And the Winners Are...

Josi S. Kilpack has announced the winners of the iPad contest and you can find a list of them on Josi's site:  Winners List

Also, congratulations to Michelle of “Michelle Tells” who won a runner's-up prize of a $30 Amazon Gift Certificate by entering on our blog!  

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Pumpkin Roll

I love Josi S. Kilpack's Sadie Hoffmiller series and I wanted to take a moment to mention that the sixth book in the series, Pumpkin Roll, has just been released.  This is a culinary cozy series that has a more serious side to it as it progresses ~which is what I like about it.  It's also a shining example of an older female protagonist who still has moxie.  Of course, due to my towering review pile, I'm a book behind in the series (I still have Blackberry Crumble to read), but that doesn't mean you have to be! (My reviews, thus far.) 

Now, normally we don't do big announcements regarding book releases, but Ms. Kilpack has a giveaway connected with the release of this book that I thought was worth the mention...

In conjunction with the release of Pumpkin Roll the author, Josi S. Kilpack, and the publisher, Shadow Mountain, are sponsoring a contest for a new iPad. To enter, leave a comment in the comment section of this blog before November 1, 2011. Winners will be announced and notified November 3^rd 2011.

Yes, leaving a comment (with your email address) on this post is really all you have to do to enter.  It's that simple.  Only 1 comment below per person will be counted toward the contest. For additional ways to enter, go to www.josiskilpack.com


(Full disclosure, I, Jenn, am getting an extra entry by posting this on Girls Just Reading, but this is an awesome giveaway and creates extra chances to win for everyone.  I'd have shared it with you anyway!  Seriously.)

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations to twoofakind12 for winning a copy of Josi S. Kilpack's fourth culinary mystery, Key Lime Pie!

Please email me (Jenn) your mailing address so that we can send the book off to you as soon as possible. Thanks to all of you for participating.

Don't forget all of Ms. Kilpack's recipes are available for download on her website to be found under each book, respectively.

Girls Just Reading uses Random.org to produce the winner.

Giveaway: Key Lime Pie

This week Girls Just Reading has featured two wonderful food-lit books from the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series by Josi S. Kilpack (Devil's Food Cake review & Key Lime Pie review).  Yesterday, the author did a wonderful Q & A with us, and today, as promised, begins our giveaway of culinary mystery, Key Lime Pie (book 4 in the series). 
 

In order to qualify for this fantastic book, you need to fill out this form before midnight October 15th, 2010:

Good Luck!!

Author Interview: Josi S. Kilpack

This week I had my fill of food-lit ~and loved it!  I read and reviewed, Devil's Food Cake and Key Lime Pie by Josi S. Kilpack. Today, Girls Just Reading is thrilled to have a Q&A with the author.

GJR:  WOW! You’ve written more than a dozen books in a plethora of genres, ranging from Women’s Lit, to YA, to a Whitney Award Winning Suspense novel, to non-fiction books on publishing. Isn’t that genre span unusual for an author?

Josi S. Kilpack:  I’m lucky in that I started out writing a variety and therefore didn’t get pigeon holed like many authors do. It is unusual for an author to write multiple genres, and for good reason; a lot of fans aren’t multiple-genres so when it comes to branding yourself it’s best to focus on one thing. Even though I’ve published several books, the first several were in a small regional market and therefore I wasn’t going after a large enough demographic to feel the need to focus like most authors do. Now that I’m branching out into a more mainstream market, however, I’m very much shooting for that stable platform and easily-identified genre.

GJR:  Your last four books have been part of a series of culinary mysteries. What inspired this genre shift?

JSK:  I was in between projects and a fellow writer had a writing contest as part of his latest book’s promotion. The contest was for the first chapter of a mystery novel that involved food. I wrote the chapter as a bit of a break from my other projects and absolutely fell in love with it. For the next couple of years I worked on the story here and there until I decided to make it a focus and see where it took me. It was a good challenge for me in many ways.


GJR:  The recipes in your book sound delicious ~there are several I want to try! Are the recipes your own or did you work with a chef?

JSK: Ah, a chef! That would be awesome; maybe some day. For now, a lot of them are my own, but many of them are provided by my Test Kitchen, or rather Sadie’s test kitchen. It’s a group of 8 home-chefs, like myself, who offer up recipes and then help me try out the ones I want to use. They help me get it just right and have been a lifesaver. It’s one thing to play around with something new at home, it’s a whole other ballgame to put a recipe out to the world with your stamp of approval on it.


GJR:  Who is the hardest character to write for in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series?

JSK:  Sadie. I’ve never written the same main character in more than one book, so I’ve found it particularly challenging to make Sadie remain true to who she is and yet still grow and develop over the course of the series. It was a challenge I hadn’t anticipated and it’s turned out to be far more challenging than I’d have ever expected even if I’d known it would be an issue.


GJR:  Are you working on a new novel? Will it be a sequel to Key Lime Pie, or are you going to switch genres?

JSK:  I’ve JUST sent in the final version of Book five in the series, Blackberry Crumble. It will be out in the spring and will be followed by 3 more books in this series and then a cumulative cookbook that will have all the recipes from all the books. No genre switches just yet, but maybe when I’m done :-)


GJR:  Do you have plans to write sequels to any of your other novels?

JSK:  I do have some ideas, but as time goes on I have more ideas for totally new things as well, so I’m not sure where exactly all this thinking will take me. I suppose time will tell.


GJR:  Who are your favorite authors to read? Why?

JSK:  Even though I already said that most readers have specific genres they prefer, I read in a lot of different genres and can’t think of a particular author that really stands out. I do follow Sue Graphton; I get her books quick after their release, but overall I’m drawn to writers who write strong characterization and keep me guessing—whether that’s in a suspense novel or romance; a good author keeps the plot twisting from beginning to end and writes characters I can’t wait to read about. I love that.


GJR:  What are you currently reading?

JSK:  I have been waiting to read Catching Fire since after I finished The Hunger Games, and now I have Mockingjay to throw in there. I also set a goal to read Pride And Prejudice—I’ve only ever seen the movie (I know, I know, I’m a writing heretic!)


GJR:  What author’s have influenced you?

JSK:  Every author I’ve ever written has left their mark on my writer’s soul. Honestly, good or bad, I think every book I’ve ever read has taught me something, which is why I think it’s so important for writers to read, read, read. You never know when you’ll find yourself in an author’s classroom, learning as the story unfolds.


GJR:  If you had to prepare an impromptu dinner party, which recipe would you grab and why?

JSK:  I have a fabulous White Chicken Chili recipe that although it hasn’t shown up in a book yet, is a crowd pleaser and super easy to make. It’s what I throw together when real life brings me the need to entertain. While I love to cook, my first priority is that it taste awesome and my second priority is that it’s fast because I’m easily distracted :-)

We'd like to thank Josi S. Kilpack for taking time out of her schedule to answer our questions. Her recipes and the first chapter of each book in the series can be found on her website.  (I can't wait for the cookbook! )


If you love food and a good mystery (and quite frankly, who doesn't?) You need to check out the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series!

...and come by the blog again tomorrow for a chance to win Key Lime Pie!

Jenn's Review: Key Lime Pie

Summary:  When Sadie Hoffmiller's new friend, Eric Burton, receives word that his missing daughter's body may have been found in Florida, he immediately packs his bags, but Sade is determined to stay home and prove to everyone that she is not a busybody.

But when she senses Eric is hiding something, Sadie is compelled to take action.  Be fore she knows it, she's in the heart of Miami, trying to piece together a trail littered with broken relationships, mysterious strangers, and forged documents that might just provide Eric the answers he's been desperately searching for - or reveal a truth he may not be ready to face. 

Sadie must also face a difficult question:  Where is her heart leading her?  Onward into Eric's adventurous arms?  Or back home to the stable and steady Pete Cunningham?  If only love was as easy as following a recipe.

Once again, Sadie finds herself in the company of some colorful characters and on the hunt for some good old-fashioned Southern cooking.  But despite the drama and intrigue, all Sadie really wants is to go home ...as soon as she does just one more thing.

Review:  Having just finished Devil's Food Cake, I was quite anxious to read Key Lime Pie (I love Key Lime Pie, or moreover, Key Lime Cheesecake!  Oops, the book, right...) It is an intense installment in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. 

Sadie adores Pete but can't ignore that their is a certain chemistry with Eric, the Clyde to her Bonnie.  So when Pete bows out gracefully, and Eric seems to be in trouble, Sadie flies to Miami to see if she can help.  She walks into a far larger mess than she imagined possible, Eric is in over his head, and drags Sadie in with him. 

Once again, I feel Josi S. Kilpack has left the cozy of culinary cozies far behind... and I like it.  While the mystery unravels a little slower than the last book, it's no less enticing.  The plot is a little more direct, with fewer surprises, but the journey is a good one.

Again, Sadie pushes the envelope with her investigation, going perhaps further than I would, but she stays true to her gutsy self.  She also has learned a bit of a lesson about interfering with a police investigation from her last adventure, but Eric puts her in a bad position and circumstances prevail... however, it's nice to see the character of Sadie growing and learning from her mistakes and from some introspection she was previously lacking. 

I must admit, I love the direction Kilpack is taking this series, while still managing to include her marvelous recipes.  I can't wait for the next addition to the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series! And I recommend that you check them out too...

Final Take: 4.0/5

Jenn's Review: Devil's Food Cake

Summary:  It's been years since author Thom Mortenson has been back to Garrison, Colorado. As part of the committee who invited the bestselling writer to speak at the library fundraising benefit, Sadie Hoffmiller wants everything to be perfect right down to the homemade devils food cake she baked herself. Certainly, murder was not on the menu.

When Thom's manager ends up dead on stage, Sadie jumps in to offer her guidance and expertise to investigators. But when the police refuse to take her seriously, Sadie has no choice but to pursue justice on her own. After all, is Sadie to blame if she keeps stumbling over information? Can Sadie turn her back when people intricately woven into the deception keep crossing her path?

With her son, Shawn, at her side, her reputation on the line, and a full cast of suspicious characters, Sadie Hoffmiller is once again cooking her way through a case that offers far more questions than answers.

Review:  This is the third installment in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series and the most delectable so far.  Devil's Food Cake is a culinary mystery on another level.  Josi S. Kilpack has taken the 'cozy' out of culinary cozy.

Sadie started off as a bit of a caricature back in Lemon Tart, but she has developed into a character with depth.  I'm not sure she's someone I want to know, but only because people she knows have a nasty habit of being murdered.  Is she a bit of a busy body?  Perhaps, but she certainly is useful one.  An active member of her community, Sadie has personal inside knowledge of relationships and people that perhaps are not so obvious to the police force.  She's also very gutsy. (Sadie makes a murder suspect a snack in the home of a woman who just attacked her... could I?  Maybe, but would I?  No way!)  Unfortunately, because she's dating a detective on the force and she has a reputation for interfering in investigations, Sadie is ignored by the police.  But she does find a stranger to aid her investigation, one who just may crumble her relationship that is already on the rocks.

The plot is intricate and compactly woven.  The story moves without lulls and while the reader may question the validity actions of the characters, they are sure of their motivations.  As crazy as the cast is, they all mean well.  As a reader, I never found myself ahead or behind the investigation.  I was right with Sadie every step of the way, and just as shocked as she was by every turn of events.

Kilpack's writing style can go from witty to serious in an instant, and lets not forget about the delicious recipes included! The food is pulled into the story, and the recipes follow the chapter, but they are never forced. 

It is the most complete in character and plot of the three books in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series and I couldn't put it down.  Which is why I'm moving right into book four.  I can't wait to start Key Lime Pie!

Final Take:  4.25/5

Jenn's Review: English Trifle

Summary: High Crimes at High Tea Things to Do in England Visit Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the London Zoo Take the Jack the Ripper tour creepy! Sample authentic English scones and crumpets Discover a dead body What begins as a holiday trip for amateur sleuth and cooking aficionado Sadie Hoffmiller and her daughter, Breanna, turns into a bizarre mystery when they discover a dead body in the sitting room of an English manor. Breanna's boyfriend, Liam, is heir to both the family title and the family estate of Southgate, where everyone seems to have a secret . . . or two. When the body in the sitting room disappears, Sadie and Breanna are stranded at the estate until the police can clear them to leave. With their departure delayed, they might as well solve the murder. Armed with a jogging whistle, her personal recipe collection, and an unfailing sense of American justice, Sadie begins her own investigation to find the killer. But as Sadie uncovers layer after layer of misdirection, secrets, and outright lies, she wonders if anyone is telling the truth or if the case is really as hopeless as it appears to be. Take a missing family history, toss in a secret romance, mix with a mysterious murder, and this is one vacation Sadie will never forget.

Review: This the second book of Josi S. Kilpack's the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series. I enjoyed this one even more than Lemon Tart, the first book in the series, because the story seemed to flow more freely.

Sadie does not blatantly barge into an investigation, this time, she just lands in the middle of one by discovering a body in the sitting room of an English manor. At first, no one believes the crazy Americans, so it gives Sadie cause to jump full-on into the investigation. She's also trying to protect her daughter Breanna and it was wonderful to explore more of her relationship with her daughter.

The plot seemed more linear in this one, and while some things are obvous a soon as the exposition is layed out, all is not as it seems. Kilpack has a few twists up her sleeve. The pull of the storyline is so compelling, that the end of chapter recipes almost seem bothersome at times ~almost.

This was an quick, but engaging read. If you love food-lit and a good mystery, you will enjoy Kilpack's culinary mystery series!

Final Take: 3.75/5

Guest Blog: Josi S. Kilpack

Tuesday, I posted my review of Josi S. Kilpack's yummy book, Lemon Tart. Today I'm thrilled to present her guest blog spot about confidence and her journey to becoming an author:

I recently spoke to a group of junior high students as part of career day presentation on becoming an author. I’d gone through having realistic expectations about income, learning about the craft of writing, and knowing the market—all essential parts of being a writer. I looked at my notes to make sure I hadn’t missed anything and saw the word “Confidence” written on my list of things to work on. I looked at my audience again. How on earth do you talk to a bunch of 14 year olds about having confidence? For a moment I was transported back to those awkward years of never wearing the right thing, rarely saying the right thing, and never quite trusting myself to be the right thing in any given situation. Just the memories were painful but somehow I was supposed to tell these kids how to do something I hadn’t been able to do at there age?

I didn’t dream of being an author, I didn’t dream of being anything, really, other than graduated some day so I could do whatever I wanted all day (ha, ha, ha). In the blink of an eye I scrambled through my story to find a way to explain confidence, and to simply remember how I ever developed. I remembered a few specific things directly related to my writing. First, I remembered writing an ongoing story to a friend in 8th grade where I put kids we knew and boys we liked as characters in this story. It was nothing special, in fact I’m very glad I don’t have those notes because I’m sure they would embarrass me greatly were I read them now. But I remembered my friend telling me that I was a great storyteller. I had never thought of myself as a great anything, and I didn’t even believe her, but the fact that she said it meant something and I held onto that tightly. Years later, in college, I, for the first time, had a teacher tell me I was a good writer. She wrote it on a research paper I’d done on sex change operations. I still wasn’t thinking about becoming a writer —the dream was still too big, but I cherished her words. I don’t recall anyone telling me I was good at anything since that junior high note and her words made me consider, for the first time, that perhaps I was good at writing. What a thought! Within a couple of years I was a mother. I didn’t know how to cook, clean, or how to do my daughter’s hair. So, I started to learn and while learning to make tuna casserole I learned how to set a goal, finish it, and be proud of it. Now, I’d set goals before, I’d been proud of things before, but these things created a different kind of satisfaction because I was now old enough to realize that by learning to make tuna casserole I would never not-know how again.

Fast forward another 15 years and I’m supposed to tell these kids how to be confident —but having rehearsed my own story I had an answer. Create success and then celebrate it. There are times when we do well without having made concerted effort to do so —the notes I’d written to my friend— these are still successes. There are other times we do what we need to do, but do it very well —the paper my teacher complimented— these are also successes. And then there are times when we purposely work toward something —learning to make tuna casserole— and we do what we set out to do. In every instance we have the choice of shrugging off, counting the accomplishment as unworthy of notice and moving on, or we can take a step back, notice the improvement we’ve invited into our lives, and let ourselves feel good about it. Every time we allow ourselves to feel good about something we do, I believe we create a greater desire to do it again. We want to feel good, and noticing our successes allow us to do that. So I looked at these awkward kids stuck in an awkward age that feels as though it’s going to last forever and told them to start looking for things they do well, start setting small goals they can achieve, surround themselves with people who will applaud their accomplishments, and, in so doing, begin growing their confidence which is so essential no matter what they decide to do as adults. Maybe it’s working extra hard to get that A on their paper, maybe it’s not getting any cavities at the dentist, maybe it’s saving up for a favorite video game —the goals shouldn’t be big, they should simply be attainable. And when they are achieved, they deserve to be celebrated. Perhaps they’re celebrated with a journal entry, perhaps they are shared with someone who pats you on the back, or maybe they are simply something pondered and approved in their own mind. However it’s done, the celebration is the important thing. There are plenty of things to feel lousy about in life —whether you’re 14 or 47— but there are many things worthy of celebration too.

It was a powerful concept to try and explain, I hope they heard me. Even if they didn’t, however, I was reminded all over again of my journey —and I’m proud of that journey. I have dreams yet to realized, perhaps I still have dreams I haven’t dreamed about, but I sincerely hope that as I move forward on my path that I will take the time to feel good about those things I accomplish. After all, if I won’t celebrate the little things, who will?

Jenn's Review: Lemon Tart

Summary: Award-winning author Josi S. Kilpack introduces a new series of culinary cozies that is sure to tantalize mystery lovers. In this debut volume, cooking aficionado turned amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller tries to solve the murder of her beautiful young neighbor a single mother who was mysteriously lured from her home while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is the woman's missing two year-old child. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects including her! For an added treat, original mouth-watering recipes for Sadie's Lemon Tart, Homemade Alfredo Sauce, Carrot Cookies, Brownies, and Granny's Gingerbread Bundt Cake are sprinkled throughout the book.

Review: With my love of food-lit and mystery novels Lemon Tart seemed like an ideal read... and it is truly the best of both worlds. It was a quick, light read full of surprises and delicious recipes.

This is the first book I've read in a long time where the voice of the story is not that of the law enforcement or the criminologists who are doing the lead investigating, but that of a friend and neighbor looking in from the outside. At first, that took a little adjusting to, but once I switched mind frames, it was very refreshing. Sadie is the town busybody that knows everyone... and that everyone knows. So when a neighbor is murdered and a toddler goes missing, what can she do but investigate? Sadie knows her neighbor better than anyone else in her cul-de-sac, but how much do any of us really know our neighbors?

Sadie takes food and cooking seriously; thank you's, apologies, and bribes, all come with a yummy homemade treat (for which Ms. Kilpack graciously supplies the recipes at the ends of chapters). She also has a knack for nosing into trouble. Sure, many of Sadie's problems and fears would be alleviated if she told the police all that she knows, but with her thirst to save the murdered women's reputation, the discoveries she's making about her friends and family, and a neophyte detective who suspects her of murder, Sadie has a hard time not withholding evidence.

Ms. Kilpack's character's are well developed and her plot has plenty of layers. For me, the only sticking point in the plot was the lack of FBI involvement in the case of the missing toddler. This nagged me to the point where I actually looked up the protocol. Apparently it is suggested that the FBI be notified, but it is up to the discretion of law enforcement working the case. As we are only seeing the investigation from Sadie's point of view, I suppose the FBI may have been involved, but I would think that if they were involved, they would have interviewed Sadie. I also would have tossed Sadie into jail for interfering with an investigation long before the lead detective is fed up with her, but then again, he does seem to have a soft spot for her.

While I love a good heavy crime novel, this was a nice light mystery with some great food-lit infusion ~ a perfect summer read. If you are a fan of comfort food and delicious intrigue, this book is for you. I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series, try some of the scrumptious recipes, and perhaps check out some other titles from Ms. Kilpack.


Final Take 3.5/5