Book Review and Giveaway - Whole Latte Murder (All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery #5) by Lena Gregory

My Review

Whole Latte Murder is a cozy mystery that takes place in Boggy Creek, Florida, near Ocala. Gia Morelli owns an all day breakfast cafe. When her best friend Savannah, a realtor, disappears after showing an old Florida estate, Gia goes looking for her ... and finds herself embroiled in a complex murder with lots of local drama and danger between warring families.

I wanted to read this book because I liked the first book in the series. I have not kept up with the other books but remembered enjoying it.

This was a fairly complex mystery with a large cast of characters. The author, thankfully, included a cast of characters list -- and it was so helpful!

I enjoyed the small town Florida setting, especially the breakfast cafe (owning a similar cafe is one of my dream jobs!). Gia is a smart and resourceful amateur detective - although she and Savannah take some big risks that put them in jeopardy.

There is even a lovable dog (Thor, the Bernese Mountain dog) and kitten (Klondike). Pets always make cozy mysteries even nicer!

The mystery is well written and fast paced. It kept me guessing right up to the denouement!

I recommend Whole Latte Murder (and the series) to fans of cozy mysteries, and especially for anyone who enjoys southern settings, small town mysteries, and foodie fiction.

Book Synopsis

Ex-New Yorker and local diner owner Gia Morelli is still getting used to the sweltering Florida sun. But this summer she’ll have to deal with a more dangerous kind of heat—when she’s hot on the trail of another murderer . . .  

Summer in Boggy Creek has arrived, and Gia’s best friend, successful real estate agent Savannah, is getting hitched. Now she’s enlisted Gia’s sleuthing talents in a desperate search for the perfect wedding dress. But when Savannah mysteriously vanishes after showing a mansion to a bigwig client, Gia investigates the house Savannah was trying to sell. The first clue she finds is Savannah’s car in the driveway. Inside the house, they stumble on Savannah’s potential buyer—dead. Someone had apparently closed the deal—with a two by four full of nails to the client’s head. Soon afterward, a woman’s body is fished from the lake near the same house. The townsfolk are now sweating bullets over the murders, and the heat comes down on poor Gia to find her missing friend, and track down the killer . . .

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, and the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest.  

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.

To learn more about Lena and her latest writing endeavors, visit her website at http://www.lenagregory.com/ and be sure to sign up for her newsletter http://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1.

Author Links 

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Purchase Links:

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Giveaway

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Book Review - Blackberry Beach (Hope Harbor #7) by Irene Hannon

My Review

Blackberry Beach takes place in the small coastal town of Hope Harbor, Oregon. Katherine Parker is an actress who has come to town to escape a messy scandal. She meets coffeehouse owner Zach Garrett and romantic sparks fly as they slowly get to know each other. There is the question about what Kat (Katherine) wants long-term - as well as the question of distance - that they have to resolve if they will have a life together.

I wanted to read this novel because the small town coastal setting sounded appealing. This is book #7 in the Hope Harbor series. I have not read the previous books but was able to jump right in and enjoy this novel as a standalone.

The pace of the book started slowly for me. It took me a while to get to know the reserved Kat; Zach was a more immediately sympathetic character. However, as the book went on, I started to really enjoy their story. I also really loved the sweet story of Zach's aunt, Stephanie, who has a courtship of her own with retired postal worker turned barista, Frank. It was nice reading a story about a 60ish couple as well as the younger pair.

Kat loves making chocolate and I loved the chocolatier/foodie aspects of the novel. (I found myself craving blackberry truffles!)

This is a Christian novel and the faith element was handled skillfully, in a way that never overpowered the characters or book's narrative. 

I enjoyed Blackberry Beach and will probably look for the earlier books in this series at some point. I recommend this novel for fans of cozy small town romances and heartwarming reads.

Book Synopsis

Her lifelong dream is in sight, but does a new--and better--future await in Hope Harbor?

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted--fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to calm the storm inside.

Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss--and he has no plans to change the life he's created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. As their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected . . . and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

Come home to Hope Harbor--
where hearts heal . . . and love blooms

Author Bio

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including the long-running Hope Harbor series, as well as Point of Danger and the Code of Honor, Private Justice, and Men of Valor suspense series, among others. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers' Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers' Choice, Booksellers' Best, Carol, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement Award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Dear Abby - Videos Abby Likes: A Deaf Puppy Finds The Perfect Rescue Home

Dear Friends,

I hope this note finds you enjoying some warm days and sunshine.  (No snow! Never any snow, especially in Spring.)

My friends Aliceson and Emily (Emily is a little dog like me) sent me a sweet video and I want to share it with you.

This is the story of Moz, a little deaf puppy. Moz was living with a foster dad and walking every day and he met a little 2 year old girl named Lillian and her family. Lillian just LOVED Moz. She learned to walk him, and puppy-sat him ... and eventually he found the perfect home with her family.  There is a line in the video: "The girl who can't stop talking and the guy who can't hear anything."

I love this story and hope you will too:

Wishing you a good day! Thanks for stopping by.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo  (ALWAYS a fan of a sweet rescue story!)

Book Review and Giveaway - An Invincible Summer by Mariah Stewart

My Review

An Invincible Summer is the story of Maggie Flynn. Recently widowed, she returns to her hometown of Wyndham Beach for her 40th high school reunion and finds a connection with her best friends Liddy and Emma and an uneasy spark with her high school boyfriend, Brett Crawford.  When Maggie decides to relocate back to her hometown - along with her grown daughters, Emma and Natalie - she reopens some unfinished business from the past, with surprising results.

I wanted to read this novel because it sounded like such an appealing beach read.  It even has a beach setting!

This was a delightful read with warm, sympathetic characters and a charming small town beach community. I am close Maggie's age and found her high school memories and the reunion aspect of this story especially fun. I loved her friendship with Liddy and Emma.

Maggie and Brett's story is the heart of the book. They were high school sweethearts in the 1970's but a secret separated them. When the secret unexpectedly resurfaces in present day, they are thrown back together ... with the same old connection, and choices to make.

This is the first book in a new series, and I already look forward to reading the upcoming books. I would love to read more about Maggie's friends Liddie and Emma, or her daughters Grace and Natalie. It will be interesting to see where Wyndham Beach leads in future books!

I thoroughly enjoyed An Invincible Summer and recommend it - as a beach read, or weekend read, or a perfect "staycation" treat. It is the heartwarming, engrossing story of characters readers are sure to care about.

Book Synopsis

It was a lifetime ago that recently widowed Maggie Flynn was in Wyndham Beach. Now, on the occasion of her fortieth high school reunion, she returns to her hometown on the Massachusetts coast, picking up right where she left off with dear friends Lydia and Emma. But seeing Brett Crawford again stirs other emotions. Once, they were the town’s golden couple destined for one another. He shared Maggie’s dreams—and eventually, a shattering secret that drove them apart.

Buying her old family home and resettling in Wyndham Beach means a chance to start over for Maggie and her two daughters, but it also means facing her rekindled feelings for her first love and finally confronting—and embracing—the past in ways she never thought possible. Maggie won’t be alone. With her family and friends around her, she can weather this stormy turning point in her life and open her heart to the future. As for that dream shared and lost years ago? If Maggie can forgive herself, it still might come true.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Author Bio

Mariah Stewart is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of several series, including The Chesapeake Diaries and The Hudson Sisters, as well as stand-alone novels, novellas, and short stories. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life, tends her gardens, and works on her next novel. She’s the proud mama of two fabulous daughters who—along with her equally fabulous sons-in-law—have gifted her with six adorable (and yes, fabulous) granddarlings.

Connect with Mariah

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

Giveaway 

One lucky reader will win the book An Invincible Summer. Giveaway is open to readers in the U.S. and Canada. Giveaway closes midnight on 4/28. Winner will be notified by email and needs to respond within 48 hours or another name will be drawn. Enter at the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

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Book Review, Spotlight and Excerpt - Before Summer Ends by Susan Mallery

My Review

Before Summer Ends is the story of Nissa Lang, a teacher who decides to work extra jobs over summer to finance her dream trip to Italy. She even rents out her home, but then finds herself surprisingly in need of a place to stay. Her brother arranges that she can stay with his best friend Desmond Stilling. The problem? Nissa has had an unrequited crush on Desmond since high school.

I wanted to read this novel because I always enjoy Susan Mallery's books. 

This is a relaxing read, a sweet love story about two people who so clearly belong together. At first I wasn't sure about Desmond; I was put off a bit by his wealth and privilege. However, as the book went on, I came to like and admire him for his decency and kindness, and I found myself really hoping that Nissa and Desmond would work things out.

Before Summer Ends is a heartwarming story, with Nissa's wide-ranging summer jobs (doggy day care worker, florist helper, bakery worker, sign spinner), two very different families (Nissa's and Desmond's), and Nissa and Desmond working together to help her friend Marisol's family when Marisol undergoes life-saving surgery.

This would be a wonderful Hallmark movie! It's a real feel-good story. I recommend Before Summer Ends for fans of heartwarming romance. It is a light, relatively short read, perfect for a weekend or a couple of reading evenings.

Spotlight

A long, hot summer with her secret crush…

What could possibly go wrong?

Nissa Lang knows Desmond Stilling is out of her league. He’s a CEO, she’s a teacher. He’s gorgeous, she’s…not. So when her house-sitting gig falls through and Desmond offers her a place to stay for the summer, she vows not to reveal how she’s felt about him since their first—and only—kiss.

Desmond should’ve known better than to bring temptation into his house. He decided long ago that his best friend’s sister was too sweet, too good, for him. She deserves a guy who can give his heart. For her sake, he’s stayed away. But as her laughter breathes life into his lonely mansion, he’s not sure how long he’ll be able to resist.

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Purchase Links

Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

 

Excerpt

    He tried to shake off those thoughts and return his attention to his work, but quickly realized that wasn’t happening. He obviously wasn’t going to get anything done until Nissa arrived and got settled. For some reason, he was more focused on that than the Asian sales report.

 

    He got up and crossed to the large window in his study. The late-June days were long and sunny, and the garden flourished. The grass was dark green, flowers provided plenty of color in the planting beds, the trees looked healthy. The gardeners did a good job, regardless of the seasons, but in the summer, their hard work paid off.

 

    He turned at the sound of the vacuum cleaner being turned on somewhere upstairs. Hilde had been in a state since he’d told her Nissa was coming to stay. There had been cleaning and washing and other tasks he couldn’t begin to imagine. The refrigerator overflowed with food and there were fresh flowers everywhere in the house.

    Her burst of happy activity made him feel guilty. His housekeeper obviously didn’t have enough to do in a day. The house was large, but there wasn’t any­one to make a mess. He rarely ate dinner at home, so she wasn’t spending much time cooking. He would guess she was bored working for him—a problem he didn’t know how to solve. If he’d stayed mar­ried to Rosemary, they would have had kids by now. That would have increased the workload. Of course if they’d stayed together, he and Rosemary would have been living in different wings of the house, barely seeing each other, except when they passed in the hallway.

 

    His phone buzzed. He pulled it out, then smiled when he read the text.

 

I’m here. Just giving you a heads-up because the house is so big, I thought you’d need an extra min­ute or five to walk to the door and I really don’t want to be kept waiting.

 

    He was still chuckling when he heard the doorbell ring a few seconds later.

 

Author Bio

No.1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives – family, friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages. Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur.

Connect with Susan

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