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! 

REVIEW: Caramel Crush

 Caramel Crush
Author: Jenn McKinlay 

I have breezed through the first 9 books in this series. Luckily this is one way to enjoy cupcakes without the calories -- binge reading a series about a cupcake bakery!

I like the setting, the characters and the plots of these books. Each story is just very entertaining and easy to read. I need an escape from reality regularly at the moment, and these books are perfect for that. 

In this 9th book, Mel is delivering an order of snarky break-up cupcakes when she discovers a dead body. Once again she's on the trail of a killer, much to the chagrin of her friends and family. 

I enjoyed this book. I've never heard of someone breaking off a relationship by sending insulting cupcakes, but I'm sure someone has done it. I would not want to be the person stuck delivering that sort of thing though. 

I do wish that the romance angles with the main characters would take more of a back-seat to the mystery portion of the plot in these books. I'm glad Angie and Tate are getting married in the next book. I am tired of hearing about their wedding plans and reading about Angie flipping out over everything. She did so much crying in this book I was getting really annoyed at her.  The word Bridezilla appeared way too many times in this book. Just elope already and get over it. lol. 

I read mystery books for the mystery.....not romance. Hopefully once those two get married, the romance will stop almost over-powering the mystery plot....and I can just settle in to Mel and the gang chasing down killers. 

On to the next book!!

 

REVIEW: Vanilla Beaned

 Vanilla Beaned
Author: Jenn McKinlay

This 8th book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series has Mel, Angie and Tate traveling to Las Vegas in an attempt to franchise out the bakery. Throw in an Elvis impersonator contest, a show girl who wants to be a baker, and a murder and plans quickly go awry. Someone seems to be willing to kill to stop a Las Vegas location from becoming reality.   

This book is my least favorite in the series so far. The main characters spent too much time arguing over the proposed new direction for the bakery and the Angie/Tate romance is just a bit cheesy for me. I want more mystery....less love life.  Mel's relationship issues with Joe is dragging out too long in my opinion. Either get married, or don't. The cliff hanger at the end of this book I found more annoying than interesting. I'm even getting tired of the Marty/Olivia dating angle.Olivia is my least favorite character in the series. Her constant attempts to insult and sabotage Mel are just waxing a bit old.

That being said, I'm enjoying this series. And I hope the plots find a new angle or two besides romance and Olivia being horrible. Something new would be nice. And I'm hoping a Holly/Manny romance angle doesn't enter into the picture. Way too many characters pairing off into couples. More mystery -- less romance. I hope!  

Moving on to the next book -- Caramel Crush!

REVIEW: Dark Chocolate Demise

 Dark Chocolate Demise
Author: Jenn McKinlay

This 7th book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series has my favorite cover art! So cute! 

This time, the cupcake gang is providing sweet treats for a local zombie walk event. Mel, Angie and the crew even dress up as zombies to get into the spirit of the festivities. Soon, the fun is put on hold though when a dead body is discovered in a prop casket. Things get pretty dicey as members of the bakery staff find themselves the targets of a dangerous killer. 

Lots of interesting character development in this book. The side plots are rapidly becoming just as entertaining as the mystery in each book. Was glad to find that my least favorite side character in this series didn't really figure into this book. It was a nice break from wanting to jump into the book and smack a character. :) 

The story lived up to the cool cover -- I enjoyed this one! 

On to the next book -- which I will say has my second favorite cover -- Vanilla Beaned! 

 

REVIEW: Sugar and Iced

 Sugar and Iced
Author: Jenn McKinlay

Yep. I did it again. 

 I binge read yet another book in this series. Sugar and Iced is the 6th book in the Cupcake Bakery series. And I raced through it cover to cover in no time. 

I just really like this series. It's light, entertaining, humorous and just fun to read. I like the main characters, and the background plot of a 1950's themed bakery. Plus, the mystery in each one has kept my attention from start to finish.  

And, right now, with everything going on in the world, I just really need a series that is just happy and fun. With just an edge of romantic drama here and there. 

In Sugar and Iced, Mel, Angie and the gang are baking cupcakes for a local beauty pageant. When one of the judges with a particularly nasty personality ends up dead under a table, things really heat up around the bakery. Part of their crew are even suspects in the murder. Once again the gang from Fairy Tale Cupcakes is on the trail of a killer. 

Great read! I enjoyed every word!

Now moving on to the next book in this series - Dark Chocolate Demise!  I have really been looking forward to this book because it has a Halloween themed cover!! Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I will definitely enjoy a Halloween theme book in this series! 

REVIEW: Going, Going, Ganache

 Going, Going, Ganache
Author: Jenn McKinlay

When a photo shoot at the cupcake bakery goes awry, Mel and the gang find their space invaded by a group of fighting magazine employees. The week long corporate boot camp is supposed to foster team building, but all it really does is lead to murder. Will they be able to bake 1000 cupcakes for charity and catch a killer, too?

I read this 5th book in the Cupcake Bakery mystery series in record time. I couldn't put it down. The mystery moves at a nice pace, and there are plenty of suspects and twists. There are also some character developments I didn't see coming. Can't wait to find out what happens in the next book! 

This series is entertaining and just fun to read. There are also recipes in the back. This time there is a grain free one! I will have to experiment to see how I can cut down the sugar as well before I try baking cupcakes I can eat. :) At least the experiment will be fun! 

On to the next book -- Sugar and Iced!

 

 

Review: Red Velvet Revenge

 Red Velvet Revenge
Author: Jenn McKinlay

Mel and the cupcake crew are headed to the rodeo in this 4th book in the Cupcake Bakery series. Soon their plans to sell cupcakes at the event go awry. A shooting followed by a dead body and sabotaged cupcakes soon have them on the trail of a killer. 

I enjoy the characters, the background plot of a 1950's theme cupcake bakery, and the mix of humor and mystery in this series. I needed something light and entertaining to read. This series fits that perfectly. 

So far I have been happily binge reading my way through these books. Luckily, I have the entire series on my shelf so I can binge read to my heart's content up until the final page of the newest book. Yay! 

The newest main character -- Oz -- is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. As well as Marty. :) 

Moving on to the next book -- Going, Going Ganache!

REVIEW: Death by the Dozen

 Death by the Dozen
Author: Jenn McKinlay

I am really loving this series! I have all of the books on my shelf. They've been there for some time. I kept passing this series up for shorter ones from my TBR pile. I have a thing about having to read a series from start to finish. And 16 books is a big commitment. 

Finally, I picked up book one and read it. Quickly. Total binge read. Then book 2....and now book 3. I now see that I will zip through all the way to book 16, finish the last page, and then find myself wishing there were more books! 

I love the background theme of a cupcake bakery with 1950's decor. I like the main characters and the setting. The mystery always keeps me engaged, and I find myself finishing one book and then picking up the next one immediately. There are also recipes in the back of the books! I eat grain free for medical reasons, so there are no "real' cupcakes in my future, but I can certainly bake some for my son! :) 

In this 3rd book, Mel and Angie are participating in a baking contest. It's a pretty big deal with celebrity chefs judging and a lot of public attention. Unfortunately, a local rival and a sly killer make the event stressful. First one dead body....then another. Can Mel figure out who the culprit is before they target anyone else? 

There is some nice character development in this book, as well as an addition that made me smile! Not giving it away -- read the book!! 

 On to book 4 -- I must keep reading!! :) 

First time I've binge read a cozy series in a long time! Having fun!! 

REVIEW: Buttercream Bump Off

Buttercream Bump Off
Author: Jenn McKinlay

I have a really bad cold, so I decided to spend this weekend resting, sipping hot tea and reading. Not just to recover from my cold, but to escape from the world for just a little while. 

I've had the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series on my bookshelves for quite awhile. I kept passing it up and choosing other series that had fewer books. I have this thing where I have to read a series in order from start to finish.....and I just thought 16 books was a lot to commit to. Something about feeling like death warmed over and the state of current events just drew me into a series about a cupcake bakery that has cheery bright colored covers.  

There's not many things that are happier than cupcakes. 

 So, I finally started reading my way through this series! Finished the first two books quickly. It might not take me too long to get through the whole series at this rate! 

In this second book, Mel Cooper's mom decides she is ready to start dating again. When her date is murdered, Mel and crew find themselves caught up in amateur sleuthing to clear her mom's name. And there's a little bit of love triangle drama. All in all, a very enjoyable read! The mystery moved along at a nice pace. There was some good character development for the main characters. And there were plenty of twists and interesting developments. 

I am really enjoying this series! I'm not sure if I'm binge reading because the books are so much fun to read or if I'm just reading faster as I know I still have 14 books to go? I think it's a combination of those two reasons! 

 On to book 3! :) 

REVIEW: Sprinkle With Murder

 Sprinkle With Murder
Author: Jenn McKinley

I desperately needed a distraction from the world. Just too many horrible things going on lately. I needed a smile and a break from reality. So, I started looking through my bookshelf. What is something happy that can get me away from it all for a little while?

Cupcakes. 

 Yep....cupcakes. 

 I've had the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series on my bookshelf for some time now. The entire series. But I kept reading other things first. I'm one of those people who has to read an entire series in order. And there's just something about committing to 16 books that just kept me grabbing trilogies or smaller series first. 

But, the colorful covers for this series and the cute background theme made me finally smile and grab book 1 off my shelf. 

I'm glad I did! 

Sprinkle With Murder is just a fun read! I found myself unable to put it down. I love the idea of a cupcake bakery all decked out in a grey, pink and white color scheme. I like the characters and found myself engaging in the story immediately. The mystery moves along at a nice pace, with plenty of amateur sleuthing and twists. 

And, there are recipes in the back!! I'm strictly grain free so there is no cupcake eating in my future, but I am very tempted to bake some for my son! Or attempt a grain free version as a treat for both of us. 

I'm very glad I finally started this series! I had a great time reading book one, and when I finally read my way through all 16 of the books I will free up quite a bit of space on my bookshelves for new books! 

I think I will make that a goal for 2025 -- reading my own books!  I have so many paperback mysteries that they are double stacked on my shelves. I need to read as many as I can and clear out space!! 

Moving on to book 2 in this series -- Buttercream Bump Off! If I read all the books as quickly as I did the first one, it won't take me all that long to get through all 16! The goal is to accomplish that before the next book comes out!