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My Journey Began With Trixie Beldon
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Friday, October 22, 2021
Character Guest by Gia Morelli and Review
My Hectic Schedule
By Gia Morelli
Okay, full disclosure, my life is not usually nearly as hectic and out of control as it is right at this moment. Not only am I try to get ready for the holidays while working full-time running the All-Day Breakfast Café, but I’m also helping Trevor plan my best friend, Savannah’s, wedding, which will be held in his mansion on Christmas Eve. Less than a week from now, she’s supposed to walk down the aisle with the love of her life and say “I do.”
At the top of my to-do list was a last-minute tasting so she could decide once and for all what dishes she’s going to have at the wedding. I’m pretty sure she must be driving the caterer crazy, even though Alyssa’s been wonderfully patient, but she’s still having a tough time deciding.
Actually, she’s been kind of on edge about everything since she was kidnapped a few months ago. Making decisions used to come easy for her, but now, well, not so much. One of the decisions she’s been avoiding like the plague is where she’s going to live once she and Leo get married. She’s been bunking with me, even though she didn’t officially move out of her dad’s house because she knew it would break his heart, but it’s time for her and Leo to find a place of their own, unfortunately, since I’m going to miss her terribly. But, those are problems for another time.
At the moment, I have a bigger problem. When Savannah and I arrived at the caterer for the final tasting, another bridal party was there. Their petty arguing and constant bickering ended with the death of the bride, after she was poisoned by the very cake Savannah was planning to serve her guests, the same cake she sampled while we were there. Now, with the caterers high on the suspect list, everything is falling apart, and if I can’t find Robin’s killer, Savannah’s wedding may not take place at all. Since there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Savannah, finding a killer just shot to the top of my to-do list!
And others are saying
The story moves at a good pace, with tension, twists, and turns. The characters are wonderful, with a few exceptions, and the mystery unfolds to a logical conclusion . . .
~Christa Reads and Writes
The mystery is well paced with plenty of clues and interesting people popping into the story to provide them. There are wonderful wrong directions to look in and plenty of suspects, most of whom I would vote for locking up, just to make the world a nicer place whether they are the murderer or not.
~I Read What You Write!
This was a really quick read for me because it kept me turning the pages with interest. I still love the Boggy Creek, Florida setting, though I do think I’d briefly miss snow at Christmas . . . The family atmosphere in the cafe and among the friends definitely adds to the coziness of this book.
~Christy’s Cozy Corners
MISTLETOE CAKE MURDER delightfully blends the Christmas holiday, a beautiful wedding, and all of the feels to create a wonderful mystery.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Gia and Savanna are the best of friends, as close as sisters. I really enjoy spending time with them, they are so much fun.
~mjbreviewers
. . . a fabulously fun read that makes you feel at home. A wonderful addition to what has become one of fave series! A total must read. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
I found the characters in this book to be well-developed, likable, and believable. The pacing of the story was good throughout.
~Nellie’s Book Nook
And I thought . . .
The cake was just too pretty to to be the murder weapon.
I love good covers. And this one has one! I conjure up how the cover depicts the plot and if the cover artist has given us clues. I sure hoped the cute dog didn't eat any of the cake!
I really enjoy the All-Day Cafe series. I have read several and they just keep getting better as the characters become more and more real to me.
The main cast of characters are charming and easy to like.
The other characters that end up being suspects are well I wouldn't accept their 'friend request'!
I love the All-Day Cafe. It is charming and offers lots of yummy food. I enjoy that the author teases the reader with a few recipes.
If you are looking for a holiday book get yourself to a copy. This one will please.
And put the series on your wish list.
I received a complimentary copy.
My review will be appear on retail sites and Good Reads.
Visit the Tour
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Once Upon a Seaside Murder by Maggie Blackburn
October 21 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
About the book
As the holidays approach, bookstore owner Summer Merriwether learns a dark secret in this second volume of Maggie Blackburn’s Beach Reads mystery series.
There’s no place like home for the holidays, even if home is sleepy, beachside Brigid’s Island, NC. During this season for giving, the town wakes up to a welcome throng of shoppers–and Beach Reads is no exception. But bookseller Summer Merriwether’s Christmas cheer turns to cringing fear when she uncovers a deadly secret about her late mother–a secret someone will kill to keep.
When the local library hosts a cozy mystery panel discussion, Summer learns that one of the authors on the panel based her book on an actual murder that shook Brigid’s Island thirty-five years before. Worse, she soon learns that her dearly missed mother, Hildy, took a disturbingly deep interest in the case, going so far as to collect clippings and keep a journal of the dark doings. This doesn’t jibe with Summer’s memories of her usually cheery mother at all.
Tidings get worse when Summer learns of her long-lost biological family’s involvement in the crime…and still worse when the life of the book’s author is threatened. With the help of Hildy’s plucky book club, Summer puts her scholarly smarts to work on protecting the cozy author and solving the decades-old murder.
But this ghost from Christmas past may still be deadly in the present, and if she can’t find the killer, Summer’s future will be brief.
And I thought
A fun page turner. A little spookiness adds to the cold case that beckons to be solved.
I loved the book shop and the sleuthing book club.
As journaler I liked that the author used Journaling and keepsakes and saved moments to offer clues from the past.
The cover was one that got my attention and drew me.
Once Upon a Seaside Murder was a great cozy read.
I received a complimentary copy.
My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.
Buy the book
– Amazon – B&N – Kobo – IndieBound
Visit the tour 
To read reviews, guest posts and interviews click Here
Giveaway
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Tea With Author Vicki Delaney and a Giveaway
Hello today we are visiting with author Vicki Delaney.
Vicki is sharing her special Tea Party memories with us today and a special Giveaway
Full afternoon tea as served at Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Available on Amazon
Click Here
Available on Amazon
Click Here
And coming July 2022 . . .
Murder Spills the Tea
Connect with Vicki . . .
Website
Click Here
Facebook
Click Here
Twitter
Click Here
The Giveaway
For your chance to win just leave a comment. And visit the posts at My Journey Back and Facebook.
Visit each daily post and comment. An email must be in your comment. The Giveaway ends Saturday at noon. Winners will be notified via email by 5:00 pm.
The magazine will mailed to the winner by the author in December.
Visit this mornings post to read a little more about the series and get behind the scenes stories.
Click Here
Visit the Tea Party over at my Homemaking blog click Here
And visit the links for more Tea Party posts.
Monday, October 18, 2021
Read An Excerpt . . . Murder with Orange Pekoe Tea by Karen Rose Smith
Hello and Welcome
Today I have a special treat! A fun author is joining us for Tea and sharing a little peek into her recent release . . .
METHOD OF MURDER
Tessa, who had seated herself on the other side of Trevor, leaned across him to say to Daisy, “I like that outfit. That violet color becomes you. Those earrings too. You don’t get dressed up often enough.”
Jonas eyed Tessa. “Are you saying I don’t take her out on enough dates?”
“If the shoe fits . . .” Tessa teased, never one to mince words with either of them.
Instead of being insulted, Jonas laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind. More dinner dates in expensive restaurants.”
“You’ll be able to afford it after that sale you and Elijah are going to have,” Trevor said. “You ought to be auctioning off the furniture. You’d make more money.”
“Ever the pragmatist.” Tessa bumped Trevor’s shoulder with her own.
After a pause, Trevor said, “I do come bearing news.”
Suddenly all attention was riveted on him, and the music faded into the background.
“What?” Daisy asked.
“The autopsy on Hiram was completed. The coroner suspected something beyond the stun gun killed him. It did. Hiram was killed with an insulin overdose. The autopsy revealed two injection sites. Apparently the stun gun was used to immobilize him for the injections. The killer knew exactly what he or she was doing . . .”.
Get your copy today! Available now on Amazon. Click Here
I got a chance to have a nice chat with Karen Rose click Here
And catch up with Karen Rose on social media . . .
Mystery Website
Click Here
Romance Website
Click Here
Facebook
Click Here
Twitter
Click Here
Pinterest
Click Here
Goodreads
Click Here
Friday, October 15, 2021
Authors That Blog Link Party
Hello and Welcome!
Authors link your blog posts!
Readers have a wonderful time finding new and Fabulous blogs to read!
Be sure and leave comments when you visit!
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Murder At the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off by Darci Hannah Great Escapes Book Tour Review
October 7 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
About the book
Tucked away inside an old lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, bakeshop café owner Lindsey Bakewellis ready to make her first Christmas in town shine bright. But her merry plans crumble fast when murder appears under the mistletoe . . .
With the spirit of the holidays wafting through the Beacon Bakeshop, Lindsey thinks she has the recipe for the sweetest Christmas ever—winning the town-wide cookie bake-off. Unfortunately, striving for a picture-perfect December in Beacon Harbor is a lot like biting into stale shortbread. Low on staff and bombarded by visits from family, Lindsey can barely meet demands at work, let alone summon the confidence to face fierce competition . . .
Self-appointed Christmas know-it-all Felicity Stewart is determined to take the top spot in the bake‑off, and she’s not afraid to dump a little coal in everyone’s stocking to do it. Just as the competition heats up, everything falls apart when the judge is found dead—and covered in crumbs from Lindsey’s signature cookie!
Solving a murder was never on Lindsey’s wish list. But with her reputation on the line during the happiest time of the year, she’ll need to bring her best talents to the table in order to sift out the true Christmas Cookie culprit.
Includes Delicious Recipes!
And I thought
The charm began at the cover!
Author Darci Hannah provided this reader with a page turning Cozy Read with charm.
From the main character Lindsey who owns the most charming bakery in a light house of all places!
To even the not so nice bakers that want to win bad. Felicity sounds like such a pretty and charming name but ...
And then the book takes place at Christmas time. What could be more charming until someone does the unspeakable and literally tries to set up Lindsey!
I had a jolly time following the clues and trying to figure out who's next kitchen was gonna be behind bars.
Since Darci included recipes it's time now to go bake.
I received a complimentary copy.
My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.
Buy the book
Amazon B & N BAM 2 Dandelions Bookstore
Visit the tour
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