blackburn is the pen name for bestselling mystery author Mollie Cox Bryan, who writes cozy mysteries with edge. She's the author of several bestselling mystery series Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne du Maurier Award and as a Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman's World. She has also been short-listed for the Virginia Library People's Choice Award. She's also penned a historical mystery under the name of Mollie Ann Cox. She lives in Crozet, Va. and is the mother of two grown, nearly perfect daughters.

Author Links: 

Website http://www.molliecoxbryan.com  

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

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

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

 TikTok @molliebryan  

Purchase Links Amazon - B&N - Bookshop.org

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A Pickle of a Murder - A Review

 Review

A PICKLE OF A MURDER by Melissa Bourbon
The First Foxy Ladies Mystery 

With a flamboyant wardrobe and an unlit cigarette, Hattie Juniper Pickle knows her own mind. She also knows something is up when her dull as dishwater second ex-husband shows up out of the blue, with her first ex-husband, who also happens to be her third ex-husband, following on his heels. Telling her exes to come back later, Hattie is relaxing at home after a date when she hears someone messing around by her old loblolly tree. Going outside to chase them away she's stunned to find ex #2 under her tree-dead. Gathering her friends, the foxy ladies, Hattie is determined to discover what brought her ex to town and who killed him!

Having read the Book Magic Mysteries I was familiar with Hattie Juniper Pickle. Indeed, she was a secondary character so bright she deserved a series of her own and she got it in the new Foxy Ladies Mystery series. But have no fear, even if you haven't read the book series, you'll have no problem jumping in to Hattie's adventure.

I loved this quick read that brought me back to Devil's Cove. Though short, there was plenty of scintillating detail, red herrings, and enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing.

A PICKLE OF A MURDER is a fast paced colorful novella that proves that age is just a number.

An Eyre of Mystery - A Review

 Review

AN EYRE OF MYSTERY by G. Leeson
The First Literati Novel

When Gia accepted a position as a library archivist in North Carolina, she never realized just how involved the work would be. Without warning she finds herself thrust into the novel Jane Eyre. In fact, she has taken over the role of Jane. Not everything is as it should be, however. Characters are behaving differently and Mr. Rochester is in jail for the murder of his wife! With a brief message from her supervisor, Gia learns that she must solve Bertha's murder in order to put the book to rights, otherwise Jane Eyre will be lost forever-and so will Gia. 

Have you ever dreamed of inhabiting the books you read? I have and in the Literati series Gia gets her chance, however unexpected. The author takes concept of going into classics of literature one step further. Dark forces want to rid the world of these classics, the books themselves are changing, and it's up to a select few to save them. What a wonderful and exciting idea and it's realized beautifully.

Although a tad confusing at first, like Gia, readers are thrust into a new world with no explanation, things soon get sorted and the mission is revealed. I enjoyed the mystery, seeing the changes to the original, and seeing how modern day Gia as Jane tries to fix things. 

One of the things I liked best was witnessing the unpleasant commonplace realities of the past. The past isn't idyllic, even in the pages of a novel. Bad smells permeate the air, be it the waste from horses on the street or a person's breath! While we often read to escape reality, the best books encapsulate reality even in fantasy.

Mystery, a dash of romance, and an otherworldly threat make AN EYRE OF MYSTERY a great start to a unique new series.

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 An Eyre of Mystery by G. Leeson

About An Eyre of Mystery

An Eyre of Mystery
Fantasy Portal/Mystery
Grace Abraham Publishing (July 12, 2022)
Print length: ‎ 177 pages

Classic literature is at risk of disappearing from the world…

When Gia accepts a job as a library archivist at a manor house in North Carolina, she has no idea what she’s in for. On day one, she finds herself outside her comfort zone when she accidentally travels through a magical portal to the world of Jane Eyre. She finds Edward Rochester imprisoned as he awaits his death sentence for killing his wife. But Gia has read the book, and she knows Edward is innocent of murder.

Soon, she realizes that there are sinister mystical forces working to rewrite the narrative, hoping to destroy the manuscript altogether. To restore order and reset the book to its original state, Gia must discover who actually killed Bertha Rochester and framed her husband for the crime.

But few of the people she meets are who they claim to be and they all have secrets...including Edward.

About G. Leeson

 

Gayle [G. Leeson, for this book] has taken a real leap of faith with An Eyre of Mystery and the world of Literatia. She decided to explore what would happen if a reader--or in this case, an archivist--actually got lost in a great book. But when she travels through the portal into the world Jane Eyre, she finds it to be a topsy-turvy mess. Edward Rochester is facing a death sentence, and Gia has been tasked with finding out who really killed his wife so that Edward can go free, the book will reset to its original form, and Gia may return home. If you'd like to get a sample of the book, please check out this extended sneak peek (first five chapters) at https://BookHip.com/SFPWRLD.  

Author Links: 

Gayle Leeson: https://www.gayleleeson.com/ 

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

FB Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295294234027608  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GayleTrent  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayletrentleeson/?hl=en

Currently Reading..

I just finished reading An Eyre of Mystery by G. Leeson.  This book is the first in the Literatia series and was released two weeks ago.

When Gia accepted a position as a library archivist in North Carolina, she never realized just how involved the work would be. Without warning she finds herself thrust into the novel Jane Eyre. In fact, she has taken over the role of Jane. Not everything is as it should be, however. Characters are behaving differently and Mr. Rochester is in jail for the murder of his wife. With a brief message from her supervisor, Gia learns that she must solve Bertha's murder in order to put the book to rights, otherwise Jane Eyre will be lost forever-and so will Gia.

An Eyre of Mystery - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on an upcoming release. An Eyre of Mystery by G. Leeson.

An Eyre of Mystery
Fantasy Portal/Mystery
Grace Abraham Publishing (July 12, 2022)
Print length‏: ‎ 177 pages

Classic literature is at risk of disappearing from the world…

When Gia accepts a job as a library archivist at a manor house in North Carolina, she has no idea what she’s in for. On day one, she finds herself outside her comfort zone when she accidentally travels through a magical portal to the world of Jane Eyre. She finds Edward Rochester imprisoned as he awaits his death sentence for killing his wife. But Gia has read the book, and she knows Edward is innocent of murder.

Soon, she realizes that there are sinister mystical forces working to rewrite the narrative, hoping to destroy the manuscript altogether. To restore order and reset the book to its original state, Gia must discover who actually killed Bertha Rochester and framed her husband for the crime.

But few of the people she meets are who they claim to be and they all have secrets...including Edward.

About G. Leeson

 

Gayle [G. Leeson, for this book] has taken a real leap of faith with An Eyre of Mystery and the world of Literatia. She decided to explore what would happen if a reader--or in this case, an archivist--actually got lost in a great book. But when she travels through the portal into the world Jane Eyre, she finds it to be a topsy-turvy mess. Edward Rochester is facing a death sentence, and Gia has been tasked with finding out who really killed his wife so that Edward can go free, the book will reset to its original form, and Gia may return home. If you'd like to get a sample of the book, please check out this extended sneak peek (first five chapters) at https://BookHip.com/SFPWRLD.  

Author Links: 

Gayle Leeson: https://www.gayleleeson.com/  

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

FB Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295294234027608  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GayleTrent  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayletrentleeson/?hl=en  

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