February Books

Have you noticed that February is almost over and books for March, April and even May are already starting to show up?

There are still several great releases from February that I’d like to highlight.

A CRAFTY KILLING by Lorraine Bartlett

The last thing Katie Bonner wanted was to become the manager of Artisans Alley. But when her business partner, Ezra Hilton, is found lying at the bottom of a staircase, bludgeoned to death, she has no other choice. A collection of booths for artisans and craft sellers in a renovated applesauce factory building, Artisans Alley is the main attraction in the quaint Victoria Square shopping area. But business under Ezra had been faltering—enough to provoke someone to murder?

Katie has had more than her share of death - her late husband (and Ezra's former partner), Chad, died in a car accident six months ago. But as she digs deeper into Ezra's murder, her husband's death starts to look suspicious. While the cops are proceeding by the book, Katie is investigating by the booths—for the answer to the killer’s identity lies in the hidden secrets of Artisans Alley itself.

This is the first installment in the Victorian Square Mystery series. The book also features several of Katie's delicious recipes.

Author Lorraine Bartlett’s website is http://www.lorrainebartlett.com/. Lorraine Bartlett is the pseudonym for Lorna Barrett.

A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett, A Victoria Square Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 978-0425239858, Paperback, 304 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.

WILD PENANCE by Sandi Ault

It was a sight that Bureau of Land Management agent Jamaica Wild hopes to never see again: a man tied to a cross, his loincloth catching in the wind as he plummeted down into the Rio Grande Gorge to his death. That is, if he wasn't dead already.

Ever since she learned about Los Penitentes, a secret, ancient religious group that reenacts Jesus’ crucifixion and practices excessive penance, Jamaica’s been fascinated,putting together a book of sketches and research. She refuses to heed warnings that she should put down her pencil, even after someone makes an attempt on her life. Jamaica's fact-finding mission could also send her, like the crucified man, over the edge.

This is the fourth installment in the Wild Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. This is the first time in paperback for this edition.

Author Sandi Ault’s website is http://www.sandiault.com

Wild Penance by Sandi Ault, A Wild Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 978-0425238844, Paperback, 352 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.

TOWN IN A LOBSTER STEW by B.B. Haywood

In the quaint seaside village of Cape Willington, Maine, Candy Holliday has a mostly idyllic life, tending to the Blueberry Acres farm she runs with her father and occasionally stepping in to solve a murder or two.
 
Things start to boil over at the annual Lobster Stew Cook-Off when an award-winning recipe is stolen and a seven-time contest champion mysteriously disappears—leaving Candy no choice but to find out who in Cape Willington, Maine, would get steamed enough to break the law.

Candy's convinced something fishy is going on, and her reporter instincts take over. But as she begins to put the missing pieces together she runs afoul of Wanda Boyle, the town busybody, who's determined to stop her investigation. But nothing can stop Candy from discovering that dark secrets and unbridled ambition can boil over into murder.

This is the second installment in the Candy Holliday Murder Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. Delicious lobster-based recipes are included in the book.
 
Author B.B. Haywood’s website is http://www.hollidaysblueberryacres.com. B. B. Haywood is a pseudonym of writing team Beth Feeman and Robert Feeman.

Town in a Lobster Stew by B.B. Haywood, A Candy Holliday Murder Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 978-0425240014, Paperback, 384 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.

POLISHED OFF by Lila Dare

It's business as usual at Violetta's salon, until Audrey Faye sashays in looking for stylists for the Miss Magnolia Blossom pageant. Hairdresser Grace Terhune’ jumps at the opportunity, but it quickly turns into a nightmare with anti-pageant protestors, angry mothers, frantic contestants...and then, a very dead Audrey.

The murder weapon was a nail file, making Violetta’s manicurist, Stella, the prime suspect. It turns out Audrey was having an affair with Stella's husband. Now Grace and Violetta's beauticians must find the real murderer before Stella is polished off permanently.

This is the second installment in the Southern Beauty Shop Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. The book features an added bonus with organic skin-care recipes included such as the Mocha Body Scrub.
 
Author Lila Dare’s website is http://www.liladare.com.

Polished Off by Lila Dare, A Southern Beauty Shop Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 978-0425239865, Paperback, 304 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.

PERSONAL NOTE: Just wanted to say a special THANK YOU for all the wonderful and positive thoughts, prayers, virtual hugs and love send to Gum Drop during her surgery and recovery. She’s doing well and so far, so good.