Valentine’s Day

Feb 2024 10

Serving Up SpiteBy Devon Delaney: Review/Giveaway/Valentine’s Day Post

2024 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Tracy Condie

by Tracy Condie
& Devon Delaney

In book 8 of the Cook-Off Mystery series, it seems that strife and cold weather have come to the town of Augustin, Connecticut in the way of an age-old argument about progress versus tradition. As with all Sally Oliveri books, there is a new cooking contest for Sally to participate in when she isn’t solving the mystery, and wonderful recipes are shared at the conclusion of the mystery.

Feb 2023 11

Wined and Died in New Orleans By Ellen Byron: Review/Giveaway/Guest Post & Recipe

2023 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy
& Ellen Byron

Ricki James-Diaz runs Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop located in the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum. There was trouble there recently, and the staff is trying to move on, regain their balance, and stay safe during hurricane season. It’s Ricki’s first and she finds herself checking the weather app a lot.

Feb 2023 8

Strawberries & Poetry For Valentine’s Day

2023 Articles, Books & Tales, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Joan Leotta

Chocolate-covered strawberries are considered a love-treat to go along with champagne, especially on Valentine's Day. For me, it is the berries themselves that speak of love, as they did to the Cherokee people. If I were writing a mystery, I might add something nefarious to the sliced berries, but this poem was written with my one true love, my husband, in mind, so it is simply a statement of the joy of making up. Hope you enjoy strawberries.

Jan 2022 12

Unconventional Valentines

2022 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kate Lansing

Now that we’ve settled into the New Year, commercial attentions have shifted to the next major holiday: Valentine’s Day. Which happens to be when my latest book, Mulled to Death, takes place. As such, I thought it’d be fun to share a bit of my inspiration for incorporating the purported day of love.

Feb 2021 6

Cooking Together: A Real Love Story for Valentine’s Day

2021 Articles, Food Fun, Margaret Mendel, Terrific Tales

by Margaret Mendel

Time has an interesting way of blending the present with a bit of lingering tastes from the past. Some days when I look back and remember falling in love with my husband, it doesn’t feel like it was all that long ago. But over four decades later my feelings for him are still strong, and though it would be hard to have realized back then, my love for him has only grown stronger.

Feb 2021 6

Love Abyss Springs: A Love Story for Valentine’s Day

2021 Articles, Terrific Tales

by Gary Hoffman

Megan stopped on the trail, set her backpack on a stump, and untied her poncho. It wasn’t raining yet, but the sound of thunder and the smell of rain were in the air.

Jan 2021 23

Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines By Jennifer J. Chow: Review/Giveaway/Guest Post

2021 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze, Pets

by Cynthia Chow
& Jennifer J. Chow

Mimi Lee has never been happier. The success of her pet grooming business Hollywoof continues to grow, with there being no shortage of Los Angelinos willing to indulge and pamper their companions. Pedicures, bling, dyed periwinkle hairdos – Mimi has seen it all and is more than willing to do her best to ethically and safely match their whims. Even her sister Alice is finding joy teaching at Roosevelt Elementary, as her new Principal is more welcoming than her previous boss and always willing to hand out hugs.

Feb 2020 8

Sauvigone for Good By J.C. Eaton: Review/Giveaway/Valentine’s Day Post

2020 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa
& J.C. Eaton

Blame it on an itch! When Norrie tried to scratch it, she ended up volunteering to be on Catherine Trobert’s subcommittee for WOW, Wineries of the West. Norrie was not going to be alone with Catherine, who tirelessly tries to set Norrie up with her son Steven, so a well-place kick landing on her friend Theo’s ankle, and the group became three.

Feb 2020 8

9 Valentine’s Gifts Your Partner Won’t Expect

2020 Articles, Community

by Dylan Bartlett

Flowers and chocolate are nice, but they’re expected. They’re a staple of Valentine’s Day, more likely to earn a polite “Thank you” and a smile than any real gratitude. So why not get your sweetheart a gift they’ll never expect?

Feb 2019 9

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake By Sarah Graves: Review/Giveaway/Valentine’s Guest Post

2019 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy
& Sarah Graves

Toby Moran is not a nice guy. He’s the guy who flirts, romances, and sweeps a woman off her feet—and then his real personality shows itself. When the woman breaks up with him, he gets even worse. Still, he manages to find another soon, and the cycle repeats.