by Kathleen Costa
& Tonya Kappes

This week we have a review of Tonya Kappes book Ax to Grind, and then a fun guest post by her about coffee (I made the mistake of thinking that this was from her coffee series–but hey we can always talk about coffee right?) Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Ax to Grind, and a link to purchase it from Amazon & an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

Ax to Grind: A Kenni Lowry series By Tonya Kappes
Review by Kathleen Costa

Kenni Lowry continues to perform her sheriff duties in Cottonwood, Kentucky, despite the challenge she faces for her job in the upcoming election. Over the past year the town has been lucky to live with only minor lapses in law and order while Kenni has been in charge, but when her first murder occurred, that wasn’t the most shocking. Her Poppa, himself having passed away several years earlier, showed up to help with her investigation!

Kenni-bug discovers he had been around all along helping behind the scenes and beyond the grave, to curtail local crime, but the rash of murders and subsequent investigations has put her job in jeopardy ? the town may be looking for a change. Her fear goes beyond becoming unemployed; her Poppa has joined her to help with the investigations, but if she’s not sheriff anymore, could his presence be over, too?

Life in Cottonwood has been quiet for four months now, meaning no murders as of late and along with sharing the various quirks of southern society with transplanted northerner and new deputy Finn Vincent, Sheriff Kenni Lowry has been dealing with the upcoming election. Her mama has taken over as campaign manager pushing, or threatening the locals to keep Kenni in charge. Interrupted by Kiwi’s squawking, the Inn’s green macaw mascot…something about Beryle? Something about a book? Something about dead? Oh dear, how do you interrogate a parrot?

Beryle Stone, bestselling author and Cottonwood’s most famous resident, recently died and an estate auction has been scheduled. However, residents of Cottonwood discover that before her death she penned a ‘tell-all’ book exposing secrets best kept in closets or under the rug. Secrets…that could destroy everything.

This third book in Tonya Kappes Kenni Lowry series does not disappoint and has further solidified my delight in all the things Tonya writes, especially when she adds a ghost or two into the mix. Newbies need not worry, enough information has been provided to keep you very entertained. You can read the series out of order, no spoilers in this book, but I recommend for a complete experience to start at the beginning…it answers all the who is who and what is what. Whew!

For me, I was quickly turning the pages in this engaging mystery, thrilled with all the twists and turns. Secrets to kill for? My inner Sherlock was delightfully challenged with this and on the edge of my seat with the “I didn’t see that coming!” ending. This Yankee loved the southern characters; Momma reminds me of my grandmother who was a southern belle at heart. Playing out in the background we have delightful references to all things southern (manners and Derby Pie), the reelection campaign with a former colleague now competition, an endearing ghostly dynamic between Kenni-bug and her Poppa, and a bit of an office romance. Did you hear my ‘sigh’?

Ax to Grind earns 5/5 Tell-Alls Revealing a Town Full of Secrets!

Be A Tonya Kappes Fan!
Facebook – Author Tonya Kappes
Join the “Cozy Krew”
Become a Member at the Website – Tonya Kappes

Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

Coffee, No…Coffee, Yes!
by Tonya Kappes

When the ladies here at Kings River Life asked me to do a guest post to go along with the release and their review of my latest book release, Ax to Grind, I was a little taken back because Ax To Grind has nothing to do with coffee.

Sure, there’s Ben’s diner where my sleuth, Kenni Lowry who the series is based on, goes and grabs a coffee, and there’s also the On The Run Food Truck, owned by Kenni’s best friend Jolee Fischer, but there’s nothing that’s really based around coffee in the novel.

But there’s one thing I can say that will somewhat relate Ax To Grind with coffee, ME! The fact that Ax To Grind was written over a year ago by drinking copious amounts of coffee and me posting on social media about it might be the thing that related the two.

My love of coffee is very apparent if you were to follow me on social media. Every morning I get up and paddle down my stairs to a fresh pot of coffee that my husband prepared and brewed for me before he heads off to work at 5 a.m. It’s the first thing I grab before letting my sweet Schnauzers, Charlie and Scooter, outside to do their morning business. With a few warm sips that bring joy into my soul, I grab my laptop and jump on Facebook where I post my good morning post with a coffee meme.

I’ve been doing this morning coffee meme for over eight years on Facebook, and it’s gotten to be my thing. When I meet people, they don’t say, “Hey, you’re that author.” Nope. I get, “Hey you’re that coffee meme girl on Facebook. Your posts crack me up.”

After I down my pot of coffee and start to brew another one, I will open my word document, and in this case, Ax To Grind, and I begin typing away my day.

Like Kenni Lowry, in Ax To Grind, I have to start my day with coffee and friends. I swear this saying was meant for me:

Be sure to join me everywhere!

I want to invite everyone to join the Cozy Krew group page. If you are not already a group member you can join at facebook.com/groups/208579765929709. Join the Mailbox Love where I send snail mail and birthday cards! Click here or tonyakappes.com/kappes-krew-birthday-club.

If you like to cook and have recipes that you’d like to share, please share them here. Be sure to check out my web page for up to date information on all my books as well as a complete list of books in order at tonyakappes.com. Follow me on Twitter – twitter.com/tonyakappes11.

To enter to win a copy of Ax to Grind, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “ax,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 7, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Ax to Grind

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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.