Aloha to Jenn McKinlay and COPY CAP MURDER (Hat Shop Mystery No. 4) - Book Review

Reminder: I have a special giveaway for Military Appreciation Month at this link.

For Scarlett Parker, part of the fun of living in London is celebrating the British holidays, and she’s excited to share her first Bonfire Night with her cousin Vivian Tremont. Invited to a posh party by their friend Harrison Wentworth, Scarlett and Viv decide to promote their hat shop, Mim’s Whims, by donning a few of their more outrageous creations. The hats prove to be quite the conversation starters as the girls mix and mingle with the guests—never suspecting that one of them is a killer. 

It’s a cold, clear night, perfect for the British tradition of tossing a straw stuffed effigy of Guy Fawkes, traitor to the crown, onto the bonfire. But instead of a straw man, they realize in the heat of the moment that the would-be Guy Fawkes is actually Harrison’s office rival and he’s been murdered. Before the smoke has cleared, Harrison is the Metropolitan police’s prime suspect, and Scarlett and Vivian must find the real homicidal hothead before their dear friend’s life goes up in flames.

Public Domain (link)

Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I see of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
- Traditional English rhyme

As autumn descends upon London, American expat Scarlet Parker prepares to celebrate Guy Fawkes instead of Thanksgiving. She relocated to the Notting Hill neighborhood to join her British cousin Vivian Tremont in the family business, Mim's Whim - a hat shop they both inherited from their grandmother. Vivian is the creative force behind the hat designs; Scarlet focuses on customer service, updates social media, and finds dead bodies along the way - this time, at the Guy Fawkes party. 

The gang is back to help Scarlet track down the killer - Fiona (hat shop assistant), Nick (neighbor, dentist, and partner of Andre), Andre (neighbor, photographer, and partner of Nick), and, of course, Harrison, the shop's financial advisor who is now the murder suspect. COPY CAP MURDER follows the predictable path of cozy mysteries - red herrings, family secrets, and a dramatic unveiling of the real killer.  What sets this book (and series) apart is the location - the cozy neighborhood of Notting Hill. What's not to love about the cobblestone streets, eclectic shops, and international food in the middle of London's hubbub?  Likewise, McKinlay offers quirky characters (akin to Hugh Grant's Notting Hill) who deliver humorous quips throughout the story. Indeed, COPY CAT MURDER is a comfort read for those who enjoy British culture.

I purchased COPY CAP MURDER since I enjoyed the first three books in the series.

Children prepare for Guy Fawkes Night at Chirk

Creative Commons (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. In the story, Scarlett dreads missing Thanksgiving while living in London. Do you have a special Thanksgiving dish?  I make corn pudding from my mother-in-law's recipe.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Learn more about Jenn and her books at jennmckinlay.com.

Aloha to Elizabeth Michels and THE INFAMOUS HEIR (Spare Heirs No. 1)

The Spare Heirs Society Cordially Invites You to Meet Ethan Moore: The Scoundrel

Lady Roselyn Grey’s debut has finally arrived, and of course, she has every flounce and flutter planned. She’ll wear the perfect gowns and marry the perfect gentleman…that is, if the formerly disinherited brother of the man she intends to marry doesn’t ruin everything first.

Ethan Moore is a prize-fighting second son and proud founding member of the Spare Heirs Society—and that’s all he ever should have been. But, in an instant, his brother’s noble title is his, the eyes of the ton are upon him, and the lady he’s loved for years would rather meet him in the boxing ring than the ballroom.

He’s faced worse. With the help of his Spare Heirs brotherhood, Ethan’s certain he can get to the bottom of his brother’s unexpected demise and win the impossible lady who has haunted his dreams for as long as he can remember…

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Elizabeth Michels grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural South Carolina. After tip-toeing her way through school with her focus on ballet steps and her nose in a book, she met a boy and followed him a thousand miles away from home to Kansas City, Missouri, before settling down in North Carolina.

Learn more about Elizabeth and her books at elizabethmichels.com.

Elizabeth penned a guest post to celebrate the release of THE INFAMOUS HEIR ...

I admit it, I have a weakness. And my weakness is romantic comedies. There have been so many Saturday afternoons I’ve lost by walking through the living room when one of my favorites is playing on TV. Laundry and errands? What laundry and errands? I have to spend the next few hours curled up on the sofa, watching Dirty Dancing for the 473rd time. It’s this same magnetic pull toward a love story that inspired me to read romance novels, and to write them. So I thought I would share with you my one of favorite romantic comedies, and the romance novel it reminds me of. 

In Notting Hill, a movie star stumbles into the life of a simple book store owner. After a beautiful time together away from the limelight, her life catches up with her and she runs, only to return to the simplicity of the life he once offered her. Similarly, Alessandra Torre’s Hollywood Dirt features a Hollywood bad boy and a small town girl from Georgia. Sometimes worlds really should collide, because it’s awesome to watch. I love getting a glimpse of famous people behind the scenes and seeing how their world fits into normal life. If you enjoy the idea of opposites attracting, try this book on for size.

Do you have a favorite romantic comedy? Does the plot remind you of a book you enjoyed? 

Sourcebooks is hosting a special giveaway at this link ... and offers an excerpt from THE INFAMOUS HEIR ... 

“You can’t spare a footman to haul my trunks and valise inside?” Roselyn asked.

Mr. Ethan Moore didn’t seem to mind the rain that splashed down on them in the drive. “I’m afraid not.”

“Not a single servant to assist your guests as they arrive? And I thought Ormesby Place to be a welcoming, organized home. The devil it is.” She muttered the last bit under her breath, sure he hadn’t heard her.

“What was that, my lady?” he asked, leaning in.

“Oh, nothing.” How had he heard her comment? She always tried to be so careful of such things. It was as if the ugly habits she’d worked so diligently to eliminate from her life were rising to the surface against her will. And she blamed Mr. Ethan Moore for every bit of it.

“If your precious possessions mean so much to you, princess, I will personally assist you with your things.”

Finally he was going to see reason. She smiled in relief. “Well, that was all I required. Thank you.”

He bent and lifted the small valise from the top of the pile of trunks, slinging it over his shoulder with a grin. “That trunk looks light enough. You should be able to manage it.” With those careless words, he turned and began to stroll away toward the door.

Was he whistling? What an infuriating man!

Roselyn stood rooted to the ground in shock for a moment, watching him walk away through the rain. Then, something snapped within her. The gently bred lady she tried to portray was stripped away, leaving behind the young, reckless girl she thought she’d outgrown years ago. He couldn’t walk away from her in such a manner.

She took two steps to the edge of a flower bed, scooped up a fistful of fresh soil within her white- gloved hand and flung it as hard as she could at Mr. Moore’s back. Watching as it splattered across his upper arm, slinging droplets onto his cheek, she felt a moment of visceral triumph. Then she gaped at him.

What had she done? She hadn’t even considered doing anything so childish in years— not since that summer when she’d set a trap to trip him as he crossed one of the fields, then laughed as he tugged her down into the dirt with him. The memory of her laughter faded as reality set in. Her plans! What had she been thinking? But, of course, she hadn’t been thinking.

He turned, an affronted look crossing his face as he stared at her.

In that moment, in spite of their current ages, he was the boy next door again, chasing Katie and her through the woods as they cackled with glee. She bit her lip to keep from laughing.

He glanced down at his arm in disbelief, dropped her valise to the ground, and began prowling toward her. Oh. Perhaps this had been a mistake. A challenging gleam filled his eyes, turning them as dark as black water in a cold lake.

Oh dear. She blinked once, twice, then turned and ran.

She’d made it to the corner of the house where the edge of the lush gardens overlooked the moors when she felt a large hand wrap around her upper arm, dragging her to a halt. She could feel the heat of him behind her. She had never been so close to a man before. Her heart hammered within her body. Even Lord Ayton had never dared touch her like this. She’d never felt a gentleman’s body pressed into hers as Mr. Moore’s was now.

“Leaving so soon?” he murmured, his lips almost grazing the rim of her ear.

More books from Elizabeth ...

Aloha to Jenn McKinlay's CLOCHE AND DAGGER (Hat Shop Mystery No. 1) - Book Review

An all-new series from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay

Not only is Scarlett Parker’s love life in the loo—as her British cousin Vivian Tremont would say—it’s also gone viral with an embarrassing video. So when Viv suggests Scarlett leave Florida to lay low in London, she hops on the next plane across the pond. Viv is the proprietor of Mims’s Whims, a ladies’ hat shop on Portobello Road bequeathed to both cousins by their beloved grandmother, and she wants Scarlett to finally join her in the millinery business.

But a few surprises await Scarlett in London. First, she is met at the airport not by Viv, but by her handsome business manager, Harrison Wentworth. Second, Viv—who has some whims of her own—seems to be missing. No one is too concerned about the unpredictable Viv until one of her posh clients is found dead wearing the cloche hat Viv made for her—and nothing else. Is Scarlett’s cousin in trouble? Or is she in hiding?

Vilma Bánky in cloche hat, 1927

Public Domain (link)

How a hat makes you feel is what a hat is all about. 

- Philip Treacy, hat designer, including Princess Beatrice's fascinator worn to Prince Williams' wedding.

I recently discovered Jenn McKinlay's Cupcake Mystery Series - check out my review of SPRINKLE WITH MURDER and RED VELVET REVENGE at this link.  I recently looked for more books in the Cupcake Mystery series, only to find McKinlay kicked off a another series, Hat Shop Mystery, with CLOCHE AND DAGGER.  The American born heroine, Scarlet Parker, escaped my hometown of Tampa after her love life imploded on YouTube.  She accepted an invitation from Vivian Tremont, her British cousin, to join the family millinery business in London.  Upon arrival in Notting Hill, Scarlet is met by the business manager, Harrison Wentworth, since her cousin is temporarily unavailable in parts unknown.  Harrison assures Scarlet that Vivian often takes off without notice, leaving Harrison to help Scarlet settle into the flat above the hat shop.  No sooner does Scarlet unpack that she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery with Vivian's creation as evidence.

CLOCHE AND DAGGER caught my attention for its "across the pond" adventure.  It was fun to read how Scarlet quickly adapted to the Notting Hill neighborhood (she spent her childhood summers visiting her grandmother's shop and learning about millinery along with Vivian).  Scarlet meets another couple who reside in the neighborhood - they share Thai food, drink wine, and try to outdo the other in making puns for every situation, adding more humor to the lighthearted story line.  No doubt the neighbors and even the shop assistant will contribute to future plots.  Harrison is an enigma - he obviously shares a close relationship with Viv yet he flirts with Scarlet.  Given the recent disaster on YouTube, Scarlet has sworn of men and relationships for a year.  I suspect her commitment will be tested in future books, especially with Harrison hanging around the shop.  The murder mystery and Vivian's disappearance are solved in typical cozy mystery style with a few red herrings that tested our heroine's resolve, but made her more confident in the end. 

CLOCHE AND DAGGER kept my interest with second chance subplot, quirky secondary characters, and Notting Hill setting. I also learned about the millinery business.  Recommended read for fans of American heroines stumbling around in British culture (much like a bull in a china shop).  

I purchased a copy of CLOCHE AND DAGGER for my personal reading.

Joan Crawford in a cloche hat, 1927

Public Domain (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about hats - do you wear them?  If so, what type?  I have only worn ball caps to protect my face from the sun.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 23, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Jenn and her books at jennmckinlay.com.

More books in the series ...