Christmas, Criminals and Campers: A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series by Tonya Kappes

Good Day!  Isn't the cover of Christmas, Criminals and Campers festive?  It puts a smile on my face.  My mother is a fan of Tonya Kappes' A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery series, and she could not wait to read the the latest installment.  The first three books in A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery series are (1) Beaches, Bungalows and Burglaries, (2) Deserts, Driving and Derelicts and (3) Forests, Fishing and Forgery.

Christmas, Criminals and Campers by Tonya Kappes is the fourth tale in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.   The Laundry Club is having their monthly book club meeting where they are discussing the latest Nadine White book chosen by Abby Fawn, librarian and the author’s biggest fan.  When Betts Hager tells the group that Nadine is coming to town to stay for a few months and will speak with their group, Abby is extremely excited.  Abby is surprised by the author’s rudeness and dismayed when she learns the author utilizes a ghost writer.  Abby becomes angry and makes some remarks that she soon regrets.  Hank and Mae are enjoying their first real date.  On the way home, they notice the library lights still on and stop to investigate.  They find Abby standing over Nadine with a bloody knife in her hand.  Mae knows that Abby did not kill Nadine, but she must prove it to Detective Hank Sharp.  As if Mae does not have enough on her plate, her foster brother, Bobby Rae has invited their foster mother, Mary Elizabeth Moberly to visit for Christmas.  Mae left the Moberly home when she was eighteen and has never looked back.  Mae has bitter feelings toward Mary Elizabeth about the way she was raised.  Is Mae going to get the festive holiday she planned?  Mae is going to need a Christmas miracle to solve the murder before Santa comes riding into town.  Join Mae and her friends in Normal, Kentucky for a merry adventure in Christmas,Criminals and Campers.

The books in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series are best read in order.  It will allow readers to understand Mae West and her history.  I found Christmas, Criminals and Campers to be nicely written with Tonya Kappes’ conversational writing style.  She has a way of drawing the reader into a story and making them feel welcome.  There is plenty of Christmas spirit as Mae prepares for her first Christmas at the Happy Trails Campground and is hosting a Christmas dinner at the campground for anyone who wishes to attend.  The mystery is traditional with a close friend of Mae’s accused of the crime, and Mae needs to prove her innocence.  I thought the solution was apparent, but I liked following Mae as she questioned suspects and sifted through the clues.  I would have preferred a solid resolution to the crime.  I found the reveal to be incomplete (missing details).  I like the cozy feel of the town and campground.  Normal is a unique small Southern town that I would love to visit. There are quirky characters that enhance the story and all our favorites are back in Christmas, Criminals and Campers.  I am glad that we get to learn more about Mae and her growing up years.  Mary Elizabeth Mobley is visiting for Christmas which allows Mae to deal with unresolved feelings.  There is romance with Mae and Hank finally going on their first date.  There are recipes and helpful RV tips at the end of the book.  Christmas, Criminals and Campers combines a charming small Southern town, friendly characters, a mystery, romance and humor into one winsome cozy mystery.  

All four books in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series are included in the Kindle Unlimited Program.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my latest book review.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on Final Roasting Place by Devon Delaney.    May you have a jovial day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

The Walking Bread: A Bread Shop Mystery by Winnie Archer

Welcome!  Christmas, Criminals and Campers by Tonya Kappes comes out tomorrow.  It is the fourth book in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.  My mother has been eager to read it.  Nipped in the Bud by Sheila Connolly releases on October 29. It is the latest book in An Orchard Mystery series. Lover Come Hack by Diane Vallere, Yule Log Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis as well as Deadly News by Jody Holford publish on October 30.  You can pick yourself up some lovely treats for Halloween.

The Walking Bread by Winnie Archer is the third installment in A Bread Shop Mystery series.  Ivy Culpepper lives in Santa Sofia, California which is busy preparing for the Art Car Show and Ball.  Contestants spend months decorating their cars for the contest and parade.  Ivy is the photographer for the event and has been busy uploading photos to the website.  Ivy’s brother, Billy has not participated in a few years because he continually lost to the deceptive Max Litman.  Billy has created a car to honor their mother who passed away recently. He is sure his beautiful Through the Looking Glass car will take the grand prize. Ivy is photographing the cars and is shocked by Max Litman’s creation.  What Ivy thought was a prop, turns out to be Max.  With the rivalry between Max and Billy well known, Billy zooms to the top of the suspect list.  With Deputy Sheriff Emmaline Davis sidelined by Sheriff Lane, it is up to Ivy to find out who wants Billy to take the fall for Max’s death.  Ivy, with the help of her trusty sidekick, Penelope Branford, must sift through the potential suspects, the clues, and the gossip to identify the killer.

The Walking Bread is not a standalone story.  You need to read Kneaded to Death before embarking on the newest book in A Bread Shop Mystery series.  I found The Walking Bread easy to read courtesy of the writers’ style of writing.  The pace varies throughout the book.  I am happy to see Ivy happy living in Santa Sofia.  She has a cozy home, family and good friends.  I wish the author had taken the time to explain her job in The Walking Bread.  We know she is a photographer and taking photos of the event for the city.  Does she have her own business?  It is not explained in this book.  I found the concept of art cars fascinating.  What a unique idea.  The entrants take old cars and turn them into art pieces.  Billy’s car sounded magical with it’s Through the Looking Glass theme.  The description allowed me to imagine what the piece looked like.  Max Litman is one of those characters that readers will love to hate.  Immediately I could tell that he would soon be found dead and he was in a dramatic fashion.  The account of his car will have you cringing (perfect for Halloween).  Billy (of course) is the prime suspect so Ivy steps up to find the guilty party.  Her helper is Penelope Branford who enjoys the investigations.  Not many people liked the victim (shocker), and Ivy must wade through the various suspects to determine who would want him dead.  The mystery can easily be solved before the solution is revealed.  I felt the resolution was incomplete.  There is supposition instead of facts.  There are many cozy moments as Ivy spends time with her family, bakes bread with Olaya Solis, and enjoys romantic moments with Miguel Baptista.  There are some tender and sad moments as the Culpepper family mourns the loss of their matriarch and share their favorite memories.  I would like the books in this series to have more depth and character development.  I am giving The Walking Bread 3 out of 5 stars.  The Walking Bread is a good choice for those readers who prefer airy cozy mysteries.

The first two books in A Bread Shop Mystery series are Kneaded to Death (my favorite book in the series) and Crust No One.  I appreciate you joining me today.  I am going to feature Christmas, Criminals and Campers by Tonya Kappes.  May you have a dazzling autumn day.  Cooler weather is starting to come to my area (80s instead of 90s).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Are you guilty of doing this?

The Spitfire Girl: A World War II Saga by Fenella J. Miller

Good Day!  Fenella Jane Miller was born on the Isle of Man.  Her father was a Yorkshire man and her mother the daughter of a Rajah.  Fenella has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker, chef, hotelier, primary and secondary teacher, and now is a full-time writer.  Ms. Miller currently lives in a riverside village in Essex with her husband and a British Shorthair kitten.  She has two grown children and three grandchildren.  Ms. Miller's works include thirty-eight Regency romantic adventures, three Victorian sagas, and seven World War II sagas.  You can find Fenella Miller on Facebook, Twitter, and her website.

The Spitfire Girl by Fenella J. Miller sweeps readers back in time to July of 1939.  Ellie Simpson has been flying since she was fourteen years old and now works as an instructor at Glebe Farm Aero Club for Joe Cross.  He taught Ellie as well as her two brothers, George and Neil to fly.  Ellie meets Joe’s nephew, Jack when his plane becomes lost over the ocean one evening and she must help guide him back in.  Jack Reynolds has been working as a stunt pilot in America, but he has returned to England to join the RAF.  The pair get off to a rocky start, but they must find a way to work together when circumstances force Jack to run the school.  With war imminent, the RAF needs men trained as pilots.  Jack and Ellie must whip the recruits into shape as quickly as possible.  When England declares war against Germany, Ellie decides to support the war by joining the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.  She is given a top secret assignment that will aid England is fighting the Germans.  Swoop back to 1939 to join in the high flying adventures in The Spitfire Girl.

The Spitfire Girl gives us a tomboy for a main character with Ellie Simpson.  Ellie has no desire to find a husband and settle down like other women.  She is a spunky woman who loves to fly.  Unfortunately, at the beginning of the war, there are no jobs available for female flyers.  She joins the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) which, ironically, does not allow females to fly.  Ellie has a caring father who in an unhappy marriage.  Ellie’s mother married beneath her and her family cut her off.  There is family drama, dashing soldiers, a mystery, romance and changing climate as war looms on the horizon (and then breaks out as Hitler’s soldiers march across Europe).  I thought The Spitfire Girl was nicely written with steady pacing.  Fenella J. Miller captures the feelings of the people towards the war.  Everyone wants to “do their bit” to help defeat this horrible foe.  There are historical references to the events that transpire during 1939 which set the stage along with the slang, books, cars, and clothing.  The Spitfire Girl is a unique wartime saga that will engage your mind and capture your heart.  The Spitfire Girl is just the first book in the series, and we must wait until 2019 to learn what happens next.  

The Spitfire Girl is available for purchase at Amazon, Kobo, iBooks and Google Play.  The Spitfire Girl is available on Kindle Unlimited.  Thank you for stopping by today. I will feature The Walking Bread by Winnie Archer tomorrow.  I hope you have a compelling day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Christmas Remedy: An Amish Christmas Romance by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall

Good Day!  Some of the new books out today include His Promise by Shelley Shepard Gray, Six Cats a Slayin' by Miranda James and The Christmas Remedy by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall.  

The Christmas Remedy by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall is An Amish Christmas Romance.  Holly Noelle Zook has an unusual profession for an Amish woman.  She is a pharmacy technician at Greene’s Pharmacy in Raysburg, Pennsylvania and studying for admission to nursing school.  Holly wants to bring better health care to the people in her community.  She wants to make sure they have access to medication and doctors.  Holly is determined that what happened to her father ten years ago will not happen to anyone else.  Holly is aware that to achieve her goals she must sacrifice having a husband and children since Amish woman quit working once they get married.  Holly returns to Greene’s one morning after her deliveries to find Joshua Smucker standing outside.  She enjoyed socials and other youth events with him for six months until he began to get serious.  Holly is attracted to him, but she will not give up her goals.  Inside the pharmacy, they find Lyle Greene on the ground after suffering a stroke.  Lyle’s son, Brandon, who is close to becoming a licensed pharmacist, moves home to help care for his father until he is back on his feet again.  Lyle and Brandon do not have the best relationship, and Brandon does not plan on working at Greene’s after graduation.  He wants to work at a large chain pharmacy where he can earn more money.  Then the pharmacy board inspector pays a visit bringing a serious matter to their attention.  Holly and Joshua with help from Brandon and Graham have six weeks to resolve the problem.  If they do not succeed, the community could lose Greene’s Pharmacy forever.  

The Christmas Remedy is a unique Amish story.  Holly Zook is a spunky, intelligent and determined woman with one goal in mind.  She is a progressive thinker for a baptized Amish woman.  Holly is willing to give up a future with Joshua to achieve it.  But is there another way?  Brandon is estranged from his father, and he plans on working at a large chain pharmacy to earn a bigger paycheck.  Time at Greene’s Pharmacy and in Raysburg gives Brandon a different perspective.  I found The Christmas Remedy to be well-written with with a lovely small town.  The thoughtful characters suited the story.  The author explained Holly and Brandon’s motivations, and we see how circumstances as well as time can alter their viewpoint.   I like the mystery that is included.  It adds more interest and depth to The Christmas Remedy.  Readers get to see how the Amish view healthcare and how they manage without insurance.  I have insurance and can still barely afford to visit a doctor with the high co-pays.  Many Amish prefer herbal remedies over modern medicine.  Holly wants to educate the Amish on their options and know when to visit a doctor.  Preventative care is important to staying healthy and finding a serious illness in time.  Readers also get to learn more about pharmacy operations.  They are governed by rules and regulations just like any business except they have more oversight and reporting (the laws vary from state to state as well). There is Christmas tidings and romance as well in The Christmas Remedy.  I hope we see more Amish books like The Christmas Remedy with females in unique professions.  Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall created an intriguing Amish novel in The Christmas Remedy.  I am giving The Christmas Remedy 4 out of 5 stars.

Erin Woodsmall has collaborated with Cindy Woodsmall on As the Tide Comes  In and The Gift of Christmas Past.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am featuring The Spitfire Girl by Fenella Miller.  A historical novel that takes readers back to before World War II begins in England and features a female flyer.  I hope you have a rosy day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Drop Dead Ornaments by Lois Winston plus a Giveaway!

Drop Dead Ornaments

(An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery)

by Lois Winston

About the Book

Drop Dead Ornaments (An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

7th in Series

Self Published

Print Length: 209 pages

ASIN: B07GMZ2H4B

Anastasia Pollack’s son Alex is dating Sophie Lambert, the new kid in town. For their community service project, the high school seniors have chosen to raise money for the county food bank. Anastasia taps her craft industry contacts to donate materials for the students to make Christmas ornaments they’ll sell at the town’s annual Holiday Crafts Fair.

At the fair Anastasia meets Sophie’s father, Shane Lambert, who strikes her as a man with secrets. She also notices a woman eavesdropping on their conversation. Later that evening when the woman turns up dead, Sophie’s father is arrested for her murder.

Alex and Sophie beg Anastasia to find the real killer, but Anastasia has had her fill of dead bodies. She’s also not convinced of Shane’s innocence. Besides, she’s promised younger son Nick she’ll stop risking her life. But how can she say no to Alex?

About the Author

USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry.

Author Links

Website: www.loiswinston.com

Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog: www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/anasleuth

Twitter at https://twitter.com/Anasleuth

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/722763.Lois_Winston 

Newsletter sign-up: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z1z1u5

My Thoughts

Drop Dead Ornaments by Lois Winston is the seventh installment in An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series.  Anastasia Pollack arrives home from the hospital after her encounter with Virginia Owens to find Alex and his friends have taken over the house.  For their senior community service project, they have crafted ornaments to sell at Westfield’s Holiday Crafts Fair and Bazaar.  The money they raise will benefit the county food bank.  They are creating additional ornaments since Sophie Lambert’s father, Shane has agreed to match their donation.  At the bazaar the next day, Anastasia notices a blonde woman lurking around.  Anastasia, Zach, Alex and Nick are having dinner at the Lambert house when Detective Sam Spader arrives.  The blonde woman has been found dead and they are taking Shane is for questioning since he was seen interacting with her on the mall’s video surveillance.  The victim is later identified as Tammy Arnold, Shane’s ex-wife whom he has not seen in seventeen years.  When Shane is arrested, Sophie and Alex want Anastasia to don her sleuthing cap to prove Shane’s innocence.  With an eyewitness can Anastasia pull off a Christmas miracle?

Drop Dead Ornaments is a light-hearted cozy mystery.  I recommend reading the books in An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series in order.  Drop Dead Ornaments is the first book I have read in this series, I felt I was missing some of the backstory.  The author does include the highlights.  Anastasia is a widow with two kids, a communist mother-in-law along with her strange daughter and disturbing dog, her husband hunting mother, and her supportive boyfriend.  Let us not forget the rich brother-in-law with his three nasty children who would like a relationship with Anastasia.  Drop Dead Ornaments is an active book.  We have two mysteries, a mother-in-law on the run, the devil dog and its issues, Anastasia’s work for the magazine, snow storm, taking care of the kids, Flora on the prowl for a new rich husband, Ira stopping by unannounced and deciding to move closer to Anastasia, and preparing for Christmas (I think I got it all).  There are two straightforward mysteries with apparent guilty parties.  I would have preferred a more complex murder mystery with an active investigation (personal preference).  Many readers will be laughing continually at the antics of Anastasia and her clan in Drop Dead Ornaments.  There are craft ideas for ornaments included at the end of the book.  Drop Dead Ornaments will take you on a lively adventure. 

Drop Dead Ornaments is available at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, and iTunes.  You can find a list of the other titles in An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series here on Amazon.The author is hosting a giveaway in honor of the tour.  Click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  I hope you will take the time to visit the other stops on the tour.  There are author interviews, guest post, character interviews and other reviews.  You can see what the other bloggers thought about Drop Dead Ornaments.  Make sure to leave a comment on my blog before you depart for an extra entry.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will feature The Christmas Remedy by Cindy Woodsmall tomorrow.  I hope you have a jolly day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DROP DEAD ORNAMENTS TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 22 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

October 22 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 22 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

October 23 – Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW

October 23 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 23 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

October 24 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

October 24 – The Ninja Librarian - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

October 26 – Laura's Interests - REVIEW

October 26 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 27 – T's Stuff – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 27 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

October 28 – Readeropolis – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 28 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy - AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 30 – Jane Reads - REVIEW, GUEST POST

October 30 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 31 – StoreyBook Reviews – CRAFT POST

November 1 - Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 - The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST

November 1 - I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT  

November 2 - The Montana Bookaholic - CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 2 - The Book's the Thing – REVIEW

November 2 - Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 3 – My Reading Journeys - CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 3 – The Self-Rescue Princess – REVIEW

November 3 – Here's How It Happened – REVIEW

November 4 – My Devotional Thoughts – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 4 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW

November 4 – Curling Up by the Fire – REVIEW

When the Soul Mends: Sisters of the Quilt Trilogy

Happy Sunday!  I hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend.  Six Cats a Slayin' by Miranda James, The Christmas Remedy by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall, and His Promise by Shelley Shepard Gray will be released on October 23.  Christmas, Criminals and Campers by Tonya Kappes comes out on October 26.  It is the fourth book in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.  

When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall is the final book in Sisters of the Quilt trilogy.  Hannah Lapp receives a call from her sister, Sarah that Matthew Esh has been injured in a fire and his brother, David passed away when their business caught fire.  Hannah arranges for time off and heads home to Owl’s Perch, Pennsylvania.  Hannah left home two and a half years ago when she was seventeen.  She works for Dr. Lehman and is taking classes to become a nurse.  Hannah has found a family with Martin Palmer along with his niece and nephew.  Hannah arrives at the funeral and is instantly met with disapproval which reopens old wounds.  She notices that Sarah is behaving oddly, and that there are burns on her hands which Sarah cannot explain.  Something is up with Sarah and Hannah wants to get her help before she returns to her life in the Englisch world.  Paul Waddell, Hannah’s old boyfriend, works as a counselor at Better Path.  With Paul’s assistance, the family can get Sarah the help she desperately needs.  It also gives Hannah and Paul an opportunity to resolve the past.  As issues become resolved, Hannah realizes her feeling for Paul are still there.  Hannah will need to make a choice between her new life in the Englisch world or her old one in Owl’s Perch.

When the Soul Mends is not a standalone novel.  You need to read the book in the Sisters of the Quilt series in order as each book builds upon the previous one.  I thought When the Soul Mends contains good writing with well-developed and thoughtful characters.  The story has a languid pace.  I wish it had been a little peppier and edited for length (368 pages).  While I enjoyed When the Soul Mends, I did find it predictable.  A couple has a misunderstanding that takes them the book to resolve.  I wanted the couple to have a real conversation.   I like how the author handled Sarah’s mental health issues and how it added depth to the book.  The theme of forgiveness is dominate in When the Soul Mends.  Only when you truly forgive can you begin to heal.  I appreciated the epilogue which wrapped up all the storylines.  When the Soul Mends is a lovely conclusion to the Sisters of the Quilt series. 

The first two books in Sisters of the Quilt series are When the Heart Cries and When the Morning Comes.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be featuring Drop Dead Ornaments by Lois Winston tomorrow as part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour.  May you have a tranquil day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

Mardi Gras Murder: A Cajun Country Mystery plus a Giveaway!

Mardi Gras Murder: A Cajun Country Mystery

by Ellen Byron

About the Book

Mardi Gras Murder: A Cajun Country Mystery

Cozy Mystery

4th in Series

Crooked Lane Books (October 9, 2018)

Hardcover: 304 pages

ISBN-10: 168331705X

ISBN-13: 978-1683317050

Digital ASIN: B078LZ5W3H

Southern charm meets the dark mystery of the bayou as a hundred-year flood, a malicious murder, and a most unusual Mardi Gras converge at the Crozat Plantation B&B.

It’s Mardi Gras season on the bayou, which means parades, pageantry, and gumbo galore. But when a flood upends life in the tiny town of Pelican, Louisiana—and deposits a body of a stranger behind the Crozat Plantation B&B—the celebration takes a decidedly dark turn. The citizens of Pelican are ready to Laissez les bon temps rouler—but there’s beaucoup bad blood on hand this Mardi Gras.

Maggie Crozat is determined to give the stranger a name and find out why he was murdered. The post-flood recovery has delayed the opening of a controversial exhibit about the little-known Louisiana Orphan Train. And when a judge for the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen pageant is shot, Maggie’s convinced the murder is connected to the body on the bayou. Does someone covet the pageant queen crown enough to kill for it? Could the deaths be related to the Orphan Train, which delivered its last charges to Louisiana in 1929? The leads are thin on this Fat Tuesday—and until the killer is unmasked, no one in Pelican is safe.

A simmering gumbo of a humorous whodunit, Mardi Gras Murder is the fourth piquant installment in USA Today bestselling author Ellen Byron’s award-winning Cajun Country mysteries.

About the Author

Ellen Byron authors the Cajun Country Mystery series. A Cajun Christmas Killing and Body on the Bayou both won the Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery and were nominated for Agatha awards in the category of Best Contemporary Novel. Plantation Shudders was nominated for Agatha, Lefty, and Daphne awards. Mardi Gras Murder launches October 9th. Ellen’s TV credits include Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents. She’s written over 200 national magazine articles, and her published plays include the award-winning Graceland. She also worked as a cater-waiter for the legendary Martha Stewart, a credit she never tires of sharing.

Author Links:

http://www.ellenbyron.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/

https://twitter.com/ellenbyronla

https://www.instagram.com/cajuncountrymysteries/

https://www.bookbub.com/books/mardi-gras-murder-a-cajun-country-mystery-by-ellen-byron

https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Here’s the recipe for Ninette’s classic Oyster Soup–one of Maggie’s favorite dishes. 

Ingredients

8 tsp. butter

1 bunch scallions, chopped

½ cup finely chopped parsley

2 celery ribs, chopped

3 tsp. flour

1 cup oyster liquid

1 quart milk

3 dozen oysters, cut in thirds (you can buy them in jars at the grocery store and use the liquid for the recipe)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Sauté scallions and celery in butter. Add parsley and cook for two minutes. Blend in flour, stirring constantly. Don’t let it brown!  Add oyster liquid and milk, and stir, stir, stir. Cook slowly over low heat for 30 minutes, and again, stir! Before serving, add the oysters and cook for five more minutes.  Recipe serves 6-8 people.

My Thoughts

Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron is the fourth book in A Cajun Country Mystery series.  The town of Pelican, Louisiana suffered from heavy rains and flooding.  Behind the Crozat Plantation B&B, under piles of debris the family finds a dead man without identification.  Three weeks later, the town is recovering from the flooding and they are ready for the Mardi Gras celebrations to begin—Laissez les bon temps rouler.  The celebrations include a gumbo cook-off, a parade and the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen pageant.  Maggie’s grandmother normally is one of the pageant judges, but walking pneumonia has her confined to bed which means Maggie must step up to the plate (despite her opinion of pageants).  At the first meeting of the judges, Maggie learns about the controversial Louisiana Orphan Train exhibit.  The highlight of the meeting is when a fight breaks out between two of the pageant contestant mothers.  On the way home, Maggie is rear ended by Gerard Damboise, head judge and president of the historical society.  Maggie finds him bleeding from a gunshot wound.  Gerard whispers two last words before he perishes.  Maggie wonders if his death is related to the pageant or the orphan train exhibit.  Maggie begins scouting for clues in the hopes of resolving Gerard’s murder. Can Maggie unmask the killer before Fat Tuesday? 

Mardi Gras Murder can be read alone if you have not read the other novels in A Cajun Country Mystery series.  There is a lot going on in Mardi Gras Murder.  I only covered the basics in my summary.  There is the unidentified dead man, Mardi Gras, the pageant, problems with Tug’s gumbo pot, Gran’s illness, guests at the B&B, Maggie’s relationship with Bo, a mystery at Doucet, a secret room at Grove Hall, the flooding, and the orphan train exhibit controversy.  The book is well-written with a steady pace and humor scattered throughout.   There are numerous characters, but the author does provide a handy cheat sheet at the beginning of the book (I wish I could have printed it out).  Pelican is a small town where everyone knows your business and is happy to pass it along to others.  The town goes all out for Mardi Gras.  I learned some interesting facts about the holiday along with interesting traditions.  The murder mystery has some intriguing points (I do not want to spoil it for you).  There is misdirection along with direct clues.  Avid cozy mystery readers will have no problem solving the whodunit.  All the storylines are wrapped up at the end.  There is a sweet ending that will have the romantics smiling, and I love who won the gumbo cook-off.  Ellen Byron combines Southern charm, Mardi Gras, humor, a cast of quirky characters and a beguiling mystery into one rousing cozy mystery.

Mardi Gras Murder can be purchased at Amazon, B&N, Crooked Lane, BookBub, and Kobo.  The other novels in A Cajun Country Mystery series are Plantation Shudders, Body in the Bayou and A Cajun Christmas Killing.  The author is hosting a giveaway in honor of the tour.  You can enter here or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Please take the time to visit the other stops on the tour for guests posts, author interviews, spotlights, and character guest posts (see schedule below).  I will see you tomorrow when I return with another book review.  Have a lovely day and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 20 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, RECIPE  

October 20 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

October 21 - The Power of Words – REVIEW

October 21 - Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 22 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

October 22 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST

October 23 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT  

October 23 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 24 – Lisa KS Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 24 – cherylbbookblog – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – REVIEW

October 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

October 26 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST

October 26 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

October 27 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

October 27 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

October 28 – The Montana Bookaholic – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 29 – Mallory Heart's Cozies - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 29 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

October 30 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

October 30 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 31 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 31 –Varietats – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 - Island Confidential - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 1 - Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

November 2 - MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 2 - Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

Victory for the Shipyard Girls: Shipyard Girls Series

Good Day!  Fatal Promise by Angela Marsons is out today.  It is the ninth book in the DI Kim Stone series.  Nipped in the Bud by Sheila Connolly publishes on October 29.  It is the book in An Orchard Mystery series.  

Victory for the Shipyard Girls by Nancy Revell is the fifth novel in the Shipyard Girls series.   We join the ladies in Sunderland in January of 1942.  Jack’s wife, Miriam has ruined Gloria and Jack’s chance at a happily ever after.  Miriam had uncovered devastating secrets on Gloria’s friends that would ruin their lives.  Jack is sent off Scotland to manage the Clyde, and Gloria is left to manage on her own and raise their daughter, Hope.  Helen Crawford is enjoying her role as shipyard manager until she discovers her father has been having an affair with Gloria and that Hope is her half-sister.  Helen is devastated and finds comfort in the arms of Mr. Theodore Harvey, a doctor at the local hospital.   Rosie returns from her impromptu vacation with Peter to share good news with her friends.  She misses Peter and throws herself into her work to keep herself occupied.  When Gloria shares with Rosie what happened with Miriam, they conspire to eliminate the impact the secrets would have on the ladies.  The truth about Martha’s parentage is their biggest obstacle.  Bel learns that Pearl told Maisie about her birth father, so she becomes obsessed with learning about her biological father.  Pearl has never wanted to talk about it and she still does not.  She underestimates Bel’s determination to obtain the truth.  Find out what happens next for these courageous women in Victory for the Shipyard Girls.

Victory for the Shipyard Girls is not a standalone novel.  You need to read the book in the Shipyard Girls series in order (a worthwhile investment).  Victory for the Shipyard Girls picks up where Shipyard Girls in Love ended.  Nancy Revell has a writing style that draws the reader right in.  I was fully engaged by this book with its inviting writing style and its rapid pace.  We get to know more about the characters in each book.  I like how this diverse group that have become close friends (they are a family).  The ladies continue to develop in each new installment of the Shipyard Girls series.  There is a large cast of characters, but it is easy to keep track of them and their storylines.  Victory for the Shipyard Girls focuses on Helen, Gloria, Rosie, Bel and Pearl.  There are some amazing revelations in Victory for the Shipyard Girls. Pearl’s story takes us back in time to learn how she gave up Maisie and conceived Bel.  We get to know more about Pearl and what led her to drink copious amounts of alcohol.  I stayed up very late (even for me) to finish reading.  I wanted to find out what happened to next and the identity of Bel’s birth father (wow).  Victory for the Shipyard Girls takes us through June 30, 1942 and ends with a cliffhanger.  We must wait for Courage of the Shipyard Girls (February 21, 2019) to get the answers we desire.  I am giving Victory for the Shipyard Girls 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). 

Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I will be sharing my review of Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron.  It is the fourth book in A Cajun Country Mystery series.  May your day be filled with hope.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader