"Vistas, Vices, & Valentines" By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

Review by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it. We also have a Valentine's Day Recipe from Tonya!

Southern-style Karma

Mae West is in love…in love with her Happy Trails Campground, her Laundry Club friends, adopted & foster family, local PI Hank Sharp, Fifi her toy poodle, and the residents of Normal, Kentucky. A far cry from her top shelf lifestyle in New York which imploded after her ex-husband’s arrest for financial crimes. But despite the drastic change from couture heels to hiking boots, silk blouses to cotton t-shirts, and five-star lunches to campfire barbecues, Mae has come full circle and realized: “There’s no place like home.” But, there’s no rainbow without a bit of rain, and Mae’s rain comes in the form of too many murder mysteries. Sure, she’s gained a good reputation and respect for her insights, but she’s also been caught in some perilous situations. Karma placed many twists and turns in Mae’s path, but in the end, she’s found love and happiness in a little yellow camper in the heart of Kentucky.

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Vistas, Vices, & Valentines earns 5/5 Tango Tantrums…Exciting & Clever!

It’s Valentine’s week, and Normal is excited about the International Dance Company‘s big competition being held this year in their town. Mae thought it a great idea to add dance lessons for campground guests and locals alike hiring Corie Sadek and her partner Ricky as instructors. Even though they themselves are preparing for the contest, they accepted the role, despite the many trials with couples short on skill. Kirby and Felicity, guests at the campground, seem to be suffering some trials of their own, and their arguments challenge the magic the campground usually has on relationships. Their car, also, needs repairs, and foster brother Bobby Ray is conscripted to help, despite his new wife Abby’s accusation he’s a workaholic. But, the repair cost causes quite the kerfuffle between Bobby Ray and Kirby, however, nothing compares to the row between Kirby and the accommodating dancer Ricky who points out Kirby lacks the talent to take care of Felicity. Explosive emotions. Fists flying. Abby collateral damage. Ricky found dead.

Tango-riffic! Tonya Kappes has kept her Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series fresh and entertaining even after this twenty-fourth book, and with several references to background and connections and descriptions of the environment, newbies can join right in. The lead-in to the crime takes a few chapters to acquaint readers with new characters, evolving problems, and a few physical interactions, but when revealed, the victim was a surprise. The investigation to follow is filled with engaging twist, plenty of suspects to ponder, and since a closer look on the dance competitors is needed, an undercover operation that entangles…who? Dottie and Henry? Way too cool! Beyond the entertaining murder mystery of checking alibis and confronting suspects and a surprising conclusion, Kappes includes enjoyable side trips that make for a well-rounded reading experience: dance classes, checking out a new trail, a trip to the hospital, newlywed problems, politics in the sheriff’s department, and lots of conversations with family and friends. Excellent treat!

Bonus! Adding to the delightful experience with this series is the unique Recipes and Camping Hacks from Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies. Whether camping in the woods or in your backyard enjoy these easy-to-follow recipes: Coffee in a Bag, and Raspberry Filled Sugar Cookies from Mary Elizabeth’s kitchen. Included are Camping Hacks to make life less complicated: (1) “Turn it Up” hack for a group to enjoy an iPad movie, and (2) Hiking Hack for safety.

Alert! The beat goes on…book twenty-five, Rangers, RVs, & Revenge, is set for an April 25, 2022 release.

Be a Big Tonya Kappes Fan!

“Southern Hospitality with a Smidgen of Homicide!” USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes pens a variety of series. along with this eighteen-book Camper & Criminals Cozy series, she also has a six-book Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery along with exciting ghostly-, magical-, and caffeinated-themed series. For ghosts, she has an eight-book Ghostly Southern Mystery and seven-book Kenni Lowry series. Add some magic with a twelve-book Magical Cures Mystery and three-book Spies and Spells series. And finally, get a little caffeinated with her eight-book Killer Coffee Mystery. She also has an enjoyable online presence and various events enticing fans to gather to talk, share, and partake in the fun! 

Facebook – Author Tonya Kappes

Join the “Cozy Krew”

Become a Member at the Website – Tonya Kappes

YouTube — Tonya Kappes

 Happy Valentine’s Day from Tonya!  

To enter to win an ebook copy of Vistas, Vices, & Valentines, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "vistas,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 12, 2022. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.