Review: The Diva Cooks up a Storm

* Book 11 in the Domestic Diva series *

Before a social event, one of Sophie's acquaintances reveals he thinks he's being poisoned. He asked her advice. At a pop-up gourmet party, Sophie witnesses the same friend in a series of awkward social interactions. When he turns up dead later that night, Sophie knows something fishy is happening. Everyone's pointing the finger at someone else, but someone's lying. Can Sophie uncover the truth?

My Thoughts: I'm so glad this series is back; I've missed it. I loved reading my old friends and seeing what they were up to again. As usual, I enjoyed the moments between Sophie and Natasha. I felt terrible for Hollis's family and what all of them went through.  I loved the aftermath of the storm and how everyone came together to eat. I love the bit in the library and the romance. I liked trying to unravel all the secrets and lies told in this one, the ending kept me guessing. So looking forward to the next book in this fun series!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: This book comes out tomorrow, so you don't have to wait for it!
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your cozy section, especially where this series is popular.

Mysterious Saturday Review: On Thin Icing

* Book 3 in the Bakeshop Mystery series *

Winter is tough in Ashland after the tourists leave. The locals come together to support each other. Jules and her mother are looking to branch out their business at Torte, so Jules is happy to receive a catering job.

She and Sterling head to a resort to provide the food for a board retreat. After arrival, they love the kitchen set-up, but it's clear this business might be too much for the owners. The place needs some serious work and the bartender should be fired immediately.

Jules is ready to make the best of the situation. Then her husband arrives, six months after they separated. A major storms hits the resort, knocking out power. To top it off, Jules discovers the body of the bartender stuffed in a freezer.

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series - for the bakeshop knowledge, the food details, and the small town charm. I like watching the new relationship unfold between Jules and her mother. I like learning more about Jules' past and how it relates to her future. 

I really like how the characters were snowed in for the majority of the novel. It helped build tension in the mystery. You could feel the cold in the air - and of course the warmth of the fire. 

The characters pull the story together and leave you wondering what's going to happen next. I'm eager to see what happens with the Professor and Jules' mother. Jules herself has some life choices to make. I admit that I'm not a huge fan of Carlos, but I'm interested to see what's going to happen next in their relationship. I liked learning more about Sterling; he's a great character. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Love it -from the winter wonderland to the fireplace - so many details
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A mouth-watering read with lots of relationship drama and plot twists to keep you guessing until the very end. 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Dream A Little Scream

 * Book 2 in the Dream Club Mystery series *

Taylor and Ali can't believe their good fortune when celebrity chef Sonia Scott is forced to stay in town one more day and wants to do a book signing at their shop. They're excited for the publicity the event will bring - until Sonia dies in a horrible manner.

At first, it appears she died from an allergy attack, but as the clues separate, it appears that someone deliberately murdered her. Now Taylor and Ali attempt to pick up the pieces of their store's reputation by solving the murder so their live can return back to normal.

With a few dead ends, it's time to call their dream club in to help figure out what really happened that morning.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the second book in this southern series. I liked the questions surrounding the death or celebrity chef and learning more of her background. I loved learning more about the candy shop and their plans to drum up business for the future. Of course I love reading about the desserts the dream club eats. I really like learning more about dreams and their meanings. I wouldn't mind attending one of these sessions, just as long as my life isn't in danger. So looking forward to the next book in the series!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Another mouth watering read filled with friendship, family drama, a little romance, and of course murder. Be sure to add this one to your list!

Upcoming Mysterious Saturday Review: Fogged Inn

* Book 4 in the Maine Clambake series *

Julia and Chris have their new adventure up and running - until one foggy night. A car crash blocks the street, keeping diners in their restaurant longer than normal. In the morning, Gus discovers a stranger in the walk in fridge - murdered.

Julia and Chris identify him as being in the restaurant last night. But they're not aware how he manged to get back inside or how he died.

Still the death effects their business and Julia can't help but look into the murder. She realizes that all the couples at the restaurant that night paid with a gift card. Could someone have wanted them all in the room at the same time?

Julia's not resting until she solves this murder and things go back to normal.

My Thoughts: I really love this series - it makes me long to visit Maine and to eat good food! I really like how things have evolved with Chris and Julia. I love their new adventure into the restaurant business.

I love how the story wove together between the past and the present. Those past summers sounded magical - great friends and lots of fun. But the horrors the group went through was really very sad.

I like how the fog rolls into town and everything seems a little quieter without the summer tourists. It's fun reading about a small town throughout the seasons. 

I'm quite looking forward to what happens next in Busman's Harbor...

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: March 2016

Final Thoughts: A fantastic slice of life in Maine with great food and good friends - you can't go wrong with this cozy series!

Mysterious Saturday Review: Foreign Eclairs

 * Book 9 in the White House Chef Mystery series *

Strange events are happening to the White House staff. First a member takes personal time without an explanation. Ollie is mugged on the way home. Then there's news of a bombing of a federal prison - a prison in which a resident currently resides thanks to Ollie.

Soon it becomes clear that all three events are connected. Ollie's targeted in a revenge plot - someone wants her to pay. At first, the revenge plots start small, but quickly they escalate. Even Ollie isn't sure she's going to survive this one...

My Thoughts: I loved this series! This installment of the series reminds me of the show 24. I liked that every time they thought the revenge plot was finished, the book took another turn.  Lots of action, danger, and plot twists in this one. I devoured this book, not wanting to let go of the world and these characters. I needed to know what happened!

I liked how Gav and Ollie worked together to figure out and attempt to untangle this mess. 

As always, I love the background bits in the White House and I really enjoyed the search for a new chef. The interviews and candidates were entertaining. 

I really liked the scenes between Ollie and Josh. I like how she helped him and how he talked with his parents. I think being a kid/teen in White House would be very difficult. 

A wonderful series and as much as I want to know what happens next, I can imagine too.

Cover Thoughts: Love them
Source: Book sent for Review

For news about the series that's hard (but understanding to read) - here's the author to explain about the Ollie's future.

Final Thoughts: Reading this series is like getting together with old friends. I shall be very sad next January without them.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Spoonful of Murder

* First in a series *

Lucky Jamieson's parents died leaving her their soup cafe in Vermont. Lucky hasn't been back in years, but she puts her life on hold to return home.  As she's struggling to get her feet underneath her, someone's murdered behind the restaurant.

As the numbers of customers dwindle, Lucky begins to lose hope of maintaining the cafe.  She's worried about being able to pay the bills. She decides to poke around in the murder to see if she can uncover any answers. When her cook's arrested for the murder, customers stop coming in all together. The murder needs to be solved - and quickly. The more questions, Lucky asks, the more she riles up town people. Could she be next on the list?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this cozy mystery - especially the setting. As a Vermont girl, I felt like going home and hunkering down for the cold winter nights. I loved the small town and the local people.

I liked Lucky, although I thought she made several questionable decisions. I did like how she attempted to patch things up with her former friend. I also admired how she's attempting to re-imagine her life back in Vermont, even without her parents.

I loved Lucky's grandfather.He was smart, sweet, and a gentlemen. I hope to see much more of him in the series. 

I loved the moments of cooking in the cafe, it made me want to eat a delicious sandwich and a hot bowl of soup.

Cover Thoughts: Perfectly cozy
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A good mystery to curl up with on cold winter's night with a bowl of soup in front of the fire. 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Killer Crop

At last harvest has arrived. Meg's busy taking orders from Bree, her orchard manager. She can't wait to start picking and spreading her apples around town. She doesn't count on things going wrong.

Meg didn't count on Bree falling and breaking her wrist. Now she's not allowed to pick. Hopefully with the other pickers and Meg, the apples can still be harvested on time.

Meg didn't count on her mother showing up on her doorstep unannounced. When her mother's followed quickly by the police, Meg knows that something's dreadfully wrong. When her mother's closed lip about the discovery of the death of an old friend, Meg doesn't know what to believe. She knows her mother didn't kill the man, but what is she hiding?

My Thoughts: I love this series - this is the fourth book. I love learning about the apples and in this one, the crop blossoms. I love the small town drama and how quickly gossip spreads. I love the academic plots, in Killer Crop, there's a side plot about Emily Dickinson. As I don't much about the poet, I enjoyed learning more about her life and her work. I loved the growing relationship between Meg and her mother. The mystery surrounds the academic world mentioning scholarly debates, publishing world, peers and adversaries. All in all, another great addition to the series.

Cover Thoughts: I Love it! I love the fall colors. It's just perfect for a Harvest Festival.

Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Pepperoni Pizza Can be Murder

Eleanor can't seem to catch a break. While no one is trying to pin a murder on her - the body was found in her pizza joint.

Unfortunately, the body is the brother of Greg, who works in Eleanor's shop. Greg and Wade have been fighting over their inheritance from their grandparents. Greg, while a good guy, is the black sheep of the family. He comes into the shop one day after a meeting with his brother about signing the papers with a broken nose. He finally stood up to his brother's bullying and punched him.

The next day, his brother is dead and Greg's on the run. Eleanor knows he would never kill his brother. She just wants him to be safe. She sees him here and there, but each time the police are only minutes behind him.

Eleanor and her sister decide to dig into the murder as the police focus all their energy on Greg. Can they stir up a hornet's nest without provoking an attack and landing themselves in grave danger?

My Thoughts: I love this series (this is the 2nd) for the sister relationship, the pizza (I adore pizza), and the loyalty of their friends.

The Cover: I Love it, especially since the rolling pin IS the murder weapon

Source: ILL

Read the first chapter here