Daisy by Josi S. Kilpack

Daisy by Josi S. Kilpack

Daisy by Josi S. Kilpack is the first to be released book in a collection of four books, each focusing on a different character from a common book club, and each written by a different author, all of which I have had the please of meeting and learning from. 

It took me a little while to get into Daisy's story. I'm used to reading young adult and it was hard for my brain to make the switch from fast paced angst to the internal workings of a mother's mind. 

Daisy is teetering on the edge of empty-nesthood, and she is ready to embrace it. When she finds out that she is pregnant, everything changes. 

Things don't come easy for Daisy, as her second husband never planned to have more children, and life with her teenager is not roses. I like the fact that Daisy's story doesn't end up tied up with a pretty ribbon. She learns and grows and becomes a better person because of the adversity she faces. 

Daisy's monthly meeting with her book club sustains her in ways she couldn't have anticipated. I love getting to know the other women in the book. I'm looking forward to getting to know Athena, Olivia, and Paige, all of whom have their own book that tells their stories. I'm interested to see how the authors weave each of the characters around each other. 

Oh, and Josi included a recipe at the end of the book--and you know I love food in books!

Daisy is a fun start to a great new set of books that are perfect for spring break and summer reading.

Pumpkin Roll by Josi Kilpack and enter to win an iPad!

Pumpkin Roll by Josi Kilpack

Pumpkin Roll is the perfect fall read!  Yummy comfort food recipes like Whitty Baked Beans, Cinnamon Twists, and Yorkshire Pudding (something I've never tried), ghostly happenings and scary situations make it a great choice as the weather gets cooler.  

Contest!!

In conjunction with the release of Pumpkin Roll the author, Josi S. Kilpack,and the publisher, Shadow Mountain, are sponsoring a contest for a new iPad.

To enter, leave a comment in the comment section of this blog before

November 1, 2011.  

Winners will be announced and notified November 3rd 2011.

More information can be found on Josi Kilpack's website. 

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?

I just love Sadie Hoffmiller.  She is a combination of Murder She Wrote and Anne of Green Gables.  A sort of busy body Nancy Drew grandma.  

The recipes and food preparation never feel forced--in fact they make me feel right at home in a cozy murder mystery.  I know, it's weird.  Food is such a part of our lives and I love how Josi incorporates the cooking and the recipes into each adventure. 

The cover of Pumpkin Roll is so mouth-watering that my dog tried to eat it.  I am not kidding!  He got sent to his kennel for chewing on the signed copy that the author so generously sent me in the mail (Bad boy, Nestle!).

What I find attractive about the culinary mysteries that Josi writes is the versatility--anyone can read them and enjoy them (I plan to give a copy to my grandmother for Christmas).

I have to admit that it took me awhile to get into Pumpkin Roll.  I just didn't know what to expect in the beginning.  I am so glad that I kept reading--I was rewarded with some serious suspense and entertainment for hanging in there.  

Pumpkin Roll is yet another masterful blend of suspense, romance and good home cooking.  Enjoy!

Sundials and Cozies and a Special Offer.

Today kicks off the book launch of The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook.  Join me over at What is a Sundial in the Shade? where novelist Josi S. Kilpack "blabbers about family, life, and writing, not necessarily in that order".

Josi writes delicious mysteries about Sadie Hoffmiller, a charming sweet little lady who is exactly how I envision a modern, aged Anne of Green Gables to behave. She (Sadie, not Josi)  finds herself mixed up in murder mysteries and it's a pleasure to solve them along with her. 

Josi's book Lemon Tart is included in The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook and to celebrate the launch  she's giving away two books--a copy of Lemon Tart and the cookbook.  She also is sharing an interview in which I reveal the extent of my cooking expertise. 

So now it really gets good.  Today I get to announce a really great bonus offer for everyone who follows the launch tour.  Between now and July 22, anyone who purchases The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook will receive a free bonus book of recipes (like Bittersweet Blueberry Lime Tiramisu, the companion recipe for Linger by Maggie Steifvater). All you have to do is purchase the cookbook and send me a message with the coupon code BONUSR in the subject line.  And don't forget that everyone who comments on any of the blogs on the tour is entered into a drawing for a Kindle! 

Thanks to everyone for all of your support.  Now head on over to Josi's neck of the blogosphere!