Showing posts with label book giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book giveaway. Show all posts

Friday, August 29, 2025

Book Giveaway - Blueprint for Murder by Penni Justice


I am delighted to welcome my friend, mystery author Penni Justice, back for a visit.  She has generously offered a cozy mystery giveaway both here and on my Facebook page - please visit there as well.  

Book Synopsis

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Orchard Grove is the kind of town where everyone knows your name—and your secrets don’t stay buried for long.

When Piper Landry buys the grandest old building on the town square to expand her antique shop into a cozy bookstore and coffee nook, she’s expecting creaky floors, not creeping danger. But after a woman is found murdered behind the building during the final night of the Apple Festival, Piper notices an unsettling number of people suddenly taking interest in her new property, each with their own questions and motives. The more she digs, the more she what could be hidden inside the old walls of 101 Main Street?

Perfect for fans of small-town whodunits and amateur sleuths with heart.


Author Bio

Penni Justice is a lifelong book lover and storyteller at heart. An Atlanta native, she now lives in the scenic North Georgia mountains with her husband in a certified wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by nature and inspired by the charm of a nearby tourist town, Penni crafted her debut cozy mystery, Blueprint for Murder. The beauty of mountain living, along with cherished memories of traveling across the country and hearing true-life stories from family and friends, often spark ideas for her writing.

Her love of books began early, nurtured by frequent trips to the libraries in Atlanta, Decatur, and Tucker, Georgia, where her mother introduced her to the magic of reading. She fell in love with fiction after discovering Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. As the church librarian, her mother also provided a treasure trove of young adult fiction and mysteries that further fueled Penni’s passion.

An avid reader, Penni devours around 60 fiction books each year, favoring cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and spy thrillers. In May 2023, she graduated with honors from Southern New Hampshire University with a B.A. in Creative Writing and English, focusing on fiction writing. Her coursework included numerous workshops that helped her hone her voice and narrative style.

For the past 24 years, Penni has owned and operated a music entertainment agency, specializing in public relations, writing, ghostwriting, and marketing. Alongside her fiction, she is also working on a historical novel set during the 1940s in South Georgia and overseas during World War II.

Penni and her husband are the proud parents of three grown children, a son-in-law, and a daughter-in-law—each of whom inspire her with their humor, intelligence, and love. They are, in her words, “the absolute joys of my life.”

Giveaway

One lucky winner will win a print copy of  Blueprint for Murder by Penni Justice.  Books ship to the U.S. only.  Winner will be drawn Monday, 9/8, and needs to respond within 48 hours or another winner will be drawn.

Friday, June 6, 2025

Book Review and Giveaway - A Whale of a Crime (A Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery) by Mona Marple


My Review
Ten years after his husband, a pop star, died under mysterious circumstances, Ryan Kennedy returns home to Flamborough in Yorkshire.  He spends time with his beloved grandmother, Iris, at her bookstore.  When there is a murder at a community gathering on the beach, Ryan and Iris set out to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries.  I enjoy British mysteries with village settings.  The dog on the cover also appealed to me!

This is a unique mystery.  It is told in alternating chapters by Ryan and by his grandmother Iris.  There are also a few chapters that read like a message board for Siren Call, the band Ryan's husband led.  I found the alternating viewpoints intriguing but it also made the book read a bit more slowly to me.

The author does a wonderful job with descriptions and I could really visualize Flamborough and the residents.  The mystery aspect of the book is compelling and there were several twists in the story that added intrigue!

I really liked Ryan and Iris and enjoyed their detecting.  Ryan works as a dog walker and I liked the dog details in the book - including his Bernese Mountain Dog, Bracken.

I recommend A Whale of a Crime for other fans of cozy mysteries and especially for readers who enjoy a British village setting.

Book Synopsis

After ten years away, Ryan Kennedy never planned on returning to Flamborough—the tiny Yorkshire village he once called home. But when his fiercely independent gran, Iris, needs him, he finds himself back behind the counter at her chaotic seaside bookshop, wrestling with jammed tills, nosy villagers, and the memories he’s spent years trying to forget.

What Ryan doesn’t expect is to be swept straight into the heart of a murder investigation.

When a mysterious boat appears on the beach and a body turns up at the exclusive Whale Watch Weekend picnic, all eyes turn to the cliffs—and to the secrets the village has been keeping. As Ryan and Iris dig into the tangled history of the victim, long-buried truths begin to surface, not just about the case… but about the night Ryan’s own husband died.

With the tide cutting them off, a killer on the loose, and a very observant dog named Bracken by their side, Ryan and Iris must work fast—because in Flamborough, the past doesn’t stay buried, and the sea has a habit of washing everything to shore.

For fans of twisty village whodunits, seaside charm, and heartfelt mysteries with a slow-burning emotional pull, A Whale of a Crime is the unforgettable first instalment in a brand-new series.


Author Bio

Mona Marple writes charming cozy mysteries filled with quirky characters, twisty whodunits, and settings you’ll wish you could visit—especially if you love a bit of seasonal sparkle. Best known for her beloved Candy Cane Hollow series, Mona creates worlds where murder meets mistletoe and sleuthing pairs perfectly with a cup of tea. When she’s not writing, Mona can be found walking her Labradoodle, Coco, plotting her next murder (on the page, of course), or hosting reader parties in her cozy online community.

Author Links

WEBSITE: WWW.MONAMARPLE.COM

FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MONAMARPLEAUTHOR

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/332562544209625

INSTAGRAM: WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/MONAMARPLE

Purchase Link – Amazon



Friday, May 30, 2025

New Book Review and Giveaway - Campfires & Corpses: A Maine Campground Cozy Mystery by Nikki Weber


My Review

Noelle Cooper unexpectedly loses her job and moves home to Maine to manage her family's old fashioned campground.  Just as she is settling in, a body is found on the beach and she finds herself a suspect ... so she works hard to solve the mystery and clear her name.

I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries.  The cover drew me in with the camper and the cute beagle!

This is the first book in a new series, and it was very enjoyable!  I loved the setting - an old fashioned campground, spending summer in a camper.  I liked Noelle as a character.  She's smart and resourceful, even when facing the difficult situation of being a suspect.  

I loved Corny, the rescue beagle, and (as a longtime pet rescue advocate) also loved the rescue message the author conveys in this story.

The mystery aspect of the story is well done, with fast paced storytelling.

Also: woohoo for the campground map in the book! It was fun and helpful.

I enthusiastically recommend Campfires & Corpses to other cozy mystery fans. It is a fun summer read!


Book Synopsis

When the campground becomes the scene of the crime, will Noelle’s peaceful summer go up in flames?

Down on her luck event planner Noelle Cooper is returning to rural Maine to do the one thing she swore she would never do: run her family’s campground. But it’s only for the summer, and the timing couldn’t be better–she’s lost her job and has nowhere to live. She hopes that a change of scenery will be the thing she needs to regroup and reinvent herself.

But Noelle’s plans go up in smoke on her first morning back when she stumbles upon the body of her high school rival. She barely has time to process this before she comes face-to-face with her ex-boyfriend, meets the handsome county sheriff, and is questioned by an intimidating state trooper who gives her the creeps.

While she’s busy dealing with a group of pushy campers who insist that the murder means she must cancel the annual bonfire, Noelle becomes the prime suspect in the murder investigation. She’s convinced that someone is feeding false information to the police and is determined to clear her name.

With the help of her podcast-obsessed cousin, her anxious rescue beagle, and a few eccentric campers, Noelle compiles a list of other suspects and pokes around to uncover the real killer.

Can Noelle prove her innocence before getting tossed in jail? Or is she playing with fire? Read Campfires & Corpses now to find out.

*** This clean, contemporary cozy mystery is set in a small town with quirky characters and lovable dogs. Cozy mystery fans will enjoy dissecting the suspects’ alibis and following the clues along with Noelle and her gang. ***


Author Bio

Nikki Weber was born and raised in Maine, and spent her childhood summers camping with her family and their beagle. She loves to read, listen to podcasts, travel, and play tennis. Campfires & Corpses: A Maine Campground Cozy Mystery is her first book, and there are many more in the pipeline.

Author Links

Website: https://nikkiweberbooks.com/

Sign Up for Nikki’s Newsletter:  Join the Cozy Book Club! | Nikki Weber

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/nikkiweber

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nikkiweberbooks

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

Purchase Links

Universal Book Link  – Amazon – B&N – Bookshop.org – Kobo –

Giveaway

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Friday, April 18, 2025

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Murder on Oak Street (A South Shore Mystery) by I. M. Foster


Book Synopsis

New York, 1904. After two years as a coroner’s physician for the city of New York, Daniel O’Halleran is more frustrated than ever. What’s the point when the authorities consistently brush aside his findings for the sake of expediency? So when his fiancée leaves him standing at the altar on their wedding day, he takes it as a sign that it’s time to move on and eagerly accepts an offer to assist the local coroner in the small Long Island village of Patchogue.

Though the coroner advises him that life on Long Island is far more subdued than that of the city, Daniel hasn’t been there a month when the pretty librarian, Kathleen Brissedon, asks him to look into a two-year-old murder case that took place in the city. Oddly enough, the case she’s referring to was the first one he ever worked on, and the verdict never sat right with him.

Eager for the chance to investigate it anew, Daniel agrees to look into it in his spare time, but when a fresh murder occurs in his own backyard, he can’t shake his gut feeling that the two cases are connected. Can he discover the link before another life is taken, or will murder shake the peaceful South Shore village once again?


Author Bio

I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth-century archaeologist.

Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, the Historical Novel Society, and Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

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

X: https://www.x.com/IMFosterMystery

Threads: https://www.threads.net/imfosterauthor

Purchase Link – Amazon 

Giveaway

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Friday, February 7, 2025

Book Review and Giveaway - Soft Serve Sleighing (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory


My Review
Dani Delaney is snowed in with her friends at her Long Island malt shop.  When a Youtube influencer comes in to escape the storm and try her food, she also tries to extort Dani in exchange for a favorable online review.  The unpleasant woman is found dead shortly after this, and Dani works with her friends to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries and have enjoyed the Coffee & Cream Cafe mystery series.  

This was a fun read.  I was so engrossed in the story that I read in all my spare time, wanting to know who did it.  I suspected the murderer and enjoyed Dani's detecting.

Dani has gotten bolder as an amateur detective and found herself in a couple of dangerous situations in this book as a result.  I really like the way she works with her best friends and sister to solve the mysteries - they make such a great team.

I also enjoyed Dani's evolving romance with police detective Jake!  They make a great couple.

I recommend Soft Serve Sleighing - and this entire series - for fans of cozy mysteries.  It's one of my favorite cozy series and I never miss a book.

Book Synopsis

From author Lena Gregory comes a delightfully delicious cozy mystery…

With most of Eastern Long Island closed down for a blizzard, Danika Delaney and her friends are holed up in her old fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, with ice cream and hot chocolate. However, their plans to wait out the storm in cozy company are interrupted when a popular YouTuber and her two companions show up at the door—they’ve been trapped by the storm, and Dani generously offers to serve them breakfast. But her generosity isn’t rewarded in kind, as the reviewer then tries to extort money from Dani in exchange for a good review! When the storm finally clears, Dani is happy to have seen the last of them.

Or so she thought.

Dani and her friends decide to go sleigh riding the morning after the storm clears, but instead of a winter wonderland, they find the extorting YouTuber…dead! To make matters worse, Dani suddenly finds herself accused of the woman’s murder. Intent on restoring her reputation, Dani sets out to prove she didn’t do it. This is one storm she’s not sure she can weather…


Author Bio

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

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Friday, January 24, 2025

Book Review and Giveaway - Tartan, Treasures and Trouble: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Amateur Sleuth (A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery) by Victoria Tait


My Review
Antiques expert Dotty Sayers is back in the Cotswolds at the auction house where she started out.  She participates in a Scottish Burns Night dinner, and one of the participants is poisoned.  When the auction house is mentioned in the press, she goes to work to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read Tartan, Treasures, and Trouble because I absolutely love the Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series.  I have recommended this series to several friends.  I love the cozy storytelling, the quaint British village settings, and the details about antiques in these books.

This is a charming entry into the series.  Dotty's romance with Zach, an American who is researching his mysterious ancestry, moves along, and we see her familiar friends and family - and her cat Earl Grey! - in this book.

The mystery is well paced, with short chapters and smart, descriptive, storytelling.  I solved the mystery mid-way through the book but certainly enjoyed Dotty's work as an amateur detective.

The details of a Burns Night celebration were interesting, and I loved the great foodie details in this book.  I made note of a few of them to look up later.  I am intrigued by the mention of a cheese and chutney sandwich, and hope I can find a recipe for that online!

I highly recommend Tartan, Treasures, and Trouble - and this entire series - for fans of cozy mysteries, and especially for anyone who enjoys British village settings.

Book Synopsis

When murder is served at a Scottish Burns supper, it’s not the haggis that hides the deadliest secret. Can an amateur sleuth catch the killer before they toast another victim?

Antiques expert, Dotty Sayers, is thrilled to return to the Cotswolds to reconnect with old friends and run the auction house where her career began. She and her friend, Sergeant Keya Varma, organise a traditional Burns Night celebration, but things go awry when one of their guests meets his end before the first whisky is poured.

When the new police inspector is pushed aside by headquarters before she can crack the case, Dotty can’t resist following her own leads. As she digs deeper, she uncovers the victim’s tangled relationships, jealous spouses, and shady business dealings. But when a sensational newspaper article exposes the case, it threatens not only the investigation but also the auction house which Dotty has just been trusted to manage.

Can Dotty solve the case, or will the truth be drowned out by the skirl of the bagpipes?


Author Bio

Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, and never expected to travel the world. She’s drawn on her life’s experiences and a love of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Murder She Wrote, to write British-based cozy mysteries.

Her determined and hard-working female sleuths are joined by colourful but realistic teams of helpers, and her settings are vivid and evocative.  As you’re compelled to keep turning the pages, you’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world of intrigue, surprises, and humour, as well as a delectable helping of mystery, because tea and intrigue are a perfect blend.

Author Links
Website     BookBub    Instagram    Pinterest    Goodreads 

Purchase Links


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Thursday, October 31, 2024

Book Review and Giveaway: Caught on Camera: A Camera Club Mystery by Kara Lacey


My Review

Photographer Bobbie Brooks has been in Stonebridge, Vermont for a year, since her husband died suddenly.  She's settling in, spending time with her sister, working on her photography, and being part of a new camera club.  At the first meeting, one of the members doesn't show up, and Bobbie finds her body on a photography walk.  She decides to work to solve the mystery with the help of the camera club.

I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries, am interested in photography, and I will admit, the cover is very appealing.  I love mysteries that feature a dog or cat, and Darcy, Bobbie's dog, is front and center on the cover!

This is the first book in a new series and I am already looking forward to reading the future books!  I really like Bobbie.  She's smart and her photographer's eye turns out to be a real help in solving the mystery.

The mystery is well paced, the clues are plentiful, and there are several good suspects for Bobbie to investigate.

I found the photography details in the book interesting and they added a lot to the storytelling for me.

I also enjoyed the small town of Stonebridge and the friends and acquaintances Bobbie makes there.

I recommend Caught on Camera for other cozy readers, and especially for anyone who also has an interest in photography.

Book Synopsis

Blue skies and wildflowers signal the start of summer in southern Vermont, and the Stonebridge Keep it Snappy Camera Club lenses are zoomed in on…murder.

It’s been more than a year since the sudden death of her husband, and photographer Bobbie Brooks wants nothing more than to escape her grief. Fleeing her life in the city, she seeks a fresh start in the serenity of the Green Mountains. But Bobbie’s new beginning comes to a halt when she finds a member of her camera club dead beneath the village’s idyllic covered bridge. Tragic accident or something sinister? With a keen photographer’s eye, Bobbie suspects murder.

As if transitioning to small-town life wasn’t challenging enough, Bobbie’s missing scarf is found at the murder scene, making her the primary focus. Scorned by local gossips, she enlists the help of her camera club and shifts her lens from photographer to amateur sleuth. Using photos found on the victim’s camera, they waste no time setting out to catch the killer—and discover no shortage of suspects. Secrets, lies, and blackmail…Danger abounds as they close in on the killer.

Her camera holds the answers… But can she develop the clues in time to stop the killer?

Author Bio

Kara Lacey is the author of the Camera Club Mysteries. Along with her husband, she lives in a tiny village nestled in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont—the inspiration for her novels. Kara is a photography enthusiast who also enjoys hiking, skiing, and getting cozy with a good book. When she’s not at her laptop creating havoc for her characters, you can find her rambling through the forest with her husband and spirited Labrador retriever, camera in hand.Kara is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime-New England, and Mystery Writers of America. She is also a co-Member at Large for Vermont SinC NE writers.

Click the link below to get your copy of “Taste of Stonebridge”:   

Author Links
Instagram https://instagram.com/karalaceyauthor   Facebook https://facebook.com/karalaceyauthor Website https://karalaceyauthor.com

Purchase Link – Amazon

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Friday, February 23, 2024

Book Review and Giveaway - Murder Under A Honey Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery by Abigail Keam


My Review
Murder Under a Honey Moon is a historical mystery about Mona Moon and Robert Farley, who are traveling on a 1930's ocean liner for their honeymoon.  After Mona's jewelry is stolen and the main suspect is murdered, they decide to investigate the case.

I wanted to read Murder Under a Honey Moon because I enjoy both historical mysteries and cozy mysteries, and this book falls into both genres.  The 1930's setting (unusual for me with historical reads) and long ago ocean liner travel was appealing.

This book is part of the Mona Moon series.  I have not read the other books (yet!) but had no problem enjoying this mystery as a standalone read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this smart, well written mystery.  The 1930's historical details were interesting.  I especially liked the ocean travel and the inclusion of characters like Noel Coward, Martha Gellhorn, and Unity Mitford, one of the Mitford sisters.  The snappy dialogue in the book was delightful!

The mystery plot was well done and kept me guessing.  I enjoyed Mona and Robert as amateur sleuths.

I am glad to learn about this mystery series, as I enjoyed Murder Under a Honey Moon and look forward to reading further with the series.  I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical mysteries, cozy mysteries, and 1930's settings.

Book Synopsis
Mona Moon and her new husband, Robert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth, are on their honeymoon at last. They have just boarded the RMS Majesty ocean liner. The couple are looking forward to visiting Robert’s ancestral English home, Brynelleth, and then off to Paris before winding up on the Italian Riviera. After a romantic evening of dancing until the wee hours of the night, Mona and Robert discover their suite has been ransacked and Mona’s jewelry, supposedly secured in their stateroom, has been stolen.

Mona is horrified, as some of the jewelry belongs to the Brynelleth Estate and were cherished pieces of Robert’s mother. The ship’s crew searches the ocean liner, and a gold brooch turns up in a bartender’s cabin. It is the same bartender who served Mona earlier in the evening. The only problem is the bartender has been murdered and the rest of the jewelry is still missing.


Author Bio
Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which includes real people and events into the story line. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.”

Miss Abigail currently lives on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River in a metal house with her husband and various critters.

THE MONA MOON MYSTERY SERIES

1930s Historical Mysteries

Murder Under A Blue Moon I

Murder Under A Blood Moon II

Murder Under A Bad Moon III

Murder Under A Silver Moon IV

Murder Under A Wolf Moon V

Murder Under A Black Moon VI

Murder Under A Full Moon VII

Murder Under A New Moon VIII

Murder Under A English Moon IX

Murder Under A British Moon X

Murder Under A Bridal Moon XI

Murder Under A Honeymoon XII

Author Links

Official Site      http://www.abigailkeam.com/ 

Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/author.abigailkeam/

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

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

Amazon      https://www.amazon.com/Abigail-Keam/e/B0045PEGUQ

TikTok         https://www.tiktok.com/@abigailkeam

Purchase Links –   Amazon –   Barnes and Noble –  Apple – Kobo – 

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Friday, January 26, 2024

Book Review and Giveaway - Deadly to the Core (A Cider House Mystery) by Joyce Tremel


My Review

Kate Mulligan has recently lost her husband in an accident that also injured her.  When she unexpectedly inherits her family homeplace from her uncle, she moves to a small town near Gettysburg to open a fruit orchard and cidery.  The move changes her life - she reconnects with her childhood friend, becomes friends with a man who she could become interested in later, and, after there is a murder at her orchard, she becomes involved in solving the mystery.

I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries.  I was intrigued by the fruit orchard setting, and the cidery (since that is something I knew nothing about).

This is the first book in a new series and I have to say it is my favorite start to a cozy series in a long time!  Kate is a likable, smart, independent protagonist.  She has been through a lot but she approaches life with optimism and a resilient attitude.  I also liked her friends, her potential love interest, and the little town itself, which was charming, with all the little shops and businesses.

The cidery business was fascinating!  The author included details through the book that let the reader learn more about the world of cider production.

This mystery has a strong link to the past and to town history, and I loved that aspect of the book as well.  I especially enjoyed when Kate was uncovering local history as part of her sleuthing.

There is even a lovable pet, a sweet cat named Blossom who adopts Kate when they both need companionship.

I enthusiastically recommend Deadly to the Core for fans of cozy mysteries.  I know you will enjoy this book as much as I did!

Book Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Julie Anne Lindsey, when Kate Mulligan inherits her great uncle’s fruit orchard, she quickly realizes that apples aren’t the only thing that can have rotten cores.

After losing her husband in a terrible car crash, thirty-five-year-old Kate is left to pick up the pieces of her life alone. Although she has physically recovered, she worries her spirit never will. But when she learns that she has inherited a fruit orchard in a small town just outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from her great uncle Stan, she takes this as an opportunity ripe for the picking. Kate knew immediately what to do with it: open a cider house. Her hopeful plans fall far from the tree when she finds the body of the orchard manager, Carl Randolph, leaving her to figure out who is at the core of this murder.

She had been in correspondence with Carl, who had agreed with her brilliant idea of opening a cider house. But not everyone is so quick to buy what she was selling—Uncle Stan’s lawyer, Robert Larabee, paints a less rosy financial outlook of the orchard’s past, present, and future.

Kate discovers that Carl had large, unexplained deposits to his bank account and it becomes clear that either he was blackmailing someone, or someone was paying him to keep quiet. Meanwhile, Kate and her neighbors receive offers to buy their property from a mysterious buyer. And there’s more than meets the eye with the neighboring orchard owner, Daniel Martinez, although Kate can’t quite put her finger on if it’s sweet or sour.

Will she be able to pick out the bad apple among the bunch before it’s too late?


Author Bio

Joyce Tremel was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail. In addition to the Cider House Mysteries, she wrote the Brewing Trouble Mysteries. As Joyce St. Anthony, she writes the Homefront News historical mysteries. She lives in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania with her husband and two cats named Hops and Lager.

Author Links

Website www.joycetremel.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/JoyceTremel

X/Twitter www.twitter.com/JoyceTremel

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13746162.Joyce_Tremel

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org – PenguinRandomHouse

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Friday, December 1, 2023

Book Review and Giveaway - Grounds for Murder (Coffee & Cream Cafe Mysteries) by Lena Gregory


My Review
Danika Delaney is settling in at the little coffee house on Long Island that was a malt shop in her family years ago. On opening night she has an author reading, and the next day the author turns up dead!  Danika works to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read this mystery because I have enjoyed other cozy mysteries by Lena Gregory.  This is the second book in a new series, but I was able to jump right in and enjoy it as a standalone read.

I enjoyed Grounds for Murder.  Danika is a fun protagonist.  She's smart and has good amateur detective instincts.  The mystery was intriguing with several viable suspects.  I particularly enjoyed the setting of the Coffee and Cream Cafe and the little food descriptions included in the book.  I also liked Danika's friends and family, and her potential romantic interest.

I'm so happy to have discovered this new mystery series. I recommend Grounds for Murder for other fans of cozy mysteries. It was a fun read!

Book Synopsis
From author Lena Gregory comes a tasty new mystery with a killer twist…

Danika Delaney is thrilled to have taken over her uncle Jimmie’s old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island and is working hard to make it her own. In an effort to increase business, Danika invites a mystery writer to the Coffee & Cream Café for a discussion and book signing. Things seem to be going well, until a guest shows up and confronts the author, accusing him of plagiarizing his work. Embarrassed by the incident, Danika goes to the inn where the writer is staying the following morning, hoping to apologize and offer him another chance to return. What she finds instead is his dead body—beside a cup of poisoned coffee! Now it’s up to Danika to find out who wanted to silence the author… before the killer decides to write Danika a not-so-happy ending!


Author Bio
Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

Purchase Links
Amazon –   B&N  –  Kobo 

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