Mysterious Saturday Review: Murder with Ganache

 * 4th book in the Key West Food Critic Series * 

Hayley's BFF is getting married this week. As Maid of Honor, she has a lot on her plate - not to mention hanging out with her family and meeting deadlines for work.

Her stepbrother ditches the Jack and Jill wedding shower to explore Key West. When he doesn't return at the appointed hour, Hayley starts to worry.  When her test and calls go ignored, she starts looking for him.

She finally finds him the next morning, badly hurt with defensive wounds.  When a girl's body turns up, Rory becomes the prime suspect.  While he's still recovering from his injuries, unconscious, can Hayley figure out the events of that night?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book - I enjoyed getting to know Hayley's family more - even though she had to play referee several times. While I liked watching everyone getting ready for the wedding, I felt terrible for Ray and Connie for all the family drama. I hated how Rory was pulled in two direction and not told the truth about his family, but the hospital scenes were touching. I Loved Jai and the work she did helping the teens and creating a safe space for them. My heart went out to all of them, searching for a better life or searching to find themselves. I love how it ended and I can't wait to see what happens next. A fantastic addition to this charming series with just the right amount of work, family, and relationship drama. 

Cover Thoughts: Really Cute
Source: Sent for review

Adult Review: Just in Time

Avery just came back from her time in Ireland, which she loved. Now her hometown seems small because her famous ex-boyfriend's back in town.

Roman's hiding a secrets about this next season in the NHL. Out in due to injury, he's spending quality time in his hometown since he left for the majors. The entire town treats him like a celebrity and it's beginning to annoy him.

The whole town's pushing them back together. It's not that they don't like each other or have great chemistry - but is there too much water under the bridge for them to make their relationship work again?

My Thoughts: The last of a trilogy featuring 3 friends finding love in Alaska. I love the small town charm, the meddling townspeople, and the strength of friendships. I loved the moments with Roman, Avery, and the hockey players. Lots of banter, humor, romance, and friendship makes this a great winter read!

Cover Thoughts: perfection
Source: Inter-Library Loan

Blog Tour: Topped Chef

 * Book 3 in the Key West Food Critic series*

Hayley Snow just gave her first bad review for a restaurant. It killed her, but after eating there three times, she couldn't justify a positive review for Key Zest magazine. On the day it's printed, she gets called into the office as the owner of the restaurant's complaining about it.  She overhears the conversation between him and her boss - it's not pleasant.

Afterwards, her boss gives her another assignment. She's to represent the magazine as a judge for a reality TV show featuring chefs from Key West. One of the judges is none other than the restaurant owner she just reviewed.

When he ends up murdered, Hayley doesn't believe the show should continue. The producers disagree as the winner of Topped Chef could become the next cooking TV star. As the show proceeds, Hayley wonders if one of the contestants wants to eliminate the competition or if Sam's business practices and politics on the island made him a target. Could someone be targeting the judges?

My Thoughts: I'm a big fan of this series - I love the setting and all the talk about food. It makes me want to get into the kitchen and whip up something delicious. I loved the idea for this book - where a murder happens on a reality TV show setting. It was amusing to see the behind the scenes of TV series - the work that it takes, the encouraged drama, and people it draws. I loved Hayley and how she struggles making decisions, but has a team of great friends for support, including her tarot card reader Lorenzo. I like how she struggled over her critical review. I like that in this book, we learned more about some characters: her ex-boyfriend's secretary and her new house boat mate. I love the romance frustrations and the possibility of romance. All in all, Topped Chef is a  fabulous addition to this charming series!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: Sent for review for blog tour

I got to meet Lucy when her last book came out and she went to RJ Julia's. I wrote up a post about it. She'll be there next week and I wish I could attend, but I have a program at the library that night. If you're in the area and you like cozy mysteries and/or books about food - go check it out. It's sure to amazing.

Prizes:

To enter:

1. Fill in the form here.

2. There is no requirement to follow any of the blogs participating, but we hope you will support these amazing blogs by following them. They do a great job, many of whom host for us every month.

3. Giveaway ends on May 15, 2013 at midnight and the winners will be contacted via email.

Mysterious Saturday Review: It Takes a Witch

Darcy and her sister have just moved to Enchanted Village after their father died. Upon his death, they learn the truth about their lives. They are Wishcrafters witches - which means they have the power and the obligation to grant wishes.

The town was created as a tourist destination to hide witchcraft. Part of the rules for Wishcrafters witches is complete secrecy. They can only tell another crafter of their secret.

Darcy's still learning the rules of her trade. She's still getting used to the town and the people. When a well known woman turns up murdered and her grandmother's boyfriend the main suspect, she dives into the deep end with an investigation.

Will she lose her craft through her lack of craft knowledge or her life from her lack of knowledge about the town and it's people?

My Thoughts: First in an new fun series with magic, romance, action, job issues, and family drama. I loved the twist at the end - I didn't see that coming, but it was so sweet. I love the small town feel. I love the secrets uncovered as Darcy and her sister get to know the townspeople. So looking forward to more in this series!


Cover Thoughts: Cute - love the swirls and the sparkle


Source: My Library


Fun Fact: Heather Blake is also Heather Webber


Up Next: Witch Before Dying comes out in August 2012

Mysterious Saturday Review: Cocoa Conspiracy

Check out my review on the first book Sweet Revenge

Lady Arianna's searching for gift for her new husband. She comes across a beautiful book -a rare volume of botanical engravings. However, the book has caught someone else's eye as well. After a bit of scuffle, Lady Arianna escapes the shop victorious. However, she's quite surprised to the villain at a house party soon after.

She's even more surprised when upon the wrapping of the book, she discovers traitorous documents inside. The Countess of Saybrook alerts her husband to her discovery. The knowledge of a family member implicated makes matter much worse.

However, Saybrook's honor forces them to relate the matter to Lord Grentham, who harbors a personal grudge against the couple. In fact he just found Saybrook, wounded and standing over the body of a man with his throat cut open. Against their better judgement, the couple agrees to travel to Vienna under the guise of research during the peace talks that will hopefully stop a war. But someone is quite determined to start a war. They must discover who it is and stop him.

My Thoughts: I love this series! I love the bits of historical information pertaining to chocolate. I love Lady Arianna for her sharp tongue, her unusual past, her determination, and her strength. I love watching her relationship with Saybrook unfold. While their marriage was a matter of convenience, they care about each other. However, they're still working on trusting each other. The action, the danger, and the near death situations make for tense moments between the couple. I can't wait to read more of this duo!

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Inter-Library Loaned

Adult Review: Baby it's Cold Outside

Sloan's best friend is dealing with a crisis in Alaska. She begs Sloan to come rescue her. Sloan, not happy with life in New York City, travels to her side.

Grier's father died, providing for her in his will. She didn't know him. Plus he had another daughter. Grier's fighting for her inheritance and the town is clearly taking sides. Grier's miserable. Sloan attempts to show the town's people the side of Grier she sees.

Together they form a bond with local girl Avery. Together they talk about heartache, men, and everything in between. They laugh over drinks, pancakes, and their own gossip. The town's frost begins to thaw as the Sloan and she sassy ways gain notice.

They catch the eye of the three town matriarchs who want nothing more than to see their grandson's married and quickly. It's the reason they host the bachelor action each year. Sloan enters the auction on a dare from one of the grandsons - Walker. But she's also writing a freelance article on the event. Could Walker be something more than just a fling on a cold winter's night?

My Thoughts: The start of a trilogy - with great friends, romance, and a quaint town. I loved Sloan and her sassy smart-alack ways. I liked Walker. I loved the Grandmothers. I love the setting, I can feel the cold whipping through me. A cute story to read on a cold winter's night. I'm looking forward to Grier and Avery's stories

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library