Series: Spice Shop Mystery Series (Book 3)
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (December 15, 2015)
Language: English
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Case in point: Piper Prescott's former mother-in-law Melly. Beneath her twin sets and pearls beats the heart of a geek―a geek whose programming changes for the point-of-sale software in Piper's shop have the owners of the program ready to make her an offer she can't refuse. "Trusty" Rusty Tulley and Chip Balboa swing by Brandywine Creek―just in time for the town's annual Oktoberfest, which has cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom flying off Piper's shelves in record numbers. News spreads faster than a text message, and Melly is the toast of the town.
But it isn't long before Melly's status changes to public enemy number one when Chip's body is found at the foot of her basement stairs. Questions start to pile up when handsome police chief Wyatt McBride arrives on the scene and the coroner sets the time of death for the previous evening. McBride wants to know why it took Melly so long to report the incident―especially after she admits to arguing with Chip about the contract he wanted her to sign. Piper knows Melly would never hurt a fly, so she enlists the help of her BFF Reba Mae to clear her name―but can they find the real killer before Melly gets sent away for good? A mouth-watering entry in Gail Oust's delicious Spice Shop series, Cinnamon Toasted is sure to delight cozy fans of all stripes.
Cinnamon Toasted is the third book in the Spice Shop mystery and I found this one to be my favorite so far.Piper is the owner of Spice it up and has more than enough on her plate with Ocktoberfest and the play about to be under way, she is really busy. So when Melly finds the body of their friend Chip in the basement she has to add that to the mix as well as clear Melly's name who has become suspect in the murder.
Piper's is at it again as she tries to find out why chip was killed and who did it before all the excitement of the season begins.
Things get heated as you start this book and you will be hooked until the end.
Guest Post:
MYTHBUSTERS Many non-writers, I’ve discovered, have preconceived notions of what a writers’ life is like. I’ve been a published writer for more years than I care to count and along the way I’ve made a number of observations. Here are a few misconceptions I’d like to address:
1. Writers make a lot of money. They’re all rich.
Years ago I saw a listing of the bottom three worst paying jobs. The occupations listed a catholic priest, a migrant worker, and a book author. While I don’t know if the figures still hold true but, except for a small percentage, book authors are NOT rich. OK, so you’re not filthy rich, but you can earn a decent living as a writer. My advice (and advice I’ve often heard other writers repeat) is don’t quit your day job. While an average advance to a writer may sound like a substantial amount, in all likelihood, it will be paid out in installments. How understanding will the water department be when you explain you can’t pay them because your book won’t be released for another nine months?
2. Writers sit down at the keyboard and words start to flow.
“I’ve got the syrup, but it won’t pour,” is a quote I once heard. Words—and ideas—sometimes get stuck in the brain on the way to a page. Sometimes inspiration simply stalls. I wish the brain had a channel called Creativity On Demand. With a deadline looming, writers block isn’t an option. Somehow, someway, a writer has to power through the roadblock.
3. A writer sends out a manuscript and a publisher snaps it up.
Even the rich and famous have had a tough time. “Stick to teaching” was the advice given to Louisa May Alcott about Little Women. “An absurd and uninteresting fantasy which was rubbish and dull” was in a rejection letter sent to William Golding for The Lord of the Flies. And more recently, a literacy agency in England received twelve publishing rejections in a row for a new client. Yet, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling went on to set record sales on both sides of the Atlantic.
4. Writing is a nice little hobby, something to do in your spare time.
Wrong! Writing is a business, a serious business. Writers are self-employed contractors and CEOs of their own small enterprise. In addition to the creative side of writing a novel, there are any number of writing related matters clamoring for attention. Things such as website updating, preparation for workshops, panels, or blog tours, and bookmarks to be designed and ordered. Family and personal life can and do make demands on time and bring unexpected interruptions. I’ve learned to say “no” to a number of things I enjoy such a round of golf with friends, participating in the local book club, or spending a lazy afternoon curled up with a good book.
5. A degree in English is required to write a book.
I won’t deny a degree wouldn’t prove helpful, but I’m proof it isn’t necessary. I was a nurse—a RN--not an English major. When I went through nurses’ training, we studied subjects like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and chemistry. Nowhere that I recall were we drilled on the differences between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. Instead, I depend on rules taught by Sister Annora back in high school and do the best I can until the words on a page match the visions in my head.
So you might ask yourself if a writer’s life means poor pay, long hours at the computer, and giving up things you enjoy, why do I do it? The answer is simple. I do it because I can’t not do it. Because being a writer—a teller of stories—is who I am.
About the Author
GAIL OUST is often accused of flunking retirement. Hearing the words "maybe it's a dead body" while golfing fired her imagination for writing a cozy. Ever since then, she has spent more time on a computer than at a golf course. She lives with her husband in McCormick, South Carolina.
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Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteI think baking some cinnamon rolls and then eating them while reading this book would be just perfect.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that writers like you stick with it, even though it is hard work and the pay isn't that great! Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me want to go bake!!!
ReplyDelete