Book Review: Cherry Cheesecake Murder

Author: Joanne Fluke
Title: Cherry Cheesecake Murder
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: May 1, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Hannah Swensen and her bakery, The Cookie Jar, bask in the glow of Hollywood glamour when Main Street becomes a movie set. And although tensions simmer as the cameras roll, no one expects the action to turn deadly. . .until it's too late. . .

There's no such thing as privacy in Lake Eden, but Hannah never thought things would go this far. Everyone has been telling her what to do ever since she got not one but two marriage proposals. Movie mania soon shoves Hannah's marriage dilemma into the background and even gives her cat a shot at stardom. The Cookie Jar serves as snack central with Main Street rented out for the week. She stirs lots of fresh gossip, whipping up treats for cast and crew, including demanding director Dean Lawrence's favorite--cherry cheesecake.

Review: Cherry Cheesecake Murder is Book 8 in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series. I usually love this series, but this book was downright bad.

The book starts with Hannah dealing with not one, but two proposals.

Uh and uh...

I have read these books out of order, and I am glad I did, because this book might have caused me to stop. The murder didn't happen until the book was 2/3's done.

Before that happens...Hannah turns down both guys and takes up with Ross, who she went to college with.

I just don't understand this.

Of course I have a hard time understanding why Mike and Norman have hung around so long, and how they don't seem jealous of one another.

Thank goodness the movie folks that have taken over Lake Eden make things interesting, especially the womanizing director, Dean, who ends up being the victim when demonstrating a suicide scene.

The murder has to be solved so quickly that it feels incidental. This book probably could have worked as just a non-murder novel, but in a cozy series, someone always has to end up dead.

For me, this book was only good for the recipes. Joanne always has awesome recipes in these books. I just wish the story would have lived up to the goodies.

Rating: 3 flowers

Book Review: Plum Pudding Murder

Author: Joanne Fluke
Title: Plum Pudding Murder
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: Oct 1, 2009
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb:  The yuletide season in Lake Eden, Minnesota, guarantees a white Christmas, delectable holiday goodies from Hannah Swensen's bakery, The Cookie Jar—and murder…

The Cookie Jar's busiest time of the year also happens to be the most wonderful time...for Christmas cookies, Hannah's own special plum pudding—and romance! She also gets a kick out of “Lunatic Larry Jaeger’s Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot,” a kitschy carnival taking place smack-dab in the middle of the village green. But then Hannah discovers the man himself dead as a doornail in his own office...

Now, with so many suspects to investigate and the twelve days of Christmas ticking away, Hannah's running out of time to nab a murderous Scrooge who doesn't want her to see the New Year...

Review: I admit it, I'm addicted to the Hannah Swensen Mystery Series. I'm totally reading them out of order, but I don't care. The festive stories are the best, and this one was really great. It was really more story than mystery. In fact, the murder didn't happen until the story was almost over.

The best part of the story is always the recipes. Joanne develops the best cookie recipes. It is one of the reasons why I always go for these books.

The whole story revolves around  The Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot, who seems to be doing well but his books show otherwise. When more people seem to be finding out about what Larry's doing, he ends up dead and as always, Hannah is on the case. She found him, after all.

Cozy mysteries always make me laugh, because its hard to believe one small town could have so many murders and all found by the same woman. 

In the real world, Mike would have be be wondering if Hannah was a serial killer!

This is the twelfth book in the series, and Hannah is still dating two guys. I really wish Hannah would make a decision on which guy she wanted. I have to admit, I'm team Norman. I don't know why, but I like the guy that is a bit more reliable.

I didn't guess the killer in this one at all, which is actually unusual. I'm actually pretty good at figuring out the killer in these books.

The subplot in this book involves Norm's mom, Carrie, and that was actually a little bit more interesting than the actual murder.

These books are kind of fluffy, but I enjoy them. I enjoy Harlequin romances too. I wish this one had more mystery to the story, but it really doesn't matter, because I enjoy all the goings on in Lake Eden.

I will inevitably read more in this series.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: The Amish Bride Of Ice Mountain

Author: Kelly Long
Title: The Amish Bride Of Ice Mountain
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: Nov 14, 2014
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

The Amish Bride

Like most Mountain Amish girls, Mary King has always dreamed of her wedding day. But she never imagined that a sudden, irresistible kiss would result in marriage to the handsome Englischer professor studying her unique community. Or that doing the truly honorable thing means keeping their relationship chaste so both she and Dr. Jude Lyons can someday go their separate ways.

But when Mary accompanies her husband-in-name-only to Atlanta to meet his wealthy, overbearing family, she's tempted more than ever by Jude's kindness, humor--and vulnerability. And when a wrenching misunderstanding causes her to return heartbroken to her remote Appalachian home, she's certain she's lost the real love they have found...and the shared future she's come to want so much. But a crisis of more than faith will work surprising miracles--and show Mary that love is strong enough to make the impossible come true.

Review: The Amish Bride Of Ice Mountain isn't your typical Amish fiction. This book deals with real issues and even intimacy between a man and his wife. Because most Amish fiction falls under "Christian fiction" you don't get much beyond a kiss in those books.

Don't get me wrong, there's no hot and heavy Amish sex scenes going on here, but Kelly does allow you to see that Amish people have romantic/and sensual feelings too.

It wasn't always an easy read, because the Amish in this community aren't like the Amish you read about from places like Lancaster, PA or Sugarcreek, OH. These people are mountain people and some of their ideas are very backwards. Mary and Jude are married because he had the audacity to kiss her.

Mary was really a unique character. She embodied innocence in most things,except her feelings for Jude.

The story itself is full of family drama for both characters, from a near rape to strange family issues with both mother and father and ex girlfriends.

That in itself should prove to you that this isn't your typical Amish setting. So if you are looking for a book where everything is peachy keen, then you might want to look elsewhere. Some might describe this book as edgy, but I don't really think so. In more ways it is real or at least the blinders are taken away. Not all Amish people are nice and Long portrays that well with the scene with Isaac, even though things change at the end.

Some things are wrapped up to easily for me though. I felt that some drama could have been cut back or more explanations given. I found this to really be the case with Josh's father Ted, and even his ex, Carol. I would have also enjoyed getting to know Mary and Jude's families a bit better.

I did love the Ice Mountain setting, which is a real place in PA, and one that I hope to visit at some point in my life.

This was an enjoyable read for those that want a little more from their Amish fiction. I look forward to reading Joseph's story next.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: Huckleberry Christmas

Author: Jennifer Beckstrand
Title: Huckleberry Christmas
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: Oct 7, 2014
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

Now that they've happily married off two of their grandchildren, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next matchmaking challenge. What better way to celebrate the most heartwarming of seasons--and make Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, the place for unexpected love. . .

A difficult marriage has left the Helmuths' widowed great-granddaughter, Beth, finished with wedlock. She's content to live with them and make a life for herself and her toddler son. But once she turns down handsome Tyler Yoder's proposal, it seems only fair to encourage him to find a suitable wife. Trouble is, his gentleness and generous ways are showing her how joyous a real meeting of hearts can be. . .

After a failed courtship, Tyler thought the best he could hope for in a wife was mere companionship. But spirited Beth is the one he longs to protect, and hold close. Earning her trust is the hardest thing he's ever had to do. And soon, both will discover that forgiveness and understanding are gifts that only rekindled faith--along with the happiest of holidays--can bring.

Review:  This is one of the sweetest Amish romances that you'll ever read. Anna Helmuth is quite the matchmaker and this time she's planning on getting her granddaughter, Beth hooked up with Tyler Yoder, who was jilted by his last choice of bride.

Our hero and heroine are both a bit shy of marriage/love. Beth is out of an abusive  relationship, not only with her departed husband, but also her inlaws. As you discover more and more about her husband Amos and his mom and brothers, you can't help but feel terribly sorry for her.  Her son Toby, is the most precious thing. I loved how he calls people he loves "Mommy."

Tyler is the best hero ever, as far as Amish romance is concerned. He is all kindness and goodness. Even though he doesn't expect to find love after his last relationship went awry, his feelings for Beth are there almost from the start. (Even when she's hitting him with sunflowers).

When Beth refuses Tyler's proposal, she offers to find him a bride. Her matchmaking is hilarious, and almost as funny as the old Amish bachelors that come courting her. Vernon is an absolute hoot, and he doesn't seem to realize that there is someone else in her heart.

This is an absolutely wonderful read for the holiday season and a great book for lovers of Amish romance.

I highly recommend it!

Rating: 5 flowers

Book Review: Death Comes To The Village

Author: Catherine Lloyd
Title: Death Comes To The Village
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: Nov 26, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

A wounded soldier and a rector's daughter discover strange goings-on in the sleepy village of Kurland St. Mary in Catherine Lloyd's charming Regency-set mystery debut.

Major Robert Kurland has returned to the quiet vistas of his village home to recuperate from the horrors of Waterloo. However injured his body may be, his mind is as active as ever. Too active, perhaps. When he glimpses a shadowy figure from his bedroom window struggling with a heavy load, the tranquil façade of the village begins to loom sinister. . .

Unable to forget the incident, Robert confides in his childhood friend, Miss Lucy Harrington. As the dutiful daughter of the widowed rector, following up on the major's suspicions offers a welcome diversion--but soon presents real danger. Someone is intent on stopping their investigation. And in a place where no one locks their doors, a series of thefts and the disappearance of two young serving girls demands explanation. . .

As Robert grapples with his difficult recovery, he and Lucy try to unearth the dark truth lurking within the village shadows, and stop a killer waiting to strike again...

Review: I love a good cozy mystery and I really loved the regency setting. Historical cozies are my my absolute favorite.

It is a shame that this particular mystery just seemed to plod along at a snail's pace. It is the first book is the first book in the Kurland St Mary Mystery series and most of the time seemed to be spent getting to know the two main characters, Lucy Harrington and Major Robert Kurland.

More time seems to be spent on Robert and Lucy and what seems to be a possible romance then the actual mystery and that would be fine, if there ended up being a romance when you hit the last page. Instead, you end up unsatisfied and unsure of whether or not you want to anticipate the next book in the series.

I truly felt bad for Lucy. She wants a Season in London, but her father who is a rather lousy rector in my estimation would rather her be the daughter that cares for him. I think that's why the ending wasn't satisfying to me.

When all is said and done, I wanted Lucy and Robert to be a couple, but maybe that is something for the next book.

The mystery involves, things that go bump in the night, some thefts and finally a murder. Since the Major is unable to get about due to his injury, Lucy is the one that does the poking about. I have to admit, I had no clue who the killer was and when it was revealed I was more than a little bit surprised.

Hopefully when the next book comes around, there will be more mystery, now that we've been introduced to the primary characters. I think Ms Lloyd has created an interesting setting for this series and it should be one worth revisiting.

Rating: 3 flowers

Book Review: Fudge Cupcake Murder

Author: Joanne Fluke
Title: Fudge Cupcake Murder
Publisher: Kensington Press
Publish Date: Feb 1, 2005
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: Bakery owner Hannah Swensen just can't keep her hands out of the batter when murder stirs things up in Lake Eden, Minnesota, leaving the sheriff dead, a deputy accused, and a killer on the loose...For Hannah, life seems to be lacking a certain flavour lately. Maybe it's the local sheriff's election that's got her down. For years, Sheriff Grant's been the iron hand in town. But now, Hannah's brother-in-law Bill is giving the old blowhard the fight of his long, dubious career - and Grant's not taking it well, especially once the polls show Bill pulling ahead. But before anyone can taste victory, things go sour. While Hannah's emptying the trash, she makes a very unappetizing discovery: Sheriff Grant's body in the Dumpster behind the high school where she's teaching her cooking class. And as if that weren't bad enough, the poor man still has fudge frosting on his shirt from one of her cupcakes. The number one - and only - suspect is Bill, but Hannah's not swallowing it. Plenty of people had reason to hate Sheriff Grant. Soon, Hannah's dishing up scandalous secrets, steaming hot betrayals, and enough intrigue to keep the gossip mill at The Cookie Jar going through several pots of decaf. And the closer Hannah gets to the truth, the closer she gets to smoking out a murderer with a very nasty recipe for silencing people...

Review: This is book 5 in the Hannah Swensen series. I devour this series much like I do cookies, and I've made several of Joanne's that are published in these books.

There's a lot of craziness going on in this book.

1. Bill is running for sheriff and Andrea is having a rough last few weeks of her pregnancy.
2. When the Sheriff is found murdered, Bill is suspended and he's driving everyone crazy, especially his wife, since he can't work the case.
3. Moishe is trying to be weened off the regular kitty crunchies to the senior variety, and Moishe isn't going for it.
4. Hannah is trying to figure out the secret ingredient in Ted's mother's Fudge Cupcakes.

So yeah, lots going on...oh and Mike just may be seeing another girl on the side.

I have to say, I've never understood Hannah's affection for Mike. He's pretty much been a big jerk in most books. I'm team Norman all the way. The way he treats her would have had any other woman showing him the door.

I loved the sleuthing in this one. There are lots of secrets and the killer is really not who you expect, though you kind of get nudged in the right direction in the last part of the book. Still I was surprised at the killer. I really thought that the sheriff's murder would tie in with his son's death for some reason...but I won't give you any spoilers.

Again, I always feel like I'm coming home when I read the Hannah books. These are books that are pure fun, and I love the recipes. (Though this one didn't seem to have as many as some of the others)

Rating: 4 flowers

Andrea's Pecan Divines (I had to make them, I'm an Andrea)
2 cups melted butter (4 sticks, one pound)
3 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla
4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
4 beaten eggs
5 cups flour (no need to sift)
3 cups chocolate chips
4 cups chopped pecans
Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

2. Melt the butter. (Nuke it for 3 minutes on high in a microwave-safe container, or melt it in a pan on the stove.) Mix in the white sugar and the brown sugar. Add the vanilla, the baking soda, salt and mix. Add the eggs abd stir it all up. Add half the flour, the chocolate chips, and the chopped pecans. Stir well to incorporate, Add the rest of the flour and mix throughly.

3. Drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheets, 12 cookies to a standard-size sheet. If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it slightly and try again. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10-12 minutes or until nicely browned.

4. Let cool two minutes, then remove cookies from the baking sheet and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Book Review: Chocolate Covered Murder

Author: Leslie Meier

Title: Chocolate Covered Murder

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: Dec 31, 2012

Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

Between a cutthroat dessert contest and her daughter's new job at the fanciest chocolate shop Tinker's Cove has ever seen, Lucy Stone is on a steady diet of tempting treats! But with a killer on the loose, and Valentine's Day around the corner, there may be nothing sweeter than revenge. . . It's frigid in snow-covered Tinker's Cove, and Lucy is fighting the winter blues--and her widening waistline. No one in their right mind would vacation in Maine this time of year, but to boost the economy, the town is launching a travel promotion for Valentine's Day. As a reporter for the Pennysaver, Lucy is assigned a puff piece on upscale Chanticleer's Chocolates, and its deliciously handsome owner, Trey Meacham. But when a local fisherman drowns suspiciously, Lucy's certain her investigative skills could be put to better use. . .

Everyone is shocked when Fern's Famous Fudge loses its status as "Best Candy on the Coast" to Chanticleer's pricey newfangled confections. And Lucy soon discovers there's another tantalizing tart behind the counter. Sultry store manager Tamzin Graves is only too eager to serve her male clientele--who find her as mouthwatering as her beef-jerky-spiked truffles. Leaving a throng of jealous women in her wake, it's almost no surprise when Tamzin is the next to turn up dead, her body covered in chocolate. . .

Could a bitter ex-wife be behind the crimes? Or a candy shop competitor? There's no sugar-coating the truth, and as Lucy closes in on the culprit, she may find herself locked in the clutches of a half-baked killer. . .

Review: I have a love/hate relationship with Lucy Stone. I've read a few and I've had mixed feelings about them, but this story caught my eye, and I was really pleasantly surprised when I finished the last page.

When I first started reading this series, I expected something like the Hannah Swensen series, and when I found out it wasn't going to be that way, I was a little disappointed. Like the Hannah novels, you do get a fun cast of characters from Tinker's Cove, but where as Hannah is a single girl with a business, Lucy is a parttime

This story was more lively with two rival candy makers and two dead bodies, and truth be told, Lucy didn't seem to be investigating more as she was there to watch things unfold.

The characters, particularly the ones that end up dead are the most interesting, Tamzin, who is really quite a sleazy chocolate seller and Max and outdoors man that doesn't pay his bills. Both add life to the story, Tamzin with her general flirtatious sluttyness and Max, well, you felt sorry for him for a bit.

There was so much going on in this story, naughty chocolates, one of Lucy's friends getting handcuffed to the bed by a chocolate Cassanova, Trey Meacham and an elderly couple on the hunt for a perfect house.

This story had an interesting pace because there were two murders. Max died early on and Tamzin midway through. I spent a lot of the book wondering how the two killings were tied together, and even when one character was arrested, I knew that person couldn't be the killer. The cops never find the killer in cozy mysteries early on! What fun would that be if they did!

More so than anything this book mixed small town gossip with a murder mystery and the result was really quite fun and it kept you on your toes, because you really couldn't guess who did it until the book was nearly over.

All of this taking place around Valentine's Day!

One of the better Lucy Stone mysteries and you really don't need to read them all in order to enjoy them.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: Cream Puff Murder

Author: Joanne Fluke
Title: Cream Puff Murder
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: March 1, 2009
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Bakery owner Hannah Swensen has a dress to fit into and a date with her sister, Andrea, at Lake Eden's new health club, Heavenly Bodies. Dragging herself out of bed on a frigid Minnesota morning for exercise, of all things, is bad enough. Discovering the body of man-eating bombshell Ronni Ward floating in the gym's jacuzzi? Okay, that's worse. Nor does it help that there's a plate of The Cookie Jar's very own cream puffs garnishing the murder scene. Trying to narrow the list of Ronni's enemies down to fewer than half the town's female population, Hannah has her plate full. Trouble is, when it comes to cookies - and to murder - there's always room for one more...

Review: I have to admit, I love this series. It is a very light on the mystery and heavy on the small town comings and goings and on the recipes.

Oh yeah, I will admit I read these for the recipes. Joanna Fluke delivers great cookie recipes. Move over Mrs Fields, cos Joanna's cookies are 100 times better.

And I know because I've made quite a few.

This book deals with the murder of fitness instructor and sexpot, Ronni Ward. She's one character you're happy to see dead. She's just not nice to other women and she's trying to steal everyone else's men, including part of Hannah's love triangle, Mike.

Thanks to Ronni's sluttish nature, Hannah has a free hand at trying to solve this murder, because every detective is off the case.

WTF! Including Andrea's husband Bill!

Yikes!

To make things interesting Hannah needs to lose weight to fit in the regency dress her mother ordered for her for her book launch party.

I'm not sure how she lost all the weight in 2 weeks, but kudos to her, for staying away from all her yummy cookies.

Why I love about this series is how homey they feel. I don't read a Hannah Swensen novel looking to be wowed but a great mystery. I read them because I love the characters in Lake Eden. I love Hannah's family and friends.

I look at this series as something like Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street series, only with a murder in each book (and some awesome cookie recipes)

I really enjoyed the mystery in Cream Puff Murder, because the victim was so nasty. I also liked the switcheroo Joanne pulled when it came to whodunit. Just when you thought you knew who it was, you find out your wrong.

Some might complain that things are predictable and not so realistic, but I don't care. These books are fun and I love them!

Now onto a recipe.

Blueberry Crunch Cookies


Ingredients 
1 C melted butter
2 C sugar
2 t vanilla
½ t salt
1½ baking soda
2 large beaten eggs
2½ C flour 1 C dried sweetened blueberries
2 C ground dry oatmeal (measure before grinding)

Directions 

350 oven
Melt butter.
Add sugar and mix.
Add vanilla, salt, baking soda—mix well.
When cooled to room temp., add eggs.
Add flour slowly.
Mix in dried fruit.
Place oatmeal in food processor and process till it is the consistency of course sand. Add oatmeal to bowl. Dough will be quite thick.
Roll into walnut size balls.
Put on greased cookie sheet.
If too sticky, refrigerate for 1/2 hour.
Squish balls down a bit with spatula.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. These freeze well.

I made a half a batch and I made one change to the recipe. Dried blueberries are super expensive and I'm on a budget, so I bought a bag of mixed berries. The bag had dried cranberries, blueberries and cherries  but at a reduced cost.

The cookies are delicious and the ground oatmeal gives them the perfect crunch. The other thing I've noticed about Joanna's recipes is the use of melted butter. I think this really adds something to the cookie

I can't wait to try another recipe from the book.

Rating: 4 flowers

Historical Fiction Book Tours Book Review: The Queen's Pleasure

Author: Brandy Purdy
Title: The Queen's Pleasure in UK A Court Affair
Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Buy:Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Historical Fiction Book Tours & the Publisher
Book Blurb: When young Robert Dudley, an earl's son, meets squire's daughter Amy Robsart, it is love at first sight. They marry despite parental misgivings, but their passion quickly fades, and the ambitious Dudley returns to court. Swept up in the turmoil of Tudor politics, Dudley is imprisoned in the Tower. Also a prisoner is Dudley's childhood playmate, the princess Elizabeth. In the shadow of the axe, their passion ignites. When Elizabeth becomes queen, rumours rage that Dudley means to free himself of Amy in order to wed her. And when Amy is found dead in unlikely circumstances, suspicion falls on Dudley - and the Queen...Still hotly debated amongst scholars - was Amy's death an accident, suicide, or murder? - the fascinating subject matter makes for an enthralling read for fans of historical fiction.

Review: I think Queen Elizabeth is one of the most fascinating royals. There's so much about her that makes you want to dive in and learn more. Brandy Purdy's books about the Tudors. Let's face it, that's one of the most intriguing periods in English history. Everyone wants to know about The Tudors!

There's a lot written about Elizabeth and Robert Dudley, but this book really brings the people and their relationships to life and Elizabeth definitely had some complex relationships. That's what Brandy Purdy explores here, and let's face it, we'll never really know what really transpired between the two.

If you are a fan of Phillipa Gregory or Jean Plaidy, you must read this book. If you are a fan of all things Tudor, you must read this book!

Rating:  5 flowers

About Brandy Purdy

Brandy Purdy (Emily Purdy in the UK) is the author of the historical novels THE CONFESSION OF PIERS GAVESTON, THE BOLEYN WIFE (THE TUDOR WIFE), THE TUDOR THRONE (MARY & ELIZABETH), and THE QUEEN'S PLEASURE (A COURT AFFAIR). An ardent book lover since early childhood, she first became interested in history at the age of nine or ten years old when she read a book of ghost stories which contained a chapter about Anne Boleyn haunting the Tower of London. Visit her website at www.brandypurdy.com, you can also follow her, and her cat Tabby, via her blog at http://brandypurdy.blogspot.com or on Facebook as Brandy Purdy - Emily Purdy.

Book Review: Sugar Cookie Murder

Author: Joanne Fluke
Title: Sugar Cookie Murder
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: Oct 1, 2005
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb:The holidays are the icing on the cake for bakery owner Hannah Swensen. Surrounded by her loved ones, she has all the ingredients for a perfect Christmas until murder is added to the mix...

When it comes to holidays, Minnesotans rise to the occasion and the little town of Lake Eden is baking up a storm with Hannah leading the way. The annual Christmas Buffet is the final test of the recipes Hannah has collected for the Lake Eden Holiday Buffet Cookbook.

While Hannah is baking the day s goodies at The Cookie Jar, the evening s plans begin to jell. Start with the best Lake Eden culinary creations, add two of Hannah s sometime boyfriends, a pinch of her ready-to-pop pregnant sister, and a dash of her mother and new significant other, an actual British lord, and what do you get? A recipe for disaster, but the juiciest ingredient is yet to come..

The recently divorced Martin Dubinski arrives at the buffet with his new Vegas showgirl wife all wrapped up in glitter and fur. His ex-wife, however, seems as cool as chilled eggnog. And when Hannah s mother s antique Christmas cake knife disappears, its discovery in the decolletage of the new and now late Mrs. Dubinski puts the festivities on ice.

With everyone stranded at the community center by a blizzard, Hannah puts her investigative skills to the test, using the ingredients at hand: half the town of Lake Eden and a killer. Now, as the snowdrifts get higher, it s up to Hannah to dig out all the clues and make sure that this white Christmas doesn't bring any more deadly tidings.

Review: This is a cute holiday mystery for fans of the Hannah Swensen series. It is also a two-fer if you ask me. It is half book and half cookbook. Not bad really, unless you are looking for a meaty mystery to carry you through a few hours.

If that's the case, you probably wouldn't want to be reading a Hannah Swensen anyway. These are cheesy fun cozies. If Harlequin had a cozy mystery line, Hannah would be part of it. Hmmm. Why doesn't Harlequin have a cozy line!

But back to the story at hand.

This story involves a recent divorced man and his showgirl bride. It is easy to tell that the bride is going to be our victim early on, because she's just so unappealing and unlikeable that she has to be the one that dies!  All this happens during a potluck supper for the holiday. (That's why there are so many recipes in the end. They are compiling a cookbook from everyone's potluck taste test recipes).

The characters of Lake Eden are so colorful and quirky. That's why I keep coming back. It has nothing to do with great mysteries, because like I said, these aren't really what these books are about. I mean come on! How many people get killed in the same small town? I would think the FBI would be starting to wonder!

I will give Joanne credit for making sure you won't guess her killer in most books, and this one was no exception. Just when you think you do know, you find out that you were wrong!

My only gripe with Hannah is her crazy love triangle. I love the average Joe, Norman. He's nice, he loves Hannah, he has cats.  Good guy! Mike, however is a ....hmmm. I think buttwad is an appropriate term. I cannot figure out why Hannah would stick with him this long.

It isn't as if he's someone like Ranger and Morelli. Nope.

Still, I enjoyed this one. A cute, festive read with lots of glorious things to cook.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: Valentine Murder

Author: Leslie Meier
Title: Valentine Murder
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: February 1, 1999
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: It’s Valentine’s Day in Tinker’s Cove. And while the cupcakes Lucy Stone is baking for her children will have pink frosting and candy hearts, Lucy’s thoughts aren’t centered on sugary sentiments. She’s barely arrived at her first board meeting of the newly-renovated library when Bitsy Howell, the new librarian, is found dead in the basement, shot only minutes before story hour was to start. The agitated board members assume that Bitsy was killed by an outsider, until Detective Lt. Horowitz arrives on the scene and announces that the killer is among them.


Lucy was already aware that Bitsy’s uppity big city ways rubbed some people in Tinker’s Cove the wrong way. But she has a hunch that motives for the librarian’s violent death run a lot deeper. From Hayden Norcross’s elegant antique shop to Corney Clark’s chic kitchen, Lucy relentlessly snoops into the curious lifestyles and shocking secrets of Tinker’s Cove’s most solid citizens—secrets that will plunge her into a terrifying confrontation with a conniving killer.

Review: Lucy Stone mysteries are good for a quiet afternoon. Leslie's books are shorter than your average cozy. In fact they are really about the same length as most Harlequin Romances.

I love Lucy and her family and friends. They feel like real small town people to me, when I read these books, but I have to say there are a few things that bother me, not just with this book, but with some other cozies like this.

1. How do people find other people to kill in these small towns? I mean, I've lived in a small town for all of my 37 years and there haven't been that many murders here.

2. It is 1999 and Lucy doesn't understand the internet and the web? I had my first computer in that year and I felt like I was way behind the times! What's up with that.

3. How does she get away with not turning assignments in at the newspaper. Freelance or no, a deadline's a deadline.

All these things aside, this was a really cute story. A murdered librarian. a stolen pewter tankard, and a caterer who cheats with her recipes. The clues point to so many different people and believe it or not, for as cheesy as these stories are,  you won't guess the killer. However I had a hard time figuring out what happened and to whom towards the end.

A cute fluffy read, but not one of the best in the Lucy Stone series.

Rating: 3 flowers

Book Review: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

Author: Joanne Fluke
Title: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: January 2008
Buy:Amazon
Book Blurb: Discover the delicious mystery that started it all!
No one cooks up a delectable, suspense-filled mystery quite like Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke’s dessert-baking, red-haired heroine whose gingersnaps are as tart as her comebacks, and whose penchant for solving crimes—one delicious clue at a time—has made her a bestselling favorite. And it all began on these pages, with a bakery, a murder, and some suddenly scandalous chocolate-chip crunchies. Featuring a bonus short story and brand new, mouthwatering recipes, this limited edition of the very first Hannah Swensen mystery is sure to have readers coming back for seconds…

Hannah Swenson already has her hands full trying to dodge her mother’s attempts to marry her off while running The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden, Minnesota’s most popular bakery. But once Ron LaSalle, the beloved delivery man from the Cozy Cow Dairy, is found murdered behind her bakery with Hannah’s famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies scattered around him, her life just can’t get any worse. Determined not to let her cookies get a bad reputation, she sets out to track down a killer.

Who would have the sheer audacity—and the motive—to kill the most punctual delivery man Hannah ever had? Topping the list is the high school football coach. What exactly was his wife doing, making the rounds with the milkman? Could Max Turner, owner of Cozy Cow Dairy, have had a secret he didn’t want to share with his top employee? The more Hannah snoops, the more suspects turn up. Why has Lake Eden’s most prominent prodigal son, Benton Woodley, just resurfaced? And what about the mysterious Mr. Harris who seemed interested in buying the property next to the dairy, but then disappeared? This is one murder that’s starting to leave a very bad taste in Hannah’s mouth. And if she doesn’t watch her back, Hannah’s sweet life may get burned to a crisp.

Review: This is the reissue of the first book in the Hannah Swensen series. It comes complete with the added short story Candy For Christmas. I have to say that I'm not sure what I love the most about the series, the characters or the recipes. I made the Chocolate Chip Crunches a few weeks ago and everyone raved about them. So Joanne gets props for having awesome cookie recipes. I plan on trying a few more from this book too.

The story is like most of the others in the series, only you get to see everything from the beginning. I've read a few of the books already and I have to tell you, it doesn't matter if you read them in order or not.

This book is pure fluff, and I don't mean that in a bad way. This is the kind of fluff you reach for when you've had a bad day and you need to just enjoy your reading time. I really liked getting to see the start of Hannah's relationships with Mike and Norman. I don't usually "ship" with these stories, but finally reading this book, I have to say, I'm Team Norman.

The murders were amusing, and being the dunce that I am, I never figured out whodunit until I reached the end. I always find myself laughing when the amateur sleuths go breaking in to places and they never get in trouble, even when they find bodies there!

This edition also includes a short story, Candy For Christmas. This was really a sweet story, no murder involved here, just a runaway girl and a whole lot of great holiday cookie recipes.

Lake Eden is one of my favorite places to visit, because Hannah and her family and friends are just so much fun to spend time with!

Rating:  5 flowers

Book Review: Bake Sale Murder

Author: Leslie Meier
Title: Bake Sale Murder
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: Dec 1, 2007
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Ever since local developer Fred Stanton and his wife, Mimi, built five modular homes next door to Lucy Stone's farmhouse, life just hasn't been the same. With Mimi complaining about everything from the state of Lucy's lawn to another neighbor's lovable dog, quaint Tinker's Cove, Maine, is now entangled in cul-de-sac politics and backstabbing. And when Mimi doesn't show up for her shift at The Hat and Mitten Fund bake sale, the scent of burnt sugar leads Lucy to a shocking discovery: Mimi, face down on her kitchen floor--with a knife in her back.
While the police start their investigation, Lucy gets busy writing up the murder for the local Pennysaver--and following a few leads of her own. Lucy knows the women in her neighborhood didn't like Mimi, but they certainly didn't want her dead...right?

   
Review: There's something special about Lucy Stone mysteries. This is the 13th in the series. This story mixes small town life with a cozy mystery. Unlike a lot of authors with long lived series, I find that Lucy Stone is still fresh, and her characters are progressing on with their lives. Things aren't at a stand still in these books. Lucy's son Toby is engaged, her daughter is away at college. The neighborhood is changing. That's what sets up the stage for the murder.

It takes awhile for the murder to take place, which some readers may have a gripe with, but Leslie let's us get to know the new people in town, as well as Mimi, her husband and two sons. That's the cozy to this mystery.

I laughed my way through the scenes where Lucy, Sue, Chris, Mimi etc where trying to decide what to make for the bake sale. This was classic small town U.S.A. Typical PTA mom poltics! It wouldn't be as funny if it weren't true.

I really liked how several other parts of the story tied things together to the murder of Mimi and the homeless man. To say any more would spoil the story.

This was a really quick read and a fun cozy with some great recipes at the end! I can't wait to try them, as well as another Lucy Stone.

Rating: 4 flowers