Cake on a Hot Tin Roof

In the second Piece of Cake Mystery by Jacklyn Brady, Rita Lucero was way over her head in Cake on a Hot Tin Roof. While she recovered from the previous murder case she came out unscathed and trying to take the helm of Zydeco Bakery in New Orleans. Mardi Gras was around the bend, which made everyone in Zydeco hectic and frantic to get ready with their orders of King Cakes. Fellow employee breathed down her neck for the website and blog, when her aunt and uncle dropped by for an unexpected surprise visit from Chicago. While she tried to score an order for a big wedding deal, she came across some unsavory characters at a Musterion krewe party. She'd gotten her head into the murder of a family fight, when her uncle became suspected of the murder. It was up to Rita to clear her uncle's name, find out what's going on with her aunt and uncle, and to come clean on her feelings on Liam Sullivan. This one included some yummy recipes, too.

This was another fascinating culinary cozy mystery. I loved the backdrop of the Mardi Gras season in New Orleans to set the scene. I loved getting to know more about Rita's family better. I did feel a pang for Rita, when she dealt with running the bakery and running interference for her family at the same time. I also loved the connection Liam and Rita had as well, too. I didn't like the victim's family, either, which came to a sad and tragic ending. Plenty of drama and lots of action into delicious culinary cozy.

Ready to party during Mardi Gras? Jump aboard with a copy today!

A Sheetcake Named Desire

If you love great culinary cozies, you'll enjoy this one from Jacklyn Brady. In the first installment of the Piece of Cake Cozy Mystery series, Rita Lucero traveled to New Orleans from Chicago, when she received a mysterious phone call from her soon-to-be ex-husband, Phillippe Renier. When she arrived there, she learned he was murdered and his bakery was in trouble. With help from her mother-in-law, she tried to piece the puzzles together on Phillippe's life and business--everyone remained a suspect. His new girlfriend, his co-workers, his rivals. Meanwhile, she put herself in trouble and in harm's way, while Detective Liam Sullivan helped her figure it out, before it became too late for her in A Sheetcake Named Desire. Great yummy recipes included.

This was a delightful introduction to the cozy series. I loved the New Orleans backdrop to depict the scenery. I did feel a pang of sorry for Rita, when she had to deal with her future exes. I did feel some sorrow, when everyone gave her a heart-time at the bakery, when she learned the roots. They had some crazy cast of characters with unusual names like Ox and Sparkle. The bakery business sounded like a fun place to work with. I didn't feel anything, when Phillippe died. But I loved the chemistry Rita had with her mother-in-law Frankie and with Liam. Great drama, nice scenery, and plenty of action.

Want a piece of the sheetcake? Take a bite with this cozy now!