Greg’s fiftieth birthday is coming up and Cindy is planning a surprise party to mark the occasion. Of course, Helen’s interference and Annette’s appearance is problematic, but with her daughter Darcy home from college, she should be able to get everything ready with Greg none the wiser. But, to make sure Annette doesn’t wrangle an invitation to stay with them, Cindy’s got to find her an apartment.
In 1998, Victor and Selma Khoury purchased Sappy Endings and, through long days and hard work, turned it into one of the top maple syrup producers in Vermont. Along with bottling premium maple syrup, they opened a café and gift shop full of homemade goods. Growing up, their daughter Leila Maya dreamed one day of being the “boss,” however, her relationship with her mother was extremely challenging and, after a major disappointment over a failed engagement, Leila left the family behind and moved to Florida for a teaching job that turned out more of a regret than a reward.
It’s Harvest Park, New York, and Theresa “Tessa” Esposito, Tess to some, had everything, but unfortunately, last year her life turned upside down when her husband was killed in a tragic auto accident that would later be confirmed as murder. It was a tragic time, but Tessa always found cooking to be her best therapy. She has fond memories of the sights, smells, and tastes of all the Italian delicacies bubbling in her grandmother’s kitchen, and now, in the kitchen of her own restaurant, Anything’s Pastable, she is making memories of her own for family, friends, and guests with many of those same recipes to which she’s adding some of her own touches.
Sample a slice of four new series and fill your candy bag with Halloween mysteries. Vampires, ghosts, and murders abound. Be careful out there and wear a mask—even when it’s not Halloween! Some of these are October releases, and some just fit the Halloween season!
What a way for Abby and Mike to enjoy their wedding anniversary than to celebrate at the place they had their first kiss sixteen years ago! Ralph’s tavern hadn’t changed much, and seemed to be the perfect local place for milestone celebrations. Felicia Sherman is getting married and enjoying her “hen party” festivities. She’d put a bit of the “bridezilla” into a last minute fortune cookie order, but, of course, Josie negotiated a premium price for her efforts.
Like all new parents, it’s the 3 a.m. hollering and sleepless nights that are hard to handle, but for Sally and Mike, they have a whole family of willing babysitters. Good because there’s the big order for cookies and such for the Easter holiday that needs her “wide awake” attention. But, Sally’s dad, needs some of that attention; his friend is missing. “Honest” Eddie Phibbins, director of Phibbins Mortuary, is also one of Dom’s biggest advertisers on his blog, and according to his wife, hasn’t been seen for forty-eight hours.
BFF Josie gives Sally an early gift meant also to recognize Sally’s greatly improved baking abilities: an engraved “six-inch serrated silver cake server.” Ok, I know my cozies; this is incriminating evidence in the making! Sally is also pregnant with her first child, and although her due date has come and gone and she’s feeling clumsy, she is still in good spirits.
Cooking has always been Tessa’s best therapy: “the aroma, the spices, the way preparing the food made [her] feel—relaxed, confident, and in control.” But, it is her family and friends that have provided her the greatest support. Tessa’s cousin Detective Gino Mancuso pops in to share a bowl of her penne pasta smothered in her mouthwatering tomato sauce, but his news sends Tessa into an emotional tailspin.
For the Fourth, I give you FIVE fresh new series to take on vacation plus three to celebrate Independence Day. Enjoy!
In 2018, I reviewed 160 entertaining books along with connecting with loads of talented and delightfully friendly authors. It was a daunting task to choose my top favorites for the year because every single book, and a few television shows, have provided me with hours of entertainment and some inspiration…
