Death By Coffee

Death By Coffee
By:Alex Erickson
300 Pages

Summary:
Best friends, Krissy Hancock and Vicki Peterson have opened a coffee/book shop in the mid-west. However, their first is nothing like what they hoped. When a customer dies after drinking coffee from Krissy's coffee shop, Krissy becomes determined to find the real killer. 

Krissy and Vicki grew up together in California. Life changed when Vicki moves to Pine Hills. A few months later, Vicki asks Krissy to come out there. With no coffee or book store in town, Vicki sees a golden opportunity. 

Life in small town Pine Hills isn't always easy. Gossip travels at light speed. Everyone knows everyone else. You even have your resident spy always looking from her window. Being new to town, a dead customer isn't the way Krissy envisioned meeting her fellow residents. However, that's how it happened. Brendon Lawyer orders a coffee, and is found dead shortly thereafter. Krissy is anxious to prove it wasn't her coffee that caused his death, but wasn't expecting to uncover quite the list of possible murders. In short time, Krissy is ticking off residents trying to get answers. And, in between arrests, she squeezes in a date with the Chief of Police's handsome son, Officer Paul. 

Not only is this book the debut in a series, it's also the debut book for the author. Alex Erickson is new to the genre, but writes a good story. While the plot wasn't the strongest, you do connect with the characters and want to find out what happens. For being a male author, he writes from a woman's perspective very well. I enjoyed reading his characters and all their interaction. Mr. Erickson is the rare male in a woman dominated genre, but I think he has a great series on his hands. 

The Cupcake Club: Sugar and Spice

A fun Summer Reading Selection for the kids! This series is fun and a wonderful way to spend some of their summer time!

The Cupcake Club: Sugar and Spice

By: Sheryl & Carrie Berk

116 pages

Ages: 9-12

Summary:

The gang of the Cupcake Club is back!! In this latest adventure, bullies are taught a lesson in humility, and someone enters a beauty pagent!

Who knew that painting a huge canvas for art class would cause so much trouble?! Certainly not Lexie. However, when her overly large work of art collides with school snob, Meredith, Lexie becomes the target of Meredith's scorn. Instead of just letting it go, Meredith decides revenge should come with going after Lexie's boyfriend. As if constantly putting her down wasn't enough. Well, the girls of Peace, Love, and Cupcakes have decided they are going to teach the school hotshot a lesson, or two.

When the girls learn that Meredith has entered the Miss New England Shooting Starz pagent, they decide someone needs to run against her- and win. Lexie gets voted when they learn she can sing. So, a reluctant Lexie enters. Competition day isn't a smooth one. Some contestants soar, while others sink. And some people see stars.

Lexie isn't the only one facing down her insecurities with rivals. The girls of Peace, Love, and Cupcakes also go head-to-head with their rival competition when both vie for the job of baking for the pageant. Will the girls claim victory this time? Who's impressive cupcake concoction will be the winner?

Girls will especially love this series. The Cupcake Club is a fun, creative, spunky series that I enjoy reading! The characters are fun, the chapters aren't long, The stories are fun and relateable for all ages. The books in The Cupcake Club are great summer reads! Readers will have fun reading the books and getting to know all the girls. I look forward to each book!

Summer Reading- Demise in Denim

Demise in Denim

By: Duffy Brown

Reviewed By: Betsey Brooks & Jenifer Nelissen

We're going to kick off the 2015 Summer Reading season with a bang! Duffy Brown is among the rare group of authors who make writing a book an art form. From start to finish, each book she writes is a masterpiece. When you open her books, it never takes long before you are pulled into a world you don't want to leave. You are having so much fun in the story, loving the characters, that the occasional dead body doesn't phase you. You will be laughing your way through murders, chases, and local squabbles. And when you finish the book, you will feel sad to see it end. You will begin counting the days down to her next book release. (I totally admit to doing this!)

Demise in Denim is #4 in her Consignment Shop Series. Like every book in this delightful series, you will laugh your way through every page! All of the books are full of the Southern charm, and humor. The sayings, alone, will have you laughing until it hurts. 

Walker Boone is being framed for murder. (Oh the surprises that await you when you enter a bathroom) Consignment Store Owner-turned amateur sleuth Reagan Summerside is bound and determined to find out who really did the deed, knowing it wasn't Boone.  In order to hit out from the cops, Boone plays "Where's Walker" with Reagan. Sometimes he's been hiding in the last place she would think to look- or even places she didn't know existed. 

Once again, Duffy Brown does an amazing job at bringing characters to life. You truly forget they are characters in a book, and not your family or friends. Instead of reading a book, you feel like you're right there in the middle of it all. This time around, you get to spend more time with Mercedes, the local housekeeper, and mortician. She jumps right in with all the other characters, bringing her own humor every step of the way.

Duffy brings you plenty of laughter, but she also brings you lots of action. It won't take you long to trip over a dead body with Reagan while she's in Boone's office. And soon, you will feel like you're the passenger in the car when Reagan drives Boone's precious '57 Chevy into the swamp. I predict it will take only a page or two before you are immersed in the plot, and guessing, right along with Reagan, who the killer is.

Get comfy, and get ready to start a reading experience you won't forget. As you read Duffy Brown's books, you will meet delightful characters, solve murders, and get multiple ab workouts! Whether it's her Consignment Shop series, or her new Cycle Shop series, Duffy is the perfect companion to take for reading. 

Summer Reading

Summer is quickly approaching! And that means... SUMMER READING!!! Time to start gathering a pile of books for you to soak up as you soak up the sun!  We at Miss Book Lovers has begun gathering a list of books we think you may enjoy this summer! We hope you love them as much as we do! We'll have mystery titles to get pulled into, historical fiction to get lost in, and so much more!

Beyond Orange County

Beyond Orange County: A Housewives Guide to Faith & Happiness

By: Lydia McLaughlin

194 Pages

Summary:

Despite being asked to remain on “Real Housewives of Orange County,” mother of two, Lydia, made the controversial decision to walk away from the popular franchise to pursue her passions—her faith and her family. Lydia will share the inside scoop from the television series. But more importantly, she will inspire you to examine your own life and inspire you to boldly live out the calling God has given you.

--- Publisher's Description

I have to be honest: prior to reading this book, I had no clue who Lydia McLaughlin was. I had never watched The Real Housewives of Orange County, so there was no frame of reference to go on. What I did know was that all the shows in this franchise are drama filled, and pressure cooker environments. So, I was curious to see how Mrs. Laughlin balanced her faith with the show. I figured there was a lot to be learned.

If you're looking for any gossip on the show, her fellow cast mates, or behind-the-scenes insights, you will not find them within these pages. While I respect this approach, I would have liked to get a more detailed look at how she struggled with her faith, where, and how it was tested. I think we all could have learned many things from how she was able to handled the temptations, or stresses, she came in contact with.

Having said that, you do see a woman grow into her faith. She includes Scriptures in just about every single paragraph in the book. The focus is mostly put on God, not her. She does share lessons she's learned. Her goal is to uplift you and your walk with Christ. 

This book would be a great Bible Study read. Every chapter has a list of discussion question to be had with just the reader, or a group of them. I really think this is a great small group book study, more than a memoir.

Living A Chocolate Life

Living A Chocolate Life

By: Deb Burma

108 Pages

Summary:

Fun, friendly, and engaging, Living a Chocolate Life invites women to savor God’s rich and endless supply of grace in Christ. Whether they're sampling everything from bitter nuggets of pain to sweet morsels of joy, this study reminds them that the Holy Spirit fills us with sweet faith in our Savior–and it is only He who can truly satisfy.  -- publisher's description

Being the chocolate lover that I am, I could not pass this Bible Study up! I was immediately intrigued to see how the author was going to tie God and chocolate together. Turns out, she didn't it very well! 

This 8 week study is perfect for a small group, but also can be done by yourself. You will explore themes such as:

•  Like Chocolate has a pleasant aroma, we bring a pleasant aroma to God, and those around us.
• How our words can be a touch of salt to the people who hear them
• We have several types of cravings: spiritual, physical, emotional- to name a few. But what do we do when they reach an unhealthy point?
• How can we decipher between real & imitation Christianity? 
• Life, like chocolate, has bitter morsels from time to time. 

I really enjoyed ready this book. It was fun to have a chocolate theme to tie everything to. Not to mention, the fun tidbits within each session, and ice breaker activities to share within a group. And did I mention all the chocolate recipes this book has?! 

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. I have no doubt I will be buying this book when it comes out. I look forward to reading it with a group of friends. 

The Dress Shop of Dreams

The Dress Shop of Dreams
By: Menna Van Praag
336 Pages
Reviewed By: Betsey Broks

Summary:
Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires.

Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells—like true love—can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she’s set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways.-- publisher description

Menna VanPraag's newest book "Dress Shop of Dreams" is a treat for any mystery lover. It is packed full of twists and turns with just a bit of magic. I would just think I had the answers and there would be a couple of twists, a turn or two and a fascinating  character. 

Ettaa Sparks' dress shop has been in her family for generations. Her creations are made of rich fabrics in any color one can imagine. Each dress is unique and Etta is always ready to add a very special stitch.

Ettaa's granddaughter, Cora, has been raised by her since the tragic death of Cora's parents. Cora's parents were scientists and Cora shares their passion and drive. Dr. Baxter and Cora have a grant to develop ways to feed underdeveloped nations. Etta is concerned that Cora is burying herself in the laboratory . Walt, a life long friend of Cora's, has told Etta that he loves Cora, but she is oblivious. Etta encourages Walt and gives him a little bit of magic to help him. This does not work out the way Edda had hoped.

While celebrating Cora's birthday Edda tells her that she doesn't think her parents death was an accident. Hearing this Cora decides to investigate. She meets detective Henry Dixon and together they discover some conflicting information. Visions from Cora's early childhood begin to pop up . Following the clues brings Cora to a shocking conclusion.

Block off a quiet time, find a comfortable spot and dive in. There are skeletons in several closets, a diary written in code, a patient priest, a police inspector with a little magic of his own and romances both old and new. Enjoy!