REVIEW: Fondant Fumble

 Fondant Fumble
Author: Jenn McKinlay

And....with the closing of this book, I have officially caught up with the author and am awaiting her publication of the next book in this series. I'm smiling not just because I enjoyed the book, but also because my new tactic of avoiding negative social media posts, depressing news and the state of my home country at the moment is working. Instead of watching the news and becoming depressed, I'm reading books instead. I needed a serious break from all that nonsense and scary stuff -- and I do believe books are the solution. 

In the month of March, I have read 16 books so far - all while still working my full time job and keeping up with household chores/responsibilities. This not only is helpful for my mental health, but also proves that I always had the time to read. I was just filling up that extra time with negative information, rather than entertaining stories. 

 So, for the present, I'm going to continue my reading project. No news. I have friends who have agreed to notify me if anything vital happens that I need to know. I'm going to concentrate on reading books from my shelves. Clear out some space for new books -- and read some series that have been languishing unread on my bookshelves for a long time!! 

Fondant Fumble is the 16th book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. When two pro football players decide to open a Fairy Tale Cupcake franchise, Mel is excited and the entire cupcake gang gears up to help with the grand opening of the new location. However, a dead body and a swarm of scorpions adds a bit too much excitement to the opening festivities. Can Mel, the gang and their two new friends catch the killer? 

I enjoyed this book! Very entertaining. The scorpions were a bit creepy crawlie, but the plot kept my attention from start to finish. I liked the football theme. There was plenty of sleuthing, suspects and twists. The recipes in the back of the book sound yummy as well! 

I would say that I'm moving on to the next book.....like I have throughout my binge reading of the 1st through the 16th book in this entertaining series -- but I'm out of books!!  I have chosen another cozy series from my shelf (10 books this time before I catch up with the author), and I'm going to just read from my shelves until I've cleared out some shelf space!! It's win-win all the way around. I keep a smile on my face, clear shelf space for new books, several authors get reviews posted -- and I'm getting to enjoy books I've had waiting on my shelves for awhile!! Yay!! 

On to the next series!! 

REVIEW: Sugar Plum Poisoned

 Sugar Plum Poisoned
Author: Jenn McKinlay

It's Christmastime and a musician friend of Angie's is in Scottsdale to do some holiday shows. Mel, Angie and the rest of the bakery gang are on duty providing cupcakes for the VIP room at the concerts. What could possibly go wrong? A dead manager, that's what. 

It seems the bakery gang just can't catch a break. A dead body seems to always mess up their best plans. 

I had a great time reading this Christmas theme mystery. The plot kept my attention from start to finish. There is plenty of suspects and sleuthing, with a few twists and turns thrown in to keep it exciting. 

The recipes at the end of the book sound amazing, especially the egg nog cupcakes! 

This book is the 15th in this series. At this point in time, there are only 16 Cupcake Bakery Mysteries. I have the final book in front of me as I post this review. Getting ready to start reading! I can't believe I binge read this entire series in less than a month! Just proves I like reading about cupcakes and killers!

REVIEW: Strawberried Alive

 Strawberried Alive
Author: Jenn McKinlay

14 down -- 2 to go!! 

I just finished Strawberried Alive and am happy to report that it's another fun installment in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. I needed an entertaining series to read to keep my mind off current events, the news, negative stuff for awhile. And, so far, this series fits the bill perfectly. I have binge read my way through 14 books so far....in less than a month. So yep -- my plan is working. I unplugged from the news and plugged into cozies. Best decision I've made in a long time! 

This time, someone is targeting business owners in Old Town, a historic district in Scottsdale. First someone takes a pot shot at Mel while she's at the bakery at night. Then the owner of a nearby business is shot.....and the attacks keep happening....finally leading to a death.  Someone is literally trying to kill business in Old Town. Can the cupcake crew break the case before business in the district is dead? 

I enjoyed this story. The mystery definitely kept my attention from start to finish. There were plenty of suspects, action and twists. The person I thought had done it was innocent...ooops. :) And, as usual, the book has yummy cupcake recipes in the back! 

Moving on to the next book -- Sugar Plum Poisoned!  After that one, there will only be one more book in this series left on my TBR shelf.  Whew! :)

REVIEW: For Batter or Worse

 For Batter or Worse
Author: Jenn McKinlay

Well, I binged my way through yet another book in this series. Since I put myself on a self-imposed news ban, I have been reading a lot of books instead. So much better for my mental health than depressing news programs. I'm keeping the smile on my face....and making spaces on my TBR bookshelves!

For Batter or Worse is the 13th book in the Cupcake Bakery series.

There's a lot going on in this book. Two main characters are getting married. Another is pregnant. One got a new job. Just a lot going on. I liked the way all those background plot situations worked out, except for one little twist in one of them that I thought was....well, stupid and unnecessary. Other than that one little thing, I liked all the character developments. 

The mystery moved along at a nice pace. There is some entertaining amateur sleuthing as usual with several suspects and a few surprise twists. The recipes in the back of the book look yummy. I shared them with a family member who is a trained chef who loves to bake cakes. Since I don't eat grain or much sugar, cupcake recipes aren't really my thing. But my family member will most likely try at least one of the recipes. :) 

I definitely enjoyed this story. Read the book in a day....and now moving on to the next -- Strawberried Alive!

REVIEW: Pumpkin Spice Peril

 Pumpkin Spice Peril
Author: Jenn McKinlay

Finished another book in this series! Having a great time binge reading my way through all of the books. I needed a series that was just entertaining, light and happy. What could be happier than cupcakes? Totally what I needed! 

Pumpkin Spice Peril is the 12th book in the series. This time Mel and the bakery gang are planning to supply cupcakes to a local art gallery as a good friend of Mel's is having her glass art featured in a special display. Rene has been working so hard to prepare for the event that she seems not quite herself. The whole situation gets much, much worse when the artist is poisoned.  Can the gang find out who poisoned Mel's friend? 

I enjoyed this book! And I really got excited about the pumpkin spice cupcake recipe -- only to find out my copy of the book had the recipe pages missing! Luckily, a bookish pal had the recipes saved and emailed me a copy. I can still bake cupcakes! :) 

The mystery moved along at a nice pace. There were plenty of suspects and a few twists here and there. The story also had some character development and new things coming up for the gang. I'm anxious to see what happens in the next book!! 

On to book 13 -- For Batter or Worse! 

REVIEW: Dying for Devil's Food

 Dying for Devil's Food
Author: Jenn McKinlay 

In this 11th book in the Cupcake Bakery series, Mel Cooper and her two besties, Angie and Tate, are going to their 15th high school reunion. Mel knows it's going to be a stressful evening. High school was not a pleasant time for her. 

Unfortunately, it goes much worse than she could have ever imagined. When the Mean Girl from her class is discovered dead in the restroom, Mel becomes a suspect. Pretty soon though, several members of her high school class are also being closely looked at by the police. Which one of them offed the meanest girl in school? 

I enjoyed this book. I've enjoyed all 11 books so far! This one brought back memories of a couple rude and obnoxious people I went to school with. Glad I never had to see them again after graduation. ha ha. I never bothered to attend any reunions. Just not interested. 

The mystery moved along at a nice pace with plenty of suspects and surprises along the way. The story definitely kept my attention from start to finish. 

On to the next book -- Pumpkin Spice peril! 

 

REVIEW: Wedding Cake Crumble

 Wedding Cake Crumble
Author: Jenn McKinlay

Well, I binge read my way through yet another book in this series. :) 

 It's been a long, long time since I found a series that got me zipping through books in no time. But, I have to say I'm having a great time reading my way through the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. The books have been on my TBR shelf for some time, but I kept passing them by as I wasn't sure I was ready to commit to reading 16 books. Once I start a series, I like to read from the first book through the most current.....and I just thought 16 books were going to take me forever to get through. But I'm already on book 10. Wish I had started this series a long time ago! 

This 10th book has two of the main characters finally getting married. But as they work to get the final preparations for the ceremony completed, people associated with the wedding start turning up dead. Does someone not want Tate and Angie to get hitched? 

I enjoyed this book! Angie was finally back to being feisty and Angie-like, rather than all the crying and whining she did in the previous book. I was relieved! There were some interesting developments for some side characters in the story as well. The mystery moved along at a nice pace and there were plenty of suspects and twists to keep me interested from start to finish. 

I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book!  On to the next -- Dying for Devil's Food!