Toasting
Up Trouble by Linda Wiken is the first book in a new
series! At the onset of this book we are immediately introduced
to J.J. Tanner, our protagonist of the series, as well as
Skye Drake, owner of Make It Happen, an event and party planning
business that J.J. works at with her long-timed friend. J.J
is in the middle of planning a rather large event for an Italian
princess multi-millionaire, while trying to decide on what
to prepare for her own Culinary Capers hosted dinner, when
her caterer cancels. Desperate and running out of time, she
turns to Chef Antonio Marcotti. But after serving a high-priced
item the night of the event that had already been vetoed by
J.J., and J.J. calling him out on it, rather loudly and in
front of staff, she returns the next morning to find that
Antonio Marcotti is not only dead, but murdered. And it looks
like J.J. may be the one on the chopping block.
Once
again, I was pulled into this book because of the cover, which
is beautiful. But upon reading the description, I was sucked
into the potential of this book. I myself am a bit of a cookbook-aholic,
so I immediately felt J.J and I were kindred spirits, collecting
our cookbooks for the pictures. I loved the thought of the
Culinary Capers Dinner Club and that they took turns purchasing
a different cook book and hosting a dinner based around said
cookbook. It is also fun that the author used real cookbooks,
and I admit I may have added them to my Amazon cart.
The characters
in this story were fun and well written. I really enjoyed
meeting them and taking this journey with them and I can't
wait to get to know them better in future books. I also liked
the hint of romance to come and that it didn't feel rushed
or forced, but genuine and sweet. I know with this group of
characters I wish I could be lucky enough to get an invitation
to one of their monthly Culinary Capers dinners!
I have
to admit I didn't peg the "whodunit" of this book,
which is quite impressive, as I usually do. The ending caught
me by surprise and I didn't see it coming at all! I really
enjoyed the mysteries in this book and, even though there
was quite a bit going on in the storyline, I never felt lost
or frustrated. Linda did a fabulous job of layering it all
together in a nice, delicious little package. I thoroughly
enjoyed reading this book. Don't forget to check the back
of the book for some delicious recipes to try your hand at!
Overall, Toasting Up Trouble is a fun cozy mystery
and I can't wait to see what is next for J.J. and her band
of Culinary Capers!
Reviewer
Notes: Ashton Corners Book Club series written as Erika Chase
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