A Batter of Life and Death by Ellie Alexander – A Bakeshop Mystery #2

A Batter of Life and Death by Ellie Alexander – A Bakeshop Mystery #2

Finished: 22 February 2016

Rating: 5 stars

“They say time heals a broken heart. I’ve noticed that no one mentions exactly how much time it takes, though.”

I enjoyed the second book in this series even more than I did the first. This time we visit Ashland, Oregon in the fall. Since it’s the beginning of the family’s bakery, Torte’s, off season, Jules signs up to compete on The Pastry Channel’s reality show, Take the Cake. Once she discovers a fellow contestant dead on the set of the competition, she finds herself in the middle of yet another whodunit. I really enjoyed the strong cast of reoccurring characters that continue to grow and develop. They are realistic and flawed. Jules’ relationship with her mom is very open and you can’t help feeling like one of the family. The new characters we are introduced to are an interesting group. Some I liked, some not so much but they all have secrets to hide. Of course, the biggest secret being that someone is a murderer. Normally I dislike the dreaded love triangle but the one between Jules, Thomas and Carlos is unique. This triangle is between her past and her present. One of my favorite lines from A Batter of Life and Death is when Jules explains the two men, “The only thing I could compare the two men to was pastry. Thomas was like a soft oatmeal cookie, served warm from the oven with a chewy center. Carlos was like cherries jubilee, flaming hot on the outside. Once the flame burned out, what was left?” 

I highly recommend A Batter of Life and Death. A wonderful read and some top notch recipes, the perfect culinary cozy combination.

Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander - A Bakeshp Mystery #1

Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander – A Bakeshop Mystery #1

Finished: 12 February 2016

Rating: 5 stars

“They say it takes a while to recover your land legs after years at sea. I sure hoped mine would come back soon.”

Shakespeare, pastries and murder make the perfect combination for a new cozy series. I loved this book from page one. Ellie Alexander does an excellent job of engaging us in the mystery while weaving in clues, red herrings and twists along the way. We are introduced to the main protagonist, Juliet Montague Capshaw. She returns to Ashland, Oregon, her home town and home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, after a decade of being away. Her second day home she discovers a dead body in her family’s bakery, Torte. Solving the murder and baking at Torte become the perfect combination to distract Jules as we start to learn about her past; her career, her husband and their recent separation. Well developed characters, an engaging story line, developing subplots and delicious recipes round out this refreshing new series.  All in all, Meet Your Baker was a very entertaining read and I absolutely loved it. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

New year.... same old thing. I know no one will read this but my plan is to start writing on this blog. I'd love to do reviews of the cozies I read, hopefully I can find a way to put my thoughts into words.

Finishing the Series 2016 Challenge!

FINISHING THE SERIES CHALLENGE 2016!!!!!

As you can see I have a lot of series that I would like to get current on. Some I only have the newest release and others I have quite a few. My goal is to make some progress in each series. My daughter gave me a Kindle for Christmas and despite procrastinating joining the digital age, I admit I am hooked. I have included a few e-series (marked with an *) that I have been collecting in addition to my tried and true physical collection. Whether great or small, any progress is progress. Aim high, even if I fail I'll still be among the stars!


1. Carol Durand/Summer Prescott- A Frosted love Cozy Mystery* (13/31 includes 2016 releases)
2. MC Beaton- Agatha Raisin (0/22 includes 2016 release)
3. Nancy Atherton- Aunt Dimity (0/17 includes 2016 release)
4. Leslie Meier- Lucy Stone (1/15)
5. Leighann Dobbs- Lexy Baker Bakery Mystery* (0/11)
6. Donna Andrews - Meg Lagslow (0/11 includes 2016 release)
7. Elizabeth Lynn Casey- Sewing Circle Mystery (0/10 includes 2016 release)
8. Harper Lin - A Patisserie Mystery* (0/9 includes 2016 release)
9. GA McKevett - Savannah Reid (0/8 includes 2016 release)
10. Cleo Coyle- Coffee House Mysteries (0/8 includes 2016 release)
11. Amanda Lee - Embroidery Mystery (0/7)
12. Lucy Burdette- Key West Food Critic (0/6 includes 2016 release)
13. Lee Hollis- Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries (0/6 includes 2016 release)
14. EJ Copperman- Haunted Guest House Mysteries (1/6)
15. Sheila Connolly- Museum Mysteries (0/5 includes 2016 release)
16. Janel Gradowski - Culinary Competition Mysteries* (0/5 includes 2016 release)
17. Ellery Adams- Books by the Bay (0/5 includes 2016 release)
18. Karen Rose Smith- Caprice De Luca Mysteries (2/4 includes 2016 release)
19. Laura Levine - Jaine Austin (0/2 includes 2016 release)
20. Sheila Connolly- County Cork Mysteries (0/2 includes 2016 release)
21. Kate Carlisle - Bibliophile Mystery (2/3 includes 2016 release)
22. Denise Swanson - A Scumble River Murder Mystery (0/2 includes 2016 release)
23. Krista Davis - Domestic Diva (0/2 includes 2016 release)
24. Bailey Cates - A Magical Bakery Mystery (0/2 including 2016 release)
25. Kate Collins - Flower Shop Mystery (0/2 includes 2016 release)
26. Joanne Fluke - Hannah Swensen Mysteries (0/1 2016 release)
27. Jenn McKinlay - Cupcake Mystery(0/1 includes 2016 release)
28. Christine Wenger - A Comfort Food Mystery (0/1 includes 2016 releases)
29. Barbara Ross - Maine Clambake Mysteries (0/1 includes 2016 release)
30. Lorna Barrett - A Booktown Mystery (0/1 includes 2016 release)
31. Victoria Hamilton - Merry Muffin Mystery (0/1 including 2016 release)
32. Julie Hyzy - Manor of Murder (0/1 includes 2016 release)
33. Laura Childs - The Tea Shop Mystery (0/1 including 2016 release)
34. Jenn McKinlay - A Hat Shop Mystery (0/1 includes 2016 release)
35. Laura Bradford - An Amish Mystery (1/2 includes 2016 release)
36. Victoria Hamilton - Vintage Kitchen Mysteries (0/1)
37. Joanna Carl - Chocoholic Mystery (0/1)
38. Maddy Hunter - Passport to Peril (0/2)
39. Kate Carlisle - Fixer-Upper Mystery (0/1)
40. Sheila Connolly- Orchard Mysteries (0/2)

October New Releases

 

 The following Cozy Mystery Books will be released in October 2015:

I know there are others that are being released each month. My list includes the authors /series that I am following and have on my tbr list. I am constantly making additions.If the listing has an *, it indicates a series that I have started reading. When making my reading selections, I try to mix new to me series as well as old favorites each month.

 

Isabella Alan (aka Amanda Flower): Murder, Plainly Read (This will be the 4th in the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery Series.)

Beverly Allen: Floral Depravity (This will be the 3rd in the Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery Series.)

Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber): Ghost of a Potion (This will be the 3rd in the Magic Potion Mystery Series.) (This is a Halloween themed mystery.)

Amanda Carmack: Murder at the Queen’s Masquerade (This will be an Elizabethan Mystery Series novella.)

Laura Childs & Terrie Farley Moran: Parchment and Old Lace (This will be the 13th in the Scrapbooking Mystery Series)*

Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell): A Gala Event (This will be the 9th in the Orchard Mystery Series.) (This is a Fall Harvest themed mystery.)*

Waverly Curtis: The Silence of the Chihuahuas (This will be the 5th in the Barking Detective Mystery Series.)

Kathi Daley: Ghostly Graveyard (This will be the 17th in the Zoe Donovan Mystery Series.) (This is a Halloween themed mystery.)

Kathi Daley: The Conspiracy (This will be the 4th in the Seacliff High Mystery Series for young adults.) (This is a Christmas themed mystery.)

Maddie Day (aka Edith Maxwell & Tace Baker): Flipped for Murder (This will be the 1st in the NEW Country Store Mystery Series.)

Kaitlyn Dunnett (aka Kathy Lynn Emerson): The Scottie Barked at Midnight (This will be the 9th Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series.)

Kathleen Ernst: Death on the Prairie (This will be the 6th in the Chloe Ellefson Mystery Series.)

Carolyn Hart: Ghost to the Rescue (This will be the 6th in the Bailey Ruth Ghost Mystery Series.)

Linda O. Johnston: Knock on Wood (This will be the 2nd in the Superstition Mystery Series.)

Diane Kelly: Death, Taxes, and a Chocolate Cannoli (This will be the 9th in the Tara Holloway Mystery Series.)

Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan): Faux Paw (This will be the 7th in the Magical Cats Mystery Series.)

Joyce and Jim Lavene (aka Ellie Grant & J.J. Cook): Looking for Mr. Good Witch (This will be the 2nd in the Retired Witches Mystery Series.)

Carol J. Perry: Look Both Ways (This will be the 3rd in the Witch City Mystery Series.)

Leigh Perry (aka Toni L.P. Kelner): The Skeleton Haunts a House (This will be the 3rd in the Family Skeleton Mystery Series.) (This is a Halloween themed mystery.)

Rose Pressey: Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore (This will be the 3rd in the Haunted Vintage Mystery Series.)

Tea Time with the Cozy Chicks by Ellery Adams, Lorraine Bartlett, Duffy Brown, Kate Collins, Mary Kennedy, Mary Jane Maffini, Maggie Sefton, & Leann Sweeney >>> Recipes, Tea Menus, and More!

A New Beginning!

The past few years have been a blur to me. It's no wonder I haven’t posted consistently on this blog since 2011. My life has been full of ups and downs, twists and turns. But it's time to start taking control, start doing what makes me happy, be in charge of my life for the first time in a very long time... time for a new beginning! It’s a chance to get this blog started and let it reflect my passion…

So a little about me... My name is Stacie. I live in York, Pennsylvania. I am a 46 year old mother of two beautiful "adult" daughters ( they will always be my babies.) They have always been my rock. As they approach the point of their lives, starting their own journey, it makes me feel all sorts of emotions. Most of all I am proud of the strong, independent young women they have become. No matter where life may lead them, I will always be here for them. Additionally, I suffer from Crohn’s disease and my health has been a roller coaster ride the past few years. Living with an invisible chronic illness is extremely difficult. It takes a toll on me physically, mentally and most of all emotionally. It is a daily struggle.

 My personal life had been a bumpy road for a very long time. From my high school boyfriend committing suicide at the age of seventeen to a mentally and verbally abusive marriage for 17 years, to surviving a house fire last year... I’ve been through it all. Miraculously I’m still standing. The last chapter of my past isn’t officially closed but I am proud to report I have finally found contentment and happiness. Over two years ago I found my soul mate, who knew he was right there all along back in high school. If we both would have done things differently 30 years ago, our paths would have merged then. Thankfully we have our second chance now. 

­At this point you are probably wondering, what does any of this have to do with a book blog? Good question….

My life and the path I have been on, has lead me to discover cozy mysteries. They have become my best friends, my family, and my escape from reality. We’ve laughed together and cried together. Cozies have gotten me through the dark days of my marriage and gave me hope during long nights after surgery. They have never let me down; they are the one constant that I know can make me smile. I live vicariously through the characters and have had the pleasure of getting to know some of the authors behind the stories as well. Cozies have given me love and encouragement, the inner strength to not give up.

I have a new meaning and purpose of this blog. I dedicate it to all things cozy. I plan on posting about upcoming releases as well as old favorites. I have a “to be read” list that is a couple miles long. I wish I could read faster but at the same time I enjoy getting lost in the book and hate when I get to the end. I want to post reviews and give insight into the characters and story lines. I know that there are a lot of blogs out there that do the same thing but I’m hoping mine will have a slight twist. Mine will be a piece of my heart, my soul, my new focal point. It will be a location to channel myself and a place to pick up the pieces and take control again. It will be a place to turn my tears into laughter. A place where I rediscover and explore who I am and who I am still destined to become. A place to just be me.

Here's to a wonderful, magical, Cozy life!!!

June New Releases

The following Cozy Mystery Books will be released in June 2015.:

I know there are others that are being released each month. My list includes the authors /series that I am following and have on my tbr list. I am constantly making additions.If the listing has an *, it indicates a series that I have started reading. When making my reading selections, I try to mix new to me series as well as old favorites each month.

 
Kathy Aarons - Truffled to Death (This will be the 2nd in the Chocolate Covered Mystery Series.)

Sparkle Abbey - Downton Tabby (This will be the 7th in the Pampered Pets Mystery Series.)

Ellie Alexander (aka Kate Dyer Seeley) - A Batter of Life and Death (This will be the in the Bakeshop Mystery Series.)

Lorna Barrett (aka Lorraine Bartlett & L.L. Bartlett) - A Fatal Chapter (This will be the 9th in the Booktown Mystery Series.) *

Lynn Cahoon - Dressed to Kill (This will be the 4th in the Tourist Trap Mystery Series.)

Janet Cantrell (aka Kaye George) - Fat Cat Spreads Out (This will be the 2nd in the Fat Cat Mystery Series.)

Kate Carlisle - Ripped from the Pages (This will be the 10th in the Bibliophile Mystery Series.) *

Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell) - Privy to the Dead (This will be the 6th book in the Museum Mystery Series.) *

Maya Corrigan - Scam Chowder (This will be the 2nd in the Five-Ingredient Mystery Series.)*

Elizabeth Craig (aka Elizabeth Spann Craig & Riley Adams) -  Tying the Knot (This will be the 5th in the Southern Quilting Mystery Series.)

Krista Davis - The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss (This will be the 9th in the Domestic Diva Mystery Series.)*

Annie Knox (aka Wendy Lyn Watson) - Collared for Murder (This will be the 3rd in the Pet Boutique Mystery Series.)

Joyce and Jim Lavene (aka J.J. Cook & Ellie Grant): A Watery Death (This will be the 7th in the Missing Pieces Mystery Series.)*

Laura Levine - Death by Tiara (This will be the 13th in the Jaine Austen Mystery Series.)*

Nancy J. Parra (aka Nancy Coco): Bodice of Evidence (This will be the 2nd in the Perfect Proposals Mystery Series.)

Penny Pike (aka Penny Warner): Death of a Chocolate Cheater (This will be the 2nd in the Food Festival Mystery Series.)*

Rosie Pressey - All Dressed Up and No Place to Haunt (This will be the 2nd in the Haunted Vintage Mystery Series.)

Maggie Sefton - Purl Up and Die (This will be the 13th in the Knitting Mystery Series.)*

Paige Shelton - Bushel Full of Murder (This will be the in the 7th in the Farmers’ Market Mystery Series.)