dollycas

[dollycas]

The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an informal week-in-review gathering place for bloggers. It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature. You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE! I have to start this post by going back to last Saturday. Our day started by traveling to watch Remi play in his first basketball tournament of the season. The boys have improved so much. They lost their first game by just one basket. While they also lost the next two games, we saw so much promise. As 6th graders, they are learning more every day but need to recondition their bodies to playing 3 games a day and to take a beat before they shoot. Saturday evening we attended Charlotte's first dance recital. After a little confusion about where to enter the event, we were delighted by the wonderful Christmas program. Charlie performed with her class and then later in the program she and her daddy were part of the daddy-daughter dance. She was absolutely beaming on stage with her daddy. Monday was a horrific day. About an hour away from us there was a school shooting. 1 teacher and 1 freshman student were killed and several others injured, two still in critical condition at the last report. The shooter, a 15-year-old girl took her own life right before the police arrived. This was at a Pre-K-12 school. A school that was in our conference for sports and other academic events. We have been to that school several times while our children were in school. We know people whose children and grandchildren go there. It is heartwrenching whenever these shootings occur but this one hit me hard. Friday, other high schools in the area walked out of classes and marched to the state Capitol building in response to Monday’s shooting chanting “no more silence, end gun violence” and “books, not bullets” during their nearly three-mile route. This has to stop. Mental illness is always cited and that may have been the issue that started this, but this 15-year-old had a gun that she shouldn't have had. Both need to be addressed and this country needs to decide what is more important, their children or their guns. Friday also marked Remington's 12th birthday. We had a big snowfall Thursday night that brought back memories of the blizzard that happened the night he was born. Daughter #1 calls him her blizzard baby. The trip to the hospital was a real event following a police car and a snowplow. It's a night we will never forget. Kaden was snowed in with his other grandparents for several days. Hard to believe it was twelve years ago. He is growing up to be a wonderful young man, we are so proud of him. How was your week? Weekly Rewind - My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #51 – 2024 Monday - My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #51 – 2024 Plus - Crafty Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery) by Mollie Hunt #Spotlight / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @molliehuntcatwriter Tuesday - A Basket Case (Maddie Sparks Mystery Series) by Lesley A Diehl #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour – @lesley.diehl.1 @CamelPressBooks Wednesday - Cozy Wednesday featuring A Slay Ride Together With You (Year-Round Christmas Mystery) by Vicki Delany #Review / #Giveaway @vickidelany @crookedlanebks Thursday - A Coastal Corpse and Washed Up With the Tide (Seffi Wardwell Mysteries) by Rebecca M. Douglass #Spotlight / #Giveaway @GreatEscapesBookTours @RebeccaDouglassNinjaLibrarian Plus - The Proof Is in the Poison (A Southern Homebrew Mystery) by Diane Kelly #Review @DianeKellyBooks @BerkleyMystery Friday - BOOK BLAST – The Case of the Reptile Rescuing Receptionist (Buttercup Bend Mysteries) by Debbie De Louise #Giveaway Plus - A Christmas Arrangement / Blood Under The Mistletoe: A Short Romance Novel (The Flower Shop Mystery Series) by Annie Adams #Review / #Giveaway @AnnieAdamsAuthr Saturday - 2025 Challenges – I Will Be Participating In Have a Merry Week! Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

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  2025 Challenges - I Will Be Participating In I love reading challenges! I am participating in the same challenges I did last year. I am down to the wire trying to complete my 2024 challenges. I start the year with a plan and good intentions but am scrambling in December. If you are looking for Reading Challenges, there are so many to choose from, spanning all genres and interests. Sleep Less, Read More – Reading Challenges, Events and more! on Facebook has a great list. I am still getting my 2025 Reading Challenges Page set up but that is where I will keep track of my challenges. I will be participating in the GoodReads Challenge but the widget for that has not been posted yet. I will also be setting some goals on Storygraph.  2025 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge Sponsored by Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book. You can find details and SIGN UP HERE. 2025 Alphabet Soup – Author Edition Reading Challenge Sponsored by Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book. You can find details and SIGN UP HERE. 2025 Craving For Cozies Reading Challenge Sponsored by Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book I am participating at the Ravenous Level – 101 – 125 Cozy Mysteries You can find the details and SIGN UP HERE. 2025 LITERARY ESCAPES CHALLENGE Sponsored by Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book. You can find details and SIGN UP HERE. Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2025 Sponsored by Socrates Book Reviews I am signing up at Level four (Sleuth Extraordinaire) – A)Read 40 cozy mysteries of your choice. B)Read two books from each sub-genre in level one plus an additional 20 cozy books of your choice (total of 40 books) You can find details and SIGN UP HERE. 2025 Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge Sponsored by Socrates Book Reviews I will be participating at the Silver – 25 Books Level. You can find the details and SIGN UP HERE. What An Animal Reading Challenge 2025 Sponsored by Socrates Book Reviews I am signing up at Level 3 – Read 13-20 Books You can find the details and SIGN UP HERE. Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge Sponsored by Carol’s Notebook I am signing up at the Inspector Level – 26-35 books You can find the details and Sign Up Here. 2025 Mount TBR Reading Challenge Sponsored by My Reader’s Block I will be participating at the Mt. Vancouver: Read 36 books level. You can find details and Sign Up Here. Celebrity Readers has not announced their Finish the Series Challenge for 2025. If they don't host this challenge it will become a personal challenge for me. PERSONAL CHALLENGES Read Books By Authors from your Home State or Books Set in your Home State. My Goal is 10 Books. Pages Read My goal is 49,000 Pages for 2024. And finally Sponsored by Reading Challenge Addict You can find details and SIGN UP HERE. Challenges and goals can make reading fun and get us to reach out beyond our usual reads. I hope you will give 1 or more a try. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

On Flashback Fridays I will share with you the books I was not able to review when they were first released that have been screaming at me from my To-Be-Read bookshelf. I read the originally released story which has now been released in a new revised edition. Since the old one is only available in paperback the details below are for the new version. Blood Under The Mistletoe: A Short Romance Novel (The Flower Shop Mystery Series) Romantic Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Setting - Utah Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books (December 9, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 146 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1835269265 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1835269268 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DP5F992Z Meet Quinella ‘Quincy’ McKay: flower enthusiast, hot fudge sundae lover, hopeless romantic — and now amateur sleuth! The holiday season is fast approaching and florist Quincy is snowed under with orders. She’s also trying to organize Hillside’s annual festival and her own flower shop open house. To make matters worse, her flower cooler is on the fritz and her no-show Santa has become a thorn in her side. Quincy’s situation gets frostier when mysterious gifts start cropping up on her doorstep — delicious candy, expensive perfume and gorgeous jewelry. But they aren’t from her boyfriend, Alex. Who is Quincy’s secret admirer and do they want to uproot her new life? Dollycas's Thoughts Quinella/Quincy McKay has taken over her aunt’s florist shop, Rosie’s Posies. Every day she tries not to let her down. Christmas means the annual flower shop open house and Hillside’s Annual Festival. Quincy is juggling a lot of snowballs for both events. Where is she going to find another Santa? To add to the stress the store's flower cooler is running more hot than cold, her ex-husband shows up with a huge announcement, her boyfriend Alex's parents are coming to town for the holidays, and on top of all that, she seems to have a secret admirer. ____ The core characters in this series are so much fun. Quincy, her parents, her employees, and her boyfriend all pull together to make the festival and the open house go off even better than planned. Alex's mother is no fan of Quincy's and there was a comedy of errors at a holiday dinner but when Alex's parents arrive during a very scary situation they don't miss a beat stepping in to help. There were some sweet moments like Quincy's neighbors dropping Christmas treats daily. What a wonderful neighborhood holiday tradition. The "secret admirer" left some fun and interesting gifts too. Quincy had a mystery on her hands figuring out who the secret Santa was. This Christmas story was heavy on romance and emotions but filled with humor on almost every page. The predicaments Quincy gets herself into had me laughing out loud.  One was as terrifying as it was funny. The ending was heartwarming and sweet. A Christmas Arrangement / Blood Under The Mistletoe is a perfect story that will get you in the Christmas spirit, and that is one of the reasons I picked up this book to read now. Heavy things here on the homefront and in the world, in general, had my spirit at a low point. After reading previous books written by this author I knew I would treated to sweet times with plenty of humor and be delightfully entertained and I was.  No matter the title, this book was a Perfect Escape. *This book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent   About the Author Annie Adams is the author of The Flower Shop Mystery Series . She lives with her husband, two giant dogs, and two, too giant cats in Northern Utah at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. When not writing she can be found arranging flowers or delivering them in her own Zombie Delivery Van. Find out more at Joffe Books. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. I am giving away a Kindle copy of Blood Under The Mistletoe! The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Threads or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End on January 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form  *This book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  Read the full article

[dollycas]

The Case of the Reptile Rescuing Receptionist by Debbie De Louise About The Case of the Reptile Rescuing Receptionist The Case of the Reptile Rescuing Receptionist (Buttercup Bend Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published (November 19, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 230 pages ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8300479671 Digital: Next Chapter (November 18, 2024) ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DNJD7RTM Newlywed Cathy Jefferson is looking forward to a peaceful honeymoon on Long Island with her husband, Steve - until she discovers a body near their cottage. The victim is a former hotel employee who seems to have died from venomous snake bites. When the hotel manager pleads for Cathy’s help to clear his name, she reluctantly agrees, enlisting her friends Nancy and Mildred to join the investigation. As Cathy and her friends dig deeper into the case, they uncover a tangled web of suspects, from Brenda’s ex-husband to eccentric reptile rescue volunteers and hotel staff with plenty to hide. The fifth book in Debbie De Louise's Buttercup Bend cozy mystery series, THE CASE OF THE REPTILE RESCUING RECEPTIONIST, will test Cathy’s sleuthing skills - and courage - like never before About Debbie De Louise Debbie De Louise is a retired librarian. She’s the author of 20 novels including the six books of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series featuring Alicia the librarian and Sneaky, the library cat, and the Buttercup Bend cozy mysteries featuring Cathy Carter, the owner of a pet cemetery and rescue center. Debbie’s other books include standalone mysteries, a paranormal romance, a time-travel novel, and a collection of cat poems. She also writes articles for Catster.com and has published dozens of short stories and poems in anthologies. She’s a member of the Cat Writers’ Association, Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Long Island Authors Group. She’s recently moved from Long Island to South Carolina with her husband, daughter, and two cats. Learn more about her and her books by visiting https://debbiedelouise.com. Author Links Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up   Facebook    Twitter/X    Goodreads   Amazon Author Page     All Author    Instagram    Linkedin    Bookbub   Debbie’s Character’s Chat Group    Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog   Purchase Links – Amazon  Apple    B&N    Kobo  Google Play  Books2Read BLAST PARTICIPANTS StoreyBook Reviews     FUONLYKNEW The Mystery of Writing Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books             Cozy Up With Kathy       Socrates Book Reviews               Boys' Mom Reads!          Christy's Cozy Corners Celticlady's Reviews    Frugal Freelancer           Books, Ramblings, and Tea        Sapphyria's Book Reviews         Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book             a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

The Proof Is in the Poison (A Southern Homebrew Mystery) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Tennessee Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (June 7, 2022) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593333241 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593333242 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09FNYS517 Moonshine shop owner Hattie Hayes is ready to lend a hand when a mystery starts brewing at a train convention in Chattanooga, TN, in this charming cozy mystery series. Now that her moonshine shop is up and running, Hattie Hayes can focus her efforts on expanding her fledgling business to events in the area, like the Chattanooga Choo Choo Model Train Convention, which is running full steam ahead at the convention center down the block. Hattie is all aboard, seizing this perfect opportunity to promote her Southern homebrew to the folks who have come to the city for the annual event. But when an attendee dies after drinking some of Hattie’s moonshine, she’ll need to prove her innocence. Between tight-lipped train hobbyists and competitors for a coveted convention prize, Hattie has a wide array of suspects to choose from, and she’ll need to use all the tricks up her sleeve to make sure her moonshine business can survive a murderer and stay on track. Dollycas's Thoughts The Chattanooga Choo Choo Model Train Convention is chugging right along and with The Moonshine Shack just down the street owner Hattie Hayes is capitalizing on the opportunity to promote her Southern homebrew to the members and all their visitors. She has convinced the hotel convention manager to hold a Monday Moonshine Mixer featuring her moonshine. She even worked with the bartenders to create train-themed drinks. When a train enthusiast and leading contender to win at least one of the many contests passes out and dies by his exhibit Hattie's "shine" takes the blame. She knows she is meticulous when she makes her flavored moonshine and no one else who drank had ill effects so now she has to prove she had nothing to do with the man's death. Just walking around the convention center she found several suspects, now she needs to get them to talk. Will Hattie be able to bottle a murder? or has The Moonshine Shack served its last jar of shine? ___ Ms. Kelly has created some wonderful characters for this series. I love the relationship Hattie has with her granddaddy. She picks him up almost daily from the Singing River Retirement Home, where he waits for her on his metallic red scooter usually surrounded by two or three senior ladies looking for fun and companionship. He goes with her to the shop where he visits with customers, makes recommendations, whittles cute little critters, and takes a little nap or two. He is a big fan of model trains and is excited to go to the convention with Hattie to hand out flyers and swag to everyone. He is so proud of her for taking on the family business and taking it to new heights. She is also a darn good amateur sleuth. I also love the relationship that is building between Hattie and the handsome Officer Marlon Landers. He is a mounted officer, and his horse Charlotte is a big, beautiful chestnut mare with a flaxen mane. The relationship is new, but he truly cares about her and wants to keep her safe. The woman takes some crazy risks that scare the bejesus out of him. Detective Candance Ace almost took Hattie's antics in stride. Solving the mystery was based more on observations than questioning suspects which was a good thing because Hattie needs to work on her interview skills but she has gotten better than she was in the first book, The Moonshine Shack Murder. The detective knew Hattie could help her because she had spent a lot of time at the convention hall and knew things about the attendees that helped put things in perspective. I don't think she knew the lengths Hattie would go to though to catch the killer. Holy cow! I was on the edge of my seat during the entire chase and I believe I was holding my breath. Yes, I had the right suspect at the top of my list before Hattie but I really had a great time tagging along with her for every step. I appreciated all the information about model trains and all the contests held at this convention. There was a time when our children were small that a plywood board painted green with tracks, trains, assorted buildings, and scenery sat on a table in our garage. We attended some local conventions and they were great family days that sparked our imaginations. The enthusiasts in this story took things to a high level and the author described each set-up so well I envisioned each one easily. Heartwarming characters, an intriguing mystery, tons of model train info, interesting moonshine drinks, and a heart-pounding showdown all came together to make The Proof Is in the Poison a Perfect Escape. I am unsure why I got behind on this series but I am moving book 3, Fiddling with Fate up on my TBR stack. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author A former tax advisor, Diane Kelly inadvertently worked with white-collar criminals more than once. Lest she end up in an orange jumpsuit, Diane decided self-employment would be a good idea. Her fingers hit the keyboard and thus began her “Death and Taxes” romantic mystery series. A graduate of her hometown’s Citizen Police Academy, Diane Kelly also writes the hilarious Paw Enforcement K-9 series, the Busted female motorcycle cop series, the House Flipper series, the Southern Homebrew moonshine series, and the Mountain Lodge Mysteries series. Diane’s books have been awarded the prestigious Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Award and a Reviewers Choice Award. Be the first to receive book news by signing up for Diane’s newsletter at www.dianekelly.com. “Like” Diane on Facebook at her Author Diane Kelly page, and follow her on Instagram at @DianeKellyBooks Twitter @DianeKellyBooks Find all of Diane Kelly's books Here.  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” Read the full article

[dollycas]

I am delighted to shine the spotlight on A Coastal Corpse and Washed Up With the Tide (Seffi Wardwell Mysteries) by Rebecca Douglass today! About A Coastal Corpse A Coastal Corpse (Seffi Wardwell Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Maine Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published (August 31, 2023) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 298 pages ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8854581851 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CGN9Z7ZD Just what the doctor ordered: fresh salt air, a garden to tend… and a fresh corpse behind the dahlias? Retired science teacher Seffi Wardwell has moved to coastal Maine looking for peace, fresh air, and an accepting community. So far, she’s enjoying the sea air. When a corpse turns up in Seffi’s flower garden, she can’t help asking questions about the victim and his death. Police officer Miah Cox doesn’t want her assistance, but Seffi’s curiosity is what made her a scientist. The more she learns about the dead man’s background, the more she wants to know. Estranged from his wealthy family, and a village pariah for something that happened years before, the dead man had plenty of enemies. At least one wanted to make him disappear forever, and they’re all eager to see this case wrapped up and forget about him. The way Seffi sees it, somebody has to care about him, and as a fellow outsider, she’s it. But all of her poking around is stirring up trouble in the village. It’s up to Seffi and Miah to figure out whodunit before they strike again, and before the locals decide the handiest scapegoat is Seffi herself. Washed Up With the Tide (Seffi Wardwell Mysteries) by Rebecca Douglass Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Maine Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published (November 18, 2024) Print length ‏ : ‎ 270 pages ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DJPTJ7PM Beautiful weather, bountiful baked goods, and… bodies on the beach? Seffi’s pleasure in her long walks among the fall colors is more than a little marred when she encounters cantankerous fisherman Bob Hughes washed up on the shore—sodden, entangled in a net, and very definitely dead. Did the man drink too much and fall overboard in an unfortunate accident? Or was his death something more sinister? With an estranged wife, enemies in the fishing fleet, and ticked-off deckhands, there are plenty of people around Smelt Point who aren’t sorry he’s dead. But did any of them actually kill him? The scuttlebutt at the bakery raises more questions than it answers, and to top it off the fishermen gathering there have eaten Seffi’s favorite treats. Once again Seffi needs all her reasoning and gossip-gathering talents to help village policeman Miah Cox get to the bottom of the mystery. But will Miah’s own secret tear the village apart? Great Escapes Praise for A Coastal Corpse and Washed Up With the Tide (Seffi Wardwell Mysteries) by Rebecca Douglass A series definitely worth picking up and how great that readers already have two books available to dive into! ~Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books 5-STAR REVIEW A Coastal Corpse is an entertaining read starring a tenacious retired teacher using science to solve the whodunnit. ~Novels Alive 5 stars! Great start to this cozy mystery series featuring retired science teacher Seffi Wardwell. ~Boy's Mom Reads About Rebecca M. Douglass Rebecca M. Douglass has lived and worked around the American West for more years than she’ll admit, while raising two children to adulthood and dreaming up interesting ways to bump people off. Thanks to good friends in Maine, she has also spent time on the other side of the country and has fallen in love with that coast. Since retiring from work at the library, the author of the Ninja Librarian series for younger readers and the Pismawallops PTA mystery series now lives in Seattle, where she is writing the Seffi Wardwell mysteries. She has also had short stories published in a variety of magazines and anthologies. When she isn't writing, Ms. Douglass likes to go hiking and backpacking or to travel to discover new places or revisit old favorites, including the Grand Canyon and of course Maine, where so many of the best cozy mysteries are found. Author Links Website   Facebook     GoodReads Purchase Links A Coastal Corpse: Books2Read Universal Buy Link  Amazon Kindle  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGN9Z7ZD Amazon Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH23RZ5H Amazon Large Type: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH22JJX3 Washed Up With the Tide: Universal Buy Link   Amazon Kindle TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops.  December 11 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT   December 11 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 12 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW (BOTH) December 13 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT December 13 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 14 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST December 14 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 15 – The Mystery of Writing – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT December 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST December 16 – Novels Alive – REVIEW (1) December 17 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 17 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT December 18 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW (BOTH) December 18 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW (BOTH) December 19 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT December 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT December 20 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Read the full article

[dollycas]

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! It makes me merry to share my thoughts about A Slay Ride Together With You Today! A Slay Ride Together With You (Year-Round Christmas Mystery) Cozy Mystery 7th in Series Setting - New York Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books (September 24, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639108793 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639108794 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CQWX976D Audiobook ASIN B0D9YT76GL The slay bells are ringing in this festive seventh installment of national bestselling author Vicki Delany’s Year-Round Christmas mystery series.  Rudolph, New York, shop owner Merry Wilkinson’s best friend Vicky Casey is newly engaged to Chef Mark Grosse and is moving into the historic Cole House–a home surrounded by drama, intrigue, and a possible haunting that is in desperate need of renovation. The wedding is just three weeks away, but all is not bliss for the newly engaged couple as estranged relatives of the late owner fight over her will. Then, late one night, Vicky and Merry come across a dead body in the garden of Cole House–and Mark is the one standing over the corpse. As Detective Diane Simmonds focuses on Mark as the prime suspect, Vicky asks for Merry’s help to clear her fiancé’s name in time for the wedding. As they dig deeper into the connection between the house, Cole relatives, and town residents, past and present, it becomes clear that plenty of people wanted the victim dead. With a bakery to run, the busy Easter weekend fast approaching, a house to renovate, and a fiancé to clear of a murder accusation, Vicky’s wedding may end up on the chopping block. It’s up to Merry to put aside the chocolate bunnies and stuffed rabbits and help her best friend save her wedding–and her life. Dollycas's Thoughts While Rudolph, New York goes all out for Christmas they need tourists to visit year-round. Right now, they are decking their halls for Easter. Merry Wilkinson, owner of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, and the other shopkeepers are adding some eggs, chicks, and bunnies to their wares and windows. Merry is also looking forward to her best friend, Vicky Casey's wedding. It is just three weeks away and she and her groom Chef Mark Grosse have made a major purchase, the historic Cole House. It has been empty for a long time and needs serious renovation but it is also plagued with a history of drama and it may be haunted. On top of that alienated relatives of the previous owner are fighting her will and want the house. Vicky and Merry are having a girl's night at the house and a noise leads them outside. There they find a dead body in the garden and Mark is standing over the body with blood on his hands. Mark is now Detective Diane Simmonds' prime suspect and Merry knows she and Vicky need to prove his innocence. Can they do that before the wedding? or will Mark be locked away on their big day? _____ Merry Wilkerson is a terrific protagonist and a master juggler taking care of everything thrown at her in this story. Her father Noel performs his Santa duties whenever needed. Her mother gives voice lessons. They are a perfect match. Merry is dating Alan Anderson, woodworker extraordinaire. Her best friend Vicki owns Victoria's Bake Shop. Her fiance Mark is head chef at the fancy Yuletide Inn. Merry's dog, Mattie is a big lovable drooling Saint Bernard who goes with her almost everywhere. All the core characters in this story feel like old friends including Mattie. The victim, Jim Cole has made many enemies over the years and hadn't visited the property he wanted in very long time. Merry and Vicki soon had a nice list of suspects. With Vicky's wedding day quickly approaching she and Merry worked hard to follow every clue much to the angst of Merry's assistant Jackie who was left handling the shop. Ms. Delany has written a well-plotted story. I thought I had my focus on the right person but her talented writing sent me in another direction only to realize she tricked me. She really is an expert at creating twists and turns to keep her characters and her readers on their toes. The Cole House was a character in itself. It is a rundown creepy place. Boarded up for years, red brick with multiple chimneys, the old Victorian featured dusty chandeliers, cracked tile, mouse-chewed carpeting, heavy dust-filled curtains, moldy furniture draped in sheets, cobwebs, and an overgrown yard and that was just at first glance. Over the years it became a kid's hangout and a right of passage to spend the night there for the students from Rudolph High.  It did have a working kitchen but I wouldn't have made it beyond the porch and I definitely wouldn't have moved in. I would have sided with the people who thought Mark and Vicky had lost their minds. Ms. Delany also uses her descriptive writing talents when describing the food served in this story too. Her words may have you drooling as much at Mattie. She does include recipes at the end of the book. The Holiday Shortbread recipe was scanned and printed out immediately. A Slay Ride Together With You is an entertaining read that takes us on a merry chase to catch a killer. It was unusual to visit Rudolph in the spring but I enjoyed catching up with the Wilkerson's, their friends, and the town's residents. Until next year, Ms. Delany. I am excited for this series to continue. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than forty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Year Round Christmas books for Crooked Lane, the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane Books, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates) for Crooked Lane. Vicki is a past president of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the Arthur Ellis Awards. Vicki is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Also written by Vicki Delaney  Find more of Vicki's books HERE.  Find her books written as Eva Gates HERE. Thanks to the publisher I have 1 hardcover copy to give away! The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US or Canadian mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Follow Crooked Lane Books on Facebook for 3 Bonus Entries  Follow Crooked Lane Books on Instagram for 3 Bonus Entries Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Threads, Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End on January 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”     Read the full article

[dollycas]

A Basket Case (Maddie Sparks Mystery Series) by Lesley A Diehl About A Basket Case A Basket Case (Maddie Sparks Mystery Series) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Upstate New York Publisher ‏ : ‎ Camel Press (November 12, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 250 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1684922208 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1684922208 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D4MWFWSP Maddie Sparks believes she has found the perfect balance in her life-Zack, the man she loves, a book she loves writing and volunteer work at a local museum with a granddaughter she adores. An old flame from Zack's past arrives and drives a wedge into Maddie and Zack's romance, her writing stalls and someone murders the museum's director just as the museum is about to return a collection of Native American artifacts to the Onondaga and Oneida nations. Standing over the dead body of the museum director is an Indigenous man from neither group who insists one of the baskets in the collection belongs to his family. The authorities believe he is the killer, but Maddie does not. With her love life on hold, Maddie and her granddaughter set out to identify the killer, but their search reveals thefts at the museum and a two-hundred-year-old family secret that is the key to the motivation behind the killing. When Maddie uncovers the history behind the feud over the basket, she knows the identity of the killer, making Maddie his next target. Dollycas's Thoughts Maddie Sparks is a mature woman, over 70 with a healthy sense of humor. She has written several cozy mysteries since retiring from the library but is now switching things up by writing a steamy romance. When she is not writing she volunteers at the local museum where her granddaughter works as an intern or spends time with retired county sheriff, Zach Montgomery. Well, at least she was spending time with Zach but a blast from his past has come to town and will do anything to rekindle their old relationship. Maddie is soon filling most of her time embroiled in another murder investigation. The museum director had been preparing to return a collection of Native American artifacts to the Onondaga and Oneida nations but an Indigenous man with no affiliation with either group believes one of the artifacts, a basket, belongs to his family. Sara finds that man, Mr. Powels, standing over the director's dead body. He claims he didn't kill her but the new county sheriff thinks it an open-and-shut case and takes Mr. Powels away in handcuffs. Maddie doesn't think the man did the deed so with nothing else happening in her life she teams up with her granddaughter to pin down the real killer and address some other issues at the museum. Can they contain the killer or will the killer hamper their efforts? ___ I fell for Maddie Sparks and her grandaughter Sara in Spiked Punch, the first book in this series. Their close relationship shines and they make a great team of amateur sleuths. Maddie is up for anything and my stars, her antics could have done her in. She must be in amazing shape for a woman in her 70s. Sara steps in as the museum director at a stressful time with several irons in the fire in addition to the murder. She has a good head on her shoulders and thinks on her feet. Her parents were worried about her and a little over the top but I would be the same if my child were in Sara's place. Ms. Diehl's core characters are engaging and genuine. She surrounds them with a variety of interesting characters, some likable, some not so much. The story was very well-plotted with several twists and turns. The subplot with Zach, his daughter, and a woman from his past was entwined intricately with the murder mystery. Maddie was going through a lot of feelings but was able to focus on the murder and follow each clue wherever it led. A mature woman like Maddie knows how to compartmentalize and speak her mind when the time is right. I enjoyed following her step by step through this book even when she took crazy risks. It just made me love her more. I can't forget Spike, Maddie's orange rescue cat. He is just great to have around but he does play an important role in helping to identify the killer. The Native American subject matter was very intriguing as was the quest to give back their historic treasures.  I was more familiar with the Oneida tribe having studied them in school here in Wisconsin but I love learning new things while reading fiction. It tweaks my interest to learn more. A Basket Case has a complex mystery, complicated relationship issues, Native American repatriation, appealing characters, and plenty of humor in all the right places. I am excited for this series to continue. I can't wait to see what Ms. Diehl has planned for Maddie next. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About Lesley A. Diehl Cows, Lesley learned growing up on a farm, have a twisted sense of humor. They chased her when she herded them in for milking, and one ate the lovely red mitten her grandmother knitted for her. Determining that agriculture wasn’t a good career choice, instead, she uses her country roots and her training as a psychologist to concoct stories designed to make people laugh in the face of murder. Unusual protagonists appear in many of Lesley’s works including Desdemona the crime-fighting potbellied pig, a hobo turned county sheriff and Lesley’s zany back-home-on-the-farm relatives (The Killer Wore Cranberry, all six anthologies). She is the author of several cozy mystery series (The Eve Appel Mysteries, Laura Murphy Mysteries, The Big Lake Murder Mysteries, and her newest, Maddie Sparks Mysteries, featuring a senior sleuth and her rescue cat). Her cozy mysteries have won several Readers’ Favorite Awards and a short story Sleuthfest Award. Find out more at www.lesleyadiehl.com. Author Links  Website    Blog    Facebook   GoodReads   Amazon   GoodReads Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo  - Bookshop.org -  Also written by Lesley A Diehl Find all of Lesley's books HERE. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops. December 6 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT December 7 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT December 8 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW December 9 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW December 10 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 11 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read  - REVIEW December 12 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 13 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT   December 14 – Reading Authors Network – AUTHOR GUEST POST December 14 – Frugal Freelancer – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 15 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT December 16 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW December 17 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 18 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT December 19 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” Read the full article

[dollycas]

Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!  Where are your books taking you this week? I will be traveling to California and Iowa! Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week. Escapes Completed A Basket Case by Lesley A Diehl Release Date - November 12, 2024 Setting - New York The Great Escapes Tour stops here tomorrow! A Slay Ride Together With You (Year-Round Christmas Mystery) by Vicki Delany Release Date - September 24, 2024 Setting - New York I will feature this book on Cozy Wednesday this week! A Christmas Arrangement: A Short Romance Novel (The Flower Shop Mystery Series) by Annie Adams Release Date - October 30, 2014 It is now available in a revised edition as BLOOD UNDER THE MISTLETOE Setting - Utah For my Literary Escape Challenge and my #FlashbackFriday book. The Proof Is in the Poison (A Southern Homebrew Mystery) by Diane Kelly Release Date - June 7, 2022 Setting - Tennessee For my Literary Escapes Challenge. Scheduled Escapes Deadly Crush (A Cece Barton Mystery) by Maddie Day Release Date - November 26, 2024 Setting - California For Review I need to finish up my challenges so I will be reading And Now There's Zelda: The Entertaining and Perfect Family Life Dramedy by Carolyn Clarke Release Date - May 9, 2024 The final book for my Alphabet Soup Challenge. Antiques Maul: (A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery) by Barbara Allan Release Date - September 1, 2023 Setting - Iowa This is the final book for my Literary Escapes Challenge. Then I have to choose a Cozy Mystery released before 2000 to complete the Library Card Mini Challenge for my Craving for Cozies Challenge. I may go a little out of the box with a children's mystery. Future Escapes December 15 - 21, 2024 Please Share Your Reading Itinerary in the Comments below! Happy Reading!! Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Read the full article

[dollycas]

I am delighted to shine the spotlight on Crafty Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery) by Mollie Hunt today! About Crafty Cat Crafty Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery) Cozy Mystery 11th in the Series Setting - Oregon Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published (October 29, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 265 pages ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8340449023 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DJPYRLKH Romance, death, and cat quilts. What does quilting have to do with murder? Lynley Cannon is about to find out. Lynley Cannon has a new hobby—making cat-themed quilt donations for the ShadowCat Rescue auction. The small quilting guild is run by three generations of women and two cats, but when the elder of the family is murdered, Lynley’s job shifts from crafting to sleuthing. Who would want to kill such a dear old thing? The police think they know, but they don’t have all the facts. As secrets come out and a romance is uncovered, the quilting project begins to fall to pieces. Lynley jumps in to help the family navigate the justice system, but when a neighbor is found dead and another of the quilt shop’s owners missing, even Lynley is at a loss. It takes a couple of crafty cats to get to the bottom of this stranger-than-fiction crime. Great Escapes Praise for Crafty Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery) by Mollie Hunt Cozy setting, wonderful characters and a strong mystery made this an enjoyable mystery to escape into. I’ll be investigating books 1-10 for sure! ~Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books I highly recommend Crafty Cat for its eclectic group of well-written characters, its puzzling mystery, and for its overall cozy feel! 5 stars! ~Christy's Cozy Corners About Mollie Hunt  Cat Writer Mollie Hunt is the award-winning author of two cozy series: the Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries featuring a sixty-something cat shelter volunteer who finds more trouble than a cat in catnip, and the Tenth Life Paranormal Mysteries involving a ghost cat. Her Cat Seasons Sci-Fantasy Tetralogy presents extraordinary cats saving the world. She recently released a COVID memoir which she calls, "a tale of a plague and politics, of depression and inspiration, and an ode to the very real and healing presence of cats." In her spare time, she pens a bit of cat poetry. Mollie is a member of the Oregon Writers’ Colony, Sisters in Crime, the Cat Writers’ Association, Willamette Writers, and Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA). She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and a varying number of cats. Like her cat lady character, she is a grateful shelter volunteer You can find Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer on her blogsite: Follow Mollie's Amazon Page  Facebook Author Page  Instagram    Goodreads Purchase Link Amazon  The Rest of the Series TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops.  December 10 – Christy's Cozy Corners - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 10 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT   December 10 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 11 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books - REVIEW December 11 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 11 –Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT December 12 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT December 12 – Frugal Freelancer – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 13 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT December 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLGHT December 13 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 14 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST December 14 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 15 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT December 16 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 16 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent   This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.   Read the full article

[dollycas]

The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an informal week-in-review gathering place for bloggers. It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature. You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE! Another week I am so happy I don't leave my house too often. It was a chilling one with wind and some flurries. Daisy didn't even want to go outside and when she did it was a quick trip.We did our usual work, watch television, read, sleep, and repeat but we also did some online Christmas shopping too. Every year the CPKC Holiday Train rolls through my hometown. Our kids go almost every year but Mr. Dollycas and I  haven't because the crowds in a limited area make it hard to get around with my wheelchair or scooter. At each location, the CPKC Holiday Train provides a box car stage, a lineup of great musical talents, and a fantastic display of lights to delight young and old alike. The goal of the holiday train is to collect food and funds for local food banks and raise awareness of the fight against hunger. Visitors are encouraged to bring donations, all of which stay in the local community. Last Sunday night the train pulled in right on time and because . . . . . . the depot received some infrastructure money, thank you President Biden, and this past summer there were some upgrades made to the building and along the tracks. One of the things they added was a camera facing the tracks. The camera is linked to YouTube. You can watch any time of day and see trains and the surrounding area. I brought it up on our television on Sunday night and was able to see the Holiday Train and hear the music from my easy chair.  Funny thing, I tuned in about 30 minutes before the train's arrival and heard some familiar voices. Son #2 was there with his family. They walked forward about 10 feet and they were right in the middle of my television screen. Kaden was there with his friends too but he was on the other side of the train. On Wednesday, I learned that this blog, Escape With Dollycas placed #5 on the 80 Best Mystery Book Blogs and Websites in 2024. I am thrilled to be included on this list of wonderful blogs and websites. Yesterday we had a busy day with Remi's basketball tournament and Charlotte's dance recital. I will have pictures to share next week. How was your week? Weekly Rewind - December 9 - 13, 2024 Monday - 2025 Craving For Cozies Reading Challenge with Library Card Mini- Challenge And - My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #50 – 2024 Tuesday - I Thee Dead: The Wedded Bliss Series by Christine Lawrence #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @writerchristinelawrence Wednesday - Cozy Wednesday featuring Booked for Murder: An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery by P. J. Nelson #Review / #Giveaway @MinotaurBooks Thursday - Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe: A Seneca James Mystery by Ruth J. Hartman #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @ruth.j.hartman Friday - All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories: A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection by Leslie Budewitz #Review Plus - A River of Resentment (A Hollow’s Glenn Coven Mystery) by Kristen King #Spotlight / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @kristenkingwrites Saturday - Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder (Samantha Davies Mysteries) by S.A. Kazlo #Spotlight / #Review – Great Escapes Book Tours @sakazlo Plus - Special Guest – Elaine Faber – Author of Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate: A WWII Tale of Political Shenanigans and Snookery (Mrs. Odboddy Mysteries) The books by Tonya Kappes are on sale right now for $0.99! Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

I am delighted to shine the spotlight on Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder (Samantha Davies Mysteries) by S.A. Kazlo today~ About Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder  Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder (Samantha Davies Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 6th in Series Setting - The series takes place in Wings Falls, New York, a small town in upstate New York about 45 minutes north of Albany Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing (December 3, 2024) Digital ~250 Pages ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D9ZKS19S Christmas is coming and children’s book author, Samantha Davies, and her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, are caught up in the holiday festivities in beautiful upstate New York. Sam’s parents, Chuck and Barbara, who have been enjoying their retired life in sunny Florida, have flown into Wings Falls to spend the holidays with Sam and meet her new boyfriend, Detective Hank Johnson. Sam is also busy hosting this year’s Christmas party for the Loopy Ladies, Sam’s rug hooking group. The Loopy Ladies know how to party and are enjoying an evening eating, drinking, and making merry... until Santa crashes the party. Unfortunately, this Santa is Sam’s next-door neighbor who her parents have had a long-running feud with. When not playing the local mall’s not-so-jolly old St. Nick, Leo Sayers is a newspaper reporter, and he announces to the group that he's written a damning article accusing Sam’s dad and his close friend, Herb Feinstein, of some very shady dealings in their past. To preserve peace on earth—and among the Loopy Ladies—Chuck and Herb escort Leo from the party. Only, not long after being sent on his way, Santa is found dead—lying in the snow, run over by a plastic reindeer, with a string of Christmas lights around his neck! Are Sam’s father and Herb now on the naughty list? If Sam can’t prove them innocent of murdering Santa, she's afraid their stockings will contain handcuffs and a one-way ticket to prison this year! Great Escapes Praise for Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder (Samantha Davies Mysteries) by S.A. Kazlo Such a lovely and fun holiday read. Just what I needed, and I highly encourage readers to make sure they add this to their seasonal to-be-read stack. ~Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books A delightful and thoroughly enjoyable read, and very heartwarming. I highly recommend this read to everyone looking for a wonderful cozy escape. ~Jody's Bookish Haven 5-STARS Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder will help anyone get into the Christmas spirit. It will entertain them and give them a laugh or two at the zaniness of the Samantha Davies Mysteries ~Novels Alive I recommend Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder for other fans of cozy mysteries, holiday reads - and of course for fellow dachshund lovers. This is such a fun, fast-moving mystery. There is a great deal of warmth and some humor too. ~View from the Birdhouse About S.A. Kazlo Syrl, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and two lively dachshunds. She writes the Samantha Davies Mystery series, featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing she is busy hooking, rug hooking that is, and enjoying her family. Her newest book, number six in the series is, Mistletoe, Mutts and Murder.  Author Links Website - Blog - Twitter-@sakazlo - Instagram- sakazlo - Facebook- sakazlo - Linkedin- sakazlo Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo -  TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops. December 2 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW December 2 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 3 – Jody's Bookish Haven – REVIEW December 3 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT December 4 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT December 4 – Novels Alive - REVIEW December 5 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 5 – Frugal Freelancer – SPOTLIGHT December 6 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT December 7 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 8 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 9 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT December 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 11 – Sneaky the Library Cat's blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 12 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 13 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW December 14 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT December 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT December 15 – Boys' Mom Reads! – CHARACTER GUEST POST a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Read the full article

[dollycas]

Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate: A WWII Tale of Political Shenanigans and Snookery (Mrs. Odboddy Mysteries) by Elaine Faber The Sure-Fire Cozy Mystery Template of Conniving Candidate Let’s pretend for a minute, you’re an author seeking to unlock the secret of how to write a successful cozy mystery novel. After analysis of numerous cozy mysteries, a certain template emerges. Your heroine must be a beautiful, blonde female, about 30 years old, recently divorced with, or without child. She must have a dog or a cat. The pet doesn’t have to solve crimes, but it helps... Her sweetheart, (who resists a committed relationship) is somehow connected to an inept law enforcement agency, which provides access to information usually withheld from the public. She must have a quirky sidekick, to balk at her every good intention. She also needs an unusual profession or hobby. The best ones have already been snagged by multiple popular mystery writers. These include book store owners, catering services, travel agents, writers, detectives, caterers, librarians, etc. For any hope of a successful series, our heroine needs a career or hobby that hasn’t been done to death, but gives her access to numerous nefarious criminal activities. In the end she must succumb to her own ego, use terrible judgment to expose the adversary, and at the last moment, preferably be rescued from surefire death by her boyfriend or her dog. So, let’s see if Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate fits the template for a successful cozy mystery. Agnes Odboddy is an elderly, retired, WWI undercover agent, now fighting WWII from the home front. She has a cross-eyed Siamese cat and sponsors a displaced carnival tiger; though in Conniving Candidate, neither is called upon to rescue her from a death defying situation. She is engaged to a retired FBI agent, and her good friend is inept Chief Waddlemucker of the Newbury Police Department. By virtue of her determination to bring all Nazi spies or conspiracies to heel, the unusual job or hobby category works. The need for a quirky sidekick is covered by her granddaughter, Katherine, who lives with her and works as a beautician at the Curls to Dye For Beauty Salon and moonlights at the Whistlemeyer Mortuary doing hair and makeup for the ‘dearly departed.’ In this fifth Mrs. Odboddy mystery/adventure, Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate, whimsical and unpredictable Mrs. Odboddy runs for a vacant Newbury City Council seat. Her political opponent is a scoundrel who will stop at nothing to discourage her from continuing the campaign. Multiple issues arise that would convince any normal person to ‘thrown in the towel,’ but not Agnes. In the intriguing subplot, Katherine’s ex-fiancé, having left her at the altar the previous year, returns, to declare his undying love. When he helps overcome multiple problems, how can Katherine kick him to the curb? Of course, there is a death-defying final scene, when Agnes attempts to put an end to the skullduggery that challenges her campaign and threatens her family. So, for a successful cozy mystery, I think it works! What do you think? Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate. Check out other Mrs. Odboddy adventures on Amazon: Mrs. Odboddy-Hometown Patriot, Eccentric Mrs. Odboddy envisions Nazi spies and conspiracies around every corner. Mrs. Odboddy-Undercover Courier, Mr. O carries ‘secret documents’ by train to President Roosevelt. Mrs. Odboddy-And Then There was a Tiger, Agnes seeks the missing war bond money. Mrs. Odboddy’s Desperate Doings, Mrs. O seeks a permanent home for a displaced tiger. Thank you Elaine for visiting today. _____ Keep reading for more information about Elaine and her new book. About Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate: A WWII Tale of Political Shenanigans and Snookery (Mrs. Odboddy Mysteries) Historical Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting - California Publisher ‏ : ‎ Elk Grove Publications (October 6, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940781337 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940781334 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DJN676F3 As the war continues to rage in Europe, Election Day approaches in Newbury. Among other inequities, the Newbury City Council makes it difficult for local women to obtain business licenses even for home-bases businesses. Mrs. Odboddy decides to run for the vacant city council seat, but she has no idea what political obstacles she will face. The trouble starts, first with disasters in her home, to violence and racism against her friends, and then theft charges are filed against her! To make matters worse, her granddaughter’s old boyfriend has returned to town declaring his unwanted, undying love. His heroic responses to multiple adverse events affecting the family make it difficult for Katherine to send him packing. Agnes suspects her political opponent is behind all the trouble, including the state’s attempts to remove their beloved ward, Mattie. It seems that Agnes is up against a conniving opponent who will stop at nothing to prevent her winning the election. How can she prevail against such sinister deeds? Is winning an election worth it when her family is at risk? Join Agnes as she faces overwhelming odds in her efforts to bring much needed change to Newbury. About Elaine Faber  Elaine is a member of Sisters in Crime (SIC), Northern California Publishers and Authors (NCPA), and Elk Grove Writers Guild (EGWG). She has published eleven cozy mystery novels, a humorous historical fiction series, a cozy cat mystery series, an anthology of short cat stories, a paranormal mystery, and multiple short stories published in twenty-one independent anthologies. Three of Elaine’s “Mrs. Odboddy” fiction novels have won NCPA book awards. Her cat novels have received Cat Writers Association Excellence in Writing Certificates, and she has won numerous awards for her short stories through various venues and contests. Elaine volunteers at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Elk Grove, CA. She lives with her husband, and Truffie, who contributes inspiration for many of her cat-related stories and novels. Author Links:  Website  Facebook Purchase Links - Amazon  Also written by Elaine Faber TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops.  December 9 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT December 9 – Maureen's Musings – REVIEW December 10 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT December 10 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 11 – Boys' Mom Reads! – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST December 12 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW   December 12 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT December 13 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT December 14 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT December 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST December 15 – Connie's History Classroom – REVIEW   December 16 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 17 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST December 18 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

I am delighted to shine the spotlight on A River of Resentment (A Hollow's Glenn Coven Mystery) by Kristen King today! About A River of Resentment A River of Resentment (A Hollow's Glenn Coven Mystery) Paranormal Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting: A small mountain town with elemental magic Publisher ‏ : ‎ Silvester & Eve Publishing (December 18, 2023) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 392 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1963304993 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1963304992 Digital Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CPQX5BHJ When dangerous black magic surfaces, only the strength of a powerful coven can contain it. With winter coming quickly to Hollow's Glenn, the town anxiously prepares for the annual Night of Lights event. But planning gets disrupted when water witch Simone discovers the body of a local businessman in the icy town river. She and her cousin, Autumn, must figure out how the mysterious murder connects to the dark vines of magic seeping through the cold waters. As they bring the founding families together for the first time in decades, the girls try to fight the growing black magic while uncovering who is to blame for the most recent death. Will they find the killer before more accidents claim the lives of others in Hollow’s Glenn, or will the girls themselves become victims to the dark waters? A River of Resentment contains tropes such as: - a cozy mountain town - craft shop owners - local coffee shop that everyone loves - a coven of amateur sleuth witches - elemental magic - a cat familiar - founding magical families banding together - seasonal events happening around town - a budding side romance - mysterious red herrings This is the second book in the paranormal Hollow’s Glenn Coven Mystery series, and it can be read as a stand-alone mystery. If you love Iris Beaglehole, Nancy Warren, and Ellie Alexander, then you'll love this series that blends cozy mountain magic and small town amateur sleuths. Entangle yourself in the power of water energy with this captivating story of family ties, spellbinding witches, and the strength of a small town overcoming all that threatens it. Grab your copy today! About Kristen King  Kristen King is an Amazon bestselling author of paranormal cozy mysteries. After many years blending project management, art/design, and coaching, she now lets her water energy lead the way through creative fiction writing. She finds that a good dose of magic sets the coziest tone for any day. When not channeling her writing muse, Kristen spends time snuggling in her mountain home next to a cozy fire and her calico cat. She loves to lose herself in taking photos, baking for her family, and pulling tarot cards or charging crystals by the light of the moon. Author Links Website     Facebook    Instagram    GoodReads    BookBub Purchase Links: Amazon - Audible - B&N - Bookshop.org - Series on Amazon This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops. December 6 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT December 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT December 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – RECIPE December 9 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 10 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 11 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT December 12 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT December 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT December 14 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 15 - Frugal Freelancer – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 16 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT   December 17 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT December 18 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 18 – Novels Alive  - REVIEW December 19 – Frugal Freelancer – REVIEW a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories: A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection Historical Fiction Setting - Montana Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page Publishing (August 1, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 168 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1960511742 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1960511744 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D5JHVLSZ Born into slavery in Tennessee, the remarkable “Stagecoach Mary” Fields was a larger-than-life figure who cherished her independence, yet formed a deep bond with the Ursuline Sisters, traveling to their Montana mission in 1885 and spending the last thirty years of her life living there or in nearby Cascade. Mary is believed to have been the first Black woman in the country to drive a U.S. Postal Star Route, the source of her nickname. In All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories, Agatha Award-winning author Leslie Budewitz brings together three short stories, each originally published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, imagining the life of Stagecoach Mary in her first year in Montana, and a novella exploring her later life, including: All God’s Sparrows, winner of the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Short Story; Miss Starr’s Goodbye, a nominee for the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Award; Coming Clean, a finalist for the Western Writers of America’s 2021 Spur Award for Best Short Story; and A Bitter Wind, a brand-new novella in which Mary helps a young woman newly arrived in the valley solve the mystery of her fiancé's death and his homesteading neighbors’ bitterness toward him. Includes an abbreviated bibliography and historical notes from the author. Dollycas's Thoughts "Stagecoach Mary" Fields had such an interesting life. She was born into slavery in Tennessee and when she was freed she developed a true relationship with the Ursuline Sisters in Ohio. She didn't think twice about traveling to their mission in Montana in 1885. She was an independent black woman who wore men's clothing, smoked, drank alcohol, sometimes at the local tavern, carried at least one gun, and did everything the sisters asked and more.  She later added U.S. Postal Carrier to her duties driving a route around Cascade and the surrounding area. _____ I enjoy reading fictional stories about historical figures. I had not heard of Mary before reading these stories. I did some research after reading this book and was happy to see how closely the author stayed to known facts and theories of this woman's life. She then took what was known, and told what I assume were fictional stories about the people Mary helped or fought for. She hated how men used their power against women. She had great instincts, was resourceful, and had a huge heart. She inspired people to be their better selves. Three short stories and a novella comprise All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories. They are informative and entertaining well-written stories I read all in one evening. Ms. Budewitz's attention to detail shows she researched Stagecoach Mary Fields' life fully to bring her to life within these pages. Anyone interested in women's history in our country would enjoy this book. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent   About the Author Leslie Budewitz is the three-time Agatha Award winner and bestselling author of the Food Lovers’ Village and Spice Shop mysteries, continuing with the 8th installment, TO ERR IS CUMIN (August 2024), and ALL GOD'S SPARROWS AND OTHER STORIES: A STAGECOACH MARY FIELDS COLLECTION (September 2024), a collection of historical mysteries featuring a remarkable figure from Montana history. She also writes standalone moody suspense as Alicia Beckman. Also written by Leslie Budewitz #FlashbackFriday will return next week. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” Read the full article

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Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe by Ruth J. Hartman About Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe: A Seneca James Mystery Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Indiana Level Best Books (November 19, 2024) Print length ‏ : ‎ 281 pages Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DLCSLW3R Seneca James’ cousin, Evie, ends up in hot water, when she’s accused of stealing a wallet from an angry customer in Seneca’s Painted Wings Café. The customer also happens to be the local bank manager, who Evie pleads with for a much-needed loan, resulting in a public spectacle as the bank manager refuses, and ridicules Evie. When the manager later turns up dead inside the cafe, and Evie is the most likely suspect, it will take all of Seneca’s sleuthing and help from her best friend, Sheriff Cody Bales, to get Evie out of trouble. Dollycas's Thoughts Seneca James’ cousin, Evie, runs Seneca’s Painted Wings Café and does an excellent job but one day the local bank manager humiliates her in front of everyone when he accuses her of stealing his wallet. All she did was ask him why he had not responded to her calls about a loan she applied for that she really needed. He leaves in an uproar but later the man is found dead inside the cafe. Sheriff Cody Bales truly doesn't consider Evie a suspect but Seneca teams up with him to find the real killer and clear Evie's name. ____ Seneca is dividing her time between caring for her butterflies and the cafe now that it is the scene of the crime. She needs to continually assure Evie that the person who murdered Burlington Snare will be found and things in Maple Junction will get back to normal. She usually has her frisky feline, Winifred by her side. I love that she loves to dress up in costumes that are made by two local seamstresses every morning and even has pajamas to wear at night. Murray Grimes is the cook at the cafe and he has a huge heart when it comes to Evie so he looks out for her too. Senaca has been trying to hire someone to replace Annie to help her with the butterflies. She has taken on three temporary people until she can find the perfect person but only one actually wants to do any work. The cafe also has some new regulars, a couple of older twin sisters who Seneca is a little curious about. The town also has a new vet who Ms. Winifred is not happy to go see. Ms. Hartman's characters are interesting, genuine, and true to life. The murder has Senaca tied up in knots. She is looking everywhere for suspects, from the bank, to the hardware store, and the cafe. She is eavesdropping on conversations, asking leading questions, and doing some general snooping in hopes of catching the killer. Not everyone was on her radar though. Some great twists and red herrings throughout the story kept Seneca on her toes and she was totally caught off guard when the killer was revealed. I was surprised that the right person was at the top of my list of suspects. The showdown was intense but I enjoyed the way the takedown took place. I would love to have a butterfly sanctuary like Seneca but they are much more work than one would think. I try to plant flowers that appeal to butterflies and am always thrilled when one or more land nearby. Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe has a gorgeous cover that draws you to the book and Ms. Hartman's characters, well-plotted mystery, and vivid descriptions will keep you delightfully entertained.  I am looking forward to visiting Maple Junction again soon. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About Ruth J. Hartman Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people's recliners. Not that the cats couldn't get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else's. Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com. Author Links Website    Facebook     X    Facebook Author Page  Purchase Links - Amazon   Also written by Ruth J. Hartman TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops.  December 4 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW   December 4 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 5 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT   December 5 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 6 – Frugal Freelancer – SPOTLIGHT December 6 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT December 6 – Angel's Book Nook – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 8 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT December 8 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT December 9 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT December 9 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT December 10 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 10 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW December 11 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 11 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW December 12 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 13 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHTa Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”   Read the full article

[dollycas]

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! Today I am sharing my thoughts about Booked for Murder by P. J. Nelson! Booked for Murder: An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Georgia Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books (December 10, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250909953 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250909954 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CQHKW46Z Audiobook ASIN B0DNNDBBHX In this atmospheric southern cozy debut, Madeline Brimley returns to the bookstore she inherited, discovering that small towns hold deadly secrets. Madeline Brimley left small town Georgia many years ago to go to college and pursue her dreams on the stage. Her dramatic escapades are many but success has eluded her, leaving her at loose ends. But then she gets word that not only has her beloved, eccentric Aunt Rose passed, but she's left Madeline her equally eccentric bookstore housed in an old Victorian mansion in the small college town of Enigma. But when she arrives in her beat-up Fiat to claim The Old Juniper Bookstore, and restart her life, Madeline is faced with unexpected challenges. The gazebo in the back yard is set ablaze and a late night caller threatens to burn the whole store down if she doesn't leave immediately. But Madeline Brimley, not one to be intimidated, ignores the threats and soldiers on. Until there's another fire and a murder in the store itself. Now with a cloud of suspicion falling over her, it's up to Madeline to untangle the skein of secrets and find the killer before she herself is the next victim. Dollycas's Thoughts Like most young adults from Enigma, Georgia, Madeline Brimley left town for college and to follow her dreams of becoming an actress. While she had some minor success she still hadn't gotten that big break. When she learns her dear Aunt Rose has passed away she is heartbroken, but her aunt has left her bookstore which is as eccentric as she was. The Old Juniper Bookstore is right in her aunt's Victorian mansion so ready to kickstart her life Madeline loads her belongings in her old Fiat and heads to Enigma. Not everyone is happy that Madeline has come to town. On her first night there, someone sets the gazebo in the backyard on fire, shortly followed by a phone call telling her to leave town or next time the whole house will be set ablaze. The calls continue but Madeline has to remain in Enigma. Apparently, the caller wasn't messing around, Madeline woke up to find the store on fire and a dead body on the floor. Upset and unsure what to do she decides to try to find the person who is dead serious about wanting her gone. Can she do that or will the killer catch her first? ___ The author jumped right into the action giving readers the bare minimum of details about the protagonist or the setting of Enigma, Georgia. I was just getting comfortable with how The Old Juniper Bookstore was set up and meeting a couple of characters when WHAM! One of those characters is murdered. A character Rose, Madeline, and I liked. I slammed the cover of my Kindle and put it down. After several minutes I talked myself into continuing the book and I am glad I did. Madeline didn't give me that warm and fuzzy feeling I sometimes get from a main character. She is stubborn and closed off and needs more development. I know her sleuthing skills will improve as the series continues and she finds herself facing more challenges. Rose's closest friend Philomena Waldrop comes to welcome Madeline as soon as she arrives. The head of the psychology department of the nearby Barnsley College and long time resident she knows everybody and everything about them. She tries to take Madeline under her wing and visits her daily like she did her Aunt Rose. She introduces Madeline to Father Gloria Coleman. Like Madeline, she is relatively new to town. She also has a very interesting past. Madeline meets Fire Captain Mike Jordan when he arrives to take care of the gazebo fire. They get off to a bad start almost immediately. With the damage to the gazebo and other events, handyman David Madison enters the story. He is an intriguing individual. Madeline also reconnects with Officer Billy Sanders, she babysat him twice when he was nine. We meet some college students and other residents too. All the characters were interesting, some quirky, and most need more development which is common for the first book in a series. The fire and murder investigations were handled differently than any I have read. Understanding that Enigma is a small town with a small police force I still would have expected that Madeline would have to leave the residence and the bookstore would be closed for at least a couple of days but that wasn't the case. She answered some questions, went upstairs to bed, and opened the bookstore the next day, even after the murder. People came in to shop/see where the crime had been committed or stopped by for coffee. It just felt strange. Madeline does try to investigate the crimes and sometimes takes Gloria along, but at one time or another, she thinks everyone she talks to is the killer. Then when she needs to follow-up she goes alone and that is never a good idea. But it is even worse when the murderer comes to you. After I got over my dismay over who the victim was I had a good idea who killed them but I did enjoy following along with the new amateur sleuth and her journey to find the truth. The takedown was dramatic, exhilarating, and satisfying. Booked for Murder was an Enjoyable Getaway. It has good bones. Set in a unique small town, with a wonderful bookstore, and characters I want to know better makes me keen to know what the author has up their sleeve for the next installment of this series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent   About the Author PJ NELSON is the pseudonym of an award-winning actor, dramatist, professor, and novelist (among many other professions) who has done just about everything except run a bookstore. He lives in Decatur, Georgia. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Thanks to the publisher I have 1 hardcover copy to give away! The contest is open to anyone over 18  with a US mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Follow MINOTAUR Books on Threads for 2 Bonus Entries! Follow Minotaur Books on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries! Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Threads or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End December 18, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” Read the full article