Delicious Suspicious (A Memphis BBQ Mystery)

Welcome to Aunt Pat's barbeque restaurant-family run and located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. Named in honor of Lulu Taylor's great aunt, the restaurant is known for its ribs and spicy corn bread, but now the Taylor family will be known for murder-unless Lulu can clear their name... Rebecca Adrian came to Memphis to suss out the best local BBQ for prominent Cooking Channel show. Trouble is, Rebecca doesn't live long enough to mention a bad review. A mystery ingredient has killed her-and now all the fingers are pointing to Aunt Pat's restaurant. Horrified that her family is being accused of murder, Lulu fires up her investigative skills to solve the crime before someone else gets skewered...

I was very disappointed in this book, it was an extremely slow read for me.In fact I was about a third of he way through it when I just had to push my way through the rest of it, to just get to the end and say I finished it. I haven't felt that way about a book in a long time. It just had too many characters to keep up with, it was difficult to remember who was related to whom and what interactions they had with each other. I also felt like there were too many points of view from the characters, I understand that the author was trying to get everyone's two cents put in, but it just made it very confusing. I felt the plot was a little lacking also and that there could have been a better ending. I had very high hopes for this book but was seriously let down, It will take alot of convincing to pick up another one of Riley Adams books next time. Honestly... the best part about this book is the recipes in the back... to me it really wasn't worth the time. :(

Buttercream Bump Off (A Cupcake Bakery Mystery)

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura must be doing something right with their Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. Their business rival, Olivia Puckett, is parading up and down the sidewalk dressed as a Giant Cupcake to steal customers. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, she's clearly feeling desperate.

Unfortunately, she's not the only desperate one in Scottsdale, Arizona. Someone has iced Baxter Malloy on his first date with Mel's mother. Her mom had been hoping for someone drop dead gorgeous-but not literally. Now she's a suspect, and Mel and Angie need to find time between frosting Kiss Me Cupcake to dig into Malloy's past and discover who served him his just desserts.

A awesome follow up to "Sprinkle with Murder"! I think its safe to say that Jenn McKinlay has me officially hooked on her cute and hilarious cupcake mystery capers! Buttercream Bump Off had a great plot and some hilarious scenarios! I love the bits of romance Jenn McKinlay works into the storyline as well. These books are refreshing fun reads and I cant wait to see what Mel Cooper and Angie DeLaura will be baking up next!

Sprinkle with Murder (A Cupcake Bakery Mystery)

"Cupcakes to Die For!"

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are finally living out their dream as the proud owners of Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. Their first big order is a sweet deal, too-five hundred cupcakes for a fashion designer's wedding. The only sour note is the demanding bridezilla who insists on orginal recipes for the cupcakes.
When Mel stumbles upon the bride-to-be dead-by-cupcake, she immediately becomes the prime suspect. The police believe that the secret ingredient in the cupcakes caused her death. To save Mel and their business, the ladies need to find the real murderer-before the cupcake killer ices someone else...

This was one of the cuuuuuuutest little cozy's I've read yet! What a spectacular ending too! I did recognize the killer a little over half way through the book but it was still very much enjoyable by how psychotic they were! I love the friendship between Mel, Angie and Tate and I also love the little bit of romance that Jenn McKinlay threw in there as well. All in all this book was absolutely adorable and dripping with so much pink frosting cuteness, that I cant wait to read her follow up "Buttercream Bump Off"!

Sucker Punch (A Candy Shop Mystery)

Abby's life is sweet. She's settling into running her candy shop, dealing with her busybody family, and maintaining a solid-if-slow relationship with local police detective Pine Jawarski. But Abby's smooth sailing soon turns into a rocky road when a friend asks her to audition for a musical with some considerably talented locals. Out of curiosity, Abby pops her head into the chaotic audition-and finds a dead star center stage. Now she needs to find the true culprit and clear her friend's name before her newfound happiness is totally fudged...

I liked this book alot and as usual all my favorite characters. I also liked that this particular book was set during Valentines Day, it let have a look at what Divinity is like during a "holiday". I also liked that Abby took a little break from Jawarski this time around, it showed how she is still very strong she is and that she doesn't always need him to come swooping in and saving the day. It also confirmed some of the relationship "issues" she has with him as well and I think that was a great way to tie them together. My only semi-complaints might be, that the victim was killed a little too soon in the story... it kinda made "downtime" in the story drag on a little. I was left a little stunned to find out that Alexander Pastorelli mysteriously disappears and no one ever says why...? Overall though it was a great book with a very suspenseful ending, and once again Sammi Carter has captivated me :)

-Favorite Quotes From The Book-

"My date was waiting for me at the kitchen door, ears perked, tail wagging, and bits of wicker clinging to his nose and mouth."

"I consoled myself with the fact that I had max. He's warm, attentive, and completely devoted. Who could ask for anything more?"

"I helped wait on customers who raced through the front door in a mad search for the perfect gift. One that looked as if they'd put hours of thought into their choice. And yes, you're right. They were mostly men."

"The constant assault of beef and garlic on my nostrils had me convinced that I was hungry too, but steak tonight would mean ramen noodles for the next two weeks!"

"While our server was in the back mining the gold to sprinkle on each of our dishes, I pasted on a friendly smile and stepped over to Geoffery's table."