Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Three Fudges and a Baby by Nancy Coco

Three Fudges and a Baby

Book Summary

DID THE DOULA DO IT?

April is not only the start of “fudgie” season on picturesque Mackinac Island, it’s when Allie’s BFF Jenn Carpenter is due. Jenn wants to have her baby on the island, so she’s lined up a midwife and a doula. But she’s two weeks overdue—and if one more person tells her she looks ready to pop, she’s going to go bananas.

If there was a list of what not to expect when you’re expecting, right at the top would be coming upon your doula holding a gun over the body of her fiance. Clearly in shock, Hannah Riversbend claims not to have shot him. Jenn asks Ally to prove the doula’s innocence before her special delivery arrives. The clock is ticking as Ally races to solve the murder in time for Jenn’s bun to come out of the oven. . .

My Thoughts

Three Fudges and a Baby by Nancy Coco is the twelfth A Candy-Coated Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series or who have missed a book or two.  Tourist season is getting ready to begin on Mackinac Island and Allie has still not found an assistant to help make fudge.  Allie’s bestie, Jenn Carpenter is two weeks overdue which has Jenn and her husband, Shane on edge.  Allie’s mother decides to make a surprise visit with Allie’s ex-boyfriend.  I did not like that the mother expected Allie to drop everything to entertain her.  The mother also kept pushing the ex-boyfriend at Allie knowing that she is dating someone.  The mystery was simple.  I was able to identity the killer before the murder took place.  Allie manages to do a little sleuthing in between making fudge, helping Jenn, trying to please her mother, and walking Mal.  There is a good wrap up at the end.  

There are continuity issues in the book.  Allie gets told the same detail repeatedly, but she acts like she never heard this bit of information previously. I would expect continuity issues to be caught during editing (there are several of them).   I was glad that we finally got to know whether Jenn and Shane have a girl or boy.  Three Fudges and a Baby is a nice story, but it lacked substance.  It makes me wonder if A Candy-Coated Mysteries is winding down (it feels like it).   Three Fudges and a Baby is a lighthearted tale with an emotional friend, surprise visitors, an accused doula, a meddling mother, boyfriend brouhaha, and scrumptious fudge.

Three Fudges and a Baby is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other novel in A Candy-Coated Mystery series here and all of Nancy Coco's books here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Easter is almost here (it is early this year).  I have the ingredients for Easter dinner purchased, and I have the cutest Easter Annalee dolls for my mother's Easter basket.  She has collected the Annalee Christmas dolls for years. Now there are dolls for every holiday (even Mardi Gras). There are also dolls based on movies such as Mary Poppins and one doing Marilyn Monroe's iconic pose (in the white dress when it blows up).I will return tomorrow to feature The Secret Ingredient to Murder by Terry Ambrose.  It is the eighth A Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery.  I hope that you have a relaxing day.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Baby Protection Mission by Laura Scott

Baby Protection Mission 

Book Summary

When a baby is targeted,

can a K-9 team keep him safe?

When his sister is kidnapped, rancher Cade McNeal will do anything to prevent his baby nephew from being next. Now Officer Ashley Hanson and her K-9 partner are on the case, and it’s up to them to track down the assailant and keep Cade and his nephew from harm. But as the suspect list grows and the attacks escalate, will they bring a kidnapper to justice…before he strikes again?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My Thoughts

Baby Protection Mission by Laura Scott starts off with a bang when Cade McNeil’s sister is kidnapped. I liked the characters in the story.  I enjoyed getting to know Abbey and Cade.  I especially liked Abbey’s K9 partner, Ozzy.  There is an abundance of action and suspense along with a touch of romance.  There are two mysteries as they search for Cade’s sister and the Rocky Mountain Killer.  While one mystery is resolved, the other will continue in Her Duty Bound Defender.  Faith is nicely woven into the story.  I liked seeing Abbey grow stronger in her faith.  I appreciated that Baby Protection Mission is a clean story (no foul language or intimate relations).  I enjoyed reading the engaging debut of Mountain Country K-9 Unit series.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series.  

Baby Protection Mission is available from Amazon*.  The next book in the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series is Her Duty Bound Defender by Sharee Stover which will be out on April 23.  You can find the list of the other books in the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Three Fudges and a Baby by Nancy Coco.  I hope that you have an enjoyable day.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson

 Just for the Summer

Book Summary

Ginny Masters manages a popular boutique hotel in Seattle and manages it with aplomb. But the daily challenges and irritations of a fast-paced job and a demanding boss are starting to get to her. Jacqueline Potter manages her grandfather's fishing lodge in Idaho because it was the only job she could find after graduating with her hospitality degree. She's grateful for the work but longs for a more sophisticated and cosmopolitan life she's just not going to find in this backwoods town.
The solution to both their problems seems obvious. Just for the summer, they'll swap jobs and lifestyles. But they never anticipated swapping love interests . . .

In this fabulous new twist on an age-old fable, award-winning and bestselling author Melody Carlson introduces you to two career-focused women who are about to discover that there's more to finding happiness than just switching up the scenery.
My Thoughts

Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson has a cute premise.  A job can get humdrum after a number of years.  It would be a nice change of pace to be able switch positions with someone for two months.  You get to go to a different state, meet new people, and experience new challenges.  I like Ginny, but I really did not like Jackie.  There was little change in Jackie’s character.  I doubt this leopard would change her spots for long.  I did not like that Ginny was labeled a workaholic (what is wrong with someone who enjoys their job and most of the people at their workplace).  It was suggested to Ginny that she have fun and needed a man in her life.  I did not like the implication that Ginny (or any person) needed a man (or woman) for her life to be complete.  I enjoyed Ginny’s time at the fishing camp.  There were some interesting characters and scenes as well as humor.  One of the relationships did not make sense considering how the female manipulated the man for most of the story.  Just for the Summer has a feel-good ending.  Just for the Summer is a nice story, but I did not enjoy it as much as other books by this author.  

Just for the Summer is available from Amazon*.  You can find Melody Carlson's other novels here.  Melody Carlson has The Christmas Tree Farm coming out September 3 (I look forward to reading this author's latest Christmas story each year).  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Tuesday, March 26 with Baby Protection Mission by Laura Scott.  I hope that you have an enjoyable weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Death at the Drive-In by Angie Fox

 Death at the Drive-In

Book Summary

For ghost hunter Verity Long, 'helping out a friend' can mean anything from passing the peas to solving a homicide. This time, it involves digging into a cold case that's been on ice since poodle skirts twirled and Elvis's hips shook the nation.

In 1956, Kitty Cunningham disappeared on the way to the Starlite Drive-In. Now the first real evidence of foul play is coming to light in the ghostly realm—and it links directly to a modern crime. Only a sleuth with one foot in the past can solve the mystery and make things right.

Armed with her wits and flanked by a wise-cracking gangster ghost, Verity explores the hidden side of 1950s Sugarland—from the haunting echoes of the abandoned drive-in to the dusty secrets of a long-forgotten mob vault. As she stirs spirits and secrets alike, she finds some corners of Sugarland’s history are darker and more dangerous than she ever imagined. Can Verity bring the truth to light, or will she be the next one to suffer death at the drive-in?

My Thoughts

Death at the Drive-In by Angie Fox takes us back to Sugarland, Tennessee where Verity and Frankie need to solve a cold case so they can save someone close to them.  The story was entertaining from beginning to end.  I laughed, giggled, and smiled.  Lucy, Verity’s pet skunk, is a sweetheart (she is a scene stealer).  I thought it was cute that Verity was teaching Lucy a scaled down version of a dog agility course.  Lucy is one clever little skunk.  Frankie is up to his normal mischief.  Verity’s backyard will soon be very cluttered (well, the ghost version will be).  The author brought the drive-in to life with her vivid descriptions.  It reminded me of my childhood visits to the drive-in with my family. We got to meet some interesting ghosts with my favorite being Verity’s old Sunday school teacher. 

Verity and Frankie had a clock on this mystery.  Things were kept lively (life is never dull with Frankie around) thanks to Frankie and the gangsters.  Someone unexpected joins Verity & assisted her with this spooky case. I was delighted (you will have to read the book to find out who) and enjoyed seeing a different side of this person’s personality. Frankie was a hoot (I loved his reaction when Verity requested his help on a clandestine mission).   We did not get to see much of Ellis this time around.  The one thing I did not like was the repetitive details (I got it the first time).  The ending was sweet and nicely wrapped up the story.  While Death at the Drive-In is the thirteenth book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, it can be read as a standalone.  Death at the Drive-In is an entertaining tale with a girlfriend dilemma, a shaky still, a cold case, gang grudges, a serious Sunday school teacher, a surprising sidekick, and a killer conclusion.

Death at the Drive-In is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries here.  The next book in the series is Secrets, Lies, and Fireflies which will be out March 7, 2025 (can you believe we have to wait a year!!).  If you follow Angie Fox on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson.  I am heading out to run a few errands.  I hope that you have a blissful spring day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Kilned at the Ceramic Shop by Clancy

 Kilned at The Ceramic Shop

 

About Kilned at The Ceramic Shop

Kilned at the Ceramic Shop: A Braddock Mystery 

Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series Setting - Maine 

 Print length ‏ : ‎ 234 pages Digital 

 

Tammy Wright, a bestselling mystery author returns to her hometown to give her Aunt Clara a hand with running her ceramic shop during tourist season. She discovers that two vindictive realtors have been bullying her aunt and others into selling their properties to make room for new housing developments. Those who don’t comply pay the consequences.

Tammy stumbles upon a body, and when her aunt refuses to give in to either realtor she disappears without a trace. With the help of an old schoolmate turned policeman, the writer must step out from behind her computer screen and her fictional mysteries to confront real life crime. If she doesn’t, she may never see her aunt again.

About Donna Clancy

Donna Clancy lives on Cape Cod. She has three grown children and one rescue Papillion named Zumiez. She has a seven-book deal with Level Best Books for The Braddock Mysteries, writes The Trash to Treasure and Paint and Sip cozy series’ for Summer Prescott Books Publishing as well as self-publishing The Shipwreck Cafe and Jelly Shop Mysteries. She loves to write in various genres including suspense, thriller, romance, and YA.

Author Links





My Thoughts

Kilned at the Ceramic Shop by Donna Clancy is the debut of A Braddock Mysteries.  I found the story easy to read.  I like Tammy and Aunt Clara.  They are both strong women who will not be bullied. The mystery had action and misdirection.  There are clues to help readers solve the whodunit before the reveal.  I was left with a lingering question or two.  Tammy finds romance when she returns to her hometown.  I would like less focus on romance and more investigating.    The small town has some wonderful residents with a couple of exceptions (there is always a bad apple or two).  I especially liked the feisty sisters who resided near the ceramic shop.  There are some details that are repetitive, and I thought the pacing in the latter portion of the story was unhurried.  There were a couple of items that I thought were dated.   I am curious as to what Aunt Clara will do next, and I look forward to seeing how Tammy will decorate her writing cave.  Kilned at the Ceramic Shop is a cute cozy with a dead delivery driver, tyrant realtors, feisty sisters, a kidnapped Clara, a friendly deputy, rampant rumors, and peacock keys.

Kilned at the Ceramic Shop is available from Amazon*.  You can find Donna Clancy's other novels here. How would you like to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card?  You can click here to enter the giveaway or enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below.  Leave a comment for an extra entry.  I am also hosting a giveaway for a digital copy of the book.  Leave a comment with your email (I need a way to contact you if you win--if you prefer you can email me at Doodlesink@hotmail.com--put Kilned at the Ceramic Shop in the subject line).  The contest ends on March 23 at 11: 49 p.m. EST.  Good Luck!  Tomorrow I am featuring Death at the Drive-In by Angie Fox.  It is the thirteenth book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries.  I am off to put the finishing touches on the Easter display in my front yard.  I am quickly switching from St. Patrick's Day to Easter.  In my side yard that faces the main road that winds through our community, I have a bunny rockin' out on a guitar and bunny beside him singing.  The front yard is more kid friendly (my neighbor's grandkids love it).  I will snap pictures when I am done.  I hope you have a joyful day.  Do not forget to enter the giveaways.  Take care, good luck, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Tour Participants


March 12 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

March 12 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT

March 13 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 13 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 14 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 14 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 15 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW

March 16 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 17 – Review Thick And Thin – REVIEW
March 18 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

March 18 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

March 19 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

March 19 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

March 20 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW
March 20 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 21 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 21 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 22 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 22 – Teatime and Books – SPOTLIGHT
March 23 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading – REVIEW

March 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Between You and Us by Kendra Broekhuis

 Between You and Us

Book Summary

Two possible lives to live. One impossible choice to make.

When Leona Warlon heads across the city to meet her husband, David, for a rare dinner out, she hopes they can share a moment of relief after their year of loss. But Leona quickly realizes this is no ordinary date night. She hasn’t just stepped into an upscale ristorante; she’s stepped into a different version of her life. One in which her marriage is no longer tender, in which her days are pressured by her powerful in-laws, and in which her precious baby girl lived.

Now Leona must weigh the bitter and sweet of both trajectories, facing an unimaginable choice: Stay in a world where tragedy hasn’t struck but where the meaningful life she built with David is gone? Or return to a reality that’s filled with struggle and sorrow but also deep and enduring love?

My Thoughts

Between You and Us by Kendra Broekhuis is an interesting story about grief, motherhood, and marriage.  I thought it was a touching tale.  It is told in alternating chapters between the past and present.  The reverse timeline was confusing at times.  We are immediately plunged into the alternate life at the beginning of Between You and Us.   We join Leona to learn about the past and how she ended up in the alternate world.  Leona will need to make a choice at the end of her self-discovery journey.  Of course, Leona needs to learn how she ended in this unfamiliar life and, if she desires, how to get back to her own life.  Leona faces difficult challenges in both worlds plus she learns some valuable lessons. We do not know what choice Leona will make until it is revealed. I do wish the pacing had been a little livelier.  I liked Leona’s husband, David (in both worlds), but I was unable to connect with Leona.  The chapters on grief are moving (have a box of tissues nearby).  Between You and Us is a complex, thought provoking story.

Between You and Us is available from Amazon*.  You can follow Kendra Broekhuis on Amazon and you will receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on Tuesday, March 19 with Kilned at the Ceramic Shop by Donna Clancy.  It is the first A Braddock Mystery.  I have a plumber arriving tomorrow who will hopefully take care of my water leak problem.  I am not sure where it is, but my water bill tells me that I have one.  The last time I tried to take care of the plumbing problem on my own, it ending up being a fiasco (and I ended up drenched). I am hoping that it is a simple fix (fingers crossed).  I am currently reading Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray. I hope you have a cheerful week.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Murder in the Tea Leaves by Laura Childs

 

Murder in the Tea Leaves

 

About Murder in the Tea Leaves

 

Murder in the Tea Leaves (A Tea Shop Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 27th in Series 

Setting - South Carolina 

 

It’s Lights, Action, Murder as tea maven Theodosia Browning scrambles for clues in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

When Theodosia Browning reads the tea leaves on the set of the movie, Dark Fortunes, things go from spooky to worse. Lights are dimmed, the camera rolls, and red hot sparks fly as the film’s director is murdered in a tricky electrical accident.

Or was it an accident? Though the cast and crew are stunned beyond belief, nobody admits to seeing a thing. And when Theodosia’s friend, Delaine, becomes the prime suspect, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. But who among this Hollywood cast and crew had murder on their mind? The screenwriter is a self-centered pot head, the leading actress is trying to wiggle out of her contract, the brand new director seems indifferent, and nobody trusts the slippery-when-dry Hollywood agent.

Between hosting a Breakfast at Tiffany’s Tea, a Poetry Tea, and trying to launch her own chocolate line, Theodosia doggedly hunts down clues and explores the seemingly haunted Brittlebank Manor where the murder took place. And just when she’s ready to pounce, a Charleston Film Board member is also murdered, throwing everything into total disarray. But this clever killer will go to any lengths to hide his misdeeds as Theodosia soon finds out when she and her tea sommelier, Drayton, get caught up in a dangerous stakeout.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

About Laura Childs

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

A Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

A Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that takes place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

A Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cak decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Laura’s Links: WebsiteFacebook 

My Thoughts

Murder in the Tea Leaves by Laura Childs is the twenty-seventh A Tea Shop Mystery.  I always look forward to reading Theo’s latest adventure.  Murder in the Tea Leaves can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or if you have missed a book (or two) along the way.  I enjoyed catching up with Theo, Drayton, Hayley, Miss Dimple, and Earl Grey.  The story is easy to read, and it moves along at a steady pace. There are descriptions of the food Hayley prepares, the different teas, fashions, and rooms (the sets, the tea shop, Theo’s home, historical society, etc.).  The mystery was interesting.  There is a small pool of suspects.  There are clues to help readers solve the whodunit before the reveal.  I loved this one scene near the end with Theo and Drayton.  I could envision the scene which was suspenseful and amusing.  Delaine is her usual high strung, demanding self (she thinks of only herself).  Theo needs to learn to say no to Delaine.  I enjoyed meeting the newest member of the Indigo Tea Shop.  Murder in the Tea Leaves is a theatrical tale with movie making, fruity teas, a dead director, a haunted attic, and a wild ride. 

Murder in the Tea Leaves can be purchased from AmazonB&NKoboBookshop.org, and PenguinRandomHouseThe next A Tea Shop Mystery is Peach Tea Smash which will be out on August 6.  You can find the other A Tea Shop Mysteries here.  You can Laura Child's other novels here (Laura Child's A Scrapbooking Mysteries are delightful).  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Between You and Us by Kendra Broekhuis. I hope that you have a teriffic day.  Do not forget to enter the giveaway. Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Participants


March 5 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

March 5 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

March 6 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

March 6 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT

March 7 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

March 8 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 8 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 9 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

March 10 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 11 – The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW

March 11 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

March 12 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

March 12 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 13 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 13 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

March 14 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

March 15 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

March 16 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT
March 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

March 18 – Literary Gold - SPOTLIGHT