by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win either an ebook or print copy of Dead to the Last Drop, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.
“Lawyer by trade and a coffee shop owner by heart.”
—Roxy Bloom at The Bean Hive
Roxanne “Roxy” Bloom has transformed her life leaving behind an ex and a law career, attending barista school and cooking classes, and relocating to Honey Springs, Kentucky, where, as a teenager, she spent many wonderful summers with her Aunt Maxine Bloom. Next to Lake Honey Springs, a tourist destination for all seasons, she has opened Honey Spring’s first coffeehouse, The Bean Hive. Now, her pride and joy is a popular gathering center for tourists and residents alike to enjoy her specialty roasted beans, warming drinks, a few delicious treats, and even some gossip. She partners with the owner of Pet Palace to showcase at the coffeehouse “fur” friends with which she has a successful record placing the animals in their “fur ever” homes. She reunited with and is now married to her summer love, Patrick Cane, owner of Cane Construction, and her mom, Penny Bloom, has relocated nearby, as the local real estate agent. She also has Pepper, her close companion Schnauzer, by whom she was adopted, and Sassy, Patrick’s poodle, rounds out a marvelous close-knit group of family and friends. Life is full!
Dead to the Last Drop earns 5/5 Mocha Meows…Entertaining Fun!
Roxy’s Aunt Maxi is a force to reckon with, especially now that she’s added purple highlights to her hair, “Honey, it’s a new year. New me.” She was reveling, too, and a bit pompous, in the announcement she’d been given the lead role in the local play. However, her demeanor changes drastically when she finds out that the little local play has gone Broadway. Due to favors called in, Low-retta Bebe, the producer of the local theater group, arranged for Alan Bogart, a Broadway producer, to participate, but he immediately changes the play, and calling in his own favor, Gretchen Cannon, an “off” Broadway, more washed up than thriving actress, shows up to participate. She is quite the diva demanding her personal assistant arrange for Roxy to deliver hot coffee each morning along with a Maple Pecan Breakfast Ring from the Bees Knees Bakery. But, it gets more contentious when Aunt Maxi loses the lead to the “diva,” and a theater reviewer has arrived whose opinions are not been well-received by Mr. Bogart and Miss Cannon. He also reveals some hard truths about the two. Aunt Maxi is furious, Low-retta is furious, Miss Cannon is furious, and the producer is…dead!
Curtain up! Tonya Kappes has penned another entertaining cozy set in the southern town of Honey Springs. Using a first-person narrative from Roxy’s perspective (giving me a vicarious role), we get a delightful sense of humor and insights into some southern manners along with a love for her husband, her quirky aunt, and different types of animals. I, personally, enjoy Tonya’s writing style with descriptive language to clearly paint the café, the town in winter, the theater, the characters’ looks and mannerisms, and food and drink to tickle the senses. She doesn’t rely just on the narrative; she has expressive dialogue and clever banter to illustrate the different personalities along with the tone and emotions of the drama. The murder mystery was quite the page-turner. Karma landed on an appropriate victim (although “Miss Cannon” and her divaness seemed a good candidate, too), and it adds to the imperative need to solve when accusations and suspicions fall too close to home. The favors owed and redeemed seem a perfect place to start for “motive,” but the ultimate ending was a nice surprise. I enjoy Roxy’s relationship with friends, family, fur friends, and law enforcement which gives an air of realism—yes, I know most people don’t investigate murders, but cozies are my favorite guilty pleasure! I appreciate realistic responses, choices, and interactions. I highly recommend the series, and newbies can start with this eighth book.
Put on your Apron! Recipes from The Bean Hive are included as a delightful bonus for cozy fans! Enjoy Pecan Balls, Coffee Soufflé (delicious and easy), and the Bees Knees’ Maple Pecan Breakfast Ring (perfect for brunch). Feline “fur” friends and Mocha, the brown and tan rescue, will enjoy the Salmon Cat Treats! Whether two- or four-legged you’ll love these treats.
Be a Big Tonya Kappes Fan!
USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has so many fan favorite series. She has several ghostly-, magical-, and caffeinated-themed series garnering a huge fan based. For ghosts, she has the popular eight-book Ghostly Southern Mystery and seven-book Kenni Lowry series. Add some magic with the thirteen-book Magical Cures Mystery and three-book Spies and Spells series. Get a little caffeinated with this eight-book Killer Coffee Mystery. She also pens the soon-to-be three-book Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery and a soon-to-be eleven-book Camper & Criminals Cozy series to round out the Kappes literary universe. She has an enjoyable online presence and various EVENTS enticing fans to gather to talk, share, and partake in the fun!
Facebook – Author Tonya Kappes
Join the “Cozy Krew”
Become a Member at the Website – Tonya Kappes
To enter to win either an ebook or print copy of Dead to the Last Drop, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “address,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 14, 2020. US only, and must be 18 or older to enter. AND BE SURE TO STATE IF YOU WANT PRINT OR EBOOK. If entering via email and requesting a print copy be sure to include your mailing address in case you win-emails will be deleted when the contest is over. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
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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.
Fascinating story and great author. Love this book. Thanks.
Sounds interesting! Count me in!
This is a another great story by Tonya I just love Honey Springs and Roxy. I would love a print copy thanks for the chance.
Tighefan42atgmaildotcom
Fun story! And I love that among with the human recipes there is a cat treat recipe as well. My kitty and I would both enjoy this.
kozo8989@hotmail.com
I would love to win a ebook. Thanks for the chance. jawdance@yahoo.com
I would love to add a paper version of any of Tonya’s books to my home library. So please enter me in the giveaway.
Thanks for the post! I would love to win this book!
Enjoyed the post, would love to get a print copy! tWarner419@aol.com
I would love a print copy if i am lucky enough to win. Thank you for the chance.
I would love a print copy please, if I were to win. Thank you for the chance.
Tonya is one of my favorite authors! Would love a print copy of “Dead To The Last Drop”.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to read this book
I’ve been enjoying her books & know I’ll enjoy this book (& series) too. I’d like a print copy, please. Thanks for the giveaway!
turtle6422 at gmail dot com
I’d love a print copy
jwhaley4(at)aol(dot)com
The book sounds terrific, if I win I would love a print version. Thanks for your great generosity. lindamay4852@yahoo.com
This book sounds like so much fun. Love the review.
I would love to win a print copy of this book. It sounds great! ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
Print please thank you for the chance it sounds interesting and fun to read.
I have read some of your books and especially love the camper series. I like to win free books so thank you for the chance to win.
I would love to win a print copy. Love Tonya’s books!!! Thank you for this chance!
Love Tonya’s work! Can’t wait to read this one!
I’d love to win a print version of this book. I’ve been following Tonya Kappes for a long time. Love her books!
Great series, love all her books.
yellowwyytch@yahoo.com
An ebook would be nice. 🙂
Great review, Kathleen! I would love the print copy of this book – the 8th in Tonya Kappes’ A Killer Coffee Mystery Series!
This sounds like fun and, my son’s cat, Bliss, would love to try the salmon treats. I would love a print copy.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of this book.
Sounds amazing, thanks for the chance to win.
Tonya Kappes books are as funny as her emails!!!!!!!
My favorite series by one of my favorite authors! Thanks for the opportunity to read this latest treat!
I would love an ebook of this!
I would love to win a print copy. Thanks so much for the chance. Woodstock216 at gmail.com
I’m always looking for new authors to read and know I would enjoy this book. I prefer books and thank you for the chance to win.
OOoOOoo Yes Would I!!!! E-Book Love THIS SERIES!!!!! ;D!!!!!
would love a print copy. Tonya is a wonderful person and i have enjoyed her previous books. sparkle40175(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
Love Tonya’s series.
Keep them coming.
Print copy, please. thanks.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Yes! Please give me a chance to win this book!
The title of the book is so clever and cute! I would love to win a copy!??????
Ahh..Tanya…love the books! Hoping to win and best wishes to whoever wins. Thanks for being an author and sharing your stories with us….and loved the story about the potted plant!
I’d love to win a copy- ebook would b fine with me! My email is somesmartcookle at aol dotcom. cookle has an L, not an i.
I’d be delighted to win a print copy!
We have a winner!