Review & Giveaway: A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: August 2nd 2011 by Berkley

ISBN0425242749 (ISBN13: 9780425242742)

primary languageEnglish

All Rita Lucerno wants is a divorce and to get on with her life but her soon-to-be ex has been dragging his feet for two years over signing the papers. Finally, Rita has had it; she travels to New Orleans to confront hubby, Philippe, at Zydeco, his bakery. The bakery is in chaos; someone has sabotaged one of their largest orders and Philippe seems to be among the missing. Joining in the search, Rita is the unlucky one to find him. Needless to say, he won't be signing any papers ever again, not judging by the large chef's knife protruding from his chest.

Although Rita is separated from Phillipe, she's still very fond of her mother-in-law, Miss Frankie, and vice versa. Rita reluctantly agrees when Miss Frankie asks her to stay on, take over the bakery, and try to uncover the saboteur/murderer. She has her work cut out for her as after some preliminary digging, Rita finds out the bakery is in financial trouble, Philippe has a very mercenary girlfriend, he and his second in command have been butting heads over the business and the rival bakery down the street would stop at nothing to cut out the competition.

Unfortunately for Rita, the police view her as the main suspect with a very realistic motive. Since she and Philippe were not officially divorced, Rita now is heir to the bakery and all his other wordly goods. Of course, this drives Philippe's girl friend, Quinn, to hissy-fit-inducing hysterics. Philippe's employees aren't too happy either. They don't know if Rita is trustworthy or not. That's okay, as her feelings are mutual; she is not too sure one of them isn't the culprit. Not going to be a piece of cake figuring this one out!

From the author of numerous romance and mystery novels, comes a bright and shining new series - I loved it!  First off, how could you not be attracted to the title? When I first read it, I wanted to scream, Stelllll -ahh. Silliness aside, seriously, for cozy fans this is one not to be missed. The sequel, titled Cake on a Hot Tin Roof will be published in Feb, 2012. Who comes up with these ever so clever titles? 4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

To celebrate the release of A Sheetcake Named Desire, Berkley is allowing me to give away 1 copy of the book. Open to US only. Deadline to enter is August 22nd at 5 PM. Please be sure to leave an e mail address in your comment. PLEASE DO NOT use three boxes saying you tweeted or blogged.  Bonus entries available for this contest are as follows:

+1 for posting on FB
+2 for being a follower old or new. Just remind me how you follow and under what name.
+3 for blogging or tweeting about the giveaway. Leave me a link, please.

Good luck!