Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower

RELEASE DAY!!!!

I don't know about you, but I sure enjoy a good cozy mystery! And Author Amanda Flower knows how to write good ones! This is the 3rd book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.

When Bailey's ex boyfriend Eric shows up with his production team with the idea of filming in Holmes County, specifically in Swissmen Sweets, Bailey isn't happy to see him. She is even less happy to see him when the executive producer turns up dead on the town square! Eric insists Bailey solve the case in order to clear his name. Not only is Eric there to film his show, but he is also there to try to rekindle a relationship with Bailey. Bailey has moved on though and is much more interested in the Sheriff Deputy. Things get more complicated before the exciting conclusion. In the midst of following leads Bailey is offered an opportunity that may be too good to turn down, but will affect more than just Bailey.

I loved revisiting Holmes County and all of its quirky and funny community. And as always the appearance of animals throughout the story had me chuckling at their antics. From a camel in a live Nativity to Juliet's pet pig Jethro, they manage to add levity to lighten up the story.

I'm looking forward to trying the recipe that comes with this book, Bailey's Peppermint Bark is featured in the story and sounds yummy. I'm also looking forward to the next installment of the series, which we get a preview of at the end of the book.

If you enjoy a good cozy mystery then prepare to snuggle up in your favorite recliner or reading nook with a soft blanket and a warm cup of coffee or cocoa and enjoy this fun read.

**Thank you to the author for my copy to review, all opinions are my own**

The Cost of Betrayal by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason

Betrayed by Dee Henderson

Ann and Paul Falcon from other books by Dee Henderson, are featured in this novella. Ann finds evidence that helps pardon a woman that has been in prison for murder for 6 years. They enlist the help of a friend and doctor to help Jenna re-acclimate into society. Little by little they reveal pieces of her case that helped set her free, but Jenna can't believe who they suspect as the real murderer.

I truly enjoyed reading this story...except for the ending! With this being a novella I'm wondering if we will get more in a future novella or even in a full-length book, but I definitely was disappointed. But, on to the good. I love how Dee Henderson explores the emotions of her characters, how she describes each step that Jenna went through on her road to becoming a normal citizen again. I love how she took us through Ann's process of coming to her conclusions about Jenna's case. I also love how many important people Ann and Paul know! They can get stuff done! And Jenna's doctor Greg was so calming and I would definitely love to read more about him! The ending of the story was unsatisfactory to me because I felt like there was no closure. No closure for Jenna, and no closure for the case. I felt like I was left hanging. I definitely would have liked this to have been a full-length novel and explored more of Jenna and Greg's relationship, her recovery and definitely closure with the case.

Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey

A small island community, a hurricane, and a murderer on the loose...what more could you ask for? Tennyson Kent owns a small island, her fiance just broke off their wedding, and she just found her cousin dead. A very exciting start to this novella by Dani Pettrey.

Callen made the biggest mistake of his life years ago when he broke Teni's heart. Can he keep her alive long enough to apologize and try to win her back?

This was an exciting read right from the beginning. I think the romance between Teni and Callen was a little rushed, but since they had a prior relationship it didn't bother me too much. There were a couple of people I suspected may be the "who-done-it" including the actual "who-done-it" person. Once again, I definitely would have enjoyed this as a full-length novel. But for a novella it kept me turning the pages and my heart racing at the conclusion!

Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason

When detective Isaac Martinez is brought into the emergency room Ruthie St. John is one of the doctors on duty. With a gunshot wound to his shoulder, Isaac is rushed to surgery. Later Ruthie stops by Isaac's room to check on him and catches someone trying to kill him. Ruthie manages to call for help and the would-be killer escapes. Isaac insists on leaving the hospital and Ruthie has no other choice but to help him. Isaac doesn't know who of his fellow officers are trying to kill him, but he insists on going to find someone who has evidence to prove his claims. With lives in danger, bullets flying wherever they go will the two of them, with the help of a couple of Ruthie's brothers, be able to find the proof they need before the bad guys succeed?

Another page turner! And it was definitely fun to read about another St. John sibling! Again, I think that this could have been a full-length novel, but for a novella it was well-developed and definitely exciting. I loved both Ruthie and Isaac. Ruthie's sassiness and spitfire personality was fun to read. CODE OF ETHICS was entertaining and exciting.

Wrap up

Three exciting novellas by three wonderful authors! I highly recommend THE COST OF BETRAYAL if you love fast-paced/suspense-filled/novella-reads.

Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey

Luke is back! After years spent as a CIA operative undercover Luke has now returned. Katie's heart was broken when Luke disappeared, can she ever trust him again? The man that Luke has been hunting is still on the loose and set to unleash one of the deadliest attacks on US soil that has ever occurred.

While Luke, Kate and the rest of the task force hunt for the terrorist, Griffin and Finley are off pursuing Jenna's(Griffin's sister) murderer. After years of investigation into Jenna's murder Griffin is finally close to solving the case. The killer knows this and threatens Griffin and Finley. Having been given a profile of the characteristics of the killer they know that his desire to kill is escalating, will they discover him before he finds a new victim?

Wow! This right here is my favorite of the series! I absolutely loved every minute of it! Thanks to the author for reminding me why romantic suspense is my favorite genre to read. I love Luke and Katie together! Their portion of the story had me on the edge of my seat, not only with their romance, but also with the pursuit of a terrorist that could destroy so many lives. This is the last book in the series and I have to say that things were wrapped up perfectly for this reader. I love that Griffin was finally able to have some closure for his sister's murder. His and Finley's pursuit was filled with many tense moments and had me a nervous wreck for their safety! I highly recommend the whole Chesapeake Valor series!

Sarah's Smile by Dawn Kinzer

Sarah and Peter were always the best of friends growing up. He helped her through all of the times that Rebecca, another classmate, would bully Sarah. But once Peter went away to college all of that changed. Peter met and married a woman and had a child with her. He broke Sarah's heart because she had always loved Peter and had dreams that one day they would marry. Now Peter is a widower and back in their small town. Sarah's dreams have changed now. She plans to go away to the mission field soon. Both Peter and Sarah realize that their feelings for each other haven't changed, but resentments and distrust are hard to put behind them. Add to those Rebecca's attempts to win Peter for herself and emotions and heartache may once again cause Sarah to lose the man she loves.

I liked Sarah and Peter's characters. I did think they let people walk all over them a bit too much. But Sarah's sweetness to her grandmother, that was always so cranky with her, was also a part of what made Sarah's character likeable. Peter frustrated me with holding back things from Sarah that would have helped her understand his motives better. If you like a bit of a love triangle you'll also enjoy this story. Rebecca is one of those characters that has the reader wanting to reach through the pages to shake or slap or at the very least hoping for her comeuppance. I liked the small town setting where everyone seemed to know everybody's business, but by the same token I didn't like it because it made it easier for reputations to be smeared without question. Both Sarah and Peter had to work through some spiritual issues of forgiving others and forgiving themselves. All in all it was a good story and I enjoyed the HEA at the end!