"Wedding Bell Blues" By Lynn Cahoon: Review/Giveaway

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.

Gowns, Glitter, &...Murder!

A decade ago Jill Gardner left a big-city law career and moved to the idyllic coastal town of South Cove, California. There she opened Coffee, Books, and More, a popular place to grab a cup of coffee or hit the treat bar, read a book or join a book club, or participate in special events, like the upcoming Welcome Spring Saturday readathon to support the local schools’ arts and cultural programs. She has lots of friends and family to provide personal and professional support along with her golden retriever Emma who’s always up for a run on the beach. Everyone’s excited to celebrate Jill and Greg’s recent engagement with a party, and her Aunt Jackie commissioned new designer dresses for her and Jill. Although Greg is concerned how often Jill forgets to wear her engagement ring (It is widely known memory can be a challenge for Jill…names and appointments), she promises him to be more diligent about wearing it. However, it is Greg’s ex-wife Sherry King displaying some serious difficulties. No matter…both Jill and Greg have moved passed worrying about Sherry’s tantrums, and are only looking forward.


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Image Source Lyrical Press
Wedding Bell Blues
earns 5/5 Designer Dresses…Engaging & Clever!

The city council along with Mayor Bailey and his wife Tina join local business owners for the monthly business to business meetings hosted by Coffee, Books, and More. Jill has considered not renewing her leadership role, but her BFF Amy Newman-Cross who works in the mayor’s office is counting on her. The meetings do, however, bring established and new business owners together to discuss important issues, like the upcoming Welcome Spring Saturday festival, or getting an introduction to a new business, like Exquisite Gowns For You owned and operated by Harper Sanchez. Ms. Sanchez is a designer of special occasion and wedding gowns including creating Jill’s engagement ensemble. However, an area of contention is that her shop is in competition with Vintage Duds owned by Sherry King, Jill’s fiancĂ©’s ex-wife, and despite their proximity being far enough apart, Sherry King doesn’t plan to peacefully co-exist.

At the end of the meeting, Sherry decides to accuse Harper of sabotaging her business of classic, yet previously owned, fashions by offering new creations. “You’re going to drive me out of business!” She even went as far as to go to the shop pounding on the window and yelling that the business is in jeopardy. The next day, Jill and her aunt arrive for a fitting and overhear an argument between Harper and an unidentified male, “You’re going to regret turning me down.” When asked, Harper deflects saying it must have been the soap opera she was watching. It all seems more suspicious when Jill returns to pick up the dresses and instead finds a dead body. “There goes date night.” And knowing how focused Greg gets on an investigation, the question is: what about the engagement party?

Brilliant! Lynn Cahoon has penned another excellent read for lucky thirteen book in her Tourist Trap Mystery series. The crime occurred early in the drama, my preference, putting the investigation, formal and informal, as the main feature. The victim’s identity is an immediate mystery of its own along with secret business partners adding extra questions to answer. Cahoon’s writing style with descriptive language and engaging dialogue slowly reveals the clues, from curious to shocking, making the drama a “can’t put down” experience. Jill has several realistic connections with law enforcement, her fiancĂ© Detective King, of course, but also Esmeralda, resident fortune-teller and police dispatcher. She’s quite a delightful character sharing her visions, reading auras, and warnings to “be careful.” Additionally, the side stories include interesting discussions about marriage, relationships, and acceptance along with Deek’s book publishing woes. The connections between family and friends emphasize characteristics with small town life where everyone looks out for each other. Absolute fun! 

Bonus x 2! Lynn explains that, as a child, she didn’t like lemon desserts, but as I know, taste buds mature and foods and flavors disliked as a child become favorites as adults. Enjoy her easy-to-make Lemon Drop Pie, then read the sneak peek provided for her new series The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club.

Be a Big Lynn Cahoon Fan!

First, a big shout out to this fellow spud, Lynn Cahoon! New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Lynn Cahoon pens this delightful Tourist Trap Mystery series including several novellas that highlight a particularly fun holiday or season. Along with the Tourist Trap Mystery, Lynn Cahoon writes two other cozy mystery series: Cat Latimer series set in small town Aspen Hills, Colorado, and my favorite the Farm-to-Fork series set in River Vista, Idaho. All series have engaging mysteries with an entertaining writing style and delightful set of characters.

Facebook—Lynn Cahoon Author

Website—Lynn Cahoon Be sure to sign up for her newsletter.

To enter to win an ebook copy Wedding Bell Blues, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "wedding,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 26, 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 goes up next 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.

Comments

  1. This book sounds so good. I just love the dresses in the window. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great series. Great cover, looking forward to reading the book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lyn, this sounds like a great series. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete

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