#FuturisticFriday: Killer Takeout by Lucy Burdette

killer takeout APRIL

Photo Credit: Goodreads

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Killer Takeout

Summary from Goodreads:

From the national bestselling author of Death with All the Trimmings.
 
It’s Fantasy Fest at Key West, and food critic Hayley Snow is ready to celebrate. But a killer seems intent on crashing the party. . .

Every year, Key West’s weeklong Mardi Gras–style festival has tourists and locals alike lining up for costumed revelry and delicious eats. Key Zest magazine has assigned Hayley to write a piece on the fest’s grab-and-go food, so she’s planning on hitting up the mobile eateries while checking out the party preparations.

Hayley’s office mate, Danielle, recently elected Queen of Fantasy Fest, is also buzzing between festivities and fundraisers.  But when a former royal rival gets taken out, Hayley needs to put down her party hat and her pen and figure out who served up a side of murder—before Danielle gets crowned a killer. . .

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

If you know me, you know I LOVE Hayley Snow. I love her for many reasons, but my Goodreads review speaks to some good reasons of loving Hayley. Continue reading

Winner of A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY GIVEAWAY!

People:

Ya’ll amazed me yesterday. I was worried that my giveaway would be unpopular. I was worried that no one would enter. I worried that I’d have to claim the book for myself. Or beg someone to enter.

I WORRIED FOR NOTHING.

Thank you for the turnout! Thank you for entering! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

The winner is:

STACIE AMELOTTE.

She has been notified and accepted the title of winner- and cannot wait to receive the book!

If you DID NOT win, I’m sorry. I really am. However, fear not- because there are other blogs giving A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY away – and I’m sweet enough to provide a link! HERE is the link!

Special thanks and snaps to Kate Carlisle and Cozy Mystery Reviews

 

Thanks again for the turnout- you all rocked my socks off!

 

Best,

Traveling With T

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Game Drive by Marie Moore

game driveTitle: Game Drive

Author: Marie Moore

Series: Sidney Marsh Murder Series

Publisher: Camel Press

ISBN: 978-1603819619

Sidney Marsh, born a Mississippi girl, but moved to the Big Apple- where she is now a travel agent for Itchy Feet Travel  (don’t blame Sidney- she didn’t pick the name!) Sidney likes her work and loves her friend, Jay, who is a fun friend at the travel agency. One day Sidney walks in Itchy Feet late, and realizes the normal decor is gone and everything is different- more African safari like decorations. Turns out as she walks in the meeting, that this is the owner’s plan- safari’s for the groups as a way to drum up new business. Sidney and Jay get chosen to go on a “fam trip” to Africa (to familarize themselves with what to expect before they take a group on a safari).  After the debacle of the last trip that Sidney and Jay were on- it’s made clear to both of them that this trip to Africa needs to go smoothly.

Of course, best laid plans and all- the trip to Africa starts out ok; but slowly begins to disintegrate.  Jay’s nervous about the animals, Sidney’s pocket gets picked, and one of the travel agents has a terrible habit of making everyone wait! As Sidney listens and learns more about each travel agent- she becomes suspicious that someone on the “fam trip” is an imposter. Still, for the most part, Jay and Sidney are happy on the trip- until a body is found. Was it an accident? Did one of the animals attack? Or was it something more sinister? The “fam trip” continues, but Sidney and Jay are growing more suspicious as the days go by- and they aren’t the only ones.  Before this trip is over, more things will have went wrong, true identities will be revealed, and Sidney will learn that in Africa- it’s not only the wild animals that need to be feared- sometimes the humans are the most dangerous.

With danger, intrigue, romance, and more- Sidney Marsh takes the readers on a ride that is fun and interesting!

Blogger’s opinion: This is my first Marie Moore book, and I found the story enjoyable.  The story flowed fairly well for the most part. Sidney is an interesting character, and I liked the character Jay. With it being a book that had a travel angle- I did expect some travel agent talk; and while some was needed- perhaps it had just a bit too much. However, the book has more positive than negative about it. I do believe that I’ll be checking out the first book in the Sidney Marsh series- and look forward to reading more about Sidney.

*BIG HUGE GIVEAWAY! Cozy Mystery Reviews is offering a GREAT giveaway! Details HERE!

Monday Mash-up!

Giveaways:

Meg Donohue is giving away How to Eat a Cupcake, Signed ARC of All the Summer Girls (doesn’t that just give you chills?!) and more! Or check out Meg Donohue’s blog for more info!

Wendy Francis is giving away copies of her book, Three Good Things, this week on Twitter!

Update on my Reading:

Finished The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski yesterday. GREAT. Read.

Started Dana Bate’s book Girls’ Guide to Love and Supper Clubs. Really enjoying it- it’s fun!

Will be doing a couple of blog tours for Cozy Mystery Reviews

Hoping to join Allison and Rebecca as they continue reading In the Woods by Tana French- check out their progress- Love at First Book and join in!

Pinterest:

Check out my Pinterest TBR List(it’s not my complete one- but it will be growing because too many good books!) You may even see Meg Donohue’s All The Summer Girls on the list 🙂

 

 

 

 

Malicious Masquerade

 

It’s Cindy Bedford’s  wedding day- what should be one of the happiest days of her life. That is, until the groom never shows up for the wedding. Cindy’s dad, Jasper, has always liked Tyler. Tyler works for Jasper and seems to be a good fit in the company and an excellent match for Cindy. When Tyler does not show up, Jasper begins to wonder if he’s made a mistake trusting Tyler. His suspicions grow when he finds that his home safe has been robbed, and several millions have been moved to off-shore accounts.

Cindy, though, believes that Tyler must be in some kind of trouble. So she hires Carter Mays, PI to find Tyler.  Carter takes the job and begins a search for Tyler. As Carter searches for Tyler, he begins to find out some things about Tyler- and yet some things are still just clues.

As the reader gets further in the story, it’s apparent that everyone wants Tyler found. Just some want Tyler found for reasons they are not willing to share. Was Cindy right and Tyler was kidnapped- thus leading to Cindy still getting her happily ever after? Or does the investigation for Tyler lead to more information that could shatter Cindy’s world?

Looking for a quick, easy, enjoyable read? Malicious Masquerade may just be the thing.

Literary Friday ya’ll…

Today is a beautiful day. Bright sunshine after a couple of days of dreary rain- temp is in high 60’s/70’s and it’s #literaryfriday!

1. Deep South Magazine will have 2 author chats in the upcoming weeks- so please check back at @deepsouthmag or Deep South Magazine’s Facebook page for more information on that. In other #literaryfriday news, a picture of F.Scott Fitzgerald in drag, a list of 12 Gay Book Characters Turned Straight for Movies ( can you guess who they are?), Pulpwood Queen talk about their upcoming Girlfriend Weekend (Kimberly Brock, The River Witch, will be there!) and much more.

2. What are you reading for #fridayreads? I’m reading Stuck on Murder by Lucy Lawrence ( this will be my 3rd book in goal of 13 for Cruisin Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013).

3. In case you missed the announcement earlier this week, She Reads January Book Club pick is The Art Forger by B.A.Shapiro. Here are some links that you might find interesting.

Literary First Love: B.A Shapiro

B.A. Shapiro on Why She Wrote The Art Forger

January Book Club Selection

The Art Forger: Review by Traveling With T

4. Traveling With T took the plunge and made a Facebook page- facebook.com/TravelingWithT

So come over to Facebook and give Traveling With T a “like”. Blog posts will be posted to the facebook page- but not to worry- if you don’t do the facebook thing, feel free to stick around the blog- I’ll be blogging, commenting, posting pictures and recommending books here as well as there.

5. Want to help a soon to be published author? Read Julie Kibler’s tips- Julie’s debut book is Calling Me Home (release date is Feb 12, 2013). Her book has already been getting some advance praise- hopefully will get much more!

6. Excuse my while my inner child squeals- but on Wednesday Jan 16 at 5:30 pm (EST), Scholastic is hosting a BabySitters Club meeting- talk with Ann M. Martin and test your BSC knowledge! Grab the Kid Kits, find some junk food in Claudia’s room (unless you are Stacey or Dawn) and get ready for a great meeting- and don’t be late or Kristy will give you THE LOOK.  Follow @scholastic and use the hashtag #BSCMeeting to join in.

7. Check in with Cozy Mystery Book Reviews– they are giving away books for the month of January!

8. Peeking Between the Pages is giving away a copy of Allison Winn Scotch The Song Remains the Same– check in with that blog for the rules and details.

Happy Reading!

 

 

 

Literary Friday ya’ll….

It’s the first Friday of 2013! How are your resolutions going? What fantastic books have you found to read? Seeing a lot of chatter about Me Before You– anyone reading that? I’m wanting to read The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon- anyone picked that book to read yet?

1. Deep South Magazine is back after a holiday break from #literaryfriday- so be sure to check out the news about upcoming Twitter chats, Nicholas Sparks and John Grisham make a certain list of bestsellers, and literary insults (among other things!)

2. Cozy Mystery Book Reviews is hosting 31 days of giveaways- be sure and check them out each day for a new book to win!

3.My #fridayreads is A Deal to Die For (Good Buy Girls) by Josie Belle (aka Jenn McKinlay). It’ll be the 2nd book I’m reading in the Cruisin’ Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2013.

4. The first book I read in 2013 is Mobbed by Carol Higgins Clark.

 

So, what books are you reading this weekend? What book is being released soon that you are just too excited to read? (Mine is Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton!)

Happy Reading!

 

Literary Friday ya’ll….

Friday- end of the month. Tomorrow is December 1- which means 24 days till Christmas day. So line up those pictures with Santa, listen to some Christmas music, and enjoy the holiday season.

1. Deep South Magazine took last week off from their #literayfriday post due to the holidays-but is back up and running for this week. Included in today’s #literaryfriday is how to donate a new or used book to victims of Hurricane Sandy, a review of The Cutting Season (a book on DSM Fall/Winter Reading List), links to the “Best of 2012” book lists, and news that Robin O’Bryant’s Ketchup is a Vegetable: And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves is 99 cents for November 30, 2012 (TODAY Only!)

2.Robin O’Bryant– author of Ketchup Is A Vegetable has been hosting giveaways all week to say “Happy Birthday, Ketchup!” If you haven’t won a giveaway, have rotten luck, dislike Facebook- whatever the reason-do not despair- Robin’s book Ketchup is 99 cents today! Sit back with a copy of Ketchup is Vegetable, a glass of wine and prepare to laugh until you cry!

3. Tomorrow, December 1, at Lemuria Books- Peggy Sweeney-McDonald will be signing copies of Meanwhile, Back at Cafe Du Monde: Life Stories about Food. I plan on attending and will be doing a blog post about the event later next week.

4. What are you reading for #fridayreads? I’m reading Peach of a Murder by Livia J. Washburn. Not just loving it, but attempting to give it a fair shake!

5. I just finished Broken Harbor by Tana French- and while from the jacket cover description I expected to LOVE it, I was at times not loving it. It took some turns that I wasn’t digging. But, it was still a pretty good book. If you’ve read Broken Harbor, let’s discuss!

6.December 1-8 is Cozy Mystery Week! If cozy mysteries are your type of books- then join Jenn’s Bookshelves for Cozy Mystery Week! Cozy Mystery Reviews will also be celebrating Cozy Mystery Week- giveaways, recipes, authors dropping by!

7. If you’re a fan of Cleo Coyle Coffeehouse Mystery Books (like I am!) the wait for the newest book in the series is not much longer! December 4 Holiday Buzz will be released! Yay!

8. Be sure and stop by She Reads today- Man in the Blue Moon is being discussed all day over there!

9. Oh and if you love Pinterest (and come on- who doesn’t?) check out Deep South Mag’s Pinterest page!

Happy Reading!

 

 

Giveaway and Review: Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle

Ya’ll know I love cozy books, Cleo Coyle, and coffee. And I’m beyond excited for Holiday Buzz to be released on December 4th! But here’s a chance to win the book before it’s released.

Cozy Mystery Reviews has reviewed Holiday Buzz and Cleo Coyle is giving away a copy to one lucky reader! Here are the links for the review and for the giveaway:

Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle- a review by Cozy Mystery Reviews

Holiday Buzz Giveaway

Good luck! And happy reading!

Young Adult Vintage Cozy Mystery Weekend November 10&11th

Nancy Drew- oh Nancy Drew- you were my first introduction to the mystery world and helped solidify an interest in mysteries. I remember my mom bringing me the yellow-back Nancy Drew mysteries from the library and reading them; but the Nancy Drew Case Files were my favorite. Nancy had a cool car, great fashion sense, and she just seemed to my 9 year old mind so grown up.

While I don’t read my Nancy Drew books like I used to- just seeing either a yellow backed Nancy Drew or a Case Files mystery is enough to make me grin and squeal like a little girl!

So I was beyond excited to see that Cozy Mystery Reviews was having an entire weekend of mystery talk, reviews and giveaways- I just knew my girl, Nancy Drew, would figure prominently in the weekend- and boy; they did not disappoint.

Here’s a round-up of things you may have missed from YA Vintage Cozy Mystery Weekend:

Introducing YA Vintage Cozy Mystery Weekend

Nancy Drew Memories

YA Vintage Cozy Mystery Weekend Giveaway Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Kindle title giveaway

Nancy Drew- from Then to Now

The Secret of the Old Clock- a review

Nancy Drew Kindle/Nook Case giveaway