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.