Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Killer Tied by Lesley A. Diehl - #review



Eve Appel Egret is adjusting to married life with Sammy and their three adopted sons in Sabal Bay, Florida. While still running her consignment stores, she is going pro with her sleuthing by becoming an apprentice to a private detective.

Until her marriage, Eve’s only “family” was her grandmother Grandy, who raised her after her parents died in a boating accident. Now, in addition to her husband and sons, she has a father-in-law who clearly dislikes her. Sammy’s father, a full-blooded Miccosukee Indian long presumed dead, has emerged from the swamps where he’s been living like a hermit, and he isn’t happy about Eve’s marriage to his half-Miccosukee, half-white son.

The Italilan Chronicles 2: A Sicilian Farewell by MaryAnn Diorio - #review #giveaway


A young man, a new land, and a dream that threatens to destroy him and his family . . .

The dream of a better life for himself and his family drives Luca Tonetta to the American Promised Land with his wife of five years, Maria Landro Tonetto, and their three children. But the new Promised Land is nothing like what Luca had imagined. Forced to live in a roach-infested tenement house in the seedy section of Brooklyn, he faces the hardships, prejudice, and slanderous assaults of an Italian immigrant torn between two worlds. When Luca is accused of a crime he did not commit, he learns that a dream must first die before it can live.

“Such lovely writing–and an even lovelier story! Author MaryAnn Diorio takes her readers on a courageous journey, from the ancient romance of the Old Country to the perils and possibilities of the New Country. Well developed characters and a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished this enjoyable read.” – Kathi Macias, Award-Winning Author




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MY REVIEW

There's a lot about Luca (the tailor from book 1 and now Maria's husband) in book two of the Italian Chronicles, A Sicilian Farewell.  I found it interesting to compare and contrast this character with that of Don Franco.

Luca is a Sicilian tailor, who hires Maria despite the rumors of her being a 'fallen woman'.  His shop has been busy due to many of the townsmen emigrating to America in search of a better life and higher wages for their families.  The instability of the Sicilian economy was doubled down by a drought, which wreaked havoc on Bella Terra, Maria's family's home.  In order to provide for his wife and children, Luca considered emigrating as well.  What tipped the scales was his feeling that God had called him to spread the Gospel in America.  Maria's son, Nico, calls him 'papa'.  Luca lives his faith.

Don Franco is a Sicilian priest, and biological father of Nico, begotten after he raped Maria when she was cleaning his house one day.  He threatened Maria and her family's safety after the rape, and then six years later, threatened Maria and his own son Nico's safety if Maria told anyone about his crime.  And he tells other people how to live their lives (and judges them accordingly), will barely acknowledging his own sin.  He is a hypocrite and a coward, leaving Maria to bear the shame of having an illegitimate child alone.

So the growing Tonetta family leaves Sicily for America, where they are hoping the streets are paved with gold.  Well, some street somewhere might be paved with gold, but none of the streets around the Tonetta's infested tenement apartment are like that.  None of the streets where Italian or Irish, or Chinese (insert any location from where immigrants who may look, sound or worship differently have come) are all that shiny either.  He is also accused and jailed for a crime he did not commit.

Thoughts about religion, a faith-filled life, crimes against women and discrimination filled my thoughts as I read this book.  Some of the conditions existing back in Maria and Luca's time (good or bad) are still in effect today.  (Can I get a "#MeToo" or "border wall" from the congregation?)  Ugh.  Apparently we have not yet learned our lessons.

I gained a lot of respect for Maria in Madonna, and then likewise for Luca in Farewell.  They live their lives with authenticity, much more so (IMO) than Don Franco - who was not really repentant of his sin (crime), or the bigoted people with whom they dealt in this 'promised land'.

Diorio has drawn her readers into the story, and it was easy for me to visualize the action and settings.  And I paused for to think about the world (the one we live in) outside the story as well  These are two things that really put my reading experience over the top - and A Sician Farewell has them both!  (I can't wait to start on book 3, Return to Bella Terra!)

~~~oOo~~~


(my review of this book can be found here)

A young woman, a priest, and a secret that keeps them bitterly bound to each other…

A horrifying encounter drags soon-to-be-married Maria Landro into the shocking world of religious corruption and an unrelenting village code of honor that threatens to rob her of everything she holds dear. Shunned by the very people who should have embraced her, she withdraws into the confines of Bella Terra, her family’s farm, and remains there for several years…until she is forced to leave to ensure the formal education of her son. In a desperate attempt to protect her child from vicious tongues and malicious hate-mongers and her family farm from bankruptcy, she determines to seek vengeance against the one who ruined her life. But when Luca Tonetta enters her life, she learns a powerful lesson about forgiveness and grace.

“Beautifully written historical novel. Excellent characters, dramatic plot. Beautifully written, giving wonderful feeling for the setting in place and time. Emotionally intense situations, satisfying resolution. Among the two or three best novels I have read this year. Highly recommended.” – Dr. Donn Taylor, Author & Former University Professor of Literature




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(will be reviewed here next Wednesday - April 4th)

A mother, her son, and the man who threatens to come between them . . .

When Maria Landro Tonetta receives word that Mama is terminally ill, Maria travels to her Sicilian homeland with her son Nico. She finds herself yearning for the life she once knew as a child on Bella Terra, the family farm, now on the verge of bankruptcy. Caught between two worlds, Maria dreams of moving back to Sicily with her husband and children to save the farm. When Nico’s biological father unexpectedly appears at Mama’s funeral, Maria faces a new enemy to her dream. But is there an even greater enemy within her own soul?

“Each book in the Italian Chronicles series made me want to read the next one. Now I would like to see another spin-off series dealing with the next generation. The characters in MaryAnn Diorio’s book feel so real. They have flaws. They seek better relationships. They suffer and they rejoice. Just like us. There are people in their lives who help strengthen their faith, and there are those who undermine their faith. In this third book, Maria has to face letting go of many things, and only through seeking God first can she do that. Along with messages of faith and family, Return to Bella Terra takes you to Italy, and the vicarious experience is wonderful. Diorio sprinkles just enough Italian words (in italic) throughout the text to give you the sense of being there. You can smell the food, hear the music, and see the beautiful countryside. I highly recommend this series and any other books written by MaryAnn Diorio.” – Claudia Cuddy, Former Professor of Communications


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MEET THE AUTHOR


Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. Her books for both adults and children consistently receive excellent reviews for their content and their style. MaryAnn holds the PhD in French with a concentration in Comparative Literature from the University of Kansas. She resides in New Jersey with her husband Dominic, a retired physician. They are the blessed parents of two awesome daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, and five rambunctious grandchildren. When not writing, MaryAnn loves to read, to paint, and to make up silly songs for her grandchildren.

For more information, please visit MaryAnn Diorio’s website and blog. You can also find him on FacebookTwitter, and Goodreads.

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GIVEAWAY!!!


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Click on the banner above to go to the tour site, where you will find links to more reviews of the books in The Italian Chronicles.  You can also find out how to BECOME A BLOG HOST FOR FUTURE BOOK TOURS while you are there!

(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, in exchange for my honest review.)

Saturday, March 24, 2018

The Italian Chronicles Series 1-3 by MaryAnn Diorio - #review


A young woman, a priest, and a secret that keeps them bitterly bound to each other…

A horrifying encounter drags soon-to-be-married Maria Landro into the shocking world of religious corruption and an unrelenting village code of honor that threatens to rob her of everything she holds dear. Shunned by the very people who should have embraced her, she withdraws into the confines of Bella Terra, her family’s farm, and remains there for several years…until she is forced to leave to ensure the formal education of her son. In a desperate attempt to protect her child from vicious tongues and malicious hate-mongers and her family farm from bankruptcy, she determines to seek vengeance against the one who ruined her life. But when Luca Tonetta enters her life, she learns a powerful lesson about forgiveness and grace.


~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW OF THE MADONNA OF PISANO

Part of me wants to put #MeToo in the headline to this post.  In fiction or not, present-day or at some point in the past, someone in power always seems to be abusing their power to take something from a weaker person.  Ugh.

Political rant aside, The Madonna of Pisano is a beautifully written story of Maria Landro, a young woman in Sicily.  She has a job at the local priests' home, and one day when her sister servants are not around, the 'good father' rapes her.  As if that isn't bad enough, he threatens her safety and that of her family, lest his shame become known.

And whatever happened to "judge not, lest ye be judged"?  When it became apparent that Maria was pregnant, the townspeople considered her a 'loose woman', and besides the horrible things they said, and ways they treated her, they even went so far as to stop trade with the Landro vineyard, driving the business to near bankruptcy.

You see, fearful for her family, Maria had not revealed the father of her son, Nico.  When Nico turned six, Maria decided to enroll him in the town's public school.  Guess who his teacher turned out to be?  That's right.  Maria's rapist, aka Nico's (blood) father.  At least papa got his knickers in a twist realizing that he was Nico's father.  And it was perversely rewarding to watch him squirm then the bishop charged him to find out who Nico's father was, as the other students had called the boy 'bastard' more than once.

But then he heaps on a little more misery and threatens Maria and Nico's safety when Maria comes to pick up her son afere school.

TGFL (Thank God for Luca), who saw that Maria was a talented seamstress, and gave her alterations work, when no one else in the town would say "boo" to her.  And a couple of Luca's many customers told him that his business would suffer if it became known that he employed a 'whore' to sew for him.

It's a good thing Pisano is fictional, or I'd be temped to go over there and give the town a piece of my mind right in the middle of the square!  If the book I'm reading at any given time is not a cozy mystery, or a thriller, I like it when the story gets me riled up. and Madonna certainly did that,  It's intriguing how novels written without meaning to reflect a current social situation will do just that.

Put me squarely on team Maria (and Luca)!  I also have copies of the 2nd and 3rd books in the series (some information about those below) and I cannot wait to dive into them!!!

~~~oOo~~~


A young man, a new land, and a dream that threatens to destroy him and his family . . .

The dream of a better life for himself and his family drives Luca Tonetta to the American Promised Land with his wife of five years, Maria Landro Tonetto, and their three children. But the new Promised Land is nothing like what Luca had imagined. Forced to live in a roach-infested tenement house in the seedy section of Brooklyn, he faces the hardships, prejudice, and slanderous assaults of an Italian immigrant torn between two worlds. When Luca is accused of a crime he did not commit, he learns that a dream must first die before it can live.


~~~oOo~~~


A mother, her son, and the man who threatens to come between them . . .

When Maria Landro Tonetta receives word that Mama is terminally ill, Maria travels to her Sicilian homeland with her son Nico. She finds herself yearning for the life she once knew as a child on Bella Terra, the family farm, now on the verge of bankruptcy. Caught between two worlds, Maria dreams of moving back to Sicily with her husband and children to save the farm. When Nico’s biological father unexpectedly appears at Mama’s funeral, Maria faces a new enemy to her dream. But is there an even greater enemy within her own soul?


~~~oOo~~~

MEET THE AUTHOR

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. Her books for both adults and children consistently receive excellent reviews for their content and their style. MaryAnn holds the PhD in French with a concentration in Comparative Literature from the University of Kansas. She resides in New Jersey with her husband Dominic, a retired physician. They are the blessed parents of two awesome daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, and five rambunctious grandchildren. When not writing, MaryAnn loves to read, to paint, and to make up silly songs for her grandchildren.

For more information, please visit MaryAnn Diorio’s website and blog. You can also find him on FacebookTwitter, and Goodreads.

~~~oOo~~~

GIVEAWAY!!!

Italian Chronicles

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Click on the banner to go to the tour page, where you will find links to more reviews of the books in this series.  You can also find out how to become a blog host for future book tours while you are there!


(Disclaimer:  I received copies of each book in this series from the author and publishers via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest reviews, each of which is recorded above.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

The Cold Light of Dawn by Anna Belfrage - #review


After Henry of Lancaster’s rebellion has been crushed early in 1329, a restless peace settles over England. However, the young Edward III is no longer content with being his regents’ puppet, no matter that neither Queen Isabella nor Roger Mortimer show any inclination to give up their power. Caught in between is Adam de Guirande, torn between his loyalty to the young king and that to his former lord, Roger Mortimer.

The Uninvited Corpse by Debra Sennefelder - #review


Leaving behind a failed career as a magazine editor and an embarrassing stint on a reality baking show, newly divorced lifestyle entrepreneur Hope Early thought things were finally on the upswing—until she comes face-to-face with a murderer . . .

Friday, March 16, 2018

Playing With Bonbon Fire by Dorothy St James - #review #giveaway


Chocoholic Charity Penn must smoke out the killer to stop her newly inherited beachside chocolate shop from going up in flames in Dorothy St. James’ decadent follow-up to Asking for Truffle.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Lethal in Old Lace by Duffy Brown - #review


Reagan Summerside returns in national bestselling author Duffy Brown’s fifth Consignment Shop mystery, now for the first time in hardcover.

There are two social functions in Savannah guaranteed to get people talking: weddings and funerals. And just as consignment shop owner Reagan Summerside agrees to marry the hunky Walker Boone, her neighbors, sisters Annie Fritz and Elsie Abbot, step up their business as professional mourners. They are so successful that the Sleepy Pines Retirement Center has hired them as a part of their retirement package. But the celebration over good business is cut short when the residents at Pines suddenly begin dying at an alarming rate. And the sisters are the first suspects.

Monday, March 12, 2018

Six Feet Under by Tonya Kappes - #review


Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth. And let me tell you, this broth is in trouble. Get ready for a Southern showdown.

The residents of Cottonwood, Kentucky are sent into a tizzy when the Culinary Channel comes to town to film an episode of Southern Home Cookin’ with celebrity chef Frank Von Lee.

Plum Tea Crazy by Laura Childs - #review #giveaway


Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.


While viewing the harbor’s Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow’s walk of Timothy Neville’s Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it’s discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow.

At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner–all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!


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MY REVIEW

Before I get into the meat and taters of the book review, can someone please talk about how gorgeous this cover is?  When I opened the package, I think it actually took my breath away for a second or two!  I'm more of a smoky back room, family-run coffee bar kind of gal, but if I got to sit at a table that awesome, I could put on my "Sunday best" and learn to hold out my pinky!

And I'm just about in love with the tea shop and its staff.  They provide a level of product and service that is sadly lacking in the world today.  (Ask me about my ignored at Nordstrom's story sometime.)  I can definitely see myself as one of the regulars, or going there as my go-to reward for goal achieved!

Theodosia (such a great name), her partner, and the chef make a superb team - in the tea shop or when 'unofficially' investigating local crime.  And the first chapters present us with a doozy - a man is on the roof of a mansion, is shot by a crossbow arrow, falls over the rail, sails down a couple parts of the roof and finally is impaled through the neck on one of those pointy metal fences.

Me?  I'd probably be losing my lunch right there.  But Theo notices an open window in the B&B next door and takes off running after a possible suspect, followed closely by her business partner.  There is an exciting chase through the three stories of that business, which ends with Theo running into the investigating detective.  Normally, that would be her beau, but he is taken off the case because of their relationship.  But like a good cozy heroine's main squeeze, he no more stops investigating any more than Theo does.

There are actually a number feisty females in Plum Tea Crazy.  And anyone who thinks Southern belles have class but not a lot of fire, needs to read the scene where two of them throw down in the middle of a posh fashion show.  To paraphrase  W. Shakespeare, I would be "half stunned, half cringing and half *ahem* LMAO".

There are nearly as many Tea Shop Mysteries (19 - yes, you read that right - nineteen) as there are years in my marriage.  Maybe if I start 'hinting' now, more books from the series (and yes, I have a 'stretch yen' - for the entire set) for my 21st wedding anniversary in May! :D

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MEET THE AUTHOR



Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop MysteriesScrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

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GIVEAWAY!!!


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Click on the banner above to go to the tour page where you will find links to more reviews of this title, as well as interviews, guest posts and spotlights!  You can also find out how to BECOME A BLOG HOST FOR FUTURE BOOK TOURS while you are there!

(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book tours in exchange for my honest review.)

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Witch Way to Mintwood by Addison Creek - #review #giveaway


House falling down? Check. Pet sitting job with annoying clients? Check. Ability to speak to ghosts, which has the unfortunate side effect of having to listen to what they say back? Double check! Hot high school crush still in town being all successful and stuff while you protest his building projects? All kinds of checks! Did anyone say Witch of Mintwood? Yup! Just add murder and this will be a week to remember!


Books in this series:


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MY REVIEW

Most cozy mysteries have the heroine (nearly all are female); many cozies have the heroine realizing a life-long entrepreneurial passion; a few cozies have reluctant MC's returning to a family business they fled to 'find themselves'.  Such is the case in Witch Way to Mintwood.  (On an interesting but not-really-related note, this was the first book I had read before it came up for a tour!)

The current (and newest) Witch of Mintwood had taken the job over when her grandmother had passed away, suddenly and somewhat suspiciously.  She was learning the ropes and trying not to compare her skills to that of her grandmother ... and wishing the townfolk would stop as well.

And she's not the only one who has returned.  Her highschool crush has returned.  And she is once again at odds with her high school rival, and all around mean girl.  That Gracie Coswell was and is a real piece of work.  Gracie made going after the crush her new pet project (as in thorn in the witch's side).  And she plays DIRTY - in great big letters with a brown and muddy-drippy letters

Gracie winds up getting the witch in trouble with many of the other supernatural and/or non-human denizens of Mintwood, adding more to her enjoyment of the situation and the witch's dismay.  Most of these other species go back and forth on whether or not they like/support the witch, who apparently acts as a sort of local LEO - hence she is called in when a dead body is discovered in a local hotel.  The descriptions of the zombie bartender were hilarious!

I got very definite visuals of the characters and settings while reading, which is something that adds to my reading enjoyment immensely.  The character of the witch grows over the course of the novel, becoming more competant and confident as time goes on.  

And just when you think things are resolved, gift-wrapped with a nice big bow, there is one last switcheroo that changes the situation entirely.  So it's very good this is a series.  Will she get the guy?  Or will Gracie win?  Only the author (well, and other people who have read the whole series may) know(s) for sure.  But one day I will know too, because I just added at least seven more books (all with the word witch on the cover, not-so-concidentally) to my TBR.

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MEET THE AUTHOR

Reading, writing, dark chocolate, and cheese.

 Hello! I’m the author of the Witch Way to Mintwood series and the Spooky Business series! I live in New England and love it. I survive the winter by layering, good-natured complaining, and more layering. In case you were wondering. Hearing from readers is always lovely, so come visit me here me on my blog or Facebook. 

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Click on the banner above to go to the tour site, where you will find links to more reviews of this title as well as interviews and guest posts.  You can also find out how to BECOME A BLOG HOST FOR FUTURE BOOK TOURS while you are there!

(Disclosure:  I received this book through the BookBub free-and-low-cost ebook daily newsletter in May of 2017.  There was no obligation to do a review, and the opinions are my own.)

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Southern Discomfort by Caroline Fardig - #review #giveaway



Southern hospitality meets deadly deception in the start of a charming new mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Java Jive novels.

Quinn Bellandini loves her life in Savannah, Georgia, where she runs her grandfather’s B&B with her sister, Delilah. From baking fresh scones and serving up grits every morning to ensuring the guests see the best of their historic city, Quinn can’t imagine doing anything else—even if it means dealing with nuisances like the occasional malfunctioning commode. But when Quinn drops by the local restaurant owned by her friend Drew Green, and stumbles upon a murder, her whole world comes crashing down.

Monday, March 5, 2018

39 Winks by Kathleen Valenti - #coverreveal



39 Winks

Former pharmaceutical researcher Maggie O’Malley is losing sleep. Her boyfriend Constantine’s aunt is a multitasking sleepwalker who prepares meals, folds laundry and, one winter night, stumbles across her husband with his throat slit.

It’s a rude and gruesome awakening that’s upsetting to Aunt Polly.

And interesting to the police.  Maggie and Constantine work to uncover who killed the cosmetic surgery mogul and why. As they dig into the lives of those who knew him best, they discover that doctoring perception has deadly side effects.

A gripping page-turner with more twists than a surgeon’s suture, 39 Winks is a tale of lies, betrayals, and greed that will keep you up at night—and looking over your shoulder.
 

Ready…..

                             










Set…..

                             










Reveal!!

                             

39 Winks by Kathleen Valenti is coming May 22 from Henery Press!

You can pre-order your copy this week!!

Kathleen's Amazon Author Page

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR




When Kathleen Valenti isn’t writing page-turning mysteries that combine humor and suspense, she works as a nationally award-winning advertising copywriter. 39 Winks is the second of the Maggie O’Malley mystery series and follows her Agatha- and Lefty-nominated debut mystery, Protocol. Kathleen lives in Oregon with her family where she pretends to enjoy running.

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Learn more at www.kathleenvalenti.com.

Hummus and Homicide by Tina Kashian - #review #giveaway


When Lucy Berberian quits her Philadelphia law firm and heads home to Ocean Crest, she knows what she’s getting—the scent of funnel cake, the sight of the wooden roller coaster, and the tastes of her family’s Mediterranean restaurant. But murder wasn’t on the menu . . .

Things are slow in the off-season in this Jersey Shore town, but Lucy doesn’t mind. She doesn’t even mind waitressing at the Kebab Kitchen. Her parents have put in a new hummus bar, with every flavor from lemon to roasted red pepper. It’s fun to see their calico cat again, and to catch up with her old BFF, who’s married to a cop now.

She could do without Heather Banks, though. The Gucci-toting ex-cheerleader is still as nasty as she was back in high school . . . and unfortunately, she’s just taken over as the local health inspector. Just minutes after eating at the Kebab Kitchen—where she’s tallied up a whole list of bogus violations—she falls down dead in the street. Word on the grapevine is it’s homicide, and Lucy’s the number one suspect . . .


~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW

I grew up in a small town, and my family were middle-class WASPs.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the most culinarily curious we got at my house growing up was lasagne and maybe some salmon that my father brought home from a business/fishing trip once.

I had not heard of and did not know what hummus was until I think I was in my 20's.  Up until my husband developed a taste for hummus in all its glorious flavor possibilities did it become a staple in our kitchen.  (I think we have three varieties in the fridge right now!)  Up until recently, the majority of my experience with hummus was from the movie You Don't Mess With the Zohan, where hummus (which the movie mostly pronounced "hoo-moose") was at least equal to gorilla tape in versatility.  So this is what goes through my head each time I see, read about or eat hummus! :D

The recipes and the story of Hummus and Homicide both had my mouth watering!  Although, unlike Lucy, who had a perfectly good reason for leaving a good job in a big city, I probably would have left the job and gone home, just because it was in a big city.  (Yup, I'm a small-town gal.)

And that Heatther Banks is a piece of work, isn't wasn't she?  Giving Lucy's family's restaurant a particularly spurious health inspection because of a high-school rivalry?  If she weren't, you know, dead, I'd like to wag my finger at her and say, "Grow up, already!"  And then, she has the gall to come in to eat at the restaurant the next day, bellying up to the hummus bar and sampling every variety.  I'd be whipping my phone out and setting up a video recording (complete with time and date stamp) to show Heather eating there after giving the restaurant a bad inspection as proof against her report.  Or, maybe she was just setting up the family in order to extort money from them to change the report.  It wouldn't be the first time.

I also l.o.v.e.d. the fact that Lucy had not one, but TWO men interested in her.  The first was an ex-fiance who had broken up with her several years previously (to the start of the book), and the second was the Harley-riding son of the business owner (the dad being rumored to be involved with the mob) next door.  I really didn't know whose team to be on (Team Ex or Team Biker) until the ex became huffy when Lucy said she was thinking of hanging around and taking over the restaurant herself.  I don't know about Lucy, but I was firmly on the back of the motorcycle then!

Hummus comes to a great conclusion for the first book in a new series.  The resolution of the murder is well done, and enough open questions are left for many stories to come!  In fact, just sitting here thinking, I think Ms. Kashian has done one of the better jobs I've seen at providing enough information to satisfy reader appetites for a good story, while keeping enough in reserve to have readers wanting seconds (thirds, etc....)

Two more books are in the works for this series so far, Stabbed in the Baklava and One Feta in the Grave (LOVE those titles!).  I think I'll warm up some pita bread and whip me up a couple hummus recipes before then...*wink* *wink*.

~~~oOo~~~

MEET THE AUTHOR



Tina Kashian spent her childhood summers at the New Jersey shore, building sand castles, boogie boarding, and riding the boardwalk Ferris wheel. She also grew up in the restaurant business where her Armenian parents owned a restaurant for thirty years. She worked almost every job—rolling silverware and wiping down tables as a tween, to hosting and waitressing as a teenager.

After college, Tina worked as a NJ Deputy Attorney General, a patent attorney, and a mechanical engineer. Her law cases inspired an inquiring mind of crime, and since then, Tina has been hooked on mysteries. The Kebab Kitchen Cozy Mystery series launches with Hummus and Homicide, followed by Stabbed in the Baklava and One Feta in the Grave by Kensington Books. Tina still lives in New Jersey with her supportive husband and two young daughters. Please visit www.tinakashian.com and join her Newsletter to enter free contests to win books, get delicious recipes, and to learn when her books will be released.

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GIVEAWAY!!!


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(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)