Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Charred by G.P. Gottlieb: Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on February 14, 2023
Posted in Book ToursGuest Reviews  | Tagged With: , , | 1 Comment

Charred by G.P.  GottliebCharred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery by G.P.  Gottlieb

Publisher:  DX Varos Publishing (February 21, 2023)
Category: Cozy Mystery, Culinary Mystery
Tour Dates: February 1-28, 2023
ISBN: 978-1955065672
Available in Print and ebook,320 pages

Whipped

Description Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb


Alene Baron is dealing with frustrated employees, closed schools, and a homeless man who harasses customers outside the door of her café.

Then, two dead bodies turn up in the burned remains of buildings owned by the husband of Alene’s best friend and pastry chef, Ruthie. Both bodies are wearing jackets that once belonged to Ruthie and crumbled in the pockets are the café’s distinctive wrappers. At the same time, Alene’s uncle, a convicted felon, has resurfaced after disappearing for 22 years. It’s all too much for the owner of the Whipped and Sipped Café.

Review Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb


Guest Review by Mark

‘Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery,’ by G.P. Gottlieb is a thrill ride from page one all the way to the amazing recipes that are shared at the end!

I loved the mystery in this book, and watching how it all played out really gave me a satisfying reading experience. I loved the cast of characters in this one. From Alene, the funny, kind, feisty heroine, to Kofi, the tall, kind friend whose girlfriend Kacey wants nothing more than to protect him.

My favorite character was probably Alene’s father, Cal, who lives with her and takes care of her children while they are off school due to the pandemic. Cal’s main concern throughout the novel is the reappearance of his brother, Finn who went missing after robbing a bank years earlier.

Although Finn served his time in prison, he disappeared shortly after his release, leaving his wife and their son to pick up the pieces without him. Now he has suddenly begun texting Cal and neither Alene, nor her father know what to think of this development. Additionally, there is the matter of the dead body that Kofi finds in a burned building.

Alene’s boyfriend, Frank is a cop, and he begins investigating the case without knowing that Kofi is involved, which adds another layer to the stress that Alene is facing. And when another body is soon found, things begin to ramp up for the Whipped and Sipped crew, and for Alene, specifically.

I loved the tension in the plot of this book, I found it just perfect for a cozy mystery. Gottlieb has a knack for pacing, that became obvious very early on in reading ‘Charred.’ All in all, I’d say that this novel is, much like one of the culinary delights at the Whipped and Sipped Cafe, a truly delicious treat that begs to be savored. I give it 5 delicious stars.

Side note, as a guest reviewer of Teddy’s and knowing that she has been a vegan for over 30 years, I must point our that not only is the fictitious Whipped and Sipped Café, in the book, vegan but the recipes in the back of the book are vegan as well.

About G. P. GottliebCharred by G.P.  Gottlieb


G.P. Gottlieb has been a musician, a teacher, and an administrator, but she’s happiest when she’s writing recipe-laced murder mysteries. GP Gottlieb has always experimented in the kitchen and created her own delicious vegan cookies and cakes. She is also an interviewer for the New Books in Literature podcast channel.

Gottlieb is the mother of three grown children and lives with her husband in Chicago.

Website: https://gpgottlieb.com
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/gottliebgp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorgottlieb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whippedsipped/

Pre-order Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb


Amazon
DX Varos Publishing
Barnes&Noble
IndieBound
BookShop.org


Follow Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Feb 1 Kickoff & Interview

Leslie StoreyBook Reviews Feb 2 Review

Lu Ann Rockin’ Book Reviews Feb 6 Review & Guest Post

DT  Amazon & Goodreads Feb 7 Review

Lisa’s Writopia Feb 8 Guest Post

Suzie My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews Feb 9 Review & Excerpt

Bee Book Pleasures Feb 10 Review

Blue North A Room of Books Feb 13 Review

Mark Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Feb 14 Guest Review

Lisa’s Writopia Feb 15 Review

Sal Bound 4 Escape Feb 17 Guest Review

Larry Reflections Feb 21 Review & Interview

Denise Amazon & Goodreads Feb 22 Review

Missi Cozy Mystery Book Reviews Feb 23 Review

Laura Lee Celticlady’s Reviews Feb 24 Guest Review & Excerpt

Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb

Charred by G.P.  GottliebCharred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery by G.P.  Gottlieb

Publisher:  DX Varos Publishing (February 21, 2023)
Category: Cozy Mystery, Culinary Mystery
Tour Dates: February 1-28, 2023
ISBN: 978-1955065672
Available in Print and ebook,320 pages

Whipped

Description Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb


Alene Baron is dealing with frustrated employees, closed schools, and a homeless man who harasses customers outside the door of her café.

Then, two dead bodies turn up in the burned remains of buildings owned by the husband of Alene’s best friend and pastry chef, Ruthie. Both bodies are wearing jackets that once belonged to Ruthie and crumbled in the pockets are the café’s distinctive wrappers. At the same time, Alene’s uncle, a convicted felon, has resurfaced after disappearing for 22 years. It’s all too much for the owner of the Whipped and Sipped Café.

Praise Whipped and Sipped Mysteries Series by G.P.  Gottlieb


“Readers looking for mysteries well steeped in both culinary traditions and realistic conflicts between career and family will relish this multifaceted investigative piece, which draws readers in from the start with its realistic balance of intrigue and life challenges.-D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review

“If you are looking for a slightly different take on a culinary cozy mystery, this is the debut to read.”-Carstairs Considered

“Warm and cool, sassy and savvy, GP Gottlieb has written a murder mystery that is as interesting as the family dynamic itself — exploring its alliances, intrigues and the possibility of how people can protect, surprise, and, quite literally — kill each other. A fun, delicious read!”- Marcy Heisler, theatrical lyricist

‘Gottlieb sets the stage beautifully for readers and with providing the list of characters in the beginning, you have your own little cheat sheet of sorts.  And with all the twists and turns in Smothered you will be grateful to have the list so that you can keep track of everyone and check off those you believe are innocent.  However, when the real killer is revealed I’m sure you will be as shocked as I was because I’m certain they weren’t even on your radar.”- Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

‘Smothered’ won the silver medal in the mystery category from the CIPA Evvy Awards.

Interview with G.P.  Gottlieb, Author of ‘Charred’

TR: Please tell us something about Charred that is not in the summary.  (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)

G.P.G: The summer of 2020 was hard for all humanity – we panicked about catching the poorly understood virus that was felling healthy young adults and forcing all of us to cower in our homes. I also had the additional pain of being unable to get anywhere near my father as he struggled during his final weeks. I recalled how disturbing it had been to have to walk around the building and wave at my 93-year-old dad until my mother could no longer push his wheelchair to the window. And I decided to set Charred during that very difficult time.

TR: I always enjoy looking at the names that authors choose to give their characters. Where do you derive the names of your characters?  Are they based on real people you knew or now know in real life? How do you create names for your characters?

G.P.G: I close my eyes and imagine the character – the name usually comes to me! When our son was born, we had several names planned, but I took one look at him and said, “there’s Gabie.” It’s just like that with the characters (my other children!).

TR: Where did you get the inspiration for your cover?

G.P.G.: My publisher uses a fabulous graphic designer named Ellie, who has created all three gorgeous covers. She also designed my new website and is one of the sweetest young women I’ve ever met. Check out her website to see many more fabulous book covers: https://www.creativedigitalstudios.com (but if you hire her, please tell her that she should work on my stuff first)!

TR: Which actors would you like to see play Alene, if the book were to become a movie, play, or mini series.  (you are welcome to choose actors for other characters as well)

G.P.G.: What a fun question!

Alene – Maggie Gyllenhaal

Frank – Nathan Fillion

Ruthie- Alison Brie

Benjie –Jake Gyllenhaal

Edith- Emma Thompson  

Cal -John Carroll Lynch

Olly – Whitmer Thomas (comedian)

Kofi – Dewayne Perkins (comidian)

TR: What kind of messages do you try to instill in your writing?

G.P.G.: My characters have things that are important to them – eg: Ruthie tries to convey thoughtfulness, Alene wants to convey a spirit of camaraderie, and Olly just wants everyone to have fun. All three of my books boils down to counting on family and friends to get through difficult times.

TR: What draws you to this genre? 

G.P.G.: I love mysteries but prefer the kind that involve a puzzle rather than disturbing or shocking details. My motto is Murder, Suspense, and Recipes: Just a Little Cozy. That’s because I enjoy both reading and writing nuanced, thought-provoking mysteries without gratuitous sex or violence.

TR: Will Alene have more to tell readers in the future?

G.P.G.: Yes, at first, I thought this would just be a trilogy, but suddenly I imagined the next story, and I think it’s going to be called POUNDED (as in pounded chicken breast, which Alene might prepare at home) – since all the titles are both cooking and murder terms).

TR: Do you have any writing projects that you are currently working on?

G.P.G: I’m working on the next Whipped and Sipped novel and also occasionally on a novel in stories that I keep setting aside. And I’m always working on essays to publish on Medium.Com or in journals – they’re observations about life, travel, family and everything under the sun (available on my website: gpgottlieb.com).


About G. P. GottliebCharred by G.P.  Gottlieb


G.P. Gottlieb has been a musician, a teacher, and an administrator, but she’s happiest when she’s writing recipe-laced murder mysteries. GP Gottlieb has always experimented in the kitchen and created her own delicious vegan cookies and cakes. She is also an interviewer for the New Books in Literature podcast channel.

Gottlieb is the mother of three grown children and lives with her husband in Chicago.

Website: https://gpgottlieb.com
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/gottliebgp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorgottlieb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whippedsipped/

Pre-order Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb

Amazon
DX Varos Publishing
Barnes&Noble
IndieBound
BookShop.org


Follow Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Feb 1 Kickoff & Interview

Leslie StoreyBook Reviews Feb 2 Review

Lu Ann Rockin’ Book Reviews Feb 6 Review & Guest Post

DT  Amazon & Goodreads Feb 7 Review

Lisa’s Writopia Feb 8 Guest Post

Suzie My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews Feb 9 Review & Excerpt

Bee Book Pleasures Feb 10 Review

Mark Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Feb 14 Guest Review

Lisa’s Writopia Feb 15 Review

Sal Bound 4 Escape Feb 17 Guest Review

Larry Reflections Feb 21 Review & Interview

Denise Amazon & Goodreads Feb 22 Review

Missi Cozy Mystery Book Reviews Feb 23 Review

Laura Lee Celticlady’s Reviews Feb 24 Guest Review & Excerpt

Charred by G.P.  Gottlieb

Grounds for Murder by Tara Lush: Giveaway

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on December 11, 2020
Posted in Book ToursMy Past Giveaways  | Tagged With: , | 7 Comments

Grounds For Murder by Tara LushGrounds For Murder by Tara Lush


Thanks to Deb Zipf of Meryl Moss Media, I am giving away one print copy of ‘Grounds For Murder’ by Tara Lush.

Description Grounds For Murder by Tara Lush


When barista Lana Lewis’ best — and most difficult — employee abruptly quits and goes to work for the competition just days before the Sunshine State Barista Championship, her café’s chances of winning the contest are creamed in the first of Tara Lush’s newly launched coffee shop series GROUNDS FOR MURDER (Coffee Lane Books; December 8, 2020). In front of a gossipy crowd in the small Florida town of Devil’s Beach, Lana’s normally calm demeanor heats to a boil when she runs into the arrogant java slinger. Of course, Fabrizio “Fab” Bellucci has a slick explanation for jumping ship. But when he’s found dead the next morning under a palm tree in the alley behind Lana’s café, she becomes the prime suspect.

Even the island’s handsome police chief isn’t quite certain of her innocence. But Lana isn’t the only one in town who was angry with Fabrizio. Jilted lovers, a shrimp boat captain, and a surfer with ties to the mob are all suspects as trouble brews on the beach.

With her stoned, hippie dad, a Shih Tzu named Stanley, and a new, curious barista sporting a punk rock aesthetic at her side, Lana’s prepared to turn up the heat to catch the real killer. After all, she is a former award-winning reporter. As scandal hangs over her beachside café, can Lana clear her name and win the championship – or will she come to a bitter end?

Praise Grounds For Murder by Tara Lush


“Lana’s voyage of self-discovery, along with her New Age-y father, quirky hire Erica, and feisty puppy Stanley, portend future fun for readers.”-Publishers Weekly

“Lush manages to braid the Florida-osity of things into a solid murder mystery…A compelling read.”-The Gabber

“A wonderful series debut that is a silky-smooth blend of humor, mystery and romance with a feisty heroine and a delicious island setting.”-Peg Cochran, USA Today bestselling author

About Tara LushGrounds For Murder by Tara Lush


Tara Lush is a Florida-based novelist and journalist. She’s an RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism. For the past decade, she’s been a reporter with The Associated Press, covering crime, alligators, natural disasters and politics. She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations.

Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, true crime podcasts, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf Coast with her husband and two dogs.

Website: https://tamaralush.com/ 
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/tamaralush?lang=en

Buy Grounds For Murder by Tara Lush


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Giveaway Grounds For Murder by Tara Lush


This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on December 25, 2020 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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