Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Review & Giveaway: Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy





  • Paperback: 320 pages








    • Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (January 4,2011)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 0425239233
    • ISBN-13: 978-0425239230

    Well, Julie has done it again! She has come up with a new culinary thriller adventure featuring Ollie Paras, the White House executive chef, that not only grabbed my attention from the beginning but held it throughout the entire book.
    It's inaguration day at the White House and Ollie and her staff, not to mention the secret service, are run off their feet. It's a big production when the new president and his family move into the White House. This time it's a little different as the new family, the Hydens, have two young children.
    When a box of chicken wings from a popular chain shows up with a note saying they are for the new first kids, Josh and Abby, Ollie follows protocol and does not allow them to have the treat until she finds out where they came from.When they turn out to be poisoned, Ollie and the secret service wonder if the wings were part of a plot against the incoming president. The big question is how did they come to be in the kitchen and how did they get past security. Could it be someone with a hidden agenda? Has there been a security breach?
    Not only does Ollie have to worry about security threats and  preparing for a big state dinner but now she is worried about her job. The new first lady has brought in her own personal chef. Unfortunately, he is a kitchen diva who likes to throw hissy fits which really throws everyone off their game. What will Ollie do?
    This is the fourth book in the White House Chef series. It's not necessary to have read the preceding three but I would recommend starting with State of the Onion, the first in the series and winner of the Anthony and Barry awards for 2009. With the addition of some new characters, Julie has kept this series fresh and exciting. It's obvious how much research Julie has put into this series. I really enjoyed seeing how the White House staff operates on a day to day basis and how much is involved in putting on a big state dinner.
    The twist at the end, which I never saw coming, led to a heart thumping thrill ride of an ending. Great job, Julie!  If you are a fan of cozies or culinary thrillers, this one will definite suit your taste. Recipes are included at the end of the book. I can't wait for the next adventure for Ollie and her friends in the White House kitchen. Such wonderful characters!
    If you would like to know more about Julie, you can find her at her website, at Mystery Lovers Kitchen  or at Killer Characters where Julie and several other culinary cozy writers discuss their books, their characters and post some really terrific recipes. There's always something fun going on at all three sites!
    Disclosure:  A review copy of Buffalo West Wing was provided by Berkley at no charge for my honest opinion.
    To celebrate today's release of Buffalo West Wing, Berkley is allowing me to give away a copy of the book.  To enter: leave me a comment telling me why you would like to read this book.
    Be sure to include an e mail address in your comment. Open to US only. Deadline to enter is Jan 14th  at 5 PM (est)  As always, bonus entries can be earned by:
    + 2 being a follower, Tell me under what name you follow
    +3 tweeting  or posting about and linking to contest (sidebar is ok) Just be sure to give me the link in a comment. Good luck!

    49 comments:

    1. I'm adding this series to my tbr list. People were tweeting about it over the weekend and now your endorsement seals it for me. However, don't enter my name in the giveaway. I'm trying my best to not bring more books into the house until I clear a bunch off the shelves. I'll buy this down the road!

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    2. I love cooking mysteries. I have never heard of this one before, but it sounds really good. I really like it when the authors include recipes. I would love to read it.
      I am a gfc follower +2
      twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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    3. I read the first of this series last year and loved it. Did not continue on however. Story of my life. I'd love to have this one as I'm determined to read #2 and #3 and now #4 this year.

      You can use this email:

      janezfan(at)yahoo(dot)com or the one in my profile.

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    4. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win this. I haven't read anything by Julie Hyzy and I love to find new authors.

      lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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    5. I like what you said about the ending - I like books that have a twist at the end that you don't expect.

      +2 I am a follower under pbclark

      pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    6. Love good mysteries, love cooking mysteries, and love books in a series. That's why I want to win this book!

      tbranco at hughes dot net

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    7. I follow as "tina" on GFC

      tbranco at hughes dot net

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    8. You're up in the giveaway sidebar on Tutu's Two Cents

      tbranco at hughes dot net

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    9. This sounds good. I just watched a show on the food network that featured her.

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    10. I've heard a lot about this book and series over in the Cozy Mysteries group. Finally found the first book at HPB, but would love to give this one a try, too.

      +2 follower (WordTrix)

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    11. This sounds like such a cute series! I'm not going to enter since I haven't read the other books in the series.

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    12. I've been wanting to read this series for sure...I thought the whole premise sounded like great fun!

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    13. Kaye, thank you for such a wonderful review! Love this site! Good luck to all of you who entered!

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    14. I've read the first 3 books in this series - thoroughly enjoyed all of them - and would love to win this one!

      kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

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    15. +2 GFC follower as Karen B.

      kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

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    16. I read a Julie Hyzy book in 2010, so would love to read this one. I love cozy mysteries, and this one sounds like an exciting and fun one to read. I would love to read it.

      I think I am already a follower, I would be either Ann or Gigi Ann. My email address:

      iowagramma.ann@gmail.com

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    17. I love cozy mysteries and would love to read this one.

      +2 follow with GFC (DarcyO)

      dlodden at frontiernet dot net

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    18. This does sound like a fun series. The whole White House aspect sounds like fun.

      And you got your blog look sorted out! YAY for you.

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    19. I'd LOVE to read this book! I'm a mystery lover and this kitchen thriller book looks so fun!

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    20. Tweet Entry #1
      http://twitter.com/#!/chickitsarita/status/22651408083845120

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    21. I'd love to win this! I've never read anything by Julie Hyzy and your review makes it sound so engaging. Great blog...thank you for the giveaway!

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    22. Never read anything by this author--but the title caught my attention because my mind just works connecting words and images--Buffalo Hot Wings -- a restaurant my daughter took me to when I visited her in Bozeman at MSU. The West Wing--great tv show. The description of the new residents--Obama-like. A mystery? I love them! A cozy? great I can fit it in easily. Cooking? Recipes? New things to cook? Like books, I'll never live to make them all--but I'll try! LOL

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    23. PS #2 I'm following your blog as kt name daydreamer http;//www.kt-themindtraveler.blogspot.com

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    24. I've wanted to read this series for a while but my library doesn't have it.

      I follow as sandyg265

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    25. I love cozies and mysteries! I've heard this is a very good series and I would love to read this book and the other ones, too.
      mittens0831 at aol dot com

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    26. I follow on GFC - Carol M
      mittens0831 at aol dot com

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    27. tweet
      http://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/22770392607232001
      mittens0831 at aol dot com

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    28. No thanks on the contest.

      Just wanted to say what a cute title! Great review Kaye :)

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    29. Great review of what sounds like to be a even better installment in an ongoing series.

      I've been wanting to check them out ever since I read a review on Bookmagic last year. So I would love to enter the giveaway.

      I'm a GFC follower under Wordsmithonia.

      fforgnayr@yahoo.com

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    30. I read "Grace Under Pressure" by this author and really enjoyed so am thinking I would enjoy this one too.
      CMash
      Mash1195 at aol dot com

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    31. Am a GFC follower
      CMash
      Mash1195 at aol dot com

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    32. I love this series!!! The characters are smart and witty. The setting is unique and the mystery is always good!

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    33. Would love to try a book in this series. I liked the show West Wing and my daughter goes to school in DC so I'm sure I'd enjoy anything set in the White House.

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    34. This series is definitely on my radar! I have been following the recipes etc at Mystery Lover's Kitchen for quite a while and would love to win and read this latest White House tale!
      +2 GFC follower (holdenj)
      Thanks!
      JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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    35. What's not to love about a food themed mystery? I hadn't heard of these before and I can't wait to read this series.

      I'm also following you as marthalama.

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    36. Adding my e-mail: sdryburgh(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    37. I love this series! I discovered Julie Hyzy last year and thoroughly enjoyed her books. Please enter me the giveaway: booksfan@aol.com

      Thanks!

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    38. I read the first two and really lked them. i thought I read the third but turns out I was wrong.
      Anyway I would love to enter because I love cozy mysteries that involve food.
      I google follow under book magic.

      bookmagic418@gmail.com

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    39. The titles authors come up with are too funny sometimes. No need to enter me in giveaway Kaye.

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    40. I would love to read this book because it is different than anything else I've read and it looks like fun.
      Thanks for the great giveaway :)

      mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

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    41. I follow with GFC. Username: missreneer

      mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

      #1

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    42. I follow with GFC. Username: missreneer

      mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

      #2

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    43. Hey Kaye!
      No need to enter me since I just posted this at win a book.

      I am sorry about the Zombie Penguins attacking your computer.

      Mary

      http://winabook.westofmars.com/2011/01/11/buffalo-west-wing-by-julie-hyzy/

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    44. Absolutely love this series!
      This book is already on my wishlist - Please pick me!

      cyderryATyahooDOTcom
      Chèli
      Cheli's Shelves

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    45. It sounds like a fun book to read. I love a little humor in my books.

      lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    46. I would absolutely love to read this. I love cooking and mysteries. The fact that there are a few recipes included is just a bonus.
      rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

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    47. +2 Follower
      Follow as Renee G on GFC.
      rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

      ReplyDelete

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