Review & Giveaway: Buttercream Bumpoff by Jenn McKinlay

It's another busy day at Fairy Cupcakes bakery and the two owners, Angie DeLaura and Melanie Cooper are gearing up for Valentine's day. During a baking class, Mel's mom, Joyce, bursts through the door to tell her that she has a date. This is big news since she has been widowed for ten years and has not had a date since.

When Mel gets a frantic call fom her mom the night of the big date with Baxter Malloy, Mel can't believe what Joyce tells her; someone has murdered Baxter and Joyce never saw or heard a thing. Baxter may have seemed like a hot catch but apparently someone wants him stone cold dead.

Being the only person with Baxter at the time, the investigation turns their focus to Joyce. Mel  knows her mom couldn't possibly be a murderer so she cooks up a few schemes to try and find the real perpetrator. The more she delves, the more people she finds who had a motive to see Baxter permanently iced.

Can Mel continue to beat out her cupcake competitor, cope with a stalled love life and at the same time help her mom beat a murder rap?

Jenn McKinlay has cooked up a truly fun cozy in Buttercream Bumpoff . Jenn has a wonderful sense of humor and it clearly shows in her writing. There were some scenes where I just had to laugh out loud. I could easily picture the entire book in my head as I was reading. Not too many authors can consistently pull that off! I just love the characters in this series and the deep friendship they share. The rival bakery owner, Olivia Puckett, cracks me up with the crazy antics she goes through to get attention. Jenn has left her characters with some decisions to make and a few unresolved issues. Dang, now I just can't wait for the next one in the series, Death by the Dozen, due out this year.

If you're looking for more info on Jenn and her books, try her website. The first book in the Cupcake Bakery mystery series is Sprinkle with Murder. Once I read that I was hooked. If you like cozy mysteries with a culinary flavor and yummy sounding recipes included, you'll love this one! 5*****

For another opinion, visit with Kay of My Random Acts of Reading.

Disclosure: A Review copy of the book was provided by Berkley at no charge to me for my honest opinion.

Now for the giveaway details: To celebrate last week's release of the book, Berkley is allowing me to give away 1 copy of Buttercream Bumpoff . US only. Deadline to enter is January 21st at 5 PM (est) Please be sure to include an e mail address.

As always bonus points are available 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!