by Sandra Murphy
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Wedding Cake Murder and a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore, and a link to purchase it on Amazon as well. This giveaway has been extended to March 14!
As if running the Cookie Jar, getting married to the man of her dreams, and planning a honeymoon isn’t enough, Hannah Swenson has been chosen to be the home cook (non-chef) contestant for the Food Network dessert challenge, thanks to her sisters submitting her application without telling her. If everything goes according to plan and if hubby-to-be can go along for the challenge, it will be their honeymoon. The newest challenge is—the Food Network changed the dates which means Hannah will now be getting married after the show airs—if she can pull it all together. Of course, her mom and oldest sister, Andrea, take over, and plan everything. 
Aunt Nancy (she’s Lisa’s aunt, Lisa being Hannah’s partner) is a great cook and baker, so she’s able to help with recipe selection. The first leg of the trip is to New York City. Whoever wins there gets hometown advantage since the whole show then moves to their city, a great boon to tourism.
For a challenge like this, contestants always look for an advantage, and Hannah’s no exception. Aunt Nancy knows one of the judges! She went to school with him, and although he’s a tough judge and gourmet on TV, Nancy knows he likes Jell-O and peanut butter and white chocolate (not all together). The recipes are planned around those items. Hannah is talked into wearing a wedding veil during the cake challenge.
I don’t think it’s giving anything away to say Hannah wins Round One, and the show moves to Lake Eden—after all, who else would we be rooting for? Besides Brooke, who we like, had her dish sabotaged by Gloria, who we definitely do not like, which caused some bad comments from the judges. Chef Dusquesne, the judge Nancy knows, can be the most caustic on the panel. Rumor has it, he’s also a womanizer, which gives at least one contestant ideas of how to improve her chances.
Each team gets practice time in the kitchen. Hannah and her sister Michelle are first up. They enter the locked kitchen, only to find Chef Dusquesne’s body in the cooler. He’s been stabbed. There are two wine glasses on the counter, so Chef must have invited his killer into the room.
Suspects include all the contestants, of course, the crew, a woman reported to have come out of Chef’s room crying, Brooke, also seen exiting his room, Aunt Nancy, of all people, her new love interest—and the list goes on and on.
Because Michelle discovered the body, Hannah feels obligated to ask a few questions. Once the challenge is over, everyone goes home, making it that much harder to figure who did it.
Each challenge is a nail-biter to see how the contestants do in the judge’s eyes. Hannah has the additional worry of the dead chef, the wedding, and keeping up with cookie sales, as more and more people drop by the shop to hear about the murder.
This is the twenty-second book in the series and no, I will not tell you who Hannah marries or even if the wedding takes place—let’s just say, things have a way of getting a bit out of control where she’s concerned, making a close call a regular thing.
There are twenty new recipes in the book, and all sound good. This is a book you’ll want to read in one sitting to find out if the wedding happens or not, but you don’t want it to end either.
To enter to win a copy of Wedding Cake Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “wedding,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 14, 2016. 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.
You can use this link to order this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & Mysterious Galaxy:
This book sounds like a delightful read. I will have to check out this series. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
THis series is so much fun to read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!!
One of my favorite authors; thanks for the chance 🙂
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
As a fan from the beginning, I wasn’t thrilled how the competition between Norman and Mike ended in the last book. Still, I’m interested to find out what happens next.
acm05@juno.com
Anne- I couldn’t agree with you more about not liking the twist the story has taken. I was really rooting for Mike from the beginning & I’m still not sure how I feel about the new path Hannah is on but I’ll continue to read these books as long as Joanne keeps writing them.
The title is really eye catching and from the review, I can tell that it’s something. The book really sounds like there is a good story in it which I must get and read. Thanks for the review.
Cindy
I would love a copy of this one. Theficster@aol.com
I have read all the books in this series except this one. It is one of my favorite series. Would like to read “Wedfing Cake Murder” to finally see Hannah get married.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I have entered through email hoping to be very lucky, and am commenting to support KRL Magazine and the book’s review.
I am a big fan of Joanne Flukes…a bit late, but better late than never. I enjoy the plausible stories and characters with whom I can easily identify. Lucky to win? I’m crossing my fingers!
I’ve read the whole series so far so I’m eager to find out about the wedding.
Joanne’s books are always enjoyable!
It’s time to catch back up with this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve read almost all of this series & am anticipating this one especially. Hannah has finally made up her mind! Thank you for the review & a chance at the give-a-way.
sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com
Love these books!!!
Wow, a chance to win one of her books! Count me in Please!
lindaherold999@gmail.com
Can’t wait to read this book! I’ve read all the books in the series and am anxious to see if the wedding goes off as planned. Would love to win a copy!
mlduffer@att.net
I love Joanne Fluke’s book and her recipes are awesome! I would love to win this new book…Thanks for the chance!
This is the book I have been looking forward to reading in the Hannah Swenson series. Finally Hannah’s getting married and we all know her Mom is very happy.
Nice review of the book – I’ve not yet had a chance to read it but look forward to the story and the recipes! Thank you for the opportunity to try and win a copy. shayelyn@aol.com
Can’t wait to read this! thanks for the opportunity to win!
Oh I will be so glad to finally find out who she picks. Thanks for the review and a chance to win her new book.
I wait every year for a new book from Joanne Fluke. As usual it was great. I am still hoping Hanna will end up marrying Norman.
Always look forward to her new books….this one sounds special!!
Looking forward to reading the latest Joanne Fluke/Hannah Swenson mystery! I love this series.
I’ve lived all of the other books to this series! Easy reads and worth every penny! The movies they made were awesome too! Would loves hance at winning a copy!
Ktbug710 at AOL dot com
Can’t wait!
I enjoyed this article. It has me intrigued. I now have to read the book.
Yes,yes, yes she is finally getting married! Love this series and have read most of all the books. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of this book.
rags6152@gmail.com
Cannot wait to read this book. The suspense is killing me.
I own all the previous Hannah Swenson mysteries by Joanne Fluke and can’t wait to get and read this one. I am still hoping Hanna will end up marrying Mike. I love the recipes and love using them for Christmas Cookie exchanges. Last year everyone in the cookie exchange decided to use a recipe from my Hannah books, best cookie exchange ever!!
I have read this book, as well as the entire series, and loved it. I was confused by the negative reviews on Amazon and then realized that those people had not read the series but were comparing it to the made for tv movies. How wrong! This book was a wonderful birthday gift I gave myself and urge everyone who loves cozies to read it and enjoy.
I and my girlfriends are hooked on your books. Love them and love the recipes too. Keep them coming!
I love this series!! Great summary, can’t wait to read it. kmteal at gmail dot com
Sounds great! Can’t wait to read it!
Felaine_msp@yahoo(dot)com
Wow! 22 books and I haven’t read any. I don’t know where I’ve been! I have to catch up. This sounds like an awesome book and great series! Thankyou for the opportunity! Jill Broussard; minishoes@msn.com
Love this series. Can’t wait to see who she marries. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book!
Sounds great …love cozies…thank you so much for the contest.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I adore this series , and own every book . I especially enjoy the audio versions ! kathambre@yahoo.com
We have a winner!