Ivy Culpepper’s to-do list is growing longer by the day, and it’s getting harder for her to decide what should take priority. Not only haven’t they finalized the menu or bread wall for Ivy’s engagement party to celebrate her upcoming nuptials to Miguel Baptista, they still haven’t even decided which of their respective dream homes to live in.
As the fall season approaches, Coral Shores, Florida, prepares for Halloween and the many celebrations of its multicultural community. Former New Yorker Miriam Quiñones-Smith and her husband Robert are dressing up for their son’s school Fall Festival where her cooking show’s Spanish language network is hosting a food booth. Miriam is happy to present her Caribbean foods now that she is the host of YouTube’s Abuela Approved and has her Cocina Caribeña featured regularly on a morning TV show, but a shadow looms with the appearance of Lois Pimpkin.
Double Shot Death is the second book in the Ground Rules Mystery series by Emmeline Duncan. I love coffee mysteries so I was excited when the first book, Fresh Brewed Murder, came out last year. I also love Portland, which is where this series is set, so it was a “double shot” of fun for me. When I saw that a new book in the series was coming out this year, well of course I was going to read it.
It seemed like a typical day in the Sea Glass Saloon, at least until Joaquin called Chloe out onto the deck. Small planes towing banners to advertise local events are common. Seeing one that says, “I love you, Chloe Jackson” isn’t. The banner is soon followed by a huge bouquet of lilacs, her favorite flower. Same message. Ditto the magnum of sparkling wine.
The Coffeehouse Mysteries by Cleo Coyle is one of my absolute favorite series, so every time there is a new book out, I can’t wait to get my hands on it. The latest book, Honey Roasted, is book 19 in the series and it did not disappoint!
Mystery client. Private yacht. Annual Christmas boat parade. It’s a great opportunity for Emory and her unique cupcakes and cocktails to be noticed, but first impressions are blemished by messages not relayed resulting in a tight schedule for set-up. The relationship between the chief steward and her assistant are strained along with some unfriendly attitudes among the rest of the crew.
In Plum Harbor, the Black Sheep Knitting Shop is the place to go for yarns of any color, weight, and description. Maggie is the owner, Phoebe, her younger assistant manager, is a favorite of their regular clientele. Phoebe has the opportunity to have her own stall at the Farmer’s and Crafts Market, just in time for the holidays. The sad news is, the former tenant committed suicide.
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.
Ten years ago Carissa Carmichael couldn’t wait to escape her hometown of Oak Creek Valley for a big city adventure in San Francisco where she honed her skills, knowledge, and experience with aromatherapy and reflexology through her association with friend and mentor Mari Kemp. However, nine months ago her adventure turned horrific ordeal that included accusations of “fraud” and an arrest all courtesy of her big city, now ex, boyfriend.
Caitlyn Le Fey is improving with her apprenticeship and working meticulously to create the delicious caramel sauce befitting her grandmother’s reputation and worthy to be the centerpiece at Lord James Fitzroy’s Mabon Ball. But, her efforts are impeded when Pomona shows up critical of Caitlyn’s lack of effort on her costume for the ball. Worse, she’s shocked to learn and witness that Pomona can actually do magic; not the magic one should be proud of or one that helps people, Pomie takes pleasure in casting pain on a bunch of ants setting upon some spilled caramel. Caitlyn knew Pomona associated with Thane Blackmort, the enigmatic billionaire, and was showing signs of darkness, but doing magic…for evil?
