Shade Grown - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

SHADE GROWN by Heather Day Gilbert
The Eighth Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery

Macy Hatfield and her brother, Bo are enjoying a leisurely morning in their hometown of Lewisburg, West Virginia by going on a home and garden tour. When a visitor's dog starts barking incessantly and heads towards the memorial garden on the property Macy moves to intercept him, only to discover the reason behind barking. There's a dead body in the hostas, none other than the movie star who just moved to town. Although he's been shot, a local drug dealer has resurfaced, leading to more questions. There's an elusive woman who sends Macy lethal glares, an unpleasant contractor, and a shifty agent. As she becomes friends with the victim's sister Macy's also on the wrong end of some threatening encounters. Could she be making a killer nervous?  

A close knit protective family, great friends, and lovable dogs, along with yummy food and coffee, are great ingredients for a story and in SHADE GROWN they combine for a superb mystery. And I don't even like coffee! Despite the danger, reading a Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery makes you feel as if your enveloped in a hug. There's such a sense of community and good will...even with drug dealers, a drug overlord making trouble, and various murderers hanging around!

I really enjoyed the mystery, lots of red herrings are skillfully woven through the story leading readers in varied directions never really knowing the motives and people involved. I was a bit disappointed in Macy though. Once the ultimate clue was given she purposefully ignored it! She's so smart, but was really stupid in this instance. She was however, cagey enough about getting herself out of a very dangerous situation...with a little help.

SHADE GROWN is a compelling mystery with a slow burn. So grab a hot beverage and settle in for a delightful visit to the Barks & Beans Cafe!

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 Shade Grown (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery) by Heather Day Gilbert

About Shade Grown

Shade Grown (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 8th in Series
Setting - West Virginia
WoodHaven Press (December 11, 2023)
Paperback: ‎ 190 pages

BOOK EIGHT in the Award-winning BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

During Lewisburg's popular summer home and garden tour, Macy and her brother Bo discover new aspects of their hometown's history. One of the last homes they visit features a lush commemorative shade garden marking where a Civil War soldier's bones were buried. As Macy pauses to admire a bed of blue hostas, she glimpses a shadowy shape lying beneath the dinner-plate leaves. It turns out to be the body of famed movie star Cody Franklin, who'd purchased the garden house as a quiet country retreat. Back at the cafe, Macy speaks with Cody's distraught sister, who lets slip that she's afraid her brother's killer will target her next. Macy's heart goes out to the bereaved sibling, and she agrees to speak with Cody's local acquaintances in hopes she'll uncover some helpful backstory. But someone powerful is lurking behind the scenes, and Macy has to zoom in on the killer before everything fades to black. Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride!

The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes. The Barks & Beans Cafe series in order: Book 1: No Filter Book 2: Iced Over Book 3: Fair Trade Book 4: Spilled Milk Book 5: Trouble Brewing Book 6: Cold Drip Book 7: Roast Date Book 8: Shade Grown Standalone Novella: House Blend

About Heather Day Gilbert

HEATHER DAY GILBERT, an RWA Daphne du Maurier Award-winning author and 2-time ECPA Christy Award finalist, enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with unpredictable twists, much like the Agatha Christie books she read growing up. Her novels feature small towns, family relationships, and women who aren't afraid to protect those they love. Find out more at heatherdaygilbert.com.

Author Links: 

Author Website: http://www.heatherdaygilbert.com  

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

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/heatherdaygilbert/  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7232683.Heather_Day_Gilbert 

 Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-day-gilbert  

Purchase Link - Amazon  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Shade Grown by Heather Day Gilbert. This is the eighth book in the Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery series and was released last month.

Macy Hatfield and her brother, Bo are enjoying a leisurely morning in their hometown of Lewisburg, West Virginia by going on a home and garden tour. When a visitor's dog starts barking incessantly and heads towards the memorial garden on the property Macy moves to intercept him, only to discover the reason behind barking. There's a dead body in the hostas, none other than the movie star who just moved to town. Although he's been shot, a local drug dealer has resurfaced, leading to more questions. There's an elusive woman who sends Macy lethal glares, an unpleasant contractor, and a shifty agent. As she becomes friends with the victim's sister Macy's also on the wrong end of some threatening encounters. Could she be making a killer nervous?

Roast Date - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

ROAST DATE by Heather Day Gilbert
The Seventh Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery

Macy Hatfield has finally given in to her neighbor Vera's request to come to a book club meeting. Since it's close to Christmas it will be a holiday party and Macy will be able to talk about the Barks and Beans Cafe as well as sell some of her brother's special coffee blends. The meeting takes a harsh turn when some of the members start making nasty comments about the mayor, who is leading the book discussion. An escaping pup creates havoc and more hurtful innuendos are thrown before everyone takes their leave. Helping tidy up Macy heads upstairs only to find the mayor's dead body in Vera's bathroom. Was it an accident, a natural death, or something more sinister?

Illegal drugs, affairs, and other scandals rock the small town of Lewisburg, West Virginia in the seventh Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery. But how much is truth and how much is just hurtful gossip and political mudslinging?  I absolutely love this series. It's smart, crisply written, and full of interesting characters. I also love that while the mystery is solved in each book there is a story arc that is slowly playing out over the series. And that arc just got a whole lot more dangerous while simultaneously hitting much closer to home in this entry to the series.

A smidgen of romance, an ingeniously plotted mystery, and adorable dogs (plus one mischievous cat) combine to make ROAST DATE a fantastic addition to this delightfully caffeinated series.

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 Roast Date (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery) by Heather Day Gilbert

About Roast Date

Roast Date (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 7th in Series
Setting - West Virginia
WoodHaven Press (December 20, 2022)
Number of Pages ~250

BOOK SEVEN in the bestselling BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

After much cajoling, Macy gives in to her neighbor, Vera, and agrees to come to her book club's Christmas party so she can share about the cafe. While public speaking isn't Macy's thing, she wants to brighten Vera's lonely holiday season...and she can sell a little house blend on the side.

When a lively book discussion spirals into a public roast of the mayor—who happens to be sitting in their midst—things get uncomfortable. Soon afterward, the mayor shows up dead in Vera's bathroom, and no amount of gingerbread cookies or eggnog can restore Vera to the club's good graces. 'Tis the season for Macy to find the murderer, or else Vera might be taking a long winter's nap in a jail cell.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order: Book 1: No Filter Book 2: Iced Over Book 3: Fair Trade Book 4: Spilled Milk Book 5: Trouble Brewing Book 6: Cold Drip Book 7: Roast Date

About Heather Day Gilbert

Award-winning novelist Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing mysteries and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather's realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she's not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.

Author Links: 

Webpage: https://heatherdaygilbert.com/  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherdgilbert  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-day-gilbert  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7232683.Heather_Day_Gilbert  

Purchase Link - Amazon  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cold Drip - A Review

 Review

COLD DRIP by Heather Day Gilbert
The Sixth Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery 

It's Thanksgiving week and Macy Hatfield is excited as her boyfriend, Titan, is coming into town for the whole week. Touring the area, the couple go on a self guided tour of the nearby caverns. When the lights suddenly go out a scream pierces the darkness. Apparently one of the socialites fell down a chasm while taking a selfie. When the woman's body isn't found, despite search and rescue efforts, Macy starts looking into the rich woman's social circle. Will Macy be able to enjoy the holiday and time with her family and friends? Or will her search for the truth put her life in jeopardy? 

Snobbishness, cliques, and the rich generally aren't in Macy Hatfield's wheelhouse, but in the sixth Barks and Beans mystery she gets pulled into that set. I enjoyed seeing Macy navigate this world, while also spending time with Titan as well as the wonderful shelter dogs who visit the cafe. There were plenty of suspects to dislike and I enjoyed the surprising twists and turns the investigation took.

COLD DRIP is a well plotted mystery filled with wonderful characters in a charming setting with the added bonus of promoting the adoption of shelter dogs.

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Cold Drip by Heather Day Gilbert. This book is the sixth in the Barks and Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery series.

It's Thanksgiving week and Macy Hatfield is excited as her boyfriend, Titan, is coming into town for the whole week. Touring the area, the couple go on a self guided tour of the nearby caverns. When the lights suddenly go out a scream pierces the darkness. Apparently one of the socialites fell down a chasm while taking a selfie. When the woman's body isn't found, despite search and rescue efforts, Macy starts looking into the rich woman's social circle. Will Macy be able to enjoy the holiday and time with her family and friends? Or will her search for the truth put her life in jeopardy?

One April After the War: Cumberland to Washington - A Review

 Review

ONE APRIL AFTER THE WAR: CUMBERLAND TO WASHINGTON

By G. S. Boarman

M. Warner Annals Book II

Having escaped the lock and near certain death, Merritt and Argent catch up with M, only to discover that she's been shot. With M gravely injured, but recovering, the two men try to determine who was behind the attempt on their lives as they get word to the president of their delay. 

 

The second book in the M Warner Annals takes place just after the first book ended, with the two secret service agents left to die in a lock. This continuation makes it necessary to read the first book in order to understand what's going on. Actually, understanding is the key to this novel.

 

Merritt and Argent try to understand who has it out for them, wishing them not only dead, but wanting to bring humiliation and disgrace upon them, their office, and President Grant. They also try to understand M. M, meanwhile tries to understand the real reason for her summons to Washington. Misunderstandings abound, leading to the climactic moment on April 30th.

The book is also about healing, physical healing as well as the attempt to heal relationships. We see the correlation between physical injuries and psychological injuries as well as the damage done to relationships. There is wry humor, excitement, and dread. My mind was reeling from the multiple drugs M was dosed with, by others as well as herself, their interactions causing a good portion of the troubles.

 

ONE APRIL AFTER THE WAR: CUMBERLAND TO WASHINGTON is a journey of discovery. This compelling historical novel is a thought provoking read that touches on societal issues, morality, and freedom in 1870s America.

Trouble Brewing - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

TROUBLE BREWING by Heather Day Gilbert
The Fifth Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery 

With her brother, Bo, back in town, Macy Hatfield is free to have a girls' weekend with her friend, Della. It's not merely a Halloween themed getaway, however. Della is concerned that the woman she was caring for didn't die from natural causes. The woman's money grubbing relatives are all in town, staying at the daughter's inn. The same inn Macy and Della checked in to. The pair are keeping their eyes and ears open while they also enjoy spooky activities such as a ghost tour and hay ride. The screams of the Spooks and Screams weekend become all too real when one of the guests is found murdered. Was the murder a copycat of a historical event? Or could it have something to do with Della's suspicions about her client? Macy and Della will have to keep their wits about them or the next murder could be theirs.

The Spooks and Screams weekend is right up my alley. I love true hauntings as well as ghostly lore and legends so I was immediately drawn in to the story of the Greenbrier ghost, as well as the treasure hunt. I also appreciate how Macy tackles a murder, by keeping in touch with the authorities and taking precautions when hunting down spooks...and bad guys.

The mystery was multilayered with lots of great suspects behaving badly. I love Macy, adore Coal, and wish the Barks and Beans Cafe was in my town! I also really like the series wide story arc about Leo Moreau...and I'm fairly sure we haven't seen the last of him or his wife.

Smart and loving characters make you care and a tightly woven, keenly plotted story keep you engrossed in this fifth Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery. TROUBLE BREWING is a spooky Halloween treat with a chilling legend, a diabolical killer, and no calories!

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 Trouble Brewing (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery) by Heather Day Gilbert

About Trouble Brewing 

Trouble Brewing (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 5th in Series
Publisher: ‎ WoodHaven Press (October 18, 2021)

Convinced that the elderly lady in her care didn't die of natural causes, Macy's friend Della determines to look into the broken relationships surrounding the woman. She books a Halloween-themed getaway at a local inn and talks Macy into coming along with her to spy on her prime suspect.

As they join a ghost tour of the candlelit town, Macy and Della feel their guide is a little too fanatical as he shares his spooky tales. He tells the story of the Greenbrier ghost, a newlywed who supposedly came back from the grave to tell her family that her husband murdered her.

When a disturbing apparition makes its presence known, guests at the inn become apprehensive...and for good reason, because soon after, a young bride turns up dead. Although everything points to a copycat killer replicating the historical Greenbrier murder, Macy has her doubts. She's discovered that the inn harbors secrets of its own, and when she pokes into one darkened corner too many, she might not stand a ghost of a chance.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order: Book 1: No Filter Book 2: Iced Over Book 3: Fair Trade Book 4: Spilled Milk Book 5: Trouble Brewing

About Heather Day Gilbert

Award-winning novelist Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing mysteries and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather's realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she's not plotting stories, this native West Virginia gal can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.

Author Links: 

Webpage: http://www.heatherdaygilbert.com  

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7232683.Heather_Day_Gilbert  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-day-gilbert?list=author_books  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherdgilbert  

GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57544484-trouble-brewing  

 

Purchase Link: Amazon  

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fair Trade - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

FAIR TRADE by Heather Day Gilbert
The Third Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery 

The state fair brings to mind special fried foods, live music, and lots and lots of people. Another draw to this year's fair is Carolina Crush, a hot new country band, whose star grew up in Lewisburg. Reconnecting with her childhood friend, Carolina invites Macy to a private buffet with the band. What's served up is primarily tension and Macy leaves with a bad taste in her mouth. When Carolina becomes sick afterward, yet no one else suffers any ill effects, Macy suspects someone tried to poison her old friend. Who would want the rising star dead? The back up singer? The husband? Or maybe her stalker. 

When I think of state fairs I think of fair food, midway rides, and prize winning animals. There's also a somewhat seedy side to fairs, whether it's the transient nature of it, the hucksters, or the glittery nature of everything that seems to quickly fade away. That aura of something unsettling, something not quite right permeates FAIR TRADE. Carolina Crush may be successful, but the undercurrents show that all is not golden.

I enjoy the characters and seeing their developing relationships grow in this third Barks and Beans Cafe mystery. I especially like the addition of Macy's new neighbor, Vera. I was also thrilled to see Waffles make an appearance and am confident someday she will find someone who will appreciate her. I love the fact that the third Barks and Beans Mystery continues to build on a longer story arc with nefarious characters popping up when least expected participating in an ongoing mystery that's slowly being revealed.

FAIR TRADE is a mystery of subtleties. It's quiet, more strategic mystery that looks at trust, memories, and friendships. 

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 Fair Trade (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery) by Heather Day Gilbert

About Fair Trade

Fair Trade (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Publisher: WoodHaven Press (October 27, 2020)
Number of Pages: ~215

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

With the one-year anniversary of the now-successful Barks & Beans Cafe approaching, siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield set up an iced coffee booth at the state fair. Taking a break from brewing, Macy bumps into Carolina, a long-lost childhood friend who's now sitting pretty as a country superstar. Macy tries not to fangirl too hard when her old friend extends an invitation to meet the rest of the Carolina Crush band before their opening show.

But when Carolina falls victim to not one, but two near-death experiences, Macy takes it upon herself to find out who has it in for her old friend. Fortified with plenty of roasted corn, cinnamon rolls, and her brother's signature iced maple latte, Macy takes to the Ferris wheel to get the lay of the land from the air. She discovers too late that this year's fair isn't all fun and games...but she's already locked in for the ride.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order: Book 1: No Filter Book 2: Iced Over Book 3: Fair Trade

About Heather Day Gilbert

 

HEATHER DAY GILBERT, an ECPA Christy award finalist and Grace award winner, enjoys writing contemporary mysteries set in her home state of West Virginia. Her novels feature small towns, family relationships, and women who aren't afraid to protect what they love. You can find all her books at heatherdaygilbert.com.  

Author Links:   

Webpage: http://www.heatherdaygilbert.com  

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7232683.Heather_Day_Gilbert  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-day-gilbert  

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/heatherdgilbert  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherdgilbert 

Purchase Link - Amazon  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Iced Over - A Review

 Review

ICED OVER by Heather Day Gilbert
The Second Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery 

Thanksgiving brings with it a wintry chill along with some ice and snow to West Virginia. Macy Hatfield is enjoying the season with her brother, Bo, and Great Dane, Coal, pleased with the success of their Barks and Beans Cafe. She's also happy with the employees, especially the bubbly young Bristol. When Bristol's uncle winds up in a coma and his partner dead in the crash of their armored security truck, Macy does all she can to help the young woman and her family. When it turns out that $500,000 is missing from the truck and suspicious strangers are asking about the truck and Bristol's family, Macy and Bo go on high alert. Was the crash really an accident or is something more sinister going on?

ICED OVER brings the warmth of Thanksgiving with a winter chill. The coziness of friendship and family, as well as the willingness to help others is poised over the darkness of treachery and cold blooded murder. The mystery starts slowly, reeling in readers in with positive vibes. The accident seems just that, an accident, for the most part. But as we get more involved we find more mysteries and suspicions rise against friends old and new...not to mention the major players who we later discover are also involved.

Aside from lots of lovable dogs, the thing I like best about the Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery series is its protagonist. Macy Hatfield is smart and loyal. She keeps the police informed and knows when to ask for help. She has a wonderful relationship with her brother as well as her dog Coal, who is a favorite character as well. I am so happy that the series promotes animal adoptions and shows the variety of animals that can be found in local shelters. I loved meeting Waffles and hope to see more of her in future books, hopefully in a home that can appreciate her.

ICED OVER is a smart engaging mystery that lures you in with dogs and coffee and leaves you satisfied with family, friends, and murder.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Iced Over by Heather Day Gilbert. This book is the second in the Barks and Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery series.

Thanksgiving brings with it a wintry chill along with some ice and snow to West Virginia. Macy Hatfield is enjoying the season with her brother, Bo, and Great Dane, Coal, pleased with the success of their Barks and Beans Cafe. She's also happy with the employees, especially the bubbly young Bristol. When Bristol's uncle winds up in a coma and his partner dead in the crash of their armored security truck, Macy does all she can to help the young woman and her family. When it turns out that $500,000 is missing from the truck and suspicious strangers are asking about the truck and Bristol's family, Macy and Bo go on high alert. Was the crash really an accident or is something more sinister going on?

No Filter - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Heather Day Gilbert back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Heather writes the Barks & Beans Mystery series. NO FILTER is the first book in the series and was released last week.

Kathy: In NO FILTER we are introduced to the Barks and Beans Cafe where customers can mingle with shelter dogs as they drink their coffee. I've heard of cat cafes, but never a dog one. Is this your idea or do dog centric cafes exist too?

HDG: Yes! They do exist, although rarer than cat cafes in the USA. Here's a link to one (although currently closed for coronavirus): https://www.thedogcafela.com/.


Kathy: I love dogs, all sorts, but mainly big shepherd types. Macy winds up adopting a Great Dane. Do have any favorite breeds?

HDG: I do (in fact, it's a big shepherd type!). I've had dogs for years (medium to large sized), and not to play favorites, but my Shiloh shepherd (link here to see more about the breed: https://www.firesideshilohs.com/), Liesel, recently died in late 2019 at only ten years old from bone cancer. She was such an intelligent dog and weighed in at 115 pounds, so I am familiar with larger dogs. So yes, my fave breed thus far is a Shiloh shepherd.

After she died, we bought a Borderdoodle (border collie/poodle mix), and I named her Agatha after—you guessed it—one of my fave authors ever, Agatha Christie. In No Filter, I had a blast writing all the scenes featuring the black Great Dane in this series, Coal—I've talked to some Dane owners about their idiosyncrasies.


Kathy: I admit, I am a tea person who doesn't like the taste of coffee. Are you a coffee fan?

HDG: I'm definitely a coffee fanatic, but I have to limit how much I drink. Tea is also a lovely choice. Some of my fave teas are Earl Gray (the London Fog drink in particular, which is mentioned in this series), Orange Pekoe, and Oolong.


Kathy: The Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery series is set in West Virginia with a protagonist named Macy Hatfield. Coincidence? Or is there any relation to those infamous Hatfields who also lived in West Virginia?

HDG: Actually, I do know someone in West Virginia who is a descendant of THOSE Hatfields, so yes, I wanted to include that authentic element in this series, just to add a heritage that'll play into the series in various ways.


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

HDG: I love the idea of featuring a sibling relationship, and Lewisburg is a quaint nearby town that my husband and I like to visit. It seemed the perfect place to set a cozy series like this. The dog cafe idea was something I'd read about and thought it was a fantastic venue to merge two of my loves—dogs and coffee.


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

HDG: I definitely have many books planned for the Barks & Beans Cafe mystery series, as Macy regains her footing after an unexpected divorce. Not to mention her brother, Bo, who has some love issues...and other secrets...of his own as well.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

HDG: Sure! Book 2 in the Barks & Beans Cafe series, ICED OVER, is already up for preorder here: https://www.amazon.com/Iced-Over-Barks-Beans-Mystery-ebook/dp/B08651VYB3

Here's the blurb:

BOOK TWO in the ALL-NEW BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

Black Friday turns fatal when an armored security truck hits an icy patch and runs over an embankment near the cafe. With one driver dead and the other in a coma, police are baffled by the discovery that $500,000 is missing from the truck's cache.

When strangers show up at Barks & Beans asking nosy questions about a young cafe employee, Macy's mama bear instincts kick in. She can't ignore what her gut is telling her—that things aren't all they seem on the surface—and with a little help from her brother, Bo, and her Great Dane, Coal, Macy follows up on a few leads of her own. But if the ruthless thief beats her to the stash, the thin ice she's been skating on might just crack.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

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

Review

NO FILTER by Heather Day Gilbert

The First Barks & Beans Mystery

After a massive betrayal, newly divorced Macy Hatfield is ready for a change. So when her brother, Bo, suggests she comes home to West Virginia and help in his new business venture, she's more than willing to agree. The siblings open Barks & Beans, a coffee cafe where people can also mingle with shelter dogs, with Bo in charge of the coffee aspect and Macy concentrating on the dogs. Macy soon meets and makes a connection with a very special dog. Coal is a purebred Great Dane whose owner, a golf instructor at a nearby spiritual center, has been murdered. When Macy comes home to find Coal missing she's sure he's been abducted. Now she'll move heaven and earth to find her beloved companion, and if that involves looking into his late owner's murder, so be it!

NO FILTER is a great start to a new series. I love the sibling relationship between Bo and Macy, both of whom have severe trust issues. I appreciate the slow character development we see, learning about their past that so influences their current behavior. One of the things I like best is that Macy, generally, doesn't run off half cocked, like so many cozy mystery heroines. While she's able to take care of herself, she also keeps the police and her brother apprised of her actions. She's not hot on the heels of a killer, although she gets involved inadvertently. Macy is smart and behaves rationally and I look forward to getting to know her better.

The first Barks and Beans Mystery provides a mature mystery. While there is no doubt it's a cozy, the characters act responsibly and there are serious themes at work. There are less zany antics and more in depth character study. There's a compelling mystery and though fun, and funny at times, it has a more serious mien.

NO FILTER combines coffee and dogs to create a wonderful treat for mystery lovers. Intelligent characters, an interesting setting, a wonderful Great Dane, and what looks to be a very interesting and dangerous story arc make me eager to read the next book.

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

No Filter (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery) by Heather Day Gilbert

About No Filter

 

No Filter (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series  

Publisher: WoodHaven Press (May 26, 2020)  

Number of Pages: ~280 Pages

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

 

Fed up with her go-nowhere job, newly single Macy Hatfield moves back to her small hometown in West Virginia. She joins forces with her brother Bo in his crazy new venture—the Barks & Beans Cafe, which caters to dog lovers and coffee drinkers alike.

 

When a golf instructor is murdered at the nearby spiritual center, Macy winds up adopting his Great Dane. Just after Macy finds a mysterious message sewn under the dog's collar, her Dane is dognapped. She launches into a relentless search for her newfound canine friend, but along the way, she digs up a cruel and confident killer.

 
Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order: Book 1: No Filter Book 2: Iced Over

About Heather Day Gilbert

 
HEATHER DAY GILBERT, an ECPA Christy award finalist and Grace award winner, writes contemporary mysteries and Viking historicals. Her novels feature small towns, family relationships, and women who aren't afraid to protect those they love. Like her amateur sleuth heroines, she enjoys reading Agatha Christie, playing video games, dogs, and coffee.  

Author Links:  
Website: http://heatherdaygilbert.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/heatherdaygilbert  
Twitter: @heatherdgilbert  
Instagram: @heatherdaygilbert  
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Apple Cider Slaying - A Review

Review

APPLE CIDER SLAYING by Julie Anne Lindsey

The First Cider Shop Mystery

Winnie Montgomery is bound and determined to make Smythe Orchard a success. With her grandfather's death the orchard suffered some financial setbacks, but with her business plan in place, Winnie is primed to get a loan and get the family business back on track and more profitable than ever. No longer closing after the harvest, Winnie has plans to have special holiday events to bring even more customers in. But as she's showing the loan officer the intended space for her Cider Shop they discover the dead body of her grandma's arch rival! With the Sheriff believing Granny is the prime suspect and the chances of her bank loan diminishing with each hour Winnie knows she has to find the real killer, before it's too late!

I love apple cider so I was immediately drawn to this series. And just like good apple cider APPLE CIDER SLAYING is tart, sweet, and oh so satisfying. Winnie is an immensely likeable protagonist. She's down to earth, has had some tough times, but struggles to do the best she can for herself and her grandma. Granny is a pistol and I love Dot, the Park Ranger best friend with a gift for helping animals. Of course there's the good looking Sheriff with a mysterious past and I'm glad Winnie didn't find him so appealing...at first. And then there are the two adorable kittens, whose names had me giggling.There is a unique flavor to this mystery, part Southern, part Appalachian, all West Virginian.

APPLE CIDER SLAYING lays the groundwork for a fantastic new series. I enjoyed the setting, the characters, and the mystery...which I found to be be intricately plotted with enough surprises to keep me guessing about what was really going on. So grab a mug of apple cider and get ready to enjoy the first Cider Shop Mystery.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey. This book is the first book in the Cider Shop Mystery series and was released yesterday!

Winnie Montgomery is bound and determined to make Smythe Orchard a success. With her grandfather's death the orchard suffered some financial setbacks, but with her business plan in place, Winnie is primed to get a loan and get the family business back on track and more profitable than ever. No longer closing after the harvest, Winnie has plans to have special holiday events to bring even more customers in. But as she's showing the loan officer the intended space for her Cider Shop they discover the dead body of her grandma's arch rival! With the Sheriff believing Granny is the prime suspect and the chances of her bank loan diminishing with each hour Winnie knows she has to find the real killer, before it's too late!

Not a Creature was Stirring - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Christine Freeburn to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Christine writes the Merry and Bright Handcrafted Mystery series. NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING is the first book in the series and was released last week.

Kathy: Merry Winters loves to craft. Are you a crafter?

CF: Yes. Writing and crafting are two of my favorite activities.


Kathy: I love to craft, but admit that the learning curve for the Cricut was too much for me and I use a standard die cut machine. Are you as adept with the Cricut as Merry?

CF: I’m pretty good using the Cricut, the Silhouette Cameo is a completely different story. I’m going to try and find an online class or some tutorials to get better at it. If anyone has a suggestion, please share.


Kathy: Are you anywhere near to being a fan of Christmas as Merry is?

CF: Yes. My love of Christmas (and all things Christmas) was one of the reasons for writing this new series. I love Christmas stories/movies and thought it would be fun to write a book featuring a character who has made a Christmas crafting a business.


Kathy: I love Ebenezer and was so pleased to see a pocket pet featured as a companion. How did you decide on a guinea pig?

CF: With Merry’s business requiring travel and overnights for weekend craft shows, I knew she needed a pet that was portable and one she could take inside with her.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

CF: I loved the fact that there is a strong sense of empowerment in the stories. Ordinary people (usually women and non-law enforcement) are standing up for themselves and friends and finding a way through some horrendous situations. The main characters in the stories don’t back down no matter the odds against them.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

CF: Yes, I also write inspirational romantic suspense.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CF: The Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery series features crafterpreneur Merry Winters, who worries that her life will be purposeless after her children leave the nest. She finds her life more than full after adopting a furry sidekick and discovering she might have a knack for solving crimes.

The Scrap This Mystery Series is a mix of crafty and crime, where country roads lead to family, friends, scrapbooking, and sometimes murder. The series features Faith Hunter whose hobbies include scrapbooking, photography, amateur sleuthing, and annoying homicide detective Ted Roget.

My New Beginnings Series is an inspirational romantic suspense series that features heroines and heroes that work in a skip tracing firm that specializes in “vanishing”/relocating abused and stalked women.


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

CF: I hate to name one of my characters as a favorite in fear the other ones will stop “talking” to me. =)


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

CF: For the Merry & Bright Handcrafted mystery series, the series came about because I was disconnected from Faith, the heroine of my scrapbooking series (Scrap This mystery). I had just become an empty nester and Faith was planning her wedding and dreaming of starting a family and I just couldn’t write from her viewpoint. I decided to start a mystery featuring a heroine who was struggling through the same issue as me, and I gave her my love for Christmas and crafting.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CF: I mentioned the new book I was working on to my editor and Henery Press and she asked to see it, so I sent it. Henery Press like it and wanted to publish it and also asked for two others.


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

CF: Pam Andrews Hanson, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Wendy Tyson, and Terry McNemar.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CF: Right now, I’m reading A Curve in the Road by Julianne MacLean


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

CF: My hobbies are scrapbooking, vinyl crafts, crocheting, sewing…basically anything crafty and I love to “plan” Disney vacations. We’ve been a few times (I love it!) and even when I know we’re not planning on going any time soon, I still like to pop onto the Disney website and price vacations. I usually do that when I’ve feeling down and overwhelmed…for some reason it’s a big pick me up.


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

CF: Eggs, wine, green peppers, olive oil.


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

CF: Yes, I’m contracted for two more Merry & Bright books, number two is scheduled to come out in October 2019 and the third July 2020.


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

CF: Meeting readers, especially being able to crop/craft with my readers.

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Review

 

NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING by Christine Freeburn

The First Merry and Bright Handcrafted Mystery

Merry Winters has splurged on a new item for her Christmas crafting business-a used RV. It's perfect to transport her and all her crafting wares to various vendor events-and she got it for a steal from her step-daughter. The perfect deal turns into a nightmare when she discovers her recently divorced second husband stuffed into a storage compartment. The detective in charge is certain Merry's the murderer and her sales are plummeting as her step-daughter has arrived and is telling everyone that Merry killed her dad. Merry's adult children are doing what they can to protect and support her, including getting their dad, her first ex-husband, to be her attorney. But will that be enough to make Christmas merry again?

NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING looks at what it is to be an empty nester as well as the changing relationships as everyone ages. Merry Winters has a big heart, which gets her into a lot of trouble. While her adult children seem to be well adjusted, pleasant people, her step-daughter is an emotional mess, and a constant conflict waiting to happen. Yet Merry goes above and beyond to protect her, regardless of the damage the girl intends to cause. In fact, most of the characters aren't entirely likable.

An intriguing mystery and themes of Christmas and crafting make NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING a fun holiday read.

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Not a Creature Was Stirring (Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery) by Christina Freeburn
 

About the Book

Not a Creature Was Stirring (Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

 Henery Press (January 22, 2019)

Empty nester Merry Winters loves three things: Christmas, crafting and her family. To regain purpose and joy, Merry hits the road to a Christmas vendor event with her furry sidekick Ebenezer in her new mobile crafting sleigh, aka an RV.

But it soon turns into the nightmare before Christmas when Merry unwraps her Scrooge of an ex-husband’s body in one of the RV’s compartments. Add to that his missing winning lottery ticket believed to be stashed somewhere in the RV, leading the homicide detective and Merry’s stepdaughter to believe Merry is the one whodunit.

With visions of prison dancing in her head, will Merry be able to solve this Christmas calamity before she’s locked away?

About the Author

Christina Freeburn has always loved books. There was nothing better than picking up a story and being transported to another place. The love of reading evolved into the love of writing and she's been writing since her teenage years. Her first novel was a 2003 Library of Virginia Literary Award nominee. Her mysteries series, Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery and Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mysteries, are a mix of crafty and crime and feature heroines whose crafting time is interrupted by crime solving.

Christina served in the US Army and has also worked as a paralegal, librarian, church secretary, and golf shop pro. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid and allergic to felines.

Author Links:
Webpage: www.christinafreeburn.com  
Blog: www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaFreeburnCraftyandCrimeAuthor/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaFreeb1  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ChristinaFreeburn  

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