Category: Book Review

“Doggone Dead” – A Book Review

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

Looking for a new mystery to while away those extra quarantine hours? Look no further than Doggone Dead by the talented Dane McCaslin. Below, you can read Barnes and Noble’s overview and enjoy a quick recap of the story. Don’t you just love the cover?

Retired high school teacher Gwen Franklin has a new pet valet business with her BFF, and a whole new leash on life. But a killer is about to come sniffing around . . .

Gwen Franklin is looking forward to spending her retirement drinking her favorite coffee and reading mystery novels. Those peaceful plans are brought to heel by her best friend, Nora. Sporting stiletto heels, leggings, and a “more is better” makeup routine, fifty-something Nora Goldstein has a penchant for marrying—and divorcing—rich men. Now that Gwen’s got free time, Nora figures they should start a dog-walking and pet-sitting service together.

But it’s far from a walk in the park when the corpse of Linda Fletcher is found in Nora’s kitchen. Linda was Nora’s nemesis, and the large knife protruding from her chest points to murder. With no doubt that her bestie’s being framed, Gwen puts her sleuthing skills—acquired from reading every Agatha Christie mystery—to the test as she digs through suspects, including four disgruntled ex-husbands, ten greedy ex-stepchildren, not to mention all her exes’ exes. But with death threats and another body surfacing, can Gwen curb a killer before her own (dog) days come to an end?

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It has all the elements I love in a cozy mystery: fun and quirky characters, a mystery, (of course!), surprises/twists and turns, and dogs! Spoiler alert…don’t be surprised if there is a little bit of pet adoption going on. 🙂  I’m a big fan of rescuing dogs, so this warmed my heart.

I can’t wait for the second in the series, and I doubt you will be able to either!

Below the  lovely Dane McCaslin

Would you like to purchase your own copy of this delightful read? Then click on one of the links below to be directed to your favorite book seller.

barnes and noble

amazon

“The Southern Side of Paradise” – A Book Review

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

 

The Southern Side of Paradise

Kristy Woodson Harvey is back with the third of her delightful ‘Peachtree Bluff’ series.  Did I like this book?  No, I loved it!   “The Southern Side of Paradise” strikes just the right cord for me, with components of love, family drama, and romance.  Will there be a wedding in this, the final installment of the series?  Well, you’ll just have to get your own copy and find out!  Links below if you’d like to order from your favorite book seller.

Below is a blurb from the Barnes and Noble website:

“With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true.

Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her—and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare.

When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff—one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart—everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family.”

Barnes and Noble – “The Southern Side of Paradise” 

Amazon – “The Southern Side of Paradise”

Click on one of the above links if you’d like to purchase your own delightful copy.

 

Below the beautiful Kristy Woodson Harvey

Image may contain: Kristy Woodson Harvey, smiling, indoor

“Double Vision” By Ellie Hart

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

“Double Vision” by Ellie Hart, is the second in a series.  I love this book.  Sometimes, you read the first book in a new series, and feel a sense of loss when it’s over.  Then book number two comes out, and you are just so excited! But sadly, the second book isn’t quite as good as the first.  Not in this series!  “Double Vision” is even better than the first.  Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed “The Deep End”, but installment number two, “Double Vision” was even better.  Read below a little about it from an Amazon blurb…

Double Vision by [Hart, Ellie]

“When her cell phone rings, Giselle Cutler answers it—and finds herself speaking to a dead woman.

As Giselle and her partner Marta Perry get ready for the birth of their baby, the last thing they expect is to be drawn into another mystery. But there’s been a horrible mix-up with identification of a body found in the bay, and Marta’s supervisor Chrissy Burton is very much alive and desperate for their help.

Intrigue turns deadly as they uncover illegal organ transplants, black market sales, and ties to international terrorism. The killer is willing to do anything to keep the public from knowing how the transplant system really works, even if it means killing Giselle and Marta.”

Hart’s writing is taut, clever and will keep you wondering until the very end.  You’re not going to want to miss this one.

Do you wish to read your own copy of this thrilling new release?  Below are links from amazon and Barnes and Noble if you are so inclined…

“Double Vision” by Ellie Hart – Amazon

“Double Vision” By Ellie Hart – Barnes and Noble

Below, the ever lovely Ellie Hart

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“Southern Sass and Killer Cavings” A Book Review

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

“Southern Sass and Killer Cravings”  – There’s a new cozy series in town and you’re going to LOVE it!

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings (Marygene Brown Mysteries) by [Young, Kate]

Amazon gives an overview of this delightful new book:

Life has always been sweet on Georgia’s Peach Cove Island, but a case of murder has Marygene Brown down in the pits . . .
 
For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Since their mother’s passing two years ago, Marygene has been stuck in Atlanta while her sister Jena Lynn has been running the family business. Now Marygene has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she can almost feel Mama’s presence.
 
But all is not peachy back home. Marygene has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the old man’s been poisoned, Jena Lynn is led away in handcuffs and the family eatery is closed. Now, to save her sister and the diner, Marygene must find the real killer. With some startling assistance from her Mama’s spirit, Marygene will be serving up a special order of just desserts . . .
 
Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!

And my thoughts?  Well, I just loved this book.  Sometimes it takes me awhile to “bond” with a character.  Not so with Young’s Marygene (perhaps it’s because we are both ‘Marys’?  🙂  ).  I instantly liked Marygene, felt I knew her, rooted for her, and wanted to read more.  I can’t wait until book number two is out.  I must admit, I felt a little bit lost as I read the last page, as if I was saying good-bye to a good friend.  But lucky for us, it’s not good-bye.  Book number two will be out before we know it!

Image may contain: Kate Young, smiling

Would you like a glimpse into Marygene’s recipe file?  Kate Young, “Southern Sass and Killer Cravings”  beautiful author above, is sharing her ‘Melt in Your Mouth’ Buttermilk Biscuits in a recipe below.

Buttermilk Biscuits

This recipe yields a full sheet of biscuits. To make my life a little easier, I usually freeze the leftovers immediately. I wrap them in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag. In the mornings or for a late night snack, my kids take an individually wrapped biscuit, replace the plastic wrap with a napkin, and microwave for thirty seconds. They can have homemade biscuits whenever they feel like one and I only have to bake them once a week. It’s a win-win.

5 cups Self-Rising Flour

1/2 pound cup cold butter (cut into pats)

2 1/2 to 3 cups full fat buttermilk

A couple of pinches of salt

½ stick melted butter

Blend butter, flour, and salt in mixer or by hand until it resembles cornmeal. Then pour in the buttermilk and mix until just incorporated. Dump dough out onto a floured surface (sprinkle a little four on top of dough if sticky) and roll out to ½ to ¾ of an inch thick. (You can just pat the soft dough out by hand and use the first crease on your index finger to measure.) Cut biscuits out with a round cutter and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or baking mat. Biscuits will rise better if they are slightly touching.

Bake at 425 for 15 to 20 minutes on top rack. Brush the tops with melted butter while hot and serve.

You’re not going to want to miss getting a copy of your own.  If you’re interested, click on one of the links below from your favorite book seller:

amazon

Barnes and Noble