Feature & Giveaway: The Cat, The Mill & the Murder by Leann Sweeney

Today we're featuring the 5th Cats in Trouble Mystery, The Cat, the Mill & the Murder. 

When cat lover and quilter Jillian Hart volunteers to help a local animal shelter relocate a colony of feral cats living in an abandoned textile mill, she never expects to find a woman living there, too. Jeannie went missing from Mercy, South Carolina, a decade ago, after her own daughter’s disappearance.

Jeannie refuses to leave the mill or abandon Boots, her cat who died years ago. After all, she and Boots feel the need to protect the premises from "creepers” who come in the night. After Jeannie is hurt in an accident and is taken away, those who've come to town to help repurpose the mill uncover a terrible discovery.. As the wheels start turning in Jillian’s mind, a mysterious new feline friend aids in her quest to unearth a long-kept and dark secret.

This was one of my favorite Cats in Trouble books! I always enjoy seeing what Jillian and her cats get up to this and this was a really good adventure.

Check out all the Cats in Trouble mysteries at Amazon.

Now time for a giveaway!! We're giving away a chance to win ANY Leann Sweeney book. That's right it's reader's choice!

GIVEAWAY:

To enter:

1. Leave a comment with your book choice and your email address. It can be any Leann Sweeney title. Check out all her books.

2. Giveaway is open international and closes on July 31, 2016 at midnight.

Book Review: Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

When the president of Hartland Flour chooses cozy Lake Eden, Minnesota, as the spot for their first annual Dessert Bake-Off, Hannah is thrilled to serve as the head judge. But when a fellow judge, Coach Boyd Watson, is found stone-cold dead, facedown in Hannah’s celebrated strawberry shortcake, Lake Eden’s sweet ride to fame turns very sour indeed.

Between perfecting her Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie and Chocolate Crunchies, Hannah’s snooping into the coach’s private life and not coming up short on suspects. And could Watson’s harsh criticism during the judging have given one of the contestants a license to kill? The stakes are rising faster than dough, and Hannah will have to be very careful, because somebody is cooking up a recipe for muder…with Hannah landing on the “necessary ingredients” list.[summary via Goodreads]

I first read Strawberry Shortcake Murder in 2011, and I'm now re-reading the series as part of my Hannah Swensen Mysteries Readalong. While I'm familiar with the characters and Lake Eden, I had forgotten the details of the murder and who the murderer was. This made my re-read quite enjoyable. It was almost like I was experiencing it for the first time, but with the added enjoyment that I already knew the characters.

Hannah is participating in the first annual Dessert Bake-Off as head judge, and she couldn't be more thrilled. After all, we know how much Hannah, owner of The Cookie Jar, loves her desserts. Of course things turn from quiet to deadly, when one of the judges turns up dead. Even though Hannah isn't officially on the case, she feels the need to find the killer, when one of her friends becomes the prime suspect.

As a amateur sleuth, I like Hannah a lot. She's nosy, but doesn't recklessly throw herself into danger, and is very protective of her sister, Andrea, who is happy to come along for the ride. I love how, with each book, Hannah and Andrea are getting closer. They are nothing alike, but as adults they are becoming closer and its nice to watch the relationship grow with each book.

Alike to a lot of readers I can't get enough of this series. From the mystery, that is always fun to untangle, to the delicious cookie recipes, the Hannah Swensen mysteries don't disappoint. While the series is a long one, with 21 books and counting, it is well worth the investment of your reading time. They are a delight to read (and re-read) and I can't wait to see what Hannah gets up to next!

Purchase Strawberry Shortcake Murder from Amazon.

Feature & Giveaway: The Cat, the Wife & the Weapon by Leann Sweeney

Are you ready to discover another fantastic Cats in Trouble Mystery? Today we're featuring the fourth book in the series, The Cat, the Wife & the Weapon:

When quilter Jillian Hart returns to her lake house in Mercy, South Carolina, she discovered her friend, Tom, is missing-and his estranged half-brother has moved into Tom's house. Jillian doesn't trust the guy, especially since he allowed Tom's diabetic cat to escape. When police officers find Tom's wrecked car with a dead stranger inside, Jillian is determined to find out what happened to Tom-before someone else turns up dead.

This series just keep getting better & better. If you've started this series you'll know you just can't read one, and thankfully Leann Sweeney has written quite a few books to get readers started.

If you've read The Cat, the Wife & the Weapon we'd love to hear what you think!

Now onto a fabulous giveaway. Today we're giving away a Kindle eBook of The Cat, the Wife & the Weapon.

GIVEAWAY: 

To enter:
1. Leave a comment with your email address.
2. Giveaway is open to everyone and ends on July 30, 2016 at midnight.

Feature & Giveaway: The Cat, The Lady & The Liar by Leann Sweeney

Welcome to Day 3 of our Leann Sweeney celebration! Today we're featuring the third book in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries:

Cat quilter Jillian Hart finds a gorgeous stray cat belonging to the fabulously wealthy Ritaestelle Longworth, who believes she's being drugged. Before Jillian can get to those charges, a body turns up in the lake-and her cat Chablis finds Ritaestelle nearby. Can Jillian's cats aid her in solving a mystery with decades old roots?

I love this series for so many reasons, but one is because I'm also a cat-owner (owned by cats, not the other way around!) and I love reading the adventures surrounding Jillian's cats. It is called "Cats in TROUBLE" after all!! 

Still haven't gotten enough cats? Follow Leann Sweeney's facebook page. She posts news about her books, and also her cats! Her cat, Lynley, is just adorable.

Now onto a fabulous giveaway. Today we have a FANTASTIC PRIZE!! We are giving away ONE Kindle copy of The Cat, the Lady and the Liar and a $25 Amazon Giftcard.

GIVEAWAY:

To enter:
1. Leave a comment with your email address.
2. Giveaway is open to all residents of US/Canada and ends on July 29, 2016 at midnight.

Feature & Giveaway: The Cat, The Professor & The Poison by Leann Sweeney

Welcome to Day 2 of our Leann Sweeney Feature Week. Today we're talking about the second book in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries, The Cat, The Professor & The Poison.

Between her kitty quilt-making business and her three beloved cats, Jill has her hands full. That doesn't stop her from wanting to solve the mystery of the milk cow that's gone missing from her friend's farm. But imagine her surprise when a stolen cow leads to the discovery of fifty stray cats and one dead body-a victim of cold-blooded murder...

I love this series and The Cat, The Professor & The Poison was a great second book!

Today we're giving away TWO prizes! We're giving away a paperback of The Cat, the Professor & the Poison and we're also giving away audiobook (courtesy of Audible) of The Cat, the Professor & the Poison.

Do you follow Leann Sweeney on Facebook? Click here to like her Facebook page!

GIVEAWAY 

To enter:
1. Leave a comment with your choice of paperback or audiobook, along with your email address.
2. Giveaway is open to all residents of US/Canada and ends on July 28, 2016 at midnight.

Feature & Giveaway: The Cat, The Quilt & The Corpse by Leann Sweeney

Welcome to our Leann Sweeney feature week!! Leading up to the release of her new book, The Cat, The Collector & The Killer on August 2, we have a whole week full of great giveaways, introducing this fantastic series!! Stop back everyday for a new giveaway, and learn more about this series.

Today we're giving readers a chance to start this series from the beginning, we're giving away the first book in the series, The Cat, The Quilt & The Corpse. 

Jill's quiet life is shattered when her house is broken into and her Abyssinian, Syrah, goes missing. Jill's convinced her kitty's been catnapped. But when her cat-crime-solving leads her to a murdered body, suddenly all paws are pointing to Jill.

Soon, Jill discovers that Syrah isn't the only purebred who's been stolen. Now she has to find these furry felines before they all become the prey of a cold-blooded killer-and she ends up nabbed for a crime...

If you haven't read this series yet, or want to re-read this series, you need to enter to win a copy of The Cat, The Quilt & The Corpse.  

GIVEAWAY

We're giving away ONE paperback of The Cat, the Quilt & the Corpse.

To enter:

1. Leave a comment with your email address.

2. Giveaway is open to all residents of US/Canada and ends on July 27, 2016 at midnight.

Don't forget to follow our Facebook page as we will also be having fun giveaways over there too!!

Book Review: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen already has her hands full, between dodging her mother's attempts to marry her off, and running Lake Eden, Minnesota's most popular bakery, The Cookie Jar. But when the Cozy Cow Dairy's beloved deliveryman is found murdered behind Hannah's bakery with her famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies scattered around him, Hannah sets out to track down a killer. The more Hannah snoops, the more suspects turn up. This is one murder that's starting to leave a very bad taste in Hannah's mouth, and if she doesn't watch her back, her sweet life may get burned to a crisp.[summary via Goodreads]

Meet Hannah Swensen. She's Lake Eden's cookie lady and amateur sleuth all rolled into one delightful package. In her debut adventure Hannah must help her brother-in-law, police officer, Bill, solve the murder of local deliveryman, Ron La Salle. In between making cookies and hunting down a killer, Hannah must also fend off her mother's attempt to marry her off!!

I love this series! I'm re-reading the series from the first book, and the second time around I loved it just as much as the first. Hannah is a fun, feisty character, that loves her life exactly as it is - she runs her own business, The Cookie Jar, shares her condo with her delightful cat, Moishe, and enjoys living in picturesque Lake Eden.  Of course, her life gets a little complicated with her first murder investigation, and not to mention two potential love interests, dentist, Norman, and police detective, Mike. Add it all up and you've got a fantastic first book in a series!!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder was a super, fun book! I loved all the recipes throughout the book, and it had me wanting to step into the kitchen to bake a few batches of cookies!! The mystery itself was great, and there were plenty of clues for me to collect and try to solve the murder before Hannah. I didn't quite get there with solving it before Hannah, and it was fun to see it all unravel.

If you're new to cozy mysteries this is a fantastic book to start with. However, be warned, one book won't be enough! You'll be wanting to read the whole series.

Purchase Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder from Amazon.

Visit Lake Eden, Minnesota, home of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen Mysteries

Right now I'm deeply immersed in Joanne Fluke's Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. I'm re-reading the entire series and you can find out more about the readalong here. I'm absolutely loving taking another trip to Lake Eden, Minnesota. 

For those that don't know, Joanne Fluke has a fantastic website at MurderSheBaked.com, and she even has an interactive map of Lake Eden. Doesn't this town look like it would be fun to visit?

 

You can check out the complete interactive map here.

If you're reading along, or if you have read this series, leave a comment and let us know. We'd love to hear from other readers that love the Hannah Swensen mysteries just as much as we do.

Book Review - A Wee Dose of Death by Fran Stewart

While business is booming at the ScotShop in Hamelin, Vermont, proprietor Peggy Winn doesn’t have time to toast her good fortune thanks to her hot-tempered, fourteenth-century Scottish companion. Being thrust into the modern world hasn’t been easy for Dirk, but Peggy is at her wit’s end trying to keep the ghostie galoot in line. 

But when the local police chief finds the body of Peggy’s friend Karaline’s college professor in a deserted mountain cabin, everyone is thrown for a loop. It seems the secretive professor may have been killed over his ecological work, an idea that’s only reinforced when Karaline herself is shot. Now Peggy and Dirk must set aside their differences to put the cold-blooded killer under loch and key... [summary via Goodreads]

I enjoyed the first book in this series, A Wee Murder in My Shop, and I was looking forward to reading another adventure with Peggy, her friends and her ghost, Dirk. 

In this second story Peggy, Karoline and Dirk get embroiled in a murder investigation, when the body of Karoline's old professor is found. With the help of Dirk, Peggy's 14th century ghost, Peggy and Karoline set out to find the murderer, before they strike again.

I like the realism in this series. Even though it features a ghost, Fran Stewart has created a sense of realism with her characters and how they react to situations. Peggy is a bit fed up with Dirk. After all he is a 14th century ghost, who has no idea about anything to do with the 21st century. He literally asks a million and one questions, which gets on Peggy's nerves. What would you do with a 14th century ghost after the novelty wore off? I'm pretty sure most of us might feel the same way as Peggy does. However, Peggy and Dirk are tied together, and I like that she realizes that she needs Dirk in her life. 

I read a lot of cozy mysteries, and I mean A LOT, and while I always enjoy the mystery and try to untangle the clues, it is the characters and the author's style of writing that set each series apart. For me, the characters and Fran Stewart's style of writing are both captivating, and for these two reasons this series is fast becoming a favorite of mine, and I hope a favorite of other readers.

Fran Stewart switches POVs (point of views) and I love when authors do this. We get a glimpse at the victim, before he's murdered, and the grieving widow, the police officers investigating the case, and even the hardened police chief, Mac. By doing this I feel like I've gotten to know the characters a lot more than I usually would. For me, this provided such a well rounded reading experience and contributed to the feeling that I didn't want to put the book down, even for a second!

I love this series, and I absolutely can't wait for the third book in the series, A Wee Homicide in the Hotel, to come out next February. For fans of paranormal mysteries with a twist, then this series is for you. If you like mysteries set in a interesting locale, then this series is definitely for you too! 

Purchase A Wee Dose of Death by Fran Stewart at Amazon.

Book Review: Death of a Prankster by M.C. Beaton

When Police Constable Hamish Macbeth is called to a murder at Arrat House, home of relentless practical joker Arthur Trent, he doesn't exactly race to the scene. Prepared for a prank, Hamish arrives to find that Trent is most decidedly dead -- stabbed and stuffed in a closet. And for suspects, there's a houseful of greedy relations, all more interested in the will than the crime at hand.[summary via Goodreads]

I first discovered the Hamish Macbeth mysteries as the tv show, that aired in 1995-1997 featuring Robert Carlyle. This was long before I discovered cozy mysteries and I enjoyed the show. Last year I picked up the books and I've been enjoying the books just as much, if not more.

In the seventh book in this series, Hamish is called upon to investigate the murder of Andrew Trent, a rich man  that enjoyed pulling practical jokes on everyone! The last joke is on him though, when he turns up dead!

I really like these mysteries. They are a little shorter than most cozy mysteries. Death of a Prankster was 176 pages, but never fear that you are missing out, because M.C. Beaton packs a mighty punch within those pages.  She lays out all the clues for Hamish, his fellow police officers, including the rude and pig-headed Blair, and the reader to solve. 

This was a classic mystery with the case of a rich, old man and many family members willing to kill in order to inherit. However, with so many suspects to choice from, it isn't easy for Hamish (and myself too!) to solve. Luckily he had the beautiful Priscilla Hallburton-Smythe by his side, to help unravel the clues!!

Death of a Prankster was another enjoyable adventure with Hamish Macbeth. If you enjoy classic English mysteries, with a similar feel to Agatha Christie's mysteries, then I highly recommend the Hamish Macbeth mysteries. You won't be disappointed!

Purchase Death of a Prankster by M.C. Beaton at Amazon.

Book Review: Gone with the Witch by Heather Blake

Darcy and her dog Missy are determined to put their best foot forward at the Enchanted Village’s annual Pawsitively Enchanted pet contest. She’s happy to lend a hand when the show’s organizer hires Darcy to keep an eye on things among growing suspicions that someone is sabotaging the event. But Darcy’s quest for justice is thrown off the scent when her lead suspect is found dead at the competition.

As if a murder weren’t bad enough, someone begins snatching up prize-winning pets right from under their owners’ noses. Darcy is determined to protect the pampered participants at whatever cost. But she’ll have to work fast to sniff out the thief before she becomes the next victim of a killer determined to stop her dead in her tracks...[summary via Goodreads]

I cannot hide my absolute love for the Wishcraft Mysteries by Heather Blake. I've been a fan of Heather Webber Blake's books since I discovered the Lucy Valentine Mysteries many years ago, and have been hooked on the Wishcraft Mysteries since the beginning. 

In the latest mystery, Darcy, Wishcrafter and owner of As You Wish, where wishes are magically granted, becomes involved in a local pet contest, when the organizer is worried someone is sabotaging the event. Things quickly turn to murder when one of the competitors turn up dead. Darcy must untangle the mystery, alongside the mysterious pet snatching.

I love this series! My favorite thing about it is that it's not just centered on the murder mystery. There have been underlying storylines that have run through each book, and it's those storylines that make me come back for more. Darcy's relationship with police officer, Nick, and the obstacles they've overcome, and the identity of the Elder are two of my favorites. While I'm good at solving murders, I have never been able to fully guess the identity of the Elder and I was so happy to see that Heather Blake finally reveals her identity in Gone with the Witch. The scene where Darcy discovers the identity of the Elder was so beautiful and heart-warming and I just loved it.

The mystery itself was intriguing, and I liked that it is doubled up with a pet-snatching mystery. I wasn't sure if the two were related or not, and it was interesting watching it unravel.

I cannot say enough good things about this series. In the Wishcraft Mysteries Heather Blake has crafted unique, intelligent, and magical mysteries. There is something for everyone in this series, and alike to decadent chocolate you can't just have one! I recommend reading this series in order, as each book builds on the previous and you won't be disappointed with a single one.

Purchase Gone with the Witch by Heather Blake.

Series Readalong: the Hannah Swensen Mysteries

Quite often I discover a book in a long series and rather than reading the series from the beginning, I'm tempted to just read the recent release. However, I love reading series in order, so I might move onto a shorter series. Or as is the case with the Hannah Swensen Mysteries I read the first book in the series and I didn't get back to the rest of the series because of the overwhelming amount of books on my shelves. Well this summer I'm going to change that! I'm going to re-read the Hannah Swensen Mysteries from the beginning.

Have you read the Hannah Swensen books? Maybe you've seen the movie, Murder, She Baked, based on the first book, and you want to read the series? Then join me on my readalong adventure!

I'm going to read and review the books in order, bake some of her delicious recipes and watch the movies!

If you want to join along grab a copy of Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder from Amazon or your local bookstore or library and join us for a delicious mystery.

Take one amateur sleuth. Mix in some eccentric Minnesota locals. Add a generous dollop of crackling suspense, and you've got the recipe for this delicious new mystery series featuring Hannah Swensen, the red-haired, cookie-baking heroine whose gingersnaps are almost as tart as her mouth and whose penchant for solving crime is definitely stirring things up. 

Hannah already has her hands full trying to dodge her mother's attempts to marry her off while running The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden's most popular bakery. But once Ron LaSalle, the beloved delivery man from the Cozy Cow Dairy, is found murdered behind her bakery with Hannah's famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies scattered around him, her life just can't get any worse. Determined not to let her cookies get a bad reputation, she sets out to track down a killer. But if she doesn't watch her back, Hannah's sweet life may get burned to a crisp.

Find out more about Hannah Swensen and the books and movies at Joanne Fluke's website here. Check out all the books on Amazon.

Book Review: Beeline to Murder by Meera Lester

Ex-cop Abigail Mackenzie has started a second career--as a farmer. Raising chickens, keeping bees, and growing heirloom vegetables on her farmette in the Bay Area, Abby has a peaceful life. Yet trouble just seems to make a beeline for her. . . 

When Abby attempts to deliver her artisanal honey to local pastry chef Jean-Louis Bonheur and finds him dead in his shop, her investigative instincts kick in. After the chef's handsome brother insists on hiring Abby to find out who killed Jean-Louis, she must sort through a swarm of suspects. But as she closes in on the truth, she'll need more than her beekeeper suit to protect her from a killer's sting[summary via Amazon]

I'm a new series addict! Being a cozy mystery reader, with a handful of new series out every month, I get more than my fill of my addiction. Usually amongst them is cozy mysteries with unique themes and these are the ones that I'm drawn to. 

Beeline to Murder was my first cozy mystery that centered around honey-making and it certainly won't be my last. I'm certainly no gardener! In fact the words "black thumb" have been spoken about me more than once. So even though I love cozy mysteries I wasn't sure if I would like a mystery that is set on a farmette and involved honeybees - even though I do love honey! Well I absolutely loved this mystery!!

In Beeline to Murder we meet Abby, who is retired from the police force and is now running her own farmette. She stumbles upon the dead body of Chef Jean-Louis and gets involved in the investigation, prompted by her friend and police officer, Kat. 

I enjoyed every aspect of this mystery, and I especially love that Abby wasn't just a "snoop". She is hired by Jean-Louis' brother to proof that his brother didn't commit suicide.  This gives her a legitimate excuse to investigate, and being an ex-cop she doesn't hesitate to investigate. I really liked this angle that the author has taken. While I do enjoy the mysteries with the "snoop", sticking their nose in where it doesn't belong, it was enjoyable to read a mystery with a ex-cop farmette girl!

With plenty of interesting characters, a unputdownable mystery and tantalizing honey recipes, Beeline to Murder hit all the right marks with me, and I will definitely be back for a second round when book two in the series is released.

Purchase Beeline to Murder from Amazon.

Book Review: A Most Curious Murder by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli

Jenny Weston moves home to Bear Falls, Michigan, to nurse her bruised ego back to health after a bitter divorce. But the idyllic vision of her charming hometown crumbles when her mother's Little Library is destroyed. 

The next-door neighbor, Zoe Zola, a little person and Lewis Carroll enthusiast, suspects local curmudgeon Adam Cane, but when he's found dead in Zoe's fairy garden, all roads lead back to her. Jenny, however, believes Zoe is innocent, so the two women team up to find the true culprit, investigating the richest family in Bear Falls, interrogating a few odd townspeople, and delving into long, hidden transgressions--until Adam Cane isn't the only body in town, and they have an even bigger mystery to solve.[summary via Amazon]

From the first page to the last, I was simply charmed by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli's A Most Curious Murder. This is the first book in what looks to be a very promising new series. It centers around Jenny Weston, who has returned to Bear Falls, after her marriage turned sour in Chicago. She's back in Bear Falls to face her past, look to the future and possibly solve a murder or two!

There are lots of new cozy mystery series propping up, usually at least 3-4 every month, and what drew me to picking this one out over the others was the "Little Library" theme. It's unique. There are plenty of cozy mysteries set in libraries, but none that I've read that feature little libraries. The little library is central to the story, especially as Jenny's mom's little library is destroyed and has to be re-built, and thus starting what looks like a crimespree in Bear Falls.

The uniqueness doesn't end with the little library. This series is one of a kind. It's like a cozy mystery with Alice in Wonderland between the lines. Jenny's mom, Dora's, neighbor is a little person that writes fairy tales, has an amazing fairy garden and likes to quote Alice in Wonderland. For anyone with even a small amount of love for Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland, they will be completely charmed by this. I found myself looking forward to every Alice in Wonderland quote from Zoe Zola and enjoyed watching Zoe, Jenny and their family and friends trying to untangle the "riddle"!

I liked getting to know the characters in Bear Falls. Jenny has a bit of a complicated past in Bear Falls and she runs into old flames and a jealous wife on her trip home. This makes for an interesting read as it all plays out. Add in the very personable, if some what full of riddles, Zoe Zola, and hunky ex-cop, Tony, and you put it all together for a delightful read.

A Most Curious Murder is the perfect example of why I love reading cozy mysteries. Every series is a little bit different, with interesting characters to meet, a puzzle to solve and in this case, a little fairy tale thrown in as well. If your looking for a little magic in your life, then pick up A Most Curious Murder. It's a debut you will remember as fondly as any fairy tale!

Purchase A Most Curious Murder from Amazon.

Book Spotlight: Murder on the Menu by Zanna MacKenzie

Today we're sharing a great new series, the Celebrity Mysteries by Zanna MacKenzie. The first book in the series is Murder on the Menu.

A dead boss, a sexy spy living next door – Lizzie’s in BIG trouble!

Lizzie Carter used to be a city girl with a great career and a steady boyfriend on the brink of proposing but then it all fell apart. These days, she’s living in the middle of nowhere and waitressing to make ends meet.
When her creepy celebrity chef boss is stabbed one night in the restaurant kitchen, the police have Lizzie at the top of the list of suspects. Enlisting the help of her gorgeous new neighbor Jack, who claims he’s some kind of special agent on enforced leave, might not be her best idea yet, but Lizzie’s prepared to do whatever it takes to save herself from landing in jail when she’s perfectly innocent.

Now, she has a To-Do list which includes:
*Keep her job at the restaurant
*Stay out of jail
*Figure out how to make the farm she inherited pay its way
*Beat her nemesis, the ancient cooking range in the farmhouse kitchen, and manage to bake yummy cakes so she can sell them to the village store
*Try to ignore her growing attraction to Jack
*Oh, and track down the person who actually did murder her boss.

Sleuthing can’t be that tough – can it?

Doesn't this sound like a great new series?

Check out Murder on the Menu at Amazon & buy it for $2.99 on Kindle.

Visit Zanna Mackenzie on the web: Website | Facebook | Twitter 

Great Cozy Mystery Deals from Berkley Mystery

Berkley Mystery, part of Penguin-Random House, has some fantastic deals on cozy mysteries for Kindle right now. Check out these deals and pick up a new cozy mystery!

**all prices current at time of posting**
click each cover to view/purchase at Amazon.

$1.99 for Kindle

Interview with Terrie Moran + Giveaway

Today we have Terrie Moran, author of the Read 'Em and Eat Cafe Mysteries, with us to chat about her books!

We love the idea of a Read 'Em and Eat Cafe, where did the inspiration for a bookstore and cafe all rolled into one come from?

Actually, the idea for a combination café and bookstore resulted from a number of conversations I had with my agent, the fabulous Kim Lionetti of Bookends Literary. I liked the idea of a breakfast/lunch café because the characters could naturally sit and talk and since they don’t serve dinner the owners would have the late afternoon and evenings free to solve crimes. I freely admit I am far from an expert in the kitchen, so the shop needed something more, an area where I would always be comfortable. The bookshop side of the Read ‘Em and Eat suits me to a T.

The Read 'Em and Eat Mysteries are set in the gulf of Florida, in such a picturesque setting. What was your inspiration for setting the books there?

Years ago a friend recommended a novel called Shadow Country written by naturalist and novelist Peter Matthiessen. It is a fictionalized version of the settling of the Ten Thousand Islands along the Gulf coast near the Florida Everglades more than a hundred years ago. After reading the book, I was enchanted and decided to write about the area. At first I intended to write a short story set in the Ten Thousand Islands in the early 1900s but the more I read about the people and the place (which is now part of State and Federal protected lands) I decided to use it as backstory for a subplot in a contemporary cozy. You will recognize it in Delia’s life story in Well Read, Then Dead. I decided to use Fort Myers Beach as a setting because it physically (if you take away the roads and buildings) reminds me of the Ten Thousand Islands, and is about an hour north of the northernmost protected island.

There are so many "big" personalities in Well Read, Then Dead, like Aunt Opie, and Augusta. Do you draw inspiration for your characters from any of your family and friends?

I do not. I am certain that path leads to relationship ruin. In fact I have had folks tell me they recognize themselves in my work but that is entirely in their imagination. I never “borrow” the personality traits of anyone I know for my books or stories. I did participate in an auction last year to raise money for the public library in Wetumpka, Alabama. The winner has a character named after her in Read to Death. Once I picked the character I wanted her to be, I emailed all the pertinent data to her in order to be sure that the character’s life did not resemble her life in any way. I also named the veterinarian Cynthia Mays after my best friend. With her permission I used her maiden name, and the only thing that the real Cynthia and Doctor Mays have in common is that they both love animals and are attractive African-American women. So where do the “big” personalities come from? They rattle around in my brain and argue with me until I write them as they wish to be written.

What is your favourite thing about writing the Read 'Em and Eat Mysteries?

As a writer I love the freshness of a new story in a familiar setting with familiar characters. I really enjoy the book club meetings that bring so many books, both fiction and non-fiction, to our attention. And of course I have to read the books so that I can write about the book club meetings. Bonus!

I love Terrie Moran's stories and love finding out more behind the words!!

Visit Terrie on the web: website | Facebook

Check out the Read 'Em and Eat Mysteries on Amazon.

Terrie has donated a fantastic prize for us to give away today.

GIVEAWAY

We have a Read to Death t-shirt to giveaway to one lucky winner.

1. Leave a comment with your email address. 

2. Giveaway ends on July 14, 2016 and the winners will be contacted by email. 

3. Giveaway is open USA.

Book Review: Caught Read-Handed by Terrie Farley Moran

Happy to help her fellow bibliophiles, Sassy visits the local library with book donations for their annual fundraising sale. Unfortunately, the welcoming readers’ haven is in turmoil as an argument erupts between an ornery patron and new staff member, Tanya Lipscombe—also known as “Tanya Trouble.” She may lack people skills, but everyone is shocked when she’s later found murdered in her own hot tub. 

The man last seen arguing with Tanya is soon arrested. But Alan Mersky, a veteran with PTSD, happens to be the brother of Sassy’s former boss—and he’s no murderer. Now it’s up to Sassy and Bridgy to clear Alan’s name and make sure the real killer gets booked.[summary via Amazon]

I was so happy to make another visit to Fort Meyers Beach, so soon after my last visit. I enjoyed the first book this series, Well Read, Then Dead so much that I was eager for a follow up story. Luckily, as I am late to the game with this series, there is a couple of books for me to catch up on!

In Caught Read-Handed Sassy and Bridgy are back for my sleuthing and hijinks, as they try to unravel the death of Tanya Lipscombe, a trophy wife who seems to have made more than a few enemies. Of course, after her last near-death experience Sassy doesn't want to get into trouble with the policy, especially Lieutenant Frank Anthony, but when her ex-boss' brother is implicated in the crime, she can't stop herself from stepping in to help.

When I read that the prime suspect in this story had PTSD I wondered how this story would play out. This is a sensitive issue, and if not handled the right way it would be a disaster of a story line. Well I'm happy to say that Terrie Farley Moran handled this aspect of the storyline perfectly. She clearly has researched the issues with PTSD and I enjoyed learning more about PTSD and what the citizens of Fort Meyers Beach have done to not only welcome vets returning with PTSD but also make their life easier, and give them a sense of their own community within the community. I also liked how the veterans were able to assist the community with another problem, given their history of their tours in Vietnam and Iraq. This is such a sensitive issue but it is handled perfectly by the author and it added a great layer to the story. 

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect. I was 40 pages from the end and I was still stumped as to who the killer could be. I knew it wasn't Alan, but there were a lot of suspects and I still hadn't guessed who had done it.

Fort Meyers Beach is fast becoming one of my favorite cozy towns to visit. I love the cozy atmosphere in the Read 'Em and Eat Cafe, with the scrumptious food that Chef Miguel cooks up and the fantastic bookish chatter from the bookclubs. I also love the interesting characters that come and go, that reside in Fort Meyers Beach, and also new visitors.

With a fantastic cozy setting, Terrie Moran Farley has created more than a mystery. She's created a fabulous reading experience, with a mystery that will stump the most seasoned reader and a fantastic cast of characters that will have you wanting to come back for seconds and thirds!

Purchase Caught Read-Handed by Terrie Moran Farley on Amazon.

Giveaway: Caught Read-Handed by Terrie Moran

This month we are celebrating Terrie Farley Moran's series, the Read 'Em and Eat Mysteries. Have you checked them out yet? If not, check out the first book in the series, Well Read, Then Dead. 

Today we're giving away one copy of the second book in the series, Caught Read-Handed, because I have TWO on my shelf! While I try my best to not have duplicates in my bookshelves, it does happen, and now I have a spare copy to give away to one lucky reader.

Caught Read-Handed is the second book in this series:

Happy to help her fellow bibliophiles, Sassy visits the local library with book donations for their annual fundraising sale. Unfortunately, the welcoming readers’ haven is in turmoil as an argument erupts between an ornery patron and new staff member, Tanya Lipscombe—also known as “Tanya Trouble.” She may lack people skills, but everyone is shocked when she’s later found murdered in her own hot tub. 

The man last seen arguing with Tanya is soon arrested. But Alan Mersky, a veteran with PTSD, happens to be the brother of Sassy’s former boss—and he’s no murderer. Now it’s up to Sassy and Bridgy to clear Alan’s name and make sure the real killer gets booked.

I'm reading Caught Read-Handed right now and loving it. 

To enter to win a copy of your own:

1. Leave a comment with your email address.
2. Giveaway ends on July 12, 2016 and the winners will be contacted by email.
3. Giveaway is open USA/Canada.

Cozy Mystery New Releases - July 5, 2016

It's the first Tuesday of the month, and with that brings some fantastic new releases. Looking for a good cozy mystery, then check out these new books out today...

Juliet Blackwell - A Toxic Trousseau, the eighth book in the Witchcraft Mystery.

Susan M Boyer -  Lowcountry Book Club, the fifth book in the Liz Talbot Mystery.

Julia Buckley - A Dark and Stormy Murder, the first book in the a Writer's Apprentice Mystery.

Betty Hechtman - Gone with the Wool, the fourth book in the Yarn Retreat Mystery.

Anna Lee Huber - As Death Draws Near, the fifth book in the Lady Darby Mystery.

Terrie Farley Moran - Read to Death, the third book in the Read 'Em and Eat Mystery.

Laura Morrigan - Take the Monkey & Run, the fourth book in the Call of the Wilde Mystery.

Hannah Reed - Dressed to Kilt, the third book in the Scottish Highlands Mystery.

Linda Wilken - Toasting Up Trouble, the first book in the Dinner Club Mystery.

Both A Dark and Stormy Murder and Toasting Up Trouble are brand-new series, so check them out!

Check out our full list of 2016-2017 upcoming cozy mystery releases here.

Book Review: Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran

Read ’Em and Eat is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch treats, along with quite a colorful clientele. If it’s not Rowena Gustavson loudly debating the merits of the current book club selection, it’s Miss Augusta Maddox lecturing tourists on rumors of sunken treasure among the islands. It’s no wonder Sassy’s favorite is Delia Batson, a regular at the Emily Dickinson table. Augusta’s cousin and best friend Delia is painfully shy—which makes the news of her murder all the more shocking. 

No one is more distraught than Augusta, and Sassy wants to help any way she can. But Augusta doesn’t have time for sympathy. She wants Delia’s killer found—and she’s not taking no for an answer. Now Sassy is on the case, and she’d better act fast before there’s any more trouble in paradise.[summary via Amazon]

Welcome to Fort Meyers Beach, in the heart of Florida's Gulf Coast. This sleepy, beachside town, with a blend of tourists and snowbirds, is the setting for a fantastic series from Terrie Farley Moran, the Read 'Em and Eat Mysteries.

Best friends Bridgy and Sassy own and run the Read 'Em and Eat Cafe, a fabulous blend of cafe meets bookstore, where you can grab a meal, buy a few books and join a bookclub. It's the hub of everything exciting in Fort Meyers Beach, and its about to become the headquarters of a team of amateur sleuths, when they come together to try to solve the murder of a beloved local, a Miss Delia Batson.

From the first page to the last, I loved every page of Well Read, Then Dead. Terrie Farley Moran has crafted a new series where there is a little something for everyone. Love the lure of pirates' treasure and sunken ships? Check. Love books about bookstores and culinary delights? Check. Want a good mystery that you won't want to put down? Check. Thrown in a feisty feline and you've got Well Read, Then Dead. It hit all the high points for me, and I know it will for many readers!

Possibly my favorite thing about this book, besides the tantalizing mystery and prospect of buried treasure, was the big personalities. I love characters that leap off the pages and Terrie Farley Moran has created some great characters. One of my favourites was Aunt Ophie, who steps in to help the girls when their chef breaks his leg. She has a way of doing things with a southern twist and she's not going to be swayed by anyone. When Aunt Ophie is on the scene things are going to get interesting!!

Cozy mysteries are more than just a murder mystery. They are a small town, with characters that you want to visit again. I guarantee with one visit to Fort Meyers Beach with Bridgy and Sassy and you will want to be coming back for many more helpings!

Purchase the Read 'Em and Eat Mysteries at Amazon.

Book Review: The Icing on the Corpse by Liz Mugavero

Kristan "Stan" Connor is thrilled to be invited to the Groundhog Day festivities in quirky Frog Ledge, Connecticut. Her organic, home-baked pet treats are a big hit at the annual celebration, though an important guest is curiously absent . . . 

When Helga Oliver, the town's elderly historian, is found crumpled in the basement of the Historical Museum, the close-knit town is devastated. But after some tenacious digging, Stan discovers Helga was pushed down the stairs--and that this picture-perfect New England town may hide some dark secrets . . . 

Stan's dogged determination reveals Helga's ties to an unsolved death in 1948 . . . but how does that connect to Adrian Fox, who's just arrived in town to shoot an episode of Celebrity Ghost Hunters? Stan is going to have to be very careful in chasing down the killer--if she wants to live to see another winter . . .[summary via Amazon]

In The Icing on the Corpse, Liz Mugavero thrills readers as she entwines a cold case murder, with a modern day murder, while also providing the smiles and laughter that only a doggy wedding in Frog Ledge can provide!

I love the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries because they are unique. In a world of culinary cozy mysteries they stand out as Kristan "Stan" makes and sells homemade dog and cat food and treats. The furry friends of Frog Ledge absolutely love her food, and its because of her famous cat and dog treats, that she is asked to hold a doggy wedding ceremony!!

Doggy weddings aside, I loved the mystery in The Icing on the Corpse. I was on the edge of my seat as I tried to unravel how the murder of a boxer decades before could be linked to a modern day crime. While I consider myself quite good at trying to decipher clues in cozy mysteries, I was absolutely clueless in this one! Liz Mugavero had me completely stumped and it was only when it finally unfolded, did I discover the murderer! For readers, like me, that like to try to solve the murder along with the sleuth, The Icing on the Corpse provides a great challenge, and one that I enjoyed immensely.

I like the cast of characters that are assembled in Frog Ledge, and every visit feels like a visit home. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with the picturesque setting, lots of furry animals to provide a few laughs on the way and a town of interesting characters that you will want to visit again and again, then the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries are for you!

Purchase the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries on Amazon.

Giveaway: Title Wave by Lorna Barrett

Have you discovered the Booktown Mysteries? Today we shared a review of the latest book in the series, Title Wave, and now we're giving away a copy in a special giveaway:

While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in deck chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.

But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...[summary via Amazon]

Today we're giving readers the chance to choose between a Hardback, Kindle eBook (both delivered by Amazon) or a audiobook (from Audible) of Title Wave.

To enter: 

1. Leave a comment with your choice of hardback, Kindle ebook or audiobook and your email address. 

2. Giveaway ends on July 5, 2016 and the winners will be contacted by email. 

3. Giveaway is open USA/Canada.

Audiobook Review: Title Wave by Lorna Barrett

While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in deck chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.

But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...[summary via Amazon]

Lorna Barrett's Booktown Mysteries are on my auto-buy list. I buy every new book in this series, and lately I have been starting them without even reading the synopsis on the back. Why would I dive into a book without knowing what the story was about? Because I know whatever Tricia and Angelica Miles are up to I'm going to love it! Whatever course Lorna Barrett has put my two favorite booksellers on, I'm going to enjoy every single minute of it. And, I'm pleased to report that in Title Wave I was proven correct once again, as Lorna Barrett delivers a stunning, unputdownable mystery!

I love Stoneham, New Hampshire, where every booklover's dream comes true. An entire picturesque town full of bookstores, with a store to cater to even the pickiest reader! However, after the rollercoaster that was the previous book in this series, I was delighted that Lorna Barrett chose to take our favourite characters out to sea for some much needed R&R. Of course, where Tricia goes trouble seems to follow! What starts as R&R (which of course is reading & relaxation!) turns into murder, when an author on the cruise turns up dead.

After I turned the last page (or in my case heard the last words of the audiobook) I felt like Lorna Barrett really outdid herself with this one. Stoneham is a booklover's paradise and the cruise ship was like reader's paradise, as we discover more about authors, how they interact with other authors, publishing and meddlesome readers too! I'm always curious about the world behind the cozy mysteries I love so much, and I love how we get a sneak peek into it, in Title Wave. 

While I enjoy the thrill of discovering new series, I love sinking back into a long-running, much loved series and for me the Booktown Mysteries are the epitome of that. Not only have readers watched murders be solved, but we've watched characters evolve, meet, get married and even have children. We've followed their lives, and delved into their backgrounds more. I love that Lorna Barrett never shies away from adding color and complications to her characters. Tricia and Angelica seemed to not be close to begin with, when Angelica first arrived in town, but they've spent more time together and their relationship has grown and blossomed. In Title Wave we saw what brought about some of the tension in their lives, and I enjoyed reading more about their past.

I enjoyed listening to Title Wave on audiobook, as it took me away on a cruise, where trouble runs amok. Whether it's in print or audiobook, this series doesn't disappoint and I can't wait for the next book!

Featured Author of the Month for July - Terrie Farley Moran

Readers, we're excited to share that we're kicking off our first Featured Author of the Month tomorrow. Our Featured Author for July is Terrie Farley Moran!

Terrie Farley Moran is the author of the Read Em and Eat Mysteries, with the third book in the series, Read to Death, due to be released on July 5, 2016.

Here's what to expect in July, in our celebration of the Read 'Em and Eat Mysteries:

• an interview with Terrie Moran
• reviews for each book in the series, with discussions on our Facebook page.
• giveaways, giveaways & GIVEAWAYS!

You don't want to miss a second of July, as we celebrate a super enjoyable series.