Book Review - Fairy Cake Fatality

Fairy Cake Fatality 

(Cake Fairy Mysteries #1)

Author: Sabrina Hartford

Kindle Edition, 321 pages
Published May 16th 2017
ASIN: B072FHDXF3

About the book:

Faye left California to start a new life in England. Things aren’t going well and her new cake shop is close to bankruptcy, but she gets a lucky break when she is chosen to be featured on the town’s popular radio program. Unfortunately, on the day of the recording, a murder occurs and she is the prime suspect! 

She tries to solve the case herself, but each clue she finds only leaves her more confused. To make things worse, she keeps having hallucinations about being a fairy, but these only occur when a certain kitten is around. Or maybe there is something to these visions? Can Faye befriend the kitten and master her fairy past while solving the case? 

My Thoughts:

I'll admit it - I'm a sucker for cats - especially kittens. When I find one that not only mixes kittens with delicious desserts, but makes it the theme of a cozy mystery, it's a must read for me!

"Fairy Cake Fatality" was a fun read with just enough humor, twists and suspense to keep me interested. I enjoyed the main character, Faye, who loves, and I mean LOVES to bake. I'll admit, there were times I wondered if I could actually be smelling those delicious cakes she was baking. Oh the descriptions!  There were times she had a somewhat snarky attitude that I didn't totally appreciate. However, I imagine I would have been as irritated as she was at times if I were in her shoes. I mean - she was questioning things that really weren't making much sense, let alone never being to explain them to anyone else because they'd think she was crazy.

I enjoyed the story line and had flip flopped between who I though was the murderer. Finally, I did figure out who did it, but not much before they were revealed. There was also another character I had a feeling about who they were and did figure that one out - but won't say any more about that. You'll have to read the book to know about that one. I'm not going to give anything away :D

"Fairy Cake Fatality" is a brilliant start to the series. It can be read as a stand alone with a nice wrapped up ending; however, it does have a lead into the next book. And yes - I really want to read the next book because of that lead!

About the Author:

Sabrina Hartford loves solving crimes and baking. So she combines both her passions by writing recipe books and cozy mysteries filled with sweet treats! She lives in SoCal with her darling hubby, her adorable kitten Seamus and her two wonderful children. She has had a variety of jobs in her time, but now, when she's not doing her first love of writing, she enjoys baking, traveling, volunteering and reading books.

I received a copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

"Pumpkin Roll" by Josi S. Kilpack - Book Tour with Review

It is my great pleasure to be able to host Josi S. Kilpack once again! If you are a long-time reader, you will know that Josi's Culinary Mystery series is one of my favorites. I ADORE the main character, Sadie Hoffmiller, and jump at any chance I can get to host her tours. Each book of Josi's series contains some delicious recipes that have graced our table. Those recipes, combined with a wonderful cozy mystery, make these books an absolute treasure!

Pumpkin Roll
Author: Josi Kilpack
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (September 7, 2011)
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN: 9781609087456
Genre: mystery, cozy mystery, culinary mystery

About the Book:

Sadie Hoffmiller is looking forward to spending her favorite baking season of the year making delicious New England recipes in Boston, Massachusetts, with her favorite leading man, Pete Cunningham, as they babysit his three young grandsons. But when the boys insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such Halloween-induced ideas. However, it gets harder and harder to explain the strange things that keep happening, particularly after Sadie learns the eccentric Mrs. Wapple has been attacked in her home. As the unexplained occurrences escalate, Sadie finds herself embroiled in yet another mystery with life-or-death consequences. Can Sadie discover whoever—or whatever—is behind the mystery before anyone else gets hurt? Or will this be Sadie’s last case?

My Thoughts:

Sadie Hoffmiller is back, and this time she's spending a nice October vacation with her "boyfriend" (don't let Pete hear you call him that) and his grandchildren in Boston. Sadie cooks up a lot more than just some delicious meals and gets into some bewitching situations with the locals.

For those that don't know Sadie, she's a fantastic cook and she uses it to the fullest as she gleans information from those she feeds. She's everyone's mom or grandmother that has to feed people and that's what makes busybody Sadie such a beloved character.

"Pumpkin Roll" is a fun story that captures the essence of fall in Massachusetts and and weaves a hair-raising mystery that will delight not only Sadie Hoffmiller fans, but cozy mystery fans as well. With the story taking place in October, the food theme and recipes are fall related (and delicious, too!). 

If you have never read any of Josi Kilpack's mysteries, please do yourself a favor and pick one up today. (This would be a great one to start with, with Halloween just around the corner!) They do build on one another, but you can easily jump in and start by reading any of the series, as they can be read as stand-alones. Sadie refers back to situations that happened in previous books, but one coming into the series won't feel lost.

HIGHLY recommended!

About the Author:

Josi has combined her love of MOST things edible and her love of writing into the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series. Blackberry Crumble is the fifth book in what will be an eight book series. When Josi isn’t cooking or writing she’s trying to say ahead of her four children, hiding somewhere with a book in hand, or enjoying her backyard chickens. Josi and her family live in Willard, UT.

For more information about Josi, you can visit her website at www.josiskilpack.com or her blog at www.josikilpack.blogspot.com

I received a copy of this book to read and honestly review for this tour.

"Key Lime Pie" by Josi Kilpack - Virtual Book Tour & Review

Title: Key Lime Pie
Author: Josi Kilpack
Publisher: Desert Book
ISBN: 9781606418130
Genre: Mystery, Culinary Mystery, Cozy Mystery

About Key Lime Pie

(from back cover):

"When Sadie Hoffmiller’s new friend, Eric Burton, receives word that his missing daughter’s body may have been found in Florida, he immediately packs his bags, but Sadie is determined to stay home and prove to everyone that she is not a busybody.

But when she senses Eric is hiding something, Sadie is compelled to take action. Before she knows it, she’s in the heart of Miami, trying to piece together a trail littered with broken relationships, mysterious strangers, and forged documents that might just provide Eric the answers he’s been desperately searching for—or reveal a truth he may not be ready to face.

Sadie must also face a difficult question: Where is her heart leading her? Onward into Eric’s adventurous arms? Or back home to the stable and steady Pete Cunningham? If only love was as easy as following a recipe.

Once again, Sadie finds herself in the company of some colorful characters and on the hunt for some good old-fashioned southern cooking. But despite the drama and intrigue, all Sadie really wants is to go home . . . as soon as she does just one more thing."

My Thoughts:

Josie Kilpack has done it again! Sadie is back and this time she has a love interest and around that interest lies a mystery just begging to be solved with Sadie's help.

This is my second book of the "Culinary Mysteries" by Mrs. Kilpack and the more I read of this series, the more I want! I love Sadie's character. She is a middle aged busy body who is also a clean freak and a culinary snob. Well, maybe snob is a bit harsh, but she is one that critiques the food she eats and many times decides she can do a better job. If not, she begs for the recipe, and writes it down in her "little black book".

Sadie has a way of getting the necessary information to help solve each mystery. If she can't get someone to talk, she's found that food usually loosens the tongue. Sadie also has a way of getting herself into trouble. She's a lovable yet sometimes annoying character that you can't help but enjoy. She's funny, witty, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

A nice plus to the book are the recipes. If Sadie is eating, cooking or discussing a certain dish, you are most likely to find the recipe at the end of that chapter. If you haven't read one of these delightful Culinary Mysteries, make sure to add at least one to your reading list. They are truly a fun read and a nice bonus is you can start anywhere in the series. The books do mention past events, but you don't get the feeling of being lost and missing out.

These mysteries will be enjoyed by those that like cozy mysteries, Miss Silver mysteries or anyone that just wants a nice fun read.

About Josi Kilpack

Josi S. Kilpack grew up hating to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and accredits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998, while on bedrest with a pregnancy, and never stopped.

Key Lime Pie is Josi’s twelfth novel, and the fourth book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. The other novels in the series are: Lemon Tart (Book 1),  English Trifle (Book 2), Devil’s Food Cake (Book 3). While the books all feature Sadie Hoffmiller as the main character, they stand alone in regard to plot and can be read as a set or as individual titles. Josi currently lives in Utah with her husband, four children, one dog and varying number of chickens.

For more information about Josi, you can visit her website at www.josiskilpack.com or her blog at www.josikilpack.blogspot.com

Book was provided through the Pump Up Your Book program for me to honestly review.

Virtual Book Tour & Review: "English Trifle" by Josi S. Kilpack

It is with great pleasure that I am able to introduce Josi S. Kilpack. Josi has written 3 Culinary Mysteries as well as 8 others. She has been the recipient of the 2007 Whitney Award. I am very excited to be able to participate in Josi's tour and to be able to read and review her book "English Trifle".

English Trifle
Author: Josi S. Kilpack
Publisher: Deseret Book
ISBN: 978160641216
Genre: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Culinary Mystery

Synopsis: (from the publisher's website)

"What begins as a holiday trip for amateur sleuth and cooking aficionado Sadie Hoffmiller and her daughter, Breanna, turns into a bizarre mystery. First comes the discovery of a dead body in the sitting room of an English manor belonging to the family of Breanna’s boyfriend, who is also heir to the family title. When the body comes up missing, Sadie and Breanna are stranded at the estate until the police can clear them to leave.

Armed with a jogging whistle, her personal recipe collection, and an unfailing sense of American justice, Sadie begins her own investigation to find the killer. But when she seems to encounter one dead end after another, Sadie wonders if anyone is telling the truth — or if the case is really as hopeless as it appears to be.

Layer by layer, Sadie uncovers a mouth- watering mystery with an English flair. Included are Sadie’s favorite new recipes for American English Trifle, High Tea Lemon Cookies, Coconut Macaroons, Wake ’Em Up Breakfast Casserole, Sausage Rolls, Crumpets, and Sadie’s Scrumptulicious Scones."

My Thoughts:

There is nothing I like more than to cuddle up on a rainy day with a good cozy mystery. So, on a chilly and rainy morning, I decided to start "English Trifle". I found it humorously fitting that the book would take place in England during a rainy week.

In just the first pages, I was whisked to England and got lost in the story and didn't even realize that I had been reading for hours. Josi has such a way of drawing you in and keeping you captivated! From characters to the plot to the recipes - I was totally in love with "English Trifle".

When I think of the main character, Sadie Hoffmiller, I find myself smiling. She's a card, plain and simple. She's a mom of an adult daughter that isn't too worried about being straight-forward, and sometimes to the point of being just plain nosy. She also loves food, and thinks about it and eats a bit more than she should. She's one who won't take no for an answer and can be a bit pushy and aggressive. I adored everything about her!

"English Trifle" is book 2 of the Culinary Mystery series, and I was a bit worried that I would be lost. I hate coming into a series that I can't grasp the characters or storyline because I haven't read the books in order. This book, to me, stands on its own. I had no problem getting to know the characters. This book has also whetted my appetite to want to read more of the series, though. "Lemon Tart" and "Devil's Food Cake" are on my list to pick up the next time I go to the bookstore!

One of the neatest things I found about Josi's book, is the recipes. Sadie will tell about a fantastic thing she had to eat and make you really want to just have a taste. (Sadie is definitely bad for my waistline!) Then at the end of the chapter, Josi has the recipe! What a wonderful surprise.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Make sure to put "English Trifle" on you reading list. In fact, do yourself a favor and get them all at once and save yourself another trip to the bookstore. :)

About the Author:

Josi S. Kilpack grew up hating to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and accredits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998, while on bedrest with a pregnancy, and never stopped. Devil’s Food Cake is Josi’s eleventh novel, and the third book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. The other novels, Lemon Tart (Book 1) and English Trifle (Book 2) were released in 2009. While the books all feature Sadie Hoffmiller as the main character, they stand alone in regard to plot and can be read as a set or as individual titles. Josi currently lives in Utah with her husband, four children, one dog and varying number of chickens.

For more information about Josi, you can visit her website at www.josiskilpack.com or her blog at www.josikilpack.blogspot.com

"English Trifle" was provided by Pump Up Your Book for me to honestly review.