Five Questions WIth Hannah Reed, author of "Mind Your Own Beeswax: A Queen Bee Mystery" - plus a review!

I'm so happy to introduce you to Hannah Reed, author of the charming Queen Bee Mystery series.  As she is busy buzzing around, promoting her latest book, "Mind Your Own Beeswax," I managed to get Hannah to buzz by the blog to answer some questions about her writing and inspirations!

1. At what age did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

I was in my forties, wondering what I wanted to be when I grew up. Then I decided to take a creative writing class and instantly knew I’d found my niche. I saw my first book in print the year I turned fifty.

2. At what point in your career did it finally sink in – “hey, I’m famous,” and did it make a difference in your writing?

I’m famous? Nooooo! But if I were, I’d stress out over staying famous, worry whether I deserved the status or not, and whether I could write another book as good as the last. See? No fun in that.

Book One in Hannah's Queen Bee Series

3. Who are some of your favorite authors? Who inspires you?

 I’ve been a serious mystery reader since discovering Trixie Belden as a child. I love so many authors it’s hard to pick just one of two, but I’ll try. I admired Robert Parker for his amazingly realistic dialogue and Janet Evanovich for making me care about Stephanie Plum, who really doesn’t deserve a bit of respect.

4. What do you have coming up in the future?

I’ve finished book 3 in the Queen Bee series and am half-way through a fun romping novella based on my Gertie Johnson Murder Mysteries (published under my real name, Deb Baker).

5. What advice would you have for anyone wanting to break into the writing biz today?

You need a thick skin, a can-do attitude, a solid belief in yourself, and be willing to take constructive criticism. Never give up. Writers have so many options these days. Explore them.

Review of "Mind Your Own Beeswax"

About The Book:

Story Fischer has her hands full with her successful local market, her Queen Bee Honey business, and her new maybe boyfriend, Hunter Wallace,but being abandoned by a hive looking for better digs puts the busy beekeeper in a bad mood.

While Story looks for the hive, the rest of Moraine, Wisconsin is searching for a woman with a checkered past whose return has the whole town buzzing.

When she finds the dead body in the woods, she's in a sticky situation indeed. Story just can't seem to mind her own beeswax. But this time, she might just get stung...

Story Fischer is one of the spunkiest heroines of a cozy mystery that I have had the pleasure of reading!  Story loves living in her hometown, being near her grandmother, and usually doesn't mind being around her mom and sister Holly. She is in love again with her handsome deputy sheriff boyfriend, Hunter (her old boyfriend from high school!) and her bees keep her happily humming along.

But trouble seems to find Story, and she is not a gal to turn away from a good mystery!  I love the character's strength, her fearlessness, and her smarts!

With the Queen Bee Mystery series, Hannah Reed has created a delicious series that is a sweet treat for cozy mystery fans! (The addition of yummy honey-related recipes make a great addition to an already great story!)

For more information on Hannah Reed, and her Queen Bee Mysteries, check out her gorgeous website at http://www.hannahreed.com/

Five Questions with Elizabeth Lynn Casey, author of "Deadly Notions: A Southern Sewing Circle Mystery" Plus A Giveaway!!!

Today is release day for my good friend Elizabeth Lynn Casey (aka Laura Bradford)'s latest Southern Sewing Circle Mystery, "Deadly Notions."

Elizabeth took time to answer a few questions about her writing and upcoming projects!

Sharon:  At what age did you know that you wanted to be a writer? 

Elizabeth:  I was ten years old when I first knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I fell in love with writing stories while making picture books at a friend's house. It was love at first sight.

 

Sharon:  At what point in your career did it finally sink in – “hey, I’m famous,” and did it make a difference in your writing?

Elizabeth:  I'll let you know. I have to get there, first. :)

Sharon:  Who are some of your favorite authors? Who inspires you?

 

Elizabeth:  Suspense/mystery:  Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben.  Women's fiction: Emily Giffin.    As for who inspires me? That would be my kids. I want to show them what it means to grab for a dream and never give up.

 

 

Sharon:  What do you have coming up in the future?

Elizabeth:  Next up after DEADLY NOTIONS, will be DANGEROUS ALTERATIONS (book 5) in November.  Then (at least) two more will follow...including a holiday book in November 2012.   Outside the sewing circle series, I have proposals out for a few other projects but nothing to report at this time.

 

Sharon:  What advice would you have for anyone wanting to break into the writing biz today?

 

Elizabeth:  Write. Read. And never, ever give up.

My thanks to Elizabeth for her time sharing her thoughts!  I wish her the best of luck for this new book, which I personally think is one of her best of this series.  Here's a little more about the book!

About The Book:

Librarian Tori Sinclair would do anything for her new circle of friends-including throw a birthday bash for a fellow sewer's daughter. While the party is a hit, self-important pageant mom Ashley Lawson leaves the ladies wanting to permanently shut her high maintenance mouth. But when Ashley turns up dead, Tori and the girls need to figure out who really murdered the monster mom, before the finger-pointing causes their friendship to unravel.

Those lively ladies of the Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing Circle are back again, and as usual there is never a dull moment around these gals!

When the local "mean girl" Ashley Lawson turns up strangled in her car, there isn't a woman in town that doesn't immediately become a suspect, because everyboday at one time or another had been fed-up with the prima donna's antics. But when the police cheif begins to narrow the suspects down to the Sewing Circle ladies, Tori Sinclair jumps into sleuthing mode to figure out who did the crime so her friends won't do the time!

On top of the investigation into Ashley's death, Tori is desperately trying to save her relationship with her sweet boyfriend Milo. His old girlfriend has come to town and is determined to pick up their "friendship" where she and Milo left off, and Tori is just as determined to not give up on her love for Milo herself!

  Told ya!  Never a dull moment in Sweet Briar, South Carolina!

Elizabeth Lynn Casey once again brings her readers a charming, fun-filled tale that combines a little mystery, a little romance, and a whole lot of friendship. The combination guarantees an absolutely pleasurable read! Grab a tall glass of sweet tea, a cookie or two and enjoy a trip to the South with "Deadly Notions," where the ladies are feisty and the murders are spine-tingling! 

Check out Elizabeth's first three books in this series for another dose or two of Southern charm and fun!

GIVEAWAY!

I have a copy of Elizabeth's book, "Deadly Notions" to giveaway to one lucky commentor! 

Just leave a comment here on this post, with your name and email address, and tell me about your favorite sewing or crafting project!

I'll draw a winner on Sunday, April 10th!   Good Luck!



My thanks to the publisher for the review copy of Deadly Notions. I was not compensated for my opinion.

Buttercream Bump Off: A Cupcake Bakery Mystery by Jenn McKinlay

Mix a little butter, some eggs, flour and a heaping helping of murder and what do you get?  A yummy cozy mystery set in a cupcake bakery!  Sounds like a recipe for fun to me!

Synopsis:

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura's Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery is gearing up for Valentine's Day. Unfortunately someone has iced Baxter Malloy on his first date with Mel's mother. Now Mom's a suspect, and Mel and Angie need to find time around frosting to dig into the man's shady past and discover who served him his just desserts.

My Thoughts:

Having throughly enjoyed "Sprinkle with Murder," I was delighted to be able to read Jenn McKinlay's second book in her Cupcake Bakery Mystery series,"Buttercream Bump Off."  And once again, I found a charmingly entertaining story that paired with a lucious assortment of cupcake recipes that when combined made for a deliciously thrilling mystery!

McKinlay updates her readers on the fast-paced lives of her heroines (and bestfriends) Mel and Angie, along with all the men (boyfriends and brothers) who populate their lives. I found the inclusion of Mel's family in this story a sweet touch, and really loved the inclusion of the unlikely love interest for Angie that really sets off a firestorm in the romance department!

I look forward to McKinlay's next book, "Death By The Dozen."

For more information on Jenn McKinlay, her mystery series, and for a special treat of cupcake recipes, check out her website at http://www.jennmckinlay.com/

My Thanks to Berkley Prime Crime for the review copy of this book. I was not compensated for my opinion.


CHALLENGE FULFILLMENT: 100+ Books; Where Are You Reading?; Mystery/Suspense Reading Challenge

(This review will move over to Sharon's Cozy Garden when the next cozy mystery review is posted!)

Cozy Mysteries I Recommend For January!

I love cozy mysteries!  And this month, there are a bevy of great ones to choose from!

Here are a few of the ones I recommend:

MORTAR AND MURDER

(A Do-It-Yourself Mystery #4)

Jennie Bentley

Berkley Prime Crime; $7.99

Avery Baker was once a New York textile designer, but inheriting her aunt's old Maine cottage has led her down a new career path-home renovation. Finding a property's hidden potential has rewards and challenges-especially when a mystery surfaces from behind the walls of a centuries-old house on an mysterious island that has more than its share of deadly secrets. 

This is the fourth book in the "Do-It-Yourself" series, and as expected Jennie Bently packs a lot of action, suspense and delicious tidbits of romance into a captivating story!  I love that she includes tips for projects with her novels, and this edition features how-to instructions on making your own stencils, creating a floor cloth and installing fake paneling!

BUFFALO WEST WING

(A White House Chef Mystery #4)

Julie Hyzy

Berkley Prime Crime; $7.99

With a new First Family, White House executive chef Olivia Paras can't afford to make any mistakes. But when a box of take-out chicken mysteriously shows up for the First Kids, she soon finds herself in a "no-wing" situation. After Olivia refuses to serve the chicken, the First Lady gives her the cold shoulder. But when it turns out to be poisoned poultry, Olivia realizes the kids are true targets and she must do what she can to keep them safe.

Fans of Julie Hyzy's lively series, set in the White House kitchens, can be assured of two things - they will be great reading and will feature great recipes!  And "Buffalo West Wing" is no exception!   

STAY TUNED FOR MURDER

(A Talk Radio Mystery #3)

Mary Kennedy

Obsidian; $6.99

Maggie's radio show has been getting a boost in ratings ever since Madame Chantal, who claims to talk to dead people, started her regular guest appearance. But when two women are killed after a séance, it's up to Maggie to catch the culprit before she winds up on the other side.

I really enjoy this smart, clever series. Mary Kennedy's cast of characters are personable and the action is always fast-paced and fun. The third in the series, I look forward to more adventures with Maggie and her crew in the future.

MURDER YOUR DARLINGS

(An Algonquin Round Table Mystery)

J.J. Murphy

Obsidian; $6.99

One morning legendary wit Dorothy Parker discovers someone under Manhattan's famed Algonquin Round Table. A little early for a passed out drunk, isn't it? But he's not dead drunk, just dead. When a charming writer from Mississippi named Billy Faulkner becomes a suspect in the murder, Dorothy decides to dabble in a little detective work, enlisting her literary cohorts. It's up to the Algonquins to outwit the true culprit-preferably before cocktail hour-and before the clever killer turns the tables on them. 

This is the debut novel in this series, and if the fast-paced storytelling found in this tale is any indication, this will be a great series to keep an eye out for!  I liked it!

These are just a few that have caught my eye among the many new titles out this month.  I'll be spotlighting more in the next couple of weeks!  So be sure to check back, and as usual ...

 :

Advent of A Mystery by Marilyn Leach

For mystery fans who like their intrigue with a decidedly English twist, Marilyn Leach's holiday offering "Advent of a Mystery" will be just their cup of tea!

Berdie and Hugh Elliot are starting a new chapter of their lives. As the new vicar in the small town of Aidan Kirkwood, Hugh is determined that Berdie's investigative journalist days are over. Both retired, they are ready for the simple, quiet life of an English village. But it is not to be.

A Christmas party, with the wrong mixture of guests, sets the stage for a horrific crime, and then a possible miscarriage of justice, with the wrong person arrested for the crime in jail. Berdie is determined, she has to get to the bottom of this mystery, Hugh is just as determined that she needs to stay out of it. Who killed the "lavender lady" Miss Livingstone? And what does an advent wreath have to do with the mystery? A sudden odd visit with a dark stranger causes Miss Livingstone's funeral to abruptly cancelled, and with the mystery growing deeper by the day, Hugh changes his mind about having Berdie see what she can dig up, but he is overtly cautious, and does not want Berdie to endanger herself in anyway.

Our gal Berdie, along with a little help from her best friend Lillie, dives into the sluething with vigor and soon uncovers a bevy of secrets that would shake Aidan Kirkwood up but good before it is all said and done. And the identity of the killer will be a shock to everyone in the village.

"Advent of A Mystery" is a delightfully charming story that, while set during Christmas-time, would be a joy to read any day of the year. Author Marilyn Leach lends her fasciantion with any and everything English to give the British "air" to this intriguing mystery, and I, for one, would love to see more stories about Berdie and Hugh and all their friends.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, Barbour Publishing. I was not compensated for my opinion.

A Bevy of Christmas Cozy Mysteries

Yep, a Bevy of Christmas Cozy Mysteries is just what you need to get in the mood for Christmas, and here are three that are sure to tickle any cozy mystery fan's fancy!

Nothing's better at Christmas than a cup of eggnog and a plate of warm gingerbread cookies. But in this merry collection of holiday mysteries, murder is making its own special delivery!
 
"Gingerbread Cookie Murder" By Joanne Fluke
When Hannah Swensen finds her neighbor Ernie Kusak with his head bashed in and sprawled on the floor of his condo next to an upended box of Hannah's Gingerbread Cookies, she discovers a flurry of murder suspects that's as long as her holiday shopping list. TWELVE recipes are featured in this charming and intriguing mystery! No one does mystery better than Joanne Fluke!
 
"The Dangers Of Gingerbread Cookies" By Laura Levine
Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents' retirement community's play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor's jealous lovers was capable of murder.
 
"Gingerbread Cookies And Gunshots" By Leslie Meier
When Lucy Stone discovers the body of Rick Juergens, whose five-year-old son Nemo disappeared, she senses foul play. Crumbs from a gingerbread cookie Lucy gave to Nemo are found in the back seat of Rick's car. With the hours quickly ticking till Christmas, Lucy races against the clock to find a killer before he strikes again.
 
 

 
This holiday season there'll be murder under the mistletoe at the Pennyfoot Hotel.
 
As friends, family, and guests gather at the Pennyfoot Hotel to share the joys of the season, Cecily Sinclair Baxter and her staff are hustling and bustling more than ever. Cecily's friend Madeline arrives with her new baby and adds a kissing bough to the decorations. Cecily believes that the holiday couldn't get off to a better start.
 
But after a footman and a new maid are seen kissing under the bough and then turn up dead afterwards, the downstairs staff is convinced a serial killer is among them...perhaps the mysterious guest known only as J. Mortimer. When Madeline's baby disappears, Cecily desperately tries to find the child. If she doesn't catch this killer in time, everyone's cheer will quickly turn to fear.

Kate Kingsbury is the Queen of English cozy mysteries and her Christmas editions are always a special treat!

A Scrooge steals presents right from under Sophie Winston's family Christmas tree. Then her sister-in-law's father show's up with a diva girlfriend just a month after his separation. More than one person is thinking of committing a merry murder-until it actually happens! With many under suspicion for the deadly deed, can Sophie find the murderer and restore the Christmas spirit before it's too late?

This is a delightful story in Krista Davis' Domestic Diva Mystery series.  You really get to know Sophie's extended family in this tale, and although her honey, Detective Wolf, is not around as much as usual, Sophie does a fine job of handling this murder mystery all on her own - well, with some help from her family!  Can't wait to see what Krista has up her sleeve for her next story!

Happy (and cozy!) Reading, Ya'll!

A Holiday Yarn: A Seaside Knitters Mystery by Sally Goldenbaum

Christmas has come to cozy town of Sea Harbor and the Seaside Knitters group is more than ready to celebrate the season, but when a local town celebrity is found murdered at the new Bed and Breakfast, the gals with the knitting needles turn into amateur sleuths as they try to find out who was determined to turn Christmas upside-down!

In her fourth Seaside Knitters Mystery, author Sally Goldenbaum once again takes her readers on a lively mission to find out who-dun-it with another fascinating and mysterious murder.

Synopsis:

With the Seaside Knitters' help, Mary Pisano converts her charming inherited home into a B&B. Her first week is booked by her very own family, in town to discuss their grandfather's will. She's hoping the tranquility of the setting will smooth over ill feelings among family members. But when her cousin Pamela -a Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, native - is found murdered, she realizes she was dead wrong...

With the holiday cheer severely disrupted, Mary relies on the Seaside Knitters to set things right. They gladly offer their skill for unraveling crime, but it'll take all their crafty know-how to unravel this deadly tangle.

My Thoughts:

I enjoy the Seaside Knitting Mysteries, and found the holiday story in "A Holiday Yarn" a great continuation of the series. Goldenbaum continues to develop her characters, creating a warm setting for this cozy mystery that fans of the genre so love. She also includes instructions for two knitting projects featured in the story, the Knit-A-Square and the Knit-A-Square Bunting for Babies.

About the Author:

Sally Goldenbaum is the author of more than two dozen novels. Her fictional knitting friends are teaching her the intricacies of women's friendship, the mysteries of small-town living, and the very best way to pick up dropped stitches on a lacy knit shawl. Check out her website at http://www.sallygoldenbaum.com/ where you'll find more knitting patterns and yummy recipes as well as info on her books!

My thanks to Kaitlyn Kennedy at Penguin Books for the review copy of this book. I was not compensated for my opinion!

The Pumpkin Muffin Murder - Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Just in time for Thanksgiving comes a charming cozy mystery from one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, Livia Washburn.

Nothing says lovin’ like something from the oven, and for Phyllis Newsom, sharing that loving with family and friends is something special that gives her a lot of pleasure. As Thanksgiving approaches, Phyllis is fine-tuning her Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffin for the Harvest Festival baking contest while she is spending time with her grandson Bobby. She has a good chance of winning this year, since her friend and fierce competitor Carolyn would be judging the contest.

But as preparations for the festivities ramp up, Phyllis and Carolyn discover one of the decorative scarecrows to be hiding the body of organizer/real estate agent Logan Powell, and all fingers point towards Logan’s wife, Dana, as being the killer.

Naturally curious, and recruited by Carolyn to help clear her friend Dana’s name, Phyllis begins to do a little sleuthing. With the help of her beau, Sam Fletcher, Phyllis soon begins to turn up clues that just might turn up the heat on the real killer before the investigation is done.

In THE PUMPKIN MUFFIN MURDER, the fifth book in her Fresh Baked Mystery series, author Livia Washburn takes her readers back to the quaint town of Weatherford, Texas where life is certainly lively, and there’s always a murder or two around the corner. Washburn’s enjoyable cast of characters, including Phyllis, her housemates Sam, Eve and Carolyn, and her family, are just the warm, friendly type of people that you’d want for next door neighbors, and her depiction of Weatherford is exact and true. (I used to live near Weatherford, and have been delighted to recognize town landmarks that Washburn uses throughout her stories.) Add in the delicious recipes that are included in the back of the book, and you have a true winner in this charming book.

If you are looking for a cozy mystery that truly lives up to its “cozy name,” you can’t go wrong with THE PUMPKIN MUFFIN MURDER.

Check out Livia Washburn's blog (http://liviajwashburn.blogspot.com/) where she has her recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins up!

The Pumpkin Muffin Murder is one of the books I'll be giving away during the Gratitude Giveaway Hop!  Just click the button on the sidebar for your chance to enter and win this book!

Fiber and Brimstone by Laura Childs

Today begins my week of Halloween-inspired book reviews! 

It's always a pleasure to review the books that my good friend Laura Childs writes. I adore her Tea Shop Mysteries and her Cackleberry Club Mysteries, but I think my favorite of her books are the always lively and fun Scrapbooking Mysteries.


And just in time for Halloween comes Laura's latest book, FIBER AND BRIMSTONE!

It’s Halloween in New Orleans, and the French Quarter really does the spooky holiday up right, with lots of exciting activities, parties and the most anxiously anticipated event – the Monsters and Mayhem Parade.

For Memory Mine Scrapbooking store owner Carmela Bertrand and her best friend Ava Gruiex, it’s a busy time as they rushed to complete a consignment project of a giant monster puppet for the festivities. Tempers and tensions are running high as several organizations hurried to get their floats and monsters completed, but everything comes to a screeching halt when Carmela and Ava come upon the body of Brett Fowler, head of the Pluvius krewe, who has been murdered outside the warehouse where the parade floats and puppets were being assembled.  And things really begin to heat up when it looks like Carmela’s buddy, float designer Jekyl Hardy, who was overheard arguing with the deceased, might be the prime suspect in the murder.

Despite warning from her boyfriend, Detective Edgar Babcock, Carmela is compelled to look into the mysterious background of Fowler, an investment con man who had swindled a whole lot of people out of a whole lot of money. She wants to clear Jekyl’s name first of all, but Carmela soon discovers more than one person in town would have liked to seen Fowler dead, including his less-than-mournful wife, a slew of investors, and even Carmela’s ex-sister-in-law, Glory Meecham, whose bank was in danger of losing millions due to Fowler’s Ponzi scheme. 

So while the rest of New Orleans parties and celebrates the Halloween season, Carmela pokes and prods around, turning up clues and generally going where she doesn’t have any business until she finds the answers to the who-dun-it, but will she be able to alert Babcock before the killer decides to put a permanent stop to Carmela’s sleuthing?

In Laura Child’s latest Scrapbooking Mystery, “Fiber and Brimstone,” she once again delights her fans with a cleverly suspenseful mystery that sparkles with the pizzazz and magic of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Visiting with the cast of regular characters and garnering a tidbit or two of scrapbooking tips makes reading this charming mystery like have reunion.


About The Author:

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cackleberry Club, Tea Shop, and Scrapbooking mysteries. In her past life she was a Clio Award-winning advertising writer and CEO of her own marketing firm. She lives in Plymouth, Minnesota.

As a part of my giveaway in the Spooktacular Book Blog Giveaway Hop, I am including a hardback copy of FIBER AND BRIMSTONE!  Be sure to check out my post (http://sharonsgardenofbookreviews.blogspot.com/2010/10/spooktacular-book-blog-giveaway-hop.html) to enter!

Spooking Reading, Ya'll!

Pinned for Murder: A Southern Sewing Circle Mystery - Just Released TODAY!

No matter how idyllic any small town might be, it’s probable that there is going to be one ol’ grouch who isn’t satisfied with anything. For Sweet Briar, South Carolina, that one sour apple is Martha Jane Barker, an older lady who wasn’t happy about anyone or anything. And considering she was the next door neighbor to one of the sweetest ladies in town, retired teacher Rose Winters, the contrast was startling. But no matter how disagreeable Martha Jane might have been, no one in Sweet Briar would want to see her dead . . . or would they?

In Elizabeth Lynn Casey’s new book, PINNED FOR MURDER, the third installment of her Southern Sewing Circle Mystery series, a mysterious murder that involves one of their own has the Sweet Briar Ladies’ Society Sewing Circle in a tizzy, and they once again look to their favorite librarian Tori Sinclair to help piece together the clues.

After a devastating tropical storm ravages Sweet Briar, many of the town folks are busy cleaning up the damage left behind, some with the help of a band of drifters who have come to town seeking work. Tori has her hands full at the library which has lost a lot of books due to the storm, but when she hears that fellow Sewing Circle member Rose’s house was heavily hit, she and the other ladies are concerned about their friend. Rose assures them that her former student, Kenny Murdock, will be doing her repairs as soon as he finishes up next door at Martha Jane Barker’s house. But when Martha Jane is found strangled to death in her bedroom and all her stashed-away money is gone, all suspicions turn to Kenny, who is known for having a violent temper.

Something doesn’t seem quite right to Tori, and she begins to check into the crime and Kenny’s involvement as a favor to her dear friend Rose. With the help of her beau, Milo, and the ladies of the sewing circle, Tori soon finds that one should never make assumptions when it comes to murder – especially when somebody has been playing Robin Hood about town – taking from the rich to give to the poor.

Mixing a suspenseful story with a dash of down-home flavor, Elizabeth Lynn Casey once again offers an up-close look at Southern small-town living with PINNED FOR MURDER. Visiting with the charmingly eccentric folks of Sweet Briar is like taking a trip back home and readers will enjoy catching up on all the gossip from the ladies of the sewing circle, as well as a peek into the romantic relationship between Tori and Milo.

Elizabeth also includes instructions on making the fleece scarves and hats that the ladies of the sewing circle are busy making for Tori’s charity project!

So, grab a nice cool glass of sweet tea and sit a’spell with this delightful mystery – you’ll be glad you did.

Check out Elizabeth’s website at www.elizabethlynncasey.com for more information on the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries. You’ll find Elizabeth’s cyber-sewing circle to be a fun place to gather to talk about books, writing, sewing, and a little bit of everything else!

I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review. I was  not compensated for my opinions.

I am an Amazon Associate and might received a small renumeration if this book is ordered via this link.

Scoop To Kill by Wendy Lyn Watson is a cool treat!

Even though Summer is almost at an end, any time of year, or day for that matter, is a good time for ice cream!

And when you combine ice cream with a deliciously suspenseful mystery, you only have to turn to Wendy Lyn Watson and her Mystery A La Mode series for a yummy scoop of murder and fun!

Wendy's latest book in this series is "Scoop To Kill." Here is a little more about it -

Synopsis:

Tallulah Jones may be the proprietor of Dalliance, Texas’s old-fashioned ice cream parlor, but she’s no stranger to cold-blooded murder . . .No one is more shocked than Tally when the local college serves up a double dip of death.  During the annual Honor’s Day festivities, Tally’s niece Alice stubles upon the body of a graduate student.  Suspicion falls on teh English professor he accused of sexual harassment, but a couple days later, she’s found dead too.

Tally steps out from behind the counter of Remember the A-la-mode to clear the professor’s name.  But in an English department sprinkled with failing students, cutthroat academics, and extramarital affairs, the list of suspects rivals A-la-mode’s choice of flavors. When Alice gets chillingly close to a killer, Tally realizes she must act fast before someone else is put on ice.

My Review -

Although this is the second book in Wendy's series (the first was "I Scream, You Scream"), I picked up on the back story quickly and was throughly entertained by the well-crafted story as well as the warm and lively cast of characters. While I admired main character and slueth Tally Jones, I really got a kick out of her cousin - the hoochie momma with a big heart - Bree. She was the true impedimy of a big-haired sexy Texas gal - all brass and sass!

The mysteries that the story is centered around and the search for the culprits moved along quickly, always a good thing in a cozy mystery, and the romance department was well tended with Tally and Cal McCormack being a couple to watch in future books!

Wendy's inclusion of a few recipes for the delicious sounding dishes described in the book are sure to please fans, especially the Pink Pepperberry Shake!  That one, I've got to try!

For more information on Wendy Lyn Watson and her books, check out her website at http://www.wendylynwatson.com/

Death by Diamonds: A Vintage Magic Mystery by Annette Blair

In her 3rd book in the Vintage Magic Mystery series, author Annette Blair once again spins a fascinating tale of mystery, magic and marvelous clothes in “Death By Diamonds.”

Madeira “Maddie” Cutler knew something was wrong when she received a package at her Vintage Magic clothing boutique from her old friend, actress Dominque DeLong. Inside the box was the seafoam green bejeweled evening dress that Maddy had designed for Dom while she was still in fashion school. A hidden note inside the box confirmed Maddie’s suspicions – Dom had died during a performance in an off-Broadway production, and she wanted Maddie to see if she could use her special gift of being able to “see” things by touching the dress in order to get a “feel” for what caused her death.

Maddie agrees to travel to New York to help Dom’s son, Kyle, with his mother’s funeral arrangements while doing a little sleuthing around to see what she could discover about the unexpected death of her friend. The investigating takes Maddie into a very different world of drama, secrets and a bevy of diamonds that seems to be tied to Dom’s demise.

With a little help from her boyfriend, FBI agent Nick, her best friend Eve, and her own psychic abilities, Maddie is determined to find a reasonable explanation, but will she be in time to insure that Dom’s death is the killer’s final performance?

I love Annette Blair’s Vintage Magic series with it’s lively cast of characters. She continues to move the storylines along between Maddie and Nick, and Maddie’s dad and her aunt Fiona. I was disappointed that Maddie’s favorite ghost, Dante Underhill, didn’t have a more prominent role in this story, but maybe he’ll be back in full elegant force next time!

Be sure to check out Annette’s first two books in this series, “A Veiled Deception” and “Lace and Larceny,” plus her fantastic website at http://www.annetteblair.com/

UPDATED WITH REVIEW! Licensed for Trouble by Susan May Warren - Book Blog Tour Stop PLUS A Chance To Win A Free Kindle from Susan May Warren!

About Licensed for Trouble:

PJ Sugar receives shocking news that she's inherited the Kellogg family mansion. Though she has no idea why, the timing is perfect-PJ has clearly worn out her welcome at her sister's house. Unfortunately, the mansion is in shambles, and PJ is short on cash. Rescue comes in the form of Max Smith, a mysterious handyman willing to trade his services for PJ's investigative skills. But PJ already has a full docket with cramming for her PI license and nurturing a growing romance with her boss, Jeremy Kane. Can she take on Max's case without dropping the ball?
Find out more about book one, Nothing But Trouble and book two, Double Trouble.

My Thoughts:

I first read Susan May Warren's work in her holiday novel, "The Great Christmas Bowl," and was charmed by her writing style and delightful ability to pull her readers into the story.

With "Licensed For Trouble," Warren has combined those warm storytelling skills with her unique ability to build a suspensful, intriguing tale, creating a mystery/romance that keeps the reader captivated to the very end. Her characters are sharp and intelligent, and her main character of P.J. Sugar is inspiring as she tries to make her own niche in the world while she struggles with her faith, and her abilities. Warren brings in a sense of family closeness among the Sugar family (even if they are pretty eccentric!). Add in the romantic triangle between P.J., Boone and Jeremy and the sparks fly off the page!

I enjoyed "Licensed For Trouble" so much that I went out and bought "Nothing But Trouble" and "Double Trouble" and read all three books over the course of two nights!

If you are looking for a Christian based romantic suspense, you can do no wrong with this fascianting series from Susan May Warren.

About Susan May Warren :

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook:

From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.


Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota , where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

Link to buy the book: http://www.christianbook.com/licensed-for-trouble-p-j-sugar/susan-warren/9781414313146/pd/313146?event=AFFp=&


Enter PJ Sugar's "Sweet" Giveaway







Licensed for Trouble, Susan's brand new PJ Sugar novel, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re giving away a Kindle!! You can enter using Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail using the icons below.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a A SWEET Kindle prize package that includes:

• A brand new Kindle (Free 3G, 6”, Latest Generation)


• The entire PJ Sugar series by Susan May Warren
  

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest.

Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 2nd.





Be sure to check out the blog tour here or purchase a copy of Licensed for Trouble here!


I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated for my opinion.

Delicious and Suspicious: A Memphis BBQ Mystery by Riley Adams

I'm tickled to death to introduce you to a fantastic new cozy mystery series that I think is going to be a very popular one indeed! Delicious and Suspicious: A Memphis BBQ Mystery by Riley Adams -


Southerners are pretty loyal to their favorite BBQ, and the residents of Memphis are particularly fond of their hometown culinary speciality, according to Riley Adam’s delectable debut novel, “Delicious and Suspicious: A Memphis BBQ Mystery.”

Lulu Taylor’s family has owned Aunt Pat’s barbeque joint for years, and has a loyal and rambunctious following. When the Cooking Channel sends a scout down to check out all the Memphis eateries for the best barbeque in town, the folks at Aunt Pat’s are all overcome with excitement, because they know their barbeque is the winner, hands down.

But when that food scout insults everybody coming and going, and then turns up dead at the famous Peabody Hotel, well, things just got a little spicier than intended in M-town.

With a list of suspects as long as her arm, and including her daughter-in-law, her great-nephew, even her own son Seb, and talk spreading around town that it was Aunt Pat’s barbeque that was the cause of the untimely demise, it’s up to Lulu to figure out just who-dun-it before her business and family go under!

Riley Adams (aka author Elizabeth Spann Craig) creates a lively, fast-paced mystery that will delight readers with its intrigue, and set their mouths to watering with all the tasty descriptions of the yummy treats found at Aunt Pat’s. It’s a pleasure to make the acquaintance of the cast of quirky and unique characters, including Lulu’s legion of girlfriends, loyal customers and family, and as the main character and head of the Taylor family, Lulu is just a doll (think Paula Deen with a bluesy side). The inclusion of scrumptious recipes for barbeque and all the fixings add just the perfect finishing touch to this appetizing story.

As the debut novel in the Memphis BBQ series, readers are sure to have more adventures with Lulu and family to look forward to.

About The Author:


Elizabeth Spann Craig is the alter-ego of Riley Adams (or is it vice-versa?)

Like her characters, Elizabeth Spann Craig’s roots are in a small, Southern town. She grew up in Anderson, South Carolina, where she spent most of her childhood in the county library, staggering out with books by the armful.

Her magazine articles have appeared in both England and the United States.

She’s the mother of two and currently lives in Matthews, North Carolina. Between juggling room mom duties, refereeing play dates, and being dragged along as chaperone/hostage on field trips, she dreams of dark and stormy nights beside stacks of intriguing mysteries with excellent opening lines.

Check out her website at www.elizabethspanncraig.com



I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review. I was not compensated for my opinion.

The Darling Dahlias and The Cucumber Tree by Susan Wittig Albert

In 1930, Darling, Alabama was a typical small town where everybody knows your name, and your business. But when a young girl is murdered, suddenly no one knows a thing in the world.

In Susan Wittig Albert’s new book, “The Darling Dahlias and The Cucumber Tree,” the ladies of the Darling Dahlias Garden Club find their gardening skills set aside while they dig into the mysterious death of a girl from their town. The more they dig, the more secrets they unearth!

The Dahlias are a lively bunch of ladies who keep the gossip fires stirring as they bustle about their days. They are dedicated to their gardening club, and are proud of their new clubhouse and the giant cucumber trees that grace its grounds. They are also dedicated to their friendships and are quick to help one another out when there is times of trouble.

And trouble has come to visit the tiny town of Darling. A convict has escaped from the prison farm outside of town, someone at the local bank has been embezzling money, and there seems to be a ghost haunting the gardens at the Dahlias’ new clubhouse.

But worst of all the troubles is when Bunny Scott, the cosmetics girl at the local drugstore, is found dead after a horrible car crash. When it looks like her boss might be implicated in the death of the young woman, Lizzie Lacy and her friends begin doing a little investigating of their own. And the secrets they find are enough to keep the party-lines sizzling throughout Darling.

Set after the beginning of the Great Depression, “The Darling Dahlias and The Cucumber Tree” is an engaging story filled with intrigue, humor and a good dose of small town charm. Albert sets the stage with this introduction to her new series, giving the background and history of the fictitious town of Darling and the ladies who are such an important part of it. With a gentler approach to the usual cozy-type mystery, this book is a perfect choice to sit down and rest a’spell with. Future stories of the ladies from Darling are sure to be eagerly anticipated.

Check out Susan Albert's charming website devoted to The Darling Dahlias at www.darlingdahlias.com

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my opinion.

Moon Spinners: A Seaside Knitting Mystery by Sally Goldenbaum

I can knit - a little bit - I like to crochet more, but enough to know about knitting that it is a soothing process that combines touch and repetition that is calming and satisfying. Therefore, I enjoy reading about knitting, and I particularly enjoyed Sally Goldenbaum's latest knitting mystery, "Moon Spinners."

The gals of the Seaside Knitters are taking a break from their stitching to help their friend Gracie open her new restaurant, The Lazy Lobster and Soup Café. But when Gracie’s rich aunt Sophia Santos is killed in a freak car accident, and Gracie’s mother Julianne is arrested for her sister’s death, well you know the knitters can’t help but get involved in solving the mystery of who killed Sophia.

The close-knit friends who comprise the Seaside Knitters (Izzy, Nell, Cass and Birdie) each begin their subtle inquiries into the accident, and their questions bring out secrets that the Santos family had kept close until now. As the threads of the mystery unravel, the ladies soon find the killer could possibly been among their friends, a situation no one wants to see come true.

As the third book in the Seaside Knitting Mystery series, “Moon Spinners” continues the quirky and intriguing storylines that allow the reader to get to know the vast cast of characters better with each tale.

I love how author Sally Goldenbaum includes the little known tale of the Celtic “moon spinners,” mysterious women who pulled the silvery strands of light from the moon-lit sky and wind it on distaffs until the waning moon would disappear completely, leaving the world wrapped in a blanket of total darkness until the next full moon cycle begins. The tale adds the delicious chilly mystique that any good mystery needs.

Goldenbaum includes a cute pattern for a knitted Fish Hat with her story. So if you like knitting and love a thrilling mystery, “Moon Spinners” will weave you under its magical spell of a story.

Two Great Cozy Mysteries for Summer Reading!

Cozy mysteries aren't just for reading by the fireplace - they are great for taking to the beach, on vacation, or just lazing on the porch swing with a cool glass of tea by your side!

Here's two great ones that will liven up those hot summer days!

STATE FAIR: A BENNI HARPER MYSTERY

BY EARLENE FOWLER

Cozy mystery author Earlene Fowler brings back her popular character Benni Harper for a fourteenth appearance in her latest book, “State Fair: A Benni Harper Mystery.”

Benni and her husband, Police Chief Gabe Ortiz, are attending the annual San Celina County Mid-State Fair when a valuable African-American quilt is stolen from an exhibit Benni’s folk art museum is sponsoring. At first the theft seems a part of the protest against the fair’s first black manager, Levi Clark. But when a body is discovered at another exhibit, Benni puts her skills as a pretty good sleuth to good use as she tries to figure out who was causing all the chaos at the fair, never dreaming that trouble was just about to come walking up her very front stop as well.

On top of all the hubbub with the murder, Benni’s beloved Aunt Garnet was coming for a visit, and that always stirred up a pot of trouble with the family. So when Aunt Garnet is fascinated with the murder investigation, Benni allows her to help out a bit. That might have been a big mistake!

Along with a great mystery, Fowler includes a bit of history of African-American quilting, dollmaking and folklore, and a healthy dash of humor between Benni’s grandmother and grant-aunt, to make “State Fair” another blue ribbon winner!

OUR RED HOT ROMANCE IS LEAVING ME BLUE

BY DIXIE CASH

In the sixth novel of the charming and hilarious Domestic Equalizer series, “Our Red Hot Romance Is Leaving Me Blue,” Dixie Cash once again brings her fans a lively and exciting story of those madcap Texas gals from Salt Lick, Texas and their friends and family that will have you laughing one minute and shivering with thrilling intrigue the next.

Widower Justin Sadler was still grieving and mourning the tragic and unexpected lost of his beloved wife, Rachel. But it appears that maybe Rachel’s spirit is still around and poor Justin thinks he might just be losing his mind. When he begins to receive cryptic messages left on the refrigerator door by a set of alphabet magnets, Justin knows he has to get some help and fast. So he turns to that amazing duo, “The Domestic Equalizers,” aka Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins Martin, hairdressers extraordinaire and expert part-time private investigators.

Fascinated by Justin’s plea, Debbie Sue and Edwina set out to find out what or who is spooking the good-looking firefighter. Edwina remembers a psychic she used to see in El Paso, Isabella Paredes, who might could be of assistance in this case and arranges for a consultation. When the psychic arrives, it’s not Isabella (who has passed away), but her beautiful and equally gifted granddaughter Sophia who has come to help the ladies with their case.

As the gals and Sophia (she’s not a psychic, she’s a mentalist, if you don’t mind!) set out to commune with the spirits with an outlandish seance, it appears that the deceased Rachel just might be pointing out who the true culprit is, and it’s a surprise to all as to who is really is!

And as for Justin, as he slowly releases the spirit of his sweet deceased wife, he finds the hope of blossoming love developing for the lovely mentalist Sophia.

Dixie Cash (who is actually the sister writing team of Pamela Cumbie and Jeffrey McClanahan) never ceases to deliver an entertaining and fast paced story with the “Domestic Equalizers.” There is enough back story included that first-time readers can easily identify characters and situations from the past, and Cash’s keen wit and sharp humor shines in her imaginative Texas-style storytelling.

If you’re looking for a bit of romance, a heaping helping of thrilling mystery, and a whole lot of fun, you just can’t go wrong with “Our Red Hot Romance Is Leaving Me Blue.”