A Wytch's Book Review Blog

Santa Puppy (Tourist Trap Mysteries #5.5) by Lynn Cahoon

’Twas the season of Christmas, and all through South Cove, California, Santa is working overtime to deliver a special gift . . .

Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby’s human is a daunting task. But there’s no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season.

Playing Santa’s Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened —and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . .

Another fun Novella from South Cove, this time we are running up to Christmas and Coffee, Books and More are planning a Christmas party with a twist, namely having Santa AND a lot of cats and dogs up for adoption from the local no kill shelter, Jill, her boyfriend Greg, her Aunt and Aunt's significant other and Amy's best friend and HER significant other go a week before go to make sure the potential adoptees are looking their best (well the dogs, they decided against washing the cats!), one of the dogs makes an impression on Jill, so much so that if the dog (called Baby) doesn't find a home she is prepared to take him ... then something interesting pops up re Baby's late owner and Jill is determined to find out what happens next!

A Deadly Brew (Tourist Trap Mysteries #5.25) by Lynn Cahoon

As Halloween approaches South Cove, California, four couples get into the spirit of the holiday by conjuring up spirits. . .

The house has sat empty for fifteen years, taking up prime real estate along the picturesque coastline. Built by one of the founders of South Cove, its last known owner, Maryanne Demerit, vanished without a trace. Now her home will be demolished for a condo development, but until then, it’s the perfect spot for a Halloween haunted house.

Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, her boyfriend, and three other couples are spending the weekend in the Demerit home. But what begins as an all-in-good-fun fright fest turns into a mystery begging to be solved as Jill is contacted by the ghost of Maryanne . . .

A fun novella filling in some background between main stories and letting us know more about one of the minor characters in South Cove, namely Jill's neighbour Esmerelda (who is the dispatcher at the South Cove police and has a side hustle as a psychic!), with 8 people deciding to do a pre-Halloween bit of fun (namely being locked in a house that is supposedly haunted and is due to be demolished to make way for upscale housing), it starts off as fun, but after and interesting Ouija Board session things get a lot more lively! Leading the way to closing a cold case off and giving one of the 8 people some fascinating news!

Granny Bricks A Bandit (Fuchsia, Minnesota Series Book 6) by Julie Seedorf

Granny and her cohorts are at it again! When Granny and her neighbor Mavis, go water-skiing and discover a dead body, Granny’s sleuthing instincts take over! She is determined to identify the corpse and find the killer. But wait! No sooner are Granny and her cohorts on the murderer’s trail, then Mavis’ husband George suddenly disappears! Could he be the killer’s next victim? Or could he be the killer? When the gals take a side trip to the Mall of America, they find a man fell to his death on a climbing wall––and Mavis is certain she spots George nearby! What does it all mean? Will Granny get to the bottom of it, with the help of her entourage of buddies and pets?

An Interview With A Character

What is your full name?

Hermiony Vidalia Criony Fiddlestadt Crickett

What is your Profession?

I might get arrested if I tell you, but I guess I can share. You won’t tell anyone will you? I am a chameleon. Some days I am Granny to my grandkids, wife to Silas, friend to Mavis, Pastor Henrietta, Delight, Lulu and Ditty Belle and occasionally I claim my sister, Amelia as my friend.  One minute I am an old lady and then my colors change and I become a super sleuth. The community sees old, I see young, in my heart at least. Never fear, Granny is here. What you see is not always what you get.

What is your current favorite book or movie?

You won’t tell my kids will you?  I actually read Fifty Shades of Grey. I had to know what the hoopla is about.  It was overrated but people seem to like it. I don’t have a favorite. It depends on my mood. Occasionally I read about poisons so I recognize the signs when I am in the field. My shysters, especially Baskerville, likes anything with Scooby Doo.

As far as movies I like, any with Robert; Robert Redford that is. Robert are you are out there reading this? I am waiting for you. Sorry Silas, I can’t help myself.

What is your go to comfort book or movie?

Whatever  kids don’t want me to read. I figure it has to be good if they think I am too old for it. Chocolate always accompanies my reading and that contributes to my comfort.

If someone was to play you in a movie who would it be? OR what would be the character you would want to be in a book?

She’s dead now but I always thought Estelle Getty from the Golden Girls would be perfect as me, or Granny from the Beverly Hillbillies.

What is your ideal evening?

Reading in bed along with a bottle of wine, a racy book, and of course lots of chocolate.

 

 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 12 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

June 13 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 13 – Brianne’s Book Reviews  – REVIEW

June 14 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Teresa Watson’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW  

June 15 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 16 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

June 17 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTEVIEW

June 18 – The Cozy Pages – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 19 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

June 19 – I’m All About Books – GUEST POST

June 20 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW

June 21 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

June 22 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

June 23 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – GUEST POST

June 24 – Readeropolis – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 25 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

A Crafter Hooks a Killer (A Handcrafted Mystery #2) by Holly Quinn

Samantha “Sammy” Kane is settling into her new life in idyllic Heartsford, Wisconsin, running her late friend Kate Allen’s craft shop, Community Craft when one early June day, bestselling crochet author Jane Johnson visits Heartsford. Captivated by Community Craft, Jane devotes a chapter in her new book, Behind the Seams, to the store. Sammy is honored, though satisfaction quickly turns to shock when she finds Jane strangled to death―her cold hands clutching a copy of her most recently published book, with the words “THE END” raggedly scratched into the cover.

Heavens to Etsy! Not only must Sammy contend with the author’s inauspicious demise, she has to untie some knotty details from her own past. It turns out Kate’s death was not what it seemed, and instead somehow hooked to Jane Johnson’s demise. Handsome Detective Liam Nash is on the “skein”, more than happy to see the shop owner again, if less than enamored by her sleuthing interventions. But this was Sammy’s best friend―she has to know.

Fortunately, Sammy has a “lace” in the hole. As a child, she formed the S.H.E. detective team with her cousin, Heidi, and her sister, Ellie. Having already reconstituted their partnership, the S.H.E. team searches for a pattern behind the latest death. As the case starts to unravel, will Sammy and team be able to sidestep Liam quick enough to stitch together the clues?

Wow Holly Quinn has written another humdinger of a story with a cold case and a new case colliding and leaving you breathless!

Sammy and the Community Craft shop are looking forward to welcoming Jane Johnson aka The Queen of Crafts to a book signing, she arrives a few days early and wishes to speak with Sammy in private, by the time Sammy has got some coffee and arrived at the meeting place she finds the Queen is dead! The only thing Sammy knows is that Jane Johnson said there was something wrong with the accident that killed Sammy's best friend, now Sammy and the S.H.E team (Sammy, her cousin Heidi and Sammy's sister Ellie) start digging into the old case and the new.

Add in distractions in the forms of Ellie and Sammy's parents arriving on the scene and and old crush of Sammy's being back in town (and looking as good as ever, if not better!), Heidi distracted by her relationship with Officer Tim, Ellie trying to juggle motherhood and sleuthing, oh and Detective Nash semi letting Sammy into the investigation and you have a very complex situation without the murder!

An Interview With A Character

What is your full name?

Samantha Kane but almost everyone calls me Sammy

What is your Profession?

I own and operate Community Craft, a craft shop in Heartsford, WI.

What is your current favorite book or movie?

Anything on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries

What is your go to comfort book or movie?

The Murder She Baked series

If someone was to play you in a movie who would it be? OR what would be the character you would want to be in a book?

I look like Autumn Reeser from Hallmark, but I’m not sure if she can play feisty? (You just went to Google her, didn’t you? Wink! Wink!)

What is your ideal evening?

Hanging out with S.H.E.  (You’ll have to read the Handcrafted Mystery series to see who S.H.E. is).

 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 11 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW

June 11 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, RECIPE

June 12 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

June 12 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

June 13 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

June 14 – The Book Diva’s Reads – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

June 15 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

June 16 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

June 16 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 18 – Author Teresa Watson – REVIEW

June 18 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 19 – Brianne’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

June 19 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

June 20 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

June 21 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

June 21 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 22 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW

June 23 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

June 24 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

June 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

Suede to Rest (A Material Witness Mystery #1) by Diane Vallere

With her career as a dress designer in shreds, Polyester Monroe is looking forward to a fresh start. But as it all unfolds, the pattern to a new beginning looks a lot like murder.

When Poly Monroe was little, she loved playing in her family’s textile store. But after a fatal family tragedy, Land of A Thousand Fabrics was boarded up and Poly never expected to see the inside again. Now, as inheritor of the long-shuttered shop, she’s ready to restore the family business. However her two new kittens, Pins and Needles, aren’t the ones causing a snag in her plans…

Not everyone wants Poly back in San Ladrón, especially a powerful local developer pressuring her to sell—and leave town fast. But even when the threats turn deadly, she’s not ready to bolt. Because Poly is beginning to suspect that the murder behind the shop is tied to a mystery in her family’s unsettled past that she’s determined to solve…before her own life is left hanging by a thread.

What a great opener to a new series! I love the way Poly got her name and the twists and turns of the plot.

Poly Monroe has been left the family textile store, the only problem is it has been closed up since her Great Aunt Millie was  murdered on the premises, everyone (including Poly!) expects her to sign on the dotted line and sell the building quickly, but after stepping back inside she decides to think about it, whilst inside though her car is vandalised, then one of the Senior Citizens who do a neighbourhood watch patrol is killed outside, the thing is the man was the only person who might have been able to shed light on the mystery surrounding her Great Aunt's death.

Now with the vandalism escalating and attacks on herself, Poly is unsure who to trust, the one thing that she is sure about, she ain't leaving without a fight!

Sconed to Death (Cat Latimer Mystery #5) by Lynn Cahoon

Cat has a full plate at her Aspen Hills Warm Springs Resort, as a group of aspiring cozy mystery authors arrives for a writers retreat. So when baker Dee Dee Meyer stirs up trouble by filing a false complaint with the health inspector against the B&B--all because she insists Cat's best friend Shauna stole her recipes--Cat marches into the shop to confront her.

But Dee Dee's about to have her own batch of trouble. Greyson Finn--a celebrity chef and, until today, one of Denver's most eligible bachelors--has been found dead in her bakery. Cat's uncle Pete, who happens to be the chief of police, warns her not to engage in any half-baked sleuthing. But as her curiosity rises, Cat's determined to discover who served the chef his just desserts--before the killer takes a powder . . .

Wow! Lynn Cahoon has pulled all the stops out to give us a story that keeps you glued to the action from pretty much the first page until the last!

The latest monthly Writer's Retreat is about to start when a local baker, Dee Dee, comes storming into the kitchen accusing Shauna of stealing her recipes, as if that isn't bad enough on the first full morning the health inspector shows up as there has been a complaint! It appears that Dee Dee is determined to ruin Shauna and she left the "anonymous" tip, unsurprisingly there are no problems in the kitchen, the same cannot be said about the retreat, one of the writer's seems to have brought a raft of problems with her, mainly to do with her boyfriend (who seems to be a control freak of the first order), then there is a murder, a chef is found in the bakery with his head bashed in and Cat's Uncle Pete has his hands full trying to solve that.

Although Cat tries to stay out of it with Shauna and Seth being interviewed and then the victim's sister in law claiming SHE wrote Cat's first successful novel, Cat ends up looking into things (and building bridges with the Librarian at the same time), shall we just say it is lucky for one person that she does keep digging - read the book and find out who .... and why!

An Interview With A Character

What is your full name?

Catherine Latimer – I go by Cat.

What is your Profession?

YA paranormal author and writers’ retreat owner.

What is your current favourite book or movie?

The All Souls Trilogy.  I was so excited that the video series matched the book so closely and even enhanced it as I was able to visualize things like the council island in Venice.

What is your go to comfort book or movie?

I have two. Sleepless in Seattle – Love! And the Harry Potter series. I run them through at least once a year. My partner is always asking, “Again?”  And I reply, “Always.”

If someone was to play you in a movie who would it be? OR what would be the character you would want to be in a book?

Sandra Bullock.

What is your ideal evening?

Sitting on the back deck drinking adult beverages and chatting with my uncle, Shauna, and Seth. Maybe playing some cards or a fun board game.  Or reading by myself in the living room with the fireplace roaring.

 

 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

June 6 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 6 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE

June 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 8 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, EXCERPT

June 8 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

June 8 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 9 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

June 9 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

June 9 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 10 – Literary Gold – REVIEW

June 10 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT

June 10 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

June 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

June 11 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 11 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

June 12 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

June 12 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

June 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 13 – I’m All About Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 13 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

June 14 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

Plain Dead (An Amish Mystery #3) by Emma Miller

Although she left her Old Order Amish ways in her youth, Rachel discovered corporate life in the English world to be complicated and unfulfilling. Having returned to Stone Mill, she’s happy to be running her own B&B. But she’s also learning—in more ways than one—that the past is not always so easily left behind.
 
After local newspaperman Bill Billingsly is found gagged and tied to his front porch, left to freeze overnight in a snowstorm, Detective Evan Parks—Rachel’s beau—uncovers a file of scandalous information Billingsly intended to publish, including a record of Rachel pleading no contest to charges of corporate misconduct. Though Evan is certain of her innocence, it’s up to Rachel to find the real killer. A closer examination of the victim’s unpublished report leads Rachel to believe the Amish community is far from sinless. But if she’s not careful her obituary might be the next to appear in print…

Just when things seem to be going smoothly there is a jog in the road in this the latest Stone Mill installment, and Emma Miller keeps you guessing right until the end!

Rachel Mast and some others have set up the inaugural Winter Fare which is providing a much needed boost for both the Amish community and the English one, the problem is there is a snake in the grass, or more to the point a vicious and vindictive newspaper man, he has dug up things long buried and is publishing them, and Rachel Mast is due to be one of his victims she discovers, she plans to see if she can talk him out of it but changes her mind, the problem is that night he was brutally killed and the police, more to the point Evan her fiancé, have accessed to the information.  Whilst Even is sure she isn't the killer the leads keep circling back to her, out of desperation she starts to investigate, only to upset both people in the English community she has joined and the Amish community she left.

Moda All-Stars - On a Roll: 14 Quilts That Start with 2 1/2" Strips by Lissa Alexander

The All-Stars are back with sparkling projects for irresistible Jelly Rolls--coordinating precut 2-1/2" strips of fabric that slash cutting time and speed up sewing time.

Patchwork reigns in 14 quilt patterns created by favorite Moda designers, including Lisa Bongean, Betsy Chutchian, Joanna Figueroa, Sandy Klop, and Anne Sutton. From simple and classic to fresh and contemporary, beautiful quilts will inspire you to get the ball rolling!

A fun book full of ideas that got my sewing mojo fired up to start something new!

Slay in Character (Cat Latimer Mystery #4) by Lynn Cahoon

Cat and the members of her writers' retreat have just arrived in Outlaw, Colorado, an "Old West" tourist town complete with inhabitants dressed up as famous figures from history. But this authentic slice of Americana takes a murderous turn when a college student masquerading as a 19th-century saloon girl becomes history herself.

Was she the intended target? Or did she take a hit meant for someone else? With a cast of suspects to choose from--including some notorious gunslingers and the sleazy town founders--Cat must unhorse the real culprit before a real-life ghost story is given a killer twist . . .

Yet another fantastic story by Lynn Cahoon, and whilst I guessed the villain fairly quickly the twists and turns in the book kept me reading!

Cat, Shauna and Seth have another Writer's Retreat and this time they all come from the same area and all write something to do with the Old West and so one of the outings is to an old ghost town that has been turned into a re-enactment hot spot, the local Covington student is normally one of the staff (actually plays one of the Saloon Girls) but because she is on the retreat her roommate has taken on her shifts in addition to her own, no one would then expect Danielle to end up murdered! Even worse it seems that Jessi was the intended victim!

Now Cat needs to keep Jessi safe, run the retreat, stop the ladies from playing Nancy Drew, figure out what Seth is hiding, oh and help Jessi sort her life out, writing her teen centric novels seems a piece of cake after all that!

Murder at Royale Court (Cleo Mack #2) by G.P. Gardner

Harbor Village is a vivacious retirement paradise known for its beachy locale and active senior scene. But ever since murder moved in, the idyllic coastal community is becoming a little less lively . . .
 
With the first annual antique car show cruising into the tranquil bayside oasis of Fairhope, Alabama, there are bumpy roads ahead for Harbor Village director Cleo Mack. As an automobile-themed lecture series gets off to a rough start, she finds herself balancing one too many responsibilities—and dodging advances from a shady event sponsor. It’s enough to make Cleo feel twice her age. But the festivities reach a real dead end when she discovers a body at the Royale Court shopping center . . .
 
When an innocent man lands in the hot seat for murder, Harbor Village residents look to Cleo to crack the case. Aided by an eclectic group of energetic seniors, Cleo races to identify the true culprit from a growing list of harmless Sunday drivers—before a killer revs up for another hit and run!

An Interview With A Character

What is your full name?

Michael Norman Bonderant. Norman for my father.

What is your Profession?

I’m an interior designer from Charlotte, North Carolina. I’ve lived there twenty years but I travel a lot. I don’t know why I’m near the mountains, mountain décor is definitely not my favorite. All that wood and heavy beams and stuffed bears? No, I’m more a beach person. The Hamptons, Newport—second or third homes full of icy blues and aquas, old bronzes—you know what I mean? Cedar shingles, beautiful gardens, observatories. I select my jobs based on places I want to live for a few weeks. But Fairhope is still home and I do at least one house here every year or so. Point Clear, Ono Island, Mobile, the beach condos. I’m working on my second place at Harbor Village. You don’t think of retirement communities having designers but here I am. I’m insisting on a free hand this time so it’ll work out well. The client’s unusual. Not a couple, or not exactly. He just wants his lady friend to love this house. Do you know her? Cleo Mack. Mid-century meets minimalism. Piece of cake.

What is your current favourite book or movie?

Lord, I don’t have time for that sort of thing. Not unless it’s work related. Grey Gardens, maybe, for a movie. Or Gatsby. Anything about interior design, style, restoration.

What is your go to comfort book or movie?

I tell you I don’t go to movies. They’re too loud. I’d rather go to a party. Oh, I know one book…I don’t suppose you ever heard of Gilded? About the super rich in Newport? Well, read it sometime. Fascinating.

If someone was to play you in a movie who would it be? OR what would be the character you would want to be in a book?

George Clooney. He’s a doll. Although I look more like Redford, don’t you think? The young Redford. Or Ralph Lauren. I think I could play him, don’t you? But that’s not what you asked.

What is your ideal evening?

That’s easy. A sunset cruise on the Potomac, cocktails, dinner, a little jazz combo. Come with me.  

 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 4 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 4 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – I’m All About Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 5 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

June 5 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

June 6 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 6 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

June 7 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

June 7 – That’s What She’s Reading – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 7 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

June 8 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

June 8 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 9 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, EXCERPT

June 9 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

June 10 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, GUEST POST

June 10 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

June 11 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST