Review (+ Tour Giveaway): Egg Drop Dead

Egg Drop Dead
By Laura Childs
A Cackleberry Club Mystery #7
Berkley, 2016


Summary

In Laura Childs’s New York Times bestselling mystery series, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni—co-owners of the Cackleberry Club café—are back to track down another bad egg…

Maintaining good personal relationships with their suppliers is one of the secrets of the Cackleberry Club café’s success, so Suzanne doesn’t mind going out to Mike Mullen’s dairy farm to pick up some wheels of cheese. She’s looking forward to a nice visit with the mild-mannered farmer before heading back to their hectic kitchen.

But when she arrives, Mike’s nowhere to be found. The moaning of his cows leads her to look in the barn, where she discovers a bloodcurdling sight—the farmer’s dead body. Apparently not everyone was as fond of Mike Mullen as the Cackleberry Club.

Churning with grief and outrage, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni vow to find the farmer’s murderer—but as they get closer to the truth, the desperate killer gets whipped into a frenzy and plans to put the squeeze on them…

RECIPES INCLUDED!


My thoughts

Egg Drop Dead is a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery from the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, a series that I like much better than the Scrapbooking Mysteries. Laura Childs is a talented writer who knows how to entertain readers with a well-crafted mystery, vivid setting, and engaging characters. Although seventh in the series, it can stand alone.

From the countryside, to events like the yarn truck and the Knitters’ Tea Party, to the Cackleberry Club Café itself, I was drawn in by all the sights, sounds, and scents so vividly conveyed. Co-owners of the café – Suzanne, Toni and Petra – are each charming in their own way. I didn’t get to know Toni and Petra as well as I would have liked, but I’m sure that reading the entire series would provide a better sense of who they are. Suzanne is an appealing lead character. I enjoyed her romantic relationship with Dr. Sam Hazelet and especially her emotional side, revealed through her rescue of horses and befriending of an autistic teen.

The killer wasn’t obvious to me, as several people had motives, and I just enjoyed being caught up in the narrative. The writing is tight and flows smoothly toward a quite exciting conclusion. I look forward to much more entertaining reading from Laura Childs.

Recommended.

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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 fund raising 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:

The 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.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries  – a slightly edgier series that take 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!

The 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, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

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I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Review (+ Tour Giveaway): Get Me to the Grave on Time

Get Me to the Grave on Time
By D. E. Ireland
The Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mysteries
Grainger Press, 2016


Summary

Although Eliza still refuses to marry Freddy Eynsford Hill, everyone around her seems headed for the altar. Not only is her cousin Inspector Jack Shaw about to wed his sweetheart, but Freddy’s younger sister Clara is engaged, along with the niece of Henry Higgins. Another blushing bride is the sixty-year-old Duchess of Carbrey, who plans to marry a handsome fellow half her age. But when the groom is found dead, a jealous mistress is blamed for the murder. However, the death may also be connected to the stolen treasure of an Indian temple.

Disaster strikes next at Jack and Sybil’s wedding. Soon after, the wedding reception of Higgins’s niece takes a lethal turn. Someone is targeting bridegrooms, and the wedding of Freddy’s sister is next. Before another bridal bouquet is tossed, Higgins and Eliza must track down the killer. Otherwise, Clara’s bridegroom – and perhaps the bride herself – may be murdered before they can get to the church on time.


My thoughts

Get Me to the Grave on Time is part of the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mysteries, a cozy mystery series that is unusual, delightful, and refreshing. I grew up during the years where musicals were popular and never tire of watching them. My Fair Lady was my introduction to Eliza Doolittle, but I understand this series is based more on George Bernard Shaw’s play, Pygmalion.

No matter the version, however, you’ll still find the beloved characters of Eliza, Higgins, Pickering, and Freddy. Time has passed, and now Eliza and Higgins are much involved in the solving of murder mysteries that come their way. Get Me to the Grave on Time (gotta love that title!) is intelligent, vivid in historical detail, setting, and fashion – and is delightfully funny.

The narrative flows smoothly and is filled with witty dialogue. It’s fun to reconnect with the two main characters and see how they have developed. Higgins is still the charming curmudgeon who “found Eliza a delightful companion, but he’d swallow a tuning fork before admitting it.” And Eliza has become a woman of independent means … “Not only did she give elocution lessons at 27-A Wimpole Street, she recently became part owner of a victorious racehorse.”

There’s a lot of detail about customs and fashions of the time, which sometimes slows the plot down, but I enjoyed these elements overall. The mystery itself – involving weddings, murders or attempted murders, and a connection to India – was well plotted and entertaining.

Get Me to the Grave on Time is a fun story that fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy. Recommended.

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D.E. Ireland is a team of award-winning authors, Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta. Long time friends, they decided to collaborate on this unique series based on George Bernard Shaw’s wonderfully witty play, Pygmalion. While they admit the lovely film, My Fair Lady and its soundtrack proved to be inspiring, they are careful to stick to Shaw’s vision of the beloved characters from Eliza to Higgins to Pickering and Freddy Eynsford Hill. They’ve also added a cast of new characters to flesh out their own version of events post-Pygmalion. They both have patient husbands, brilliant daughters, and share a love of good books, tea and history.

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Purchase Link:  Amazon

I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Review: Sea Rose Lane

Sea Rose Lane
By Irene Hannon
Hope Harbor #2
Revell, 2016


Summary

Two people starting over . . . in a town known for second chances

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to Hope Harbor--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed and breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect who's invaded the house with her motley crew. As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces for to help Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

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


My thoughts

I know Irene Hannon writes outstanding romantic suspense, but her contemporary stories are my favorite by far. Sea Rose Lane, set in a picturesque small town on the Oregon coast, is filled with appealing characters who face true-to-life situations and are met with hope. Secondary storylines, such as those of Luis and Eleanor, provide even more richness and depth. It’s a poignant story that covers a wide range of emotions, and it captured my attention from the very first page.

I was really drawn to BJ and Eric. BJ, carrying a little guilt that she didn’t move in time to help her grandmother, is intelligent, hardworking, and has a heart for others. Eric is a charismatic high achiever who, as the story progresses, becomes less certain of his goals. As for his faith … “For a man who preferred definites to maybes and facts to fancies, leaving tomorrow to the whim of fate – or God – was downright scary.” They have great romantic chemistry and their initial meeting is hilarious.

Only Irene could draw readers to such whimsy characters as two seagulls and a seal. And then there’s Charley! We may never know if he’s simply eccentric or his wisdom involves something more, but he is a favorite of mine.

Spiritual themes become a natural part of the story … that simple acts of kindness have far-reaching impact, that what seems like disaster can actually be a gift, an opportunity. Eleanor prays, “Let me see everyone as an equal and a worthy brother and sister – and act accordingly.” There’s also the reminder that “while looks and language and traditions might differ, all hearts feel the same emotions.”

I wish this series could go on and on, because I’ll never get enough of Hope Harbor and its residents.

Highly recommended.

Click on the title, Hope Harbor, to see my review of the previous book.

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Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty romantic suspense and contemporary romance novels, including One Perfect Spring, Hope Harbor, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have garnered dozens of honors, including three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America's elite Hall of Fame.

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I was provided a free copy of this book from Revell. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Review: Better Off Thread

Better Off Thread
By Amanda Lee
Embroidery Mystery #10
Berkley, 2016


Summary

Santa finds himself in a stitch of trouble in the tenth in the series from the national bestselling author of The Stitching Hour…

Marcy is busy helping her customers make hand-crafted ornaments at her embroidery shop, the Seven-Year Stitch. But despite the yuletide bustle, when her friend Captain Moe asks for her help, she can’t refuse—especially when the favor is to play the elf to his Santa for sick children at a local hospital. Despite the ridiculous outfit, Marcy finds herself enjoying spreading cheer—until the hospital’s administrator is found murdered.

Although the deceased had plenty of people willing to fill her stocking with coal, evidence pins the crime on Moe. Now it’s up to Marcy, with the help of her police officer boyfriend Ted and her Irish Wolfhound Angus, to stitch together the clues to clear Moe’s name—before someone else winds up crossed off Santa’s list for good…


My thoughts

This is the first of Amanda Lee’s series that I’ve read and I enjoyed it very much. When I think of the term “cozy mystery,” Better Off Thread fits the description perfectly. All the essential elements are present … small-town setting in Oregon, amateur detective who owns an embroidery shop, a strong supporting cast of friends, intuitive investigation, humor, a sweet romance, and the most adorable Irish Wolfhound named Angus! The writing is tight, flowing smoothly throughout. And, to top it all off, this story is completely clean – no graphic scenes or profanity!

A story or series is only as strong as its heroine, and Marcy, owner of Seven-Year Stitch, is wonderfully appealing. She’s sensitive, caring, and intelligent – the kind of person you would want for a friend. Marcy even has the hidden talent of stunt driving, revealed in a most creative way. Her romantic interest, Ted, is admirable also and readers will love the surprise ending. This story stands alone, but I’m eager to follow all the characters through the previous books as time allows.

The mystery is well plotted and kept me turning the pages. Character depth can make or break a book for me, and that is one of this story’s strengths. I especially enjoyed the scenes of Marcy assisting Santa with the children at the hospital. While Better Off Thread is a perfect read for any time of the year, it is especially enjoyable during the Christmas season.

Highly recommended. Within the cozy mystery genre, 5 stars.

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Gayle Trent (and pseudonym Amanda Lee) writes the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating series  and the Embroidery Mystery series. The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The Embroidery Mystery series  features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. She also writes the Down South Café Mysteries  as Gayle Leeson.

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Purchase Links:  Amazon │ B&N │ kobo

I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Review: Pursuing Gold

Pursuing Gold
By Cynthia L. Simmons
Elk Lake, 2016


Summary

With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in economic crisis.

With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner's daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga. Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise. Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter's forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.


My thoughts

Pursuing Gold is an unusual and interesting Civil War novel, one that looks at the war through the lens of the financial industry rather than the battlefield. Its approach is serious and informative as it weaves elements of mystery, family relationships, and romance throughout. Historical detail is the novel’s strength and I found that aspect intriguing, as well as the Chattanooga, Tennessee setting.

Peter and Mary Beth are likeable, intelligent characters who struggle daily in a world where greed and desire for power strive to make them stumble. The C&R Bank becomes Peter’s responsibility after his father’s death, and there are those who seek to undermine him. I loved Mary Beth’s relationship with and care for her father, whose health is failing.

The story is written in short chapters, broken up into various times of day and character voices. I found this format easy to follow, although the narrative doesn’t flow as smoothly as I’m used to. My favorite characters are Peter and Mary Beth’s father, who were well developed, but I would have liked more depth with Mary Beth.

I enjoyed Pursuing Gold for all the historical detail and think it is a story fans of Civil War history would enjoy.

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Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over thirty years as a homeschool mother and Bible teacher. She's a columnist for Leading Hearts Magazine and she directs Atlanta Christian Writing Conference. Cyndi has a heart for encouraging women in today's crazy, upside-down world. She loves history and peppers her speaking and teaching with fascinating vignettes from the past. Her first book, Struggles and Triumphs, was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the Year. She co-founded Homeschool Answers and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio.

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I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/csimmons

Review + GIVEAWAY: Crime and Catnip

Crime and Catnip
By T. C. LoTempio
A Nick and Nora Mystery #3
Berkley, 2016


Summary

Nick and Nora aren’t just pussyfooting around this time as they deal with a missing person’s case and murder.

While catering a gala for the Cruz Museum, Nora Charles agrees to look into the disappearance of director Violet Crenshaw’s niece, a case previously undertaken by her frisky feline friend Nick’s former owner, a private eye whose whereabouts are also currently unknown.

As Nora and her curious cat Nick pull at the string of clues, they begin to unravel a twisted tale of coded messages, theft, false identities, murder, and international espionage. Nora dares to hope that the labyrinth of leads will not only help them locate the missing young woman, but also solve the disappearance of the detective. That’s if Nora can stay alive long enough to find him…

Includes delicious sandwich recipes!


My thoughts

With the title and handsome tuxedo cat pictured on the cover, Crime and Catnip is a book that called out to me, and I enjoyed it overall. Although #3 in the Nick and Nora mystery series, it can stand alone.

Crime and Catnip has several strengths – strong writing by T. C. LoTempio, lots of interesting characters, elements of international intrigue, a mystery that is complex and well plotted. And then there’s Nick, a smart tuxedo cat that steals the show! The story has certain cozy mystery elements, but feels more like suspense at times – resulting in a good blend of the two styles. I liked Nora and admired her determination and skill. There is some romance involved, although it doesn’t play a major part, and I’m glad to say there are no graphic scenes. The narrative held my interest and the final solution was a surprise.

There were a couple of things that I didn’t personally care for, but these won’t bother most readers. One is the psychic element brought in by a friend of Nora’s who owns a New Age shop. And secondly, the frequent use of mild profanity detracted from my enjoyment.

Overall, Crime and Catnip is an entertaining mystery.

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While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – and in Spring 2017, the new CAT RESCUE mysteries from Crooked Lane! She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them in various places below . . .

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Purchase Links:  Amazon │ B&N

I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for a print copy of Crime and Catnip, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Monday, December 12. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

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Christmas with Erma Bombeck, #1

A timeless Christmas classic from my favorite funny lady, Erma Bombeck . . .


If there is one man singularly responsible for the children of this country, it's Doctor Spock. (That reads strange, but I don't know how to fix it.)

What I'm getting at is, this man is the great white father of every parent who has bungled his way through a vaporizer tent or a two-year-old's tantrum. Why, there was a time when, if Doctor Spock had told me to use one-legged diapers, I would have done so without question.

Now he has shaken me up. He has said there is no Santa Claus and urges us to tell our children the truth.

"Kids, brace yourselves," I said. "Doctor Spock says there is no Santa Claus and that I should never have taken you to see a live one in the first place because his behavior is noisy and his clothes are strange. Also, he inspires greed."

They looked at each other, obviously stunned.

"That's just not true," one said. "You know there's a Santa Claus, just as you believe there are fairies dancing on our lawn."

"Knock it off with the 'Yes, Virginia' bit. I told you that. Now I'm telling you Santa Claus is an upsetting experience. There can't be a Santa Claus."

"There can if you want him to be," they said cautiously.

"I don't know," I hesitated. "He does have a certain magic that makes people happy and kind toward one another. He does keep the work economy steady for elves and gives seasonal employment to reindeer. Heaven knows, he has your father spending more money than he earns and all of us crawling around on the rooftops with strings of lights in our teeth. I don't know what to believe anymore. I've always had such faith in Dr. Spock!"

"Have you ever seen Dr. Spock?" asked one.

"No, but . . . now cut that out! I know he exists. The point is how can I go on believing in a Santa Claus who parachutes from a helicopter over a shopping center parking lot, breaks his leg and ends up in a hospital?"

"Well, where else would you go with a broken leg?" asked another.

"The point is, kids, he's merely a mortal man, and mortal men don't go around pushing their fat stomachs down skinny chimneys."

"Of course he's mortal," they explained. "Otherwise, how could he have eaten all those cookies you put out for him last year?"

"That's right," I said excitedly, "he really did come, didn't he, and left me that dreamy black jacket that I know your father wouldn't have bought. You know something? I believe in Yogi Bear, and his behavior is noisy. I believe in Phyllis Diller and her clothes are strange. I believe in the Bureau of Internal Revenue and they're not exactly philanthropic. Kids, there is a Santa Claus!"

As the curtain closed on this domestic scene, the seven-year-old leaned over to whisper in his father's ear, "Boy, Dad, she gets harder to convince every year!"

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If you’re an Erma Bombeck fan, or if you enjoyed this post,
I’d love to hear from you!

Erma Bombeck, At Wit's End, Nelson Doubleday, Inc., 1965

Artwork:  Caught by Surprise by Tom Browning