The Calamity Café {+ Giveaway}

◊ THE CALAMITY CAFE by Gayle Leeson

◊ Series: A Down South Café Mystery (Book 1)

◊ Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

◊ Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

◊ Publisher: NAL (June 7, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1101990783

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1101990780

SYNOPSIS:

Aspiring chef and small-town Virginia native Amy Flowers is ready to open her own café offering old-fashioned Southern food. But her dream may go up in smoke when someone kills the competition...

          Tired of waiting tables at Lou’s Joint, Amy Flowers doesn’t just quit—she offers to buy the place from her bully of a boss, so she can finally open the café of her dreams. Amy can't wait to serve the kind of Southern, down-home treats and dishes that her grandmother always loved to the kooky cast of regulars at the restaurant. She knows her comfort food will be the talk of the sweet, small town of Winter Garden, Virginia.
          At first Lou Lou refuses to sell, but when she seems ready to make a deal, she tells Amy to come see her.  Showing up at the eatery ready to negotiate, Amy is shocked to find her former employer murdered. As the prime suspect, Amy will have to clear her name by serving up the real killer—and with Lou Lou’s stack of enemies, that’s a tall order.

Includes delicious Southern recipes!

When an author can make you feel like you’re surrounded by a warm, friendly sensation, then you know it’s going to be entertained by a delightful tale.

Author Gayle Leeson translates those feelings through her talented writing in the first installment of her new Down South Café Mystery series. The friendly, close-knit atmosphere of a small community encircles you despite the fact a murder has been committed. The delectable aroma of good old Southern cooking can almost be smelled through the author’s vivid descriptions. It’s an added bonus that several of the recipes are actually shared in the book.

The characters are well-developed and likable. Their easy-going manner will pull you in as the twists and turns keep you guessing. The story flows at a steady pace and holds your attention until the very end.

A good mix of suspense, laughter and a touch of romance make this a pleasurable start to what looks like will be an amusing new series. Cozy mystery fans won’t be able to put down THE CALAMITY CAFÉ until the last drop of entertainment has been absorbed.

The Calamity Café by Gayle Leeson, A Down South Café Mystery (Book #1), Obsidian (NAL), @2016, ISBN: 978-1101990780, Mass Market Paperback, 304 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have a print copy of THE CALAMITY CAFÉ by Gayle Leeson to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, June 16.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out this new series and the fun first installment. Do you have a favorite café you like to visit? What’s your favorite food to enjoy at a café?

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Flight Pattern by Karen White

◊ FLIGHT PATTERN by Karen White

◊ Hardcover: 416 pages

◊ Genre: Women’s Fiction

◊ Publisher: NAL (May 24, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0451470915

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0451470911

SYNOPSIS:

 The New York Times bestselling author of The Sound of Glass and coauthor of The Forgotten Room tells the story of a woman coming home to the family she left behind—and to the woman she always wanted to be...

            Georgia Chambers has spent her life sifting through other people’s pasts while trying to forget her own. But then her work as an expert of fine china—especially of Limoges—requires her to return to the one place she swore she’d never revisit...

            It’s been ten years since Georgia left her family home on the coast of Florida, and nothing much has changed, except that there are fewer oysters and more tourists. She finds solace seeing her grandfather still toiling away in the apiary where she spent much of her childhood, but encountering her estranged mother and sister leaves her rattled.
            Seeing them after all this time makes Georgia realize that something has been missing—and unless she finds a way to heal these rifts, she will forever be living vicariously through other people’s remnants. To embrace her own life—mistakes and all—she will have to find the courage to confront the ghosts of her past and the secrets she was forced to keep...       

Author Karen White weaves an enchanting tale of past and present coming together to form a hopeful future in this latest release.

The characters in this moving story are likable and well-developed. Their interactions will draw you in as they each deal with their own secrets and ghosts. Told from different viewpoints adds depth to the story.

The author details the various settings in such a way you feel connected to each place. While beekeeping and china patterns seem to have little, if nothing, in common, White brings the two elements together in an entertaining and educational way.

FLIGHT PATTERNS is a mesmerizing story that moves at a quick pace holding you spellbound until the end. The story is suspenseful as it blends the history of World War II in Europe with modern day for an intriguing look at secrets and how they can mold lives. A must read for your summer pleasure.

Flight Pattern by Karen White, NAL, @2016, ISBN: 978-0451470911, Hardcover, 416 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you have a favorite china pattern? Do you have a set or piece of china that has been passed down through generations in your family?

Florist Grump {+ Giveaway}

*This post contains affiliate links.

Moving back home can be an undertaking for all involved, but throw in a new husband, a rescue dog and a talent for finding trouble and you have the makings for a new adventure for sleuth-solving, flower shop owner Abby Knight Salvare.

Saving money to build a new home, Abby and her husband Marco move into her childhood bedroom of her parent’s home. The stress of family togetherness has Abby on edge.

The tension mounts when an employee of the savings and loan is found murdered and the authorities look at the local window washer as the prime suspect. Abby is determined to get to the root of the matter and find the real killer even if it means putting herself in danger once again.

Author Kate Collins has created such entertaining, realistic characters you can’t help but feel like they are all your friends. The loyalty, friendship and compassion she blends throughout the story makes it a heartwarming read despite the murder. The small town atmosphere is friendly and inviting. The family antics will have you relating to your own family’s bantering.

There’s never a dull moment in this fast pace adventure that will keep you guessing until the end. The twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat.

While the momentum of many long-running series tends to slow down, Collins continues full steam ahead in this 17th installment of her Flower Shop Mystery series. FLORIST GRUMP can be read on its own. But if you’re a first time reader, don’t be surprised to find yourself plucking more installments from the series to read.

Collins crafts a perfect bouquet of charming characters, suspenseful mystery, quaint setting and family togetherness that mystery lovers will adore. FLORIST GRUMP is chalked full of enough entertainment and surprises to outdo a box of chocolates.

Florist Grump by Kate Collins, A Flower Shop Mystery (Book #17), NAL, @2015, ISBN: 978-0451473431, Mass Market Paperback, 336Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to Danielle and the great folks at Berkley, I have a print copy of FLORIST GRUMP to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, Nov. 19.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Florist Grump Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decide for whatever reason you don’t want to win, once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks for stopping by today. What are your thoughts on moving back in with parents if you’re trying to save to buy a home?

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Ghost of a Potion {+ Giveaway}

Southern charm, hospitality, and humor blend well with mystery, magic and mayhem in author Heather Blake’s latest release, GHOST OF A POTION.

The comforting down-home appeal quickly draws you in to a world where the paranormal seems natural. The author’s easy writing style envelopes you as it transports you to Hitching Post, Alabama, just as the residents are set to celebrate Halloween.

Potion shop owner Carly Bell Hartwell is not all that fond of Halloween seeing how that’s the busy time for ghosts wanting to get her help to pass through to the other side. A costume ball, organized by her boyfriend Dylan’s mother, is the last place she wants to be as Halloween approaches. But she agrees to go just to please Dylan despite the fact his mother seems to hate her.

When Dylan’s mother is found standing over a dead body, holding the murder weapon, Carly see an opportunity the forge a truce with her if she can clear her name. Carly has her hands full trying to uncover the real killer, while dealing with so many ghosts. Carly soon learns secrets take on a life of their own if kept too long.

Blake’s characters are quirky, likable and well-developed. The bantering between Carly and her parents is priceless. The dialogue flows smoothly and holds you spellbound. The twists and turns in the story will keep you in suspense until the very end.

The author’s vivid descriptions and eye for detail paints a beautiful Southern town. The right mix of humor and family loyalty adds depth to this charming story while lightening the cozy murder mystery.

GHOST OF A POTION is the third installment in the Magic Potion Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. 

Featuring characters you wish were your neighbors, this enchanting story will entertain you from the first line until the last. Magic, potions and ghosts are a delight when Carly Bell Hartwell is involved.

Ghost of a Potion by Heather Blake, A Magic Potion Mystery Book #3, NAL, @2015, ISBN: 978-0451416322, Mass Market Paperback, 336 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to Danielle and the wonderful folks at Berkley, I have a print copy of GHOST OF A POTION to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, Oct. 16.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Ghost Potion Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decide for whatever reason you don’t want to win, once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by for my review of this fun mystery. Do you shy away from books just because they involve paranormal elements? Do you enjoy reading ghost stories during October in honor of Halloween?

*This post contains affiliate links.

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